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Bunny not eating and seems unhappy?

I've had my bunny Daisy for 6 days, i was given her along with a guinea pig and was told they lived together inside. The 1st night i had them inside as our outdoor hutch wasnt ready for them, which is lucky as the rabbit kept attacking the guinea. I seperated them straight away and for the last 5 days the bunny lives out in the hutch and the guinea is inside. My bunny seemed ok at 1st, a couple of days ago i put a harness and lead on her and took her in the garden which she loved. When i put her back in the hutch she was kicking (obviously annoyed with me!) Since then she hasnt touched her food and when i stroke her and try to get her out she grunts at me. She has a huge 2 story hutch with a run at the bottom (which she wont even go into) Is my bunny hating livin outside?

7 Answers

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  • Hubley
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    You haven't had your rabbit for very long, so she's most likely still adjusting to her new environment. And if she was previously an indoor rabbit, moving her outdoors - alone, when she previously had a 'roommate' - is another huge stressor. Give her some space; feed her, spend time with her, talk to her, but for now don't handle her too much beyond petting her if she allows it. If she used to get along with the guinea pig but began attacking it once you brought them home, chances are she was expressing her fear over such overwhelming change. It's not the best to house guinea pigs together anyway, as rabbits have been known to accidentally kill them when stressed, so it's good that you did separate them.

    Moving an indoor rabbit to the outdoors is a HUGE stress, and she might never adjust to it. Plus the presence of animals around the cage at night (neighbourhood cats and dogs, raccoons, skunks, other forms of wildlife) will only scare her further. Rabbits are also social creatures, so to isolate her from everyone, even if you do give her attention every day, could set her up to become aggressive. My recommendation would be that if you possibly can, move her into the house with your family and set up a rabbit-proof environment there. She will be much happier and more likely to settle in as a family pet than by attempting to make her an outdoor rabbit.

  • 9 years ago

    Bunnies live twice as long when housed indoors. She will be much happier being inside with you. It takes a bunny time to adjust to new situations. Moving is extremely stressful. In fact, when a bunny first comes to a new situation/house it should be left alone for a full 48 hours undisturbed.

    Here are some great indoor habitat ideas you could consider.

    http://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/GreatHabitats/tabi...

    Also, bunnies should never be pulled out of their cage/hutch. This is a common mistake. The cage should be their sanctuary and when it is time for exercise, the door should just be opened and bunny allowed to come out when ready. Same for putting bunny back in. They should be coaxed, not forced. They shouldn't even be pet while in their cage. The cage should be strictly their area where they can feel safe and undisturbed. (Do cage-cleaning while they are out.)

    When bunny is out for exercise in bunny-proofed area, let bunny come to you. This is how you begin to build a bond with a bunny. One can never force themself on a rabbit and expect bunny to learn to trust them. Patience is the key word with owning a bunny.

    The binky bunny site has other good tips as well. Have fun browsing around that site and seeing easy habitats for indoor bunnies.

  • Amber
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    Well naturally that's where they live so no, my guess is she is a dominant femal, or thinks she is and is pretty much telling u what she does n doesn't want as far as u petting her. Did u continue with the food she was used to or did u change it? A bunny won't starve to death if food is present so she will eventually decide to eat

  • 9 years ago

    Sounds like your bunny is still adjusting to the new home. I would keep taking her out to the garden and allow her to enjoy the grass and sunshine

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  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    its a popular misconception that u can keep rabbits with guinea pigs, you really shouldnt! http://www.saveafluff.co.uk/rabbit-info/guinea-pig...

    your bunny will be scared and getting used to where she lives. you should get her spayed and get her a rabbit friend, ideally from a rescue: http://www.saveafluff.co.uk/rabbit-info/rabbit-pai...

    that will make her happier and more sociable

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    i'm sorry you lost your rabbit,fly strike is surely prevented by a powder utilized in April by way of to September, there are indications your rabbit might of had fly strike prevention is the biggest answer

  • 9 years ago

    Get her a male bunny so they can hump!

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