Anyone else have a "sometimes" timid bunny?

[Mariah]

So my little Kiwi Lemon is sometimes very timid. She acts like she's never seen me before. I live in a basement apt and her cage is right beside Papaya's cage and they have runs that are attached to they cages. They are around a corner so I always make sure when I'm going to go see them I say their names so they are not shocked when I come around tr corner. Sometimes I'll do this and Kiwi is super surprised when I come around the corner and will jump, hide and act skittish. I give them notice when I'm coming and I think she dosent hear me or see me!

She will act like this for a couple of hours. Papaya is fine, but once he see her acting scared, he gets scared too. Is kiwi going deaf and or blind? She is only a year and a half.

Any advise or suggestions on this? Things I should be doing? Or not doing?

 

[MiniLopHop]

Rabbits have very poor eyesight up close (always looking for preditors in the distance) so we look like fuzzy blobs to them. I have to make sure to remove my sunglasses before passing through the mudd room because I scare the rabbits if I'm wearing them (I guess to them my eyes look HUGE with them on).

This may be a strange question, but do you smell different at times? Differnt soap, perfume, laundry detergent, etc? They use smell to recognise us more than visual.

My buns freaked out a few days when I got a new perfume. Now they know the scent and are fine with it.

Also, if your cutie is a sound sleeper she may not hear you when you come in. Perhaps stomp your feet? They tend to be more sensitive to vibrations when they are sleeping rather than voices.

If you are concerned about a health issue I suggest a vet trip, but if there's no signs of infection of any kind I wouldn't think it was a medical issue. You might want to take a look to be sure the inside ears aren't red, gunky, or stinky and check for any wetness or discharge around the eyes.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Nikki, our avatar will do that if she doesn't hear us coming down the hallway.

 

[Mariah]

Kiwi is healthy as far as I can see. I know she's still grieving the loss of Citrus who died in April. He was her security blanket and now there's only Papaya who is just 5 months old now. He's no security for her!

I don't think I smell different. I mean I do work at a vet clinic so maybe the smells of the other animals are throwing her off?

 

[MiniLopHop]

Oh yes, the loss of a mate can make them MUCH more jumpy and fearful for quite a while, particularly if they had that sort of dynamic between them. Her brave bun is no longer there to help her feel brave as well. Hopefully as Papaya grows he will help fill in the void.

You may have a random smell from the clinic from time to time as well. My kids hate the smell of dogs.

 

[Mariah]

Yes I did notice her behaviour change when Citrus passed. Poor little girl is still grieving. I can only hope Papaya helps her as he gets older. She wants to be his friend but he humps her so I have to keep them separate. Good thing Papaya is getting neutered on Thurs...

 

[Mariah]

So just to add to the equation, Kiwi has started digging in her litter box and on the fleese on the ground in her x pen.

Why is she suddenly digging?