Help! My rabbit just did something extremely weird

[Rabbitguy98]

So I got a new Flemish Giant about a week ago. Hes probably about 5 to 8 months old but it's my first flemish giant and I'm not sure. This last week hes been super friendly and cuddly and just one of the most relaxing rabbits I've ever owned, beyond easy. Well I had him out in the yard today (its fenced for rabbits) and everything seemed to be like the oast few days. He was just exploring and having a blast. When I went outside to get him he ran. Like a wild rabbit runs. At first I thought he was playing but it quickly became apparent he was terrified. I backed off and waited a few minutes and went out again and he did the same thing. As I got close to him he started squealing and when he stopped he just kept thumping and it was obvious he was terrified. I waited about 5 minutes and this time he ran stopped and just let me get him. Once inside he was fine. Hes acting completely normal like nothing ever happened. What was that about? I've never seen a rabbit do that before and I'm worried about my big guy.

 

[Lauren Kiernan]

Sounds like he did not want come in!

 

[Rabbitguy98]

Sounds like he did not want come in!

Is that common behavior for a stubborn rabbit? I've never had that happen before.

 

[Hermelin]

My outdoor bunny will always stomp and grunt/ squeal when I let her roam indoors. She often tells that she’s unhappy getting dragged indoors, she rather run lose in the yard than running lose in the house.

She’s not afraid of me or any humans, just extremely vocal with what she wants.

Might be the same with your bunny [emoji195]

 

[JBun]

More likely he sensed or saw a predator and it freaked him out. A rabbit screaming/squealing means they're terrified of something.

 

[Shayna]

Maybe he just got startled then went into flight mode. Mine also run on a fenced acre.. when I’m home and they sometimes act Goofy when I’m am trying to round them up

 

[Blue eyes]

Is he out in the yard or in a completely enclosed run? I noticed you stated, "When I went outside to get him ..." but if he is not in a completely enclosed run, then a human should be present outside with him at all times. It is quite dangerous to let a rabbit outside otherwise. Even a passing shadow of a bird overhead can freak out a rabbit that isn't used to that (or even one that is).

 

[Mackenzie Salm]

It just sounds like he didn't want to come inside. My outdoor rabbits will start running if they are outside and I come by and its not their feeding time. Because they know better and want to stay outside.

 

[Orrin]

One of my buns will do the same thing. It seems as though she doesn't recognize me from a distance and she will thump and act as if she has been spooked. I merely stop, stand sock still and talk to her a bit and then everything will be fine when she hears my voice. She thumps first and asks questions later.

Sometimes, if I forget myself and inadvertently move too fast any one of my rabbits is likely to get spooked and/or thump. Again, it is my fault and nothing is wrong with them.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Sounds like he's been upset with predator or raptor sounds outdoors.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Our indoor buns know when their playtime shift is concluded. They will play games with us and not want to readily return to their home same quadrant upon voice command. Some of our indoor buns put themselves back into their private bedroom space, some test your patience. Outdoors there is plenty of sounds from wildlife - and their hearing is better than ours - to cause them stress.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Home safe quadrant. Edit to entry above. // As JBun mentioned, squealing and thumping indicates he was alerted to danger. Fearful for his life.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Google on The Language of Lagomorphs. Your Guide to Rabbit Communication.

Rabbit Speak - Understanding Your Rabbit / Behavior - pdf by rabbitadvocates . org

Bunny hugga - vocalisation in rabbits - paragraphs on thumping and screaming

 

[cuteus]

I agree on the screaming. Rabbits are more likely to scream loudly out of terror or pain. Maybe an insect was biting him? Better check his body. Otherwise, he might not have recognized you as friend, or the door sound or shadows. Maybe you wore clothing that made you unrecognizable to him. The only way to find out for sure is the next time he is outside. If a repeat performance.

 

[Sissy]

I also had this happen in the house when I approached through a different door, or popped up in a place the rabbit didn't expect. It's horrible to see your rabbit suddenly terrified of you! It was like he did not recognise me just because I came in from a different direction. I now try and remember to talk to him before he sees me coming. I just say "it's only me" and enter very slowly.