Make a rabbit secure indoors

[Hermelin]

Hello everyone [emoji5]

I need tips and advice on how to help my rabbit Toste to become more safe indoors. He dosen’t have the best eyesight which make him really jumpy and easily scared. So movements will scare him, if he dosen’t expect it to move or hear it.

He have stopped being aggressive towards humans and recently I have managed to teach him to be calm when being picked up and be safe while being carried.

So now, I’m taking the step to make him used being around humans. Indoor there’s more sounds and movements than what he will meet outdoor, but he truly love cuddling and snuggling to my brother or me.

I have only one last step with him until he will be a perfect house rabbit and I will be more secure to introduce him to people and friends.

Bomber me with advice and tips, so I can help him be that rabbit he should be and safer rabbit [emoji235]

 

[Imbrium]

This site is a great place to start. There's such a variety of tricks that can be used, though, and an infinite number of things that rabbits can get into that it's hard to give advice without knowing something more specific. If you've done what you can with general bunny-proofing and such, please post a little more detail about what issues you're still having, what you're worried about him getting into, what scares him, etc. - the more detail the better - then you'll probably get a lot more useful responses.

If you're asking specifically for advice about things that spook or unsettle him... everybunny is a bit different in that regard but still, specifics help a ton as far as whether or not someone can relate to the situation. Our own Big Bunny (aka Barnaby) startles very easily, we've still got a long way to go to teach him that he doesn't need to be so afraid of things. I've yet to figure everything out fully, in all honesty. He was found in a park when he was 6 mos old, no idea how long he'd been there, then was in a shelter until 11-12 months old and he's been with us for 2-3 weeks. Patience and a calm demeanor definitely help though. Seriously, though, the more specific you can be, the more help you'll end up getting .

 

[Hermelin]

Toste get scared of all movements that he dosen’t expect to see, even the flicker of the sunshade outside will scare him, when being indoors.

He have trouble seeing and becomes easily startled to pretty much everything that moves or sudden sounds. It dosen’t have to be loud sounds which will make him run.

The house it’s bunny proofed and so that’s no problem, with him running around the house.

Right now, I always make loud noises before stepping into a room, so he knows someone is coming. But even if you do this, he will become startled, when walking into the room and sees you.

He’s no longer afraid of humans but he’s still scared of humans moving around in a house. Outdoors there’s no problem for him, because I have been working with him outside more than indoors.

He’s still an outdoor rabbit and live outside in a small hutch, with a 72 sq ft pen attached to the cage. But the plan for him, it’s to make him a free roaming indoor rabbit because he’s more relaxed indoors than outdoors.

 

[Imbrium]

It's probably something he'll just need time to adjust to. Humans wearing some sort of perfume/cologne/body spray could help him anticipate movement, too, since he'll probably smell people before he actually sees them.

 

[Scarly]

I don’t think there is anything you can do to prevent him from being startled by unfamiliar sounds and movements. Over time any sounds, or people that are consistent he will start to get used to. In the mean time make sure he has a safe space he can retreat to. My rabbit is free roam but we have a cage (door removed) with her litter box and hidey house and a blanket that she will go to if she’s scared or just wants some space. This is also where we feed her. We never reach into the cage to take her out, ever. it’s her safe space and we don’t intrude. I clean her litter box etc when she is running around playing etc not when she is in her cage

 

[Hermelin]

The only problem I’ve noticed when he run and scared is that he never run to his hide house.

He run to the closest thing he can run under. Happens often he run into something like a wall.

My other rabbit even manage to startle him, when he moves. So I worry over him getting hurt, I always make sure to make sounds when I walk. I can sit on the floor a bit away and he won’t react I’m there until I move and he’ll become startled.

 

[April LD]

Try calling his name as you enter the room or are coming close, talk to him as opposed to making loud noises, this could be causing him to pause and get scared and then seeing a shape coming near makes him run?...this can better help him decipher the general location where you are coming from, introduce him to new sights, sounds, smells, maybe don't free roam now but one small area in a room until he is less startled by small things like the sun shade etc. Then slowly make it a larger space as you notice the more confidence he gets. Have a hide in this space for him and go from there. It really will be a time thing and then even still he might get startled.... good luck!

 

[Hermelin]

Thanks, he’s easily startled outdoors but not as much.

Can he become more secure when I bond him with my other bun.

The other rabbit have a really clingy personality that will follow a person wherever you go and give a lot of kisses. Will a rabbit that confidence help him be calmer indoors.

 

[April LD]

I suppose it's possible - but I have heard that when bonding that rabbits with good habits can also take on bad habits from a bond. You never know...if you could get them to stay together all the time your other rabbit could become like a safety "blanket" but there's no telling really. I wish you luck!

 

[Imbrium]

The only problem I’ve noticed when he run and scared is that he never run to his hide house.

He run to the closest thing he can run under. Happens often he run into something like a wall.

Big bunny does this sometimes, he just ricochets across the area into whatever. It would be hilarious if I didn't feel so bad for the little (well, massive) guy .

What kind of hide house does he have, and does he only have one? Try providing multiple options if you're not already; cardboard boxes of various sizes tend to be very popular. Try leaving the flaps open on some with the box on its side and on others, fold the flaps shut and place it flap side down, then cut a rabbit sized "door" hole in the side.

Can he become more secure when I bond him with my other bun.

The other rabbit have a really clingy personality that will follow a person wherever you go and give a lot of kisses. Will a rabbit that confidence help him be calmer indoors.

In many cases, yes, especially if the outgoing rabbit ends up being the dominant one in the pair. Have you ever seen a ginormous rabbit trying to hide underneath or behind a rabbit half their size? It's hilarious! Like a little kid trying to hide under mom's skirt. Mind you, even if the confidence rubs off on him, it DOES take time... but more skittish/submissive rabbits often learn to follow the lead of their more confident partner.

 

[Hermelin]

Big bunny does this sometimes, he just ricochets across the area into whatever. It would be hilarious if I didn't feel so bad for the little (well, massive) guy .

What kind of hide house does he have, and does he only have one? Try providing multiple options if you're not already; cardboard boxes of various sizes tend to be very popular. Try leaving the flaps open on some with the box on its side and on others, fold the flaps shut and place it flap side down, then cut a rabbit sized "door" hole in the side.

I also feel bad for him when he run into things. He have a small hide house of wood, then I have a cage in my bedroom and a transport cage stands open. I’m thinking to buy a litter box with roof and one entrance, so they can hide in there and eat hay.

My free roaming rabbit hides behind the aquarium when he get scared, so I don’t have a lot of hide house indoors.

I think my small buck will be the submissive one of them, because if the other rabbit won’t attack he will just sniff on them and lick there ears. He have never attacked or chased any rabbit in his territory until they attack or triggers him to chase :/

Will have to see how the bond will go later, will try to bond them in may. So it will be 8 weeks post neutered for Odin.

When they first met in a neutral area, but I think my doe have thought Toste to fight other rabbits now (a bad habit taught by a dominant queen)

 

[Scarly]

The only problem I’ve noticed when he run and scared is that he never run to his hide house.

He run to the closest thing he can run under. Happens often he run into something like a wall.

My other rabbit even manage to startle him, when he moves. So I worry over him getting hurt, I always make sure to make sounds when I walk. I can sit on the floor a bit away and he won’t react I’m there until I move and he’ll become startled.

Maybe reduce his space to an xpen and then slowly expand? It might make him feel more secure as he adjusts to loosing his eye sight. Also be sure to say something to him when you enter the room so he know you're coming? and just move slowly if you move toward him while speaking?

 

[Hermelin]

Maybe reduce his space to an xpen and then slowly expand? It might make him feel more secure as he adjusts to loosing his eye sight. Also be sure to say something to him when you enter the room so he know you're coming? and just move slowly if you move toward him while speaking?

I’ll try doing that with him, I often make noises when I’m walking into a room. But I can’t always know where he is in the house.

I’m still working with gaining his trust, he have not fully bonded with me yet. But he no longer attacks, he will just run away and come back slowly when he get uncomfortable. He will often hide under my bed and will just stick out his head when I call him and then run back under.

He becomes really cuddly when he’s up on the couch, he will often sleep and stay with me a few hours.

 

[samoth]

Try calling his name as you enter the room or are coming close, talk to him as opposed to making loud noises, this could be causing him to pause and get scared and then seeing a shape coming near makes him run?...this can better help him decipher the general location where you are coming from...

I second this.

My buck will lounge in the middle of the hallway and make me step over him, but my doe is very flighty. I've found that calling out (e.g., "hey, guys! comin' in!" or something) make my doe more comfortable, as she knows (1) someone's coming around the corner/into the room, and (2) it's me that's coming and not a rabbit-eating monster. She's quite receptive to this. If I don't announce, she often gets startled and bolts like a madbun into the nearest hiding spot.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Is Toste deaf? In addition to loss of eyesight?

We rescued a deaf/neutered bun from a shelter, and we didn't realize he was deaf for many months - until his adopter discovered that he was! He did react with nips/bites to strange smells on hands.

His forever-home adopter would turn the light switch on/off in his bedroom when entering his private bedroom space.
This will be of no matter if Odin's eyesight is severely impaired.

We have four buns with various degrees of cataracts being 12 - 13 1/2 years old.

Three of our indoor buns (with us since their abandoned/captured mother gave birth in our home) have acclimated to their familiar surroundings and territory.

They will get startled if they see an unfamiliar sight. I always speak to our cataract kids and they follow my voice to come to their food bowl in their exercise pen space.

Yes, our eyesight-impaired kids run into walls at times, too. Glad that Odin in neutered, and he'll poke his head out from under the bed at the sound of your voice; hopefully not a hearing loss and eyesight impairment.

Adorable pic of Odin on the couch, plus hearing he's a cuddler, willing to stay with you for hours. You are his comfort-level, safety partner.

 

[Hermelin]

Is Toste deaf? In addition to loss of eyesight?

We rescued a deaf/neutered bun from a shelter, and we didn't realize he was deaf for many months - until his adopter discovered that he was! He did react with nips/bites to strange smells on hands.

His forever-home adopter would turn the light switch on/off in his bedroom when entering his private bedroom space.
This will be of no matter if Odin's eyesight is severely impaired.

We have four buns with various degrees of cataracts being 12 - 13 1/2 years old.

Three of our indoor buns (with us since their abandoned/captured mother gave birth in our home) have acclimated to their familiar surroundings and territory.

They will get startled if they see an unfamiliar sight. I always speak to our cataract kids and they follow my voice to come to their food bowl in their exercise pen space.

Yes, our eyesight-impaired kids run into walls at times, too. Glad that Odin in neutered, and he'll poke his head out from under the bed at the sound of your voice; hopefully not a hearing loss and eyesight impairment.

Adorable pic of Odin on the couch, plus hearing he's a cuddler, willing to stay with you for hours. You are his comfort-level, safety partner.

He only have bad eyesight. This was something I noticed after a 2 months of owning him, his previously owners never told anything about it. Bought him from a child family when he was 6 months old, so have been working with him everyday since then.

He will follow sounds with his ears but I think he try to use his eyes quite a lot. Because he often try to see where the sound came from and will weave his head when he hear someone call. He will also miss you if you are too far away and will have trouble finding you.

He’s still a working process being safe around humans and me getting a better bond with him. He never ask to be petted but when you start petting him, he will lay down and purring while closing his eyes. So I just wants him to have the courage to ask for being groomed and get attention, because he truly enjoys it. Which you notice when he gets picked up and have the chance to spend time in the couch with me. He will even purr while being carried and I’m stroking him.

The other two rabbits always beg for attention and follow you like a shadow when you are with them. They are more towards the extreme, doing anything for attention (begging, nibbling on the clothes, give kisses and so on). While he hides and it’s really insecure, only sticking his head out or sneaking around carefully.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

If there was a love symbol, I'd be clicking the tab. Hermelin, Odin is a fortunate boy to have you as his mom! Tooth purrs are therapy-moments to experience.

Building trust and feeling safe in your care takes time. oh, his personality just melts my heart. Thanks for explaining all and welcoming Odin into your home. Often we are unaware of experiences our fur-babies encountered before we got him/her. Kindly keep us posted on bonding.

 

[Imbrium]

You might try having some sort of cage/condo for him as a home base when he's inside. I suspect our Big Bunny (the super skittish guy) doesn't have great eyesight either, due to his red eyes. Rabbits have very weird vision anyway (I just found out from this article that they lack depth perception), but I'm pretty sure I remember hearing that red eyed rabbits are more prone to eyesight issues and I know for a fact they're totally colorblind.

Big bunny seemed MUCH happier when I moved him and Harley from a large penned-in area to a NIC condo. Something about the security of close walls and only one door, I assume. If I leave the door open so they can roam around and he gets startled (someone entering the room, for example), he makes a beeline for the condo because he's come to see that as being both "his" and as a safe space where stuff (cats or other unexpected stimuli) can't get to him.

If you go that route, you'll need to keep him confined to the cage/condo (aside from like 2-3 hours a day for exercise) for a few days to a week, that way he establishes ownership of that space.

 

[Hermelin]

You might try having some sort of cage/condo for him as a home base when he's inside. I suspect our Big Bunny (the super skittish guy) doesn't have great eyesight either, due to his red eyes. Rabbits have very weird vision anyway (I just found out from this article that they lack depth perception), but I'm pretty sure I remember hearing that red eyed rabbits are more prone to eyesight issues and I know for a fact they're totally colorblind.

Big bunny seemed MUCH happier when I moved him and Harley from a large penned-in area to a NIC condo. Something about the security of close walls and only one door, I assume. If I leave the door open so they can roam around and he gets startled (someone entering the room, for example), he makes a beeline for the condo because he's come to see that as being both "his" and as a safe space where stuff (cats or other unexpected stimuli) can't get to him.

If you go that route, you'll need to keep him confined to the cage/condo (aside from like 2-3 hours a day for exercise) for a few days to a week, that way he establishes ownership of that space.

I have one indoor cage, all sides coverd with blankets except the front of the cage. But he still run under my bed when he gets scared. Maybe time will help him because in the cage he will flop and sleep really deep which you won’t see outside.

I’ll have to wait until summer and see how it goes

Thanks for the tips [emoji5]

 

[Imbrium]

Well, if he's never been confined to that cage for long stretches of time, that may be why it's not his go-to place to run. If he's starting to make a habit of darting under the bed instead of running into walls, though, that's definite progress! As long as he's got a place where he feels safe, that's what's important.