Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > my rabbit, Bunny, is very nervous...

my rabbit, Bunny, is very nervous...

22 10:56:26

Question
hello~
a few days ago, i got a female mini lop rabbit named Bunny. since she got home, however, she's been pretty nervous...often shaking when i take her out to exercise a bit, twitching, her heart rate is very fast when i hold her for just a second..etc. is there something i should be doing that I'm not already? is it because i just got her and she's not used to the unfamiliar surroundings? please help! i want my mini lop to be happy and healthy!
thank-you~~

Answer
Hi Huo

Chances are she is just nervous.  If she is a baby she was just taken away from her mommy and it is a whole new world.  If she already had a comfy home and all the sudden was relocated to yours she will need time to realize that this is where she lives now.  

The most important thing you can do is make sure she is getting plenty of grass hay.  Rabbits who are nervous will often go off of feed or eat less than normal.  This messes up the normal flora of their gut and can cause GI stasis.  If you give her lots of hay to munch on it will not only help her gut to keep moving but it will also give her something to chew on and help to ease her nervousness.

I am attaching a site that I just found that seems to cover just about everything for new rabbit owners.  I don't know who it belongs to I just came across it but they did a very nice job of explaining everything.

http://www.colerun.com/New_rabbit_owners.htm

Just give her time and let her know what space is hers.  Once she feels comfortable in her own space she will start coming up to investigate you.  I will often times set up a large rabbit safe play area and put the new bunnies in there.  I will lay in there and read a book and before to long the new bunny will come up to investigate me.  Once the rabbit knows I am not going to hurt it I will start to give it a small treat (1 raisin) out of my hand.  After a while the rabbit will know that you are one awesome mommy/daddy and will come to you for love and attention.

One thing you do need to be aware of is that not all bunnies like to be picked up.  That doesn't mean they aren't loveable and don't like to be petted but if your rabbit gets really nervous when you are picking her up you can keep working with her.  Try making sure that you are holding on to both her bottom and her feet so that she feels secure.  

I wish you the very best with your new friend and I hope that you both have an enjoyable long life together.  If you need any further help please let me know.

Thank you and Good luck

Pam