Change in behaviour since I had a baby

I'm asking about my 2 year old dwarf lop. She is female and neutered. I've taken her to the vet, and she is completely healthy and up to date with her jabs.

I had a baby 3 months ago. Since I brought my son home, Bunbun doesn't come out of her cage very much.

She has always been a bit shy. We adopted her a year ago, and was advised that she wasn't very affectionate. She is a house rabbit, who used to enjoy trips out into the garden.

She used to come out of her cage every day for a run around the house and a fuss, but since bringing the baby home, she stays in her cage most of the time, even when we try and coax her out.

She seems happy, and likes a fuss in the cage. The baby and I went to stay with my parents for three weeks, but she didn't come out much then either.

Is she unhappy? What can I do to make the situation better?

abbieken888 said:

I'm asking about my 2 year old dwarf lop. She is female and neutered. I've taken her to the vet, and she is completely healthy and up to date with her jabs.

I had a baby 3 months ago. Since I brought my son home, Bunbun doesn't come out of her cage very much.

She has always been a bit shy. We adopted her a year ago, and was advised that she wasn't very affectionate. She is a house rabbit, who used to enjoy trips out into the garden.

She used to come out of her cage every day for a run around the house and a fuss, but since bringing the baby home, she stays in her cage most of the time, even when we try and coax her out.

She seems happy, and likes a fuss in the cage. The baby and I went to stay with my parents for three weeks, but she didn't come out much then either.

Is she unhappy? What can I do to make the situation better?

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This can happen I hear when changes occur in the bunny's environment - it's not your fault at all, buns just don't like change too much and a new addition to the family can affect their behaviour. I would suggest you get your house bun a lovely neutered male for companionship, I think this will make her much happier.
It might be worth getting her a vet check as well just to make sure all is ok and it really is behavioural and that she isn't masking stress or pain symptoms. Good luck

prettylupin said:

This can happen I hear when changes occur in the bunny's environment - it's not your fault at all, buns just don't like change too much and a new addition to the family can affect their behaviour. I would suggest you get your house bun a lovely neutered male for companionship, I think this will make her much happier.
It might be worth getting her a vet check as well just to make sure all is ok and it really is behavioural and that she isn't masking stress or pain symptoms. Good luck

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We adopted her from the local RSPCA branch, who had tried bonding her with several males without success. Is it worth trying to bond her again? Would a 6 foot indoor cage be suitable for two rabbits? I have an open plan house and I don't think I could set up a permanent safe area for rabbits. There is plenty of space for her to run around, but I wouldn't be happy leaving her overnight not in the cage.

abbieken888 said:

We adopted her from the local RSPCA branch, who had tried bonding her with several males without success. Is it worth trying to bond her again? Would a 6 foot indoor cage be suitable for two rabbits? I have an open plan house and I don't think I could set up a permanent safe area for rabbits. There is plenty of space for her to run around, but I wouldn't be happy leaving her overnight not in the cage.

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Yes I think it is worth trying rebonding again definitely. I'm not criticising RSPCA's but they are pushed for time and space and our local one just shoved the potential new partners in with the exisiting bunny in their 'own' territory and let them get on with it! .....this is NOT how to bond a rabbit, so i expect if your local branch did this too then it's no wonder she didn't bond as you need to use 'neutral' territory and with some buns you need to take it slowly and do a slow bond - there is loads of info in this 'behaviour and bonding' sub forum and in the rabbit care articles section. Also http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-4/two-rabbits.html
and http://www.bobtailsrescue.org.uk/care2.asp?newsID=14 not to mention all the RWAF articles etc.
It could have been that she was recently spayed so had circulating hormones still at levels interfering with the bonding, an underlying health issue, or simply the wrong male - some buns do need a few goes to find the right partner but it is very unusual to find a bunny who won't bond full stop. I think the RPSCA should have been more responsible in this respect with this info but they are pushed for time and not everyone who works in the rabbit section is that rabbit savy - but this is branch dependent.
I would recommend contacting your local specialist rabbit rescue - use this forum to find it, and let them either bond for you or help you pick the right mate - good rescues will let you bring your girl along to choose the right bun. Our local RSPCA didn't and we had to gamble! But bringing a female home to a male's house is often easier than bringing a male home to a female's house as girl buns are very territorial even when spayed. :roll:
6ft x 2ft x2ft is the min for 2 buns so this should be fine - as long as they have a min of 4 hrs play time every day around the house? Does that work for you? My buns aren't free range at night, too many potential hazards despite the whole house being bun proofed. Just remember the more space you can provide and the more exercise time the better.
BTW we did a slow bond with our pair, you don't have to, but this worked for us, we kept them side by side and introduced slowly over several weeks. If you are pushed for space to house a second bun then I would suggest you have an experienced rabbit rescue bond for you. Good luck