Frantic adopted rabbit - advice please!

I adopted a rabbit two days ago. She had been in a pet-shop (chain) for weeks and nobody had wanted her so the shop put her up for 'rescue'. After another 4 weeks, still nobody had taken her, so I decided to take her on.

My problem is that the rabbit is ABSOLUTELY terrified and the second she hears someone she throws herself around in panic. I'm worried that she's going to injure herself as she's literally running headlong into walls/puppy fencing. Also she has eaten only the tiniest amount of food, and hasn't even sneaked out after I've gone to eat tasty bits of leaves I've left out. I'm concerned that she will become ill very soon.

Any ideas? I've had rabbits at various points on the shy-bold spectrum before, but none that have appeared utterly terrified all the time. I've given the family strict instructions to keep away so she can get used to the house (she's in our utility room as the plan is for her to be a house rabbit). I cordoned off a corner of the room for her with puppy fencing after she spent the first whole day hiding behind the freezer and wouldn't come out. She's got lots of boxes etc to play with, but just stays still (when I've managed a sneak peak from the door). Until she hears me, that is, when she goes into panic mode. Do I need to put her in a small cage (I've never kept my rabbits in cages - they always have a home box, litter tray and run of the house)? Should I move her into my office where I work all day so that at least she gets used to seeing me?

Thanks so much for any advice!

How long have you had her? It will take her time to settle especially if she has been used to having a very small area at the pet shop or if she has been in one of those glass tank things and had kids banging and frightening her

Take things slowly try sitting near her hutch and just sittting quietly or maybe talking a little bit. Have you tried lots of different types of treats? And also the same type of food as she was used to?

Spaying could eventually help her too and maybe living with a confident boy rabbit to teach her humans arent all bad, although she may need a bit of time to settle in first. Well done for taking her on

I've rescued terrified rabbits before. I would reduce the amount of room she has initially to make her feel more secure. I would also cover half of the run/pen/cage with a large thick towel so it is shaded - again so she can feel secure.

When I had a very very nervous bun, I set up CCTV in the bedroom so I could watch the behaviour without actually going in the bedroom all the time.

Also, sit in the room (for hours if you have to ) without moving or talking initially and then as time goes on you can talk to her quietly.

It may be a long road but the rewards will be massive.

Well done for taking her on - god knows what would happen if someone else got her

My Roger was very much like this. for his own safety I confined him to a 4ft by 1ft hutch and worked intensively with him. He is a full wild rabbit, but within four days of intensive work would hand feed, and after a week could have more space and be trusted not to flip out.

She, at the very least, needs a secure area. In it she needs places to hide (and in those places put hay because she is more likely to eat because those are where she will feel safe). Somewhere small and dark where she can feel safe.

Don't try and touch her, just talk all the time. I used to commentary what I was doing whenever I was outside, even if I was far away from him so that he realised my voice didn't mean much but also knew where I was at all times. When she doesn't flip at your voice, you can just try sitting with her, again, ignoring her, just talking-ideally doing something completely irrelevant.

ETA- I've had Roger the wildie over two years now and he still hides but he also comes running for treats and enjoys being inside and binkies about. The think that helped him the most when he had reduced his panic a bit was having a confident girlfriend (or two). They showed him it was ok and we were ok.

Thanks so much for the advice (and encouragement that there is hope that she might not always freak out). I just feel so sorry for her. It must be awful to feel continually terrified! I think I'll try the smaller hutch/covering areas with a blanket and see if that helps her not to flip out.

Oh bless her. I've had nervous buns but it's heart breaking to hear your story. Just imagine how she felt in the pet shop Does she have pink/red eyes? I'm just asking as we have had buns, a guinea pig and several mice with pink/red eyes. Our vet is an eye specialist and he advised their nervousness was down to their sight being poor. Their focus isn't great and some tend to sway from side to side-they call it scanning. They do this to help get a focus. I'm just wondering if your girl's sight may not be great. Other than that-it's going to take time and patience to gain her trust. I've found the opposite helps i'm afraid. The stress of you being around constantly can have an adverse effect on their health. I've found visiting them with food, toys and treats-then leaving them to settle works well. Paying them too much attention can make them worse as they don't want it at this stage. We play it by ear and when the bun shows some interest then return the favour. A smaller covered area will definitely help as she is probably freaked out by the over head space-being afraid of space as she's not used to it. It's such a shame for her. All animals are different so what works for some may not for others, and it helps to look at it from a different perspective-being that of the buns stress levels. Hope my alternative experience helps a little-i've always found less is more to start with. Good luck

fifimat said:

Thanks so much for the advice (and encouragement that there is hope that she might not always freak out). I just feel so sorry for her. It must be awful to feel continually terrified! I think I'll try the smaller hutch/covering areas with a blanket and see if that helps her not to flip out.

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Well done for taking her. Two days isn't long, really - I'm sure having a smaller place, with a covered area, will help with her confidence. She was stuck in that pet shop for all those weeks so would have been unable to bond with anyone. Now she has her forever home she will slowly learn to trust. Prob the secret is not to push it, allow her time.

Well done for getting her. Can't offer any further advice re space etc but I know that a drop of Dr Bachs Remedy may help to keep her calm (not sure how often you can give it during a day or for how long). I beleive this can be used safely with stressed bunnies.