Anxiety about my bunny

mariposa said:

I've had problems with anxiety for a long time. We recently got our first ever bunny, a house rabbit. (He's on his own at the moment but we'll look into getting him a girlfriend from a rescue once he's been "done")

I love having him here, and find it so therapeutic sitting stroking him, but I'm also very worried about him. I worry that we're not feeding him right, that he'll get ill, and that he'll hurt himself somehow, or pass away unexpectedly. He managed to squeeze through the bars of his pen on his second night, so we put weld mesh all round it, but I'm still worried he'll get out somehow (I know some rabbits can climb/jump so we peg blankets over the top at night) and injure himself/cause lots of damage to the flat.

I feel silly feeling like this as pets are supposed to reduce anxiety, and I don't know what I'm expecting you guys to say, just needed lto get it out!

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CookieCrisp said:

I constantly feel anxious about them but after time it gets easier as you see they are strong. The best thing I can say is know your rabbit, know the signs if they are poorly or distressed and that will help ease your anxiety and the majority of the time you'll see there's nothing to fear.

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mariposa said:

Thank you all so much. Really kind of you

MightyMax, you're right of course, it's just hard to believe sometimes! It might be a while before we can get him a friend, but he gets lots and lots of love from us. I'm glad we've pegged the blankets as I had the big box of hay next to the pen while cleaning yesterday and I'm fairly sure all four feet left the ground up the side! He didn't get too far though, probably partly as he heard me gasp :lol:

tulsi, so sorry to hear you're experiencing anxiety too. It's so hard, as I'm good at catastrophising and imagining the worst You're right - I've already found the info and advice on here invaluable. He has plenty of hay, fresh water, a small amount of pellets and we're just starting him on herbs, veg etc (he's 3 months old). We're bonding well I think - he'll happily sit and be stroked and has started licking/grooming us

CookieCrisp - thank you, I think you're right that the more we get to know him, the easier it'll become. I'm always going to be someone who worries more than others, and that's ok, but I need to keep it to a reasonable level.

Edited to add response to Tonibun (started typing this this morning so didn't see your reply) - we give him lots of toys and have trained him to do some tricks too We'll definitely look into a friend for him when the time's right.

Edited again - both OH and I work from home a lot so bun's not left on his own for a long time and gets plenty of interaction.

Thank you all so much again

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MightyMax said:

I think another bun from a rescue centre won't know what's in store for her when she hits your household
She will be so very lucky! x

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Bunny Magoo said:

Hi. I can totally sympathise with what you've said. I suffer too with anxiety and used to constantly worry about my bunny (exactly the same things you have said!) but since we have got him a friend I worry less...He seems happier, is drinking more water, eating more hay and pooping more (and better poops too!). I have found this forum a great source for help and support though.
(Although I do sometimes read posts about others bunnies being poorly, getting injured etc and I feel my anxiety and worries kicking in thinking what if that happened to mine!

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