Why Is My Bunny Distant?

Photo by Smooth Click

Have you ever experienced your bunny suddenly being distant? It doesn't want to be as close to you as before. You cannot even have a bonding time together because your bunny dislikes your presence. Why do bunnies become distant from their owners if this happened to you?

What are the reasons behind their actions? If you think you are giving them their needs, there must be something in the environment or how you handled bunnies before.

4 Main Reasons Why Your Bunny Is Distant

1. You attempted to pick up your bunny

Some bunnies feel okay with being lifted in the air, and some don't. Your bunny might be clingy or cuddly with you but it doesn't; it wants to be held or picked up.

Most bunnies hate being carried because they think they are so high from the ground and it's not safe. Be careful with how you interact with your bunny because it might not want your presence the next time or forever.

2. There are changes in the environment/relocation

If bunnies aren't comfortable in the new house or environment, they tend to get more observant. If this happens with your bunny, give it time and space to familiarize everything. It may be distant, but it will return to how active and social it is.

When you move to a new home, make your bunny's rest area or playpen very close to how you set up its old playpen. Putting some of its old things or toys in the new house will also help your bunny.

3. Stress

Bunnies can't handle stress with many things happening around them, so they distance themselves from people or their owners. Sometimes they stay in their litter boxes or dark corners. There are many causes of stress in bunnies, like keeping them in cages, having loud music, or leaving them alone. They can also get stressed from being around predators.

Bunnies are prey animals, so they are easily frightened by small changes or sudden movements. Investigate your place and ensure everything is in place and won't cause your bunny to be scared and distant from you.

4. Vet visits are sometimes traumatizing for them

Rabbits can associate an event with a person, either good or bad. Another thing that's making your rabbit distant is injury. If a bunny is injured, it prefers to rest in a safe place until it recovers.

But before the recovery, of course, you will take your bunny to the vet. Most bunnies associate vet clinics with a place where they can be hurt or scared, primarily when they're not handled properly. And because you're the one who took your bunny to the vet, your bunny might also blame you for that; another reason it's becoming distant.

Socialization in Pet Rabbits

Socialization should happen early so bunnies would be used to bonding with humans. If they are exposed to more socializing, they get more relaxed as humans handle or carry them, although the case is only sometimes like this with all bunnies. The ideal age for handling bunnies is 5-6 weeks old.

Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits, volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, extensive pet product research, and experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.

Final Thoughts on Bunnies Being Distant

Remember, no matter how close you are to your bunny, always be careful of your actions. Sometimes, bunnies are unpredictable, and you never really know what might upset them. One moment you are bonding, and the next thing you know, your bunny is distant.

Always give time with adjustments. Not because your bunny is distant doesn't mean you will also begin to ignore it. That's not how it works. Be patient and caring, bun parent!