Friday 5 April 2013

Bunny behaviour 101

Bunny behaviour 101.....I thought I would do this post for those new Bunny parents out there.To help them spot the signs when their pet bunny is sick or afraid or any other kinds of behaviour that we don't understand.
The most important thing to understand is the rabbits are what we call prey animals and all their instincts and behaviour revolves around that fact.In the wild rabbits live in large family groups in underground Warrens which is a network of tunnels and nesting holes only coming out to feed and some times frolic about and having a gay old time but there is always one or two of the group keeping an eye out for predator such as Buzzards,foxes or cats and for those who don't know magpies crows rooks and raven a group of birds in the same family known as corvidae will also attack and kill a rabbit in the UK in the US there are coyote,eagles and other hawk,wild cats and domesticated cat as well as corvidae when a predator is spotted the rabbits on guard will thump and drum their back feet to warn the others to the danger and make a run for there rabbit holes.If a rabbit can't make it to its hole it will flatten down in the grass or vegetation and keep still only running at the last minute if they have to.A pet rabbit doesn't have that they rely on us to keep them safe which is why a lot of rabbit owners now keep their bunny inside and only let them out to play in a secure wire run or aviary to protect them.and if they are kept out side they are often kept in a shed or garage to keep the safe at night from night time predators such as foxes or coyote.So if a bunny looks to be nesting it might not be it may be afraid and trying to hide and may eat very little so it doesn't get seen.A pet rabbit may also appear loving and submissive when you bring it in for attention because it is trying to get you to protect it.
This is what happened to Speedy when he was attacked by a cat in his own garden which we have made secure from cats now! If this had been a fox there would be no more Speedy.

It cost £267.00 to get him stitched up!

When a rabbit is sick or in pain it will try to hide that it is sick until it is at death's door because it could be picked off by a predator because it can tell the the rabbit is weak,the same behaviour is also true in our pet rabbits too.SO when a rabbit stops eating or eats very little there is something wrong!
When its cold Rabbits only venture out to eat for short periods of time and then go back to their warm holes to keep warm and will do that all day and night.But if our pet rabbit lives in a hutch out side it can't do that it will have to huddle in the most sheltered spot of the hutch freezing its butt off...so if its to cold out side for you the same is true for your pet rabbit...COLD KILLS!
Un-neutered or spayed bunnies become very territorial and can become aggressive males will also try to mate with you which is funny for us to see some times but not for them as they will get more frustrated and aggressive,females can be come aggressive to and can develop a condition called phantom pregnancy which is stressful for her if she starts pulling out her fur to line a nest and you are sure she hasn't been with a male you can be sure that is what that is.Also if a female is left un-spayed she can develop breast cancer and other cancers that we women can get.
How ever a pet rabbit can be the most rewarding pet you can have they can be very loving when they feel safe and relaxed and give you kisses play with you or even go to sleep in your arms like Speedy does.And when they are happy they show you with all the high jinks they do like zoomies and binky's that will make laugh out loud.
Rabbits can be kept happy and healthy indoors as house bunny's and they don't need to have the run of the house they can be housed in a puppy training cage or special indoor rabbit cages as long as its big enough for them and they have somewhere to run and play like a rabbit play pen like I have for Speedy plus I let him run about the kitchen when we  are there or I let him explore the house with me following behind him.when it warm he goes out in the back garden with the back door open so that he can come in and out when we are in the kitchen or if were aren't in the kitchen the door is closed but he can shelter in two sheds in the garden.Rabbits can be trained to go toilet in a litter box like a cat by lining it with paper and filling with hay or you can get special litter for it,me I use paper and hay just easier and cheaper for me.
The Next post I shall cover Health and Diet....If I have Missed anything please let me know and I will add it to this post.if you have any Questions ask me in the comments below or you can email which is on my profile page.

45 comments:

  1. that's a useful post, rabbits are complex little creatures.

    Poor Speedy being attached like that!

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  2. sorry, i meant poor Speedy being attacked like that!

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    1. Yes they are complex especaily when you add there character quirks into the mix.I'm just glad that we don't have foxes close by because if this had been a fox Speedy would in its belly and that Speedy is big and quick enough to be able to escape from a cat.and don't get me wrong I love cats and dog at one time I had 2 cats and a dog with my first rabbit and it was one big happy family.I wouldn't want any body to think that I didn't like cats but some cats use their hunting skills on real animals and that is natural.xx Rachel

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  3. Rachel, this is great information. It is really hard to look at those pictures of Speedy's injury. Please give him a hug for me. AJ

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    1. I thought it would be a good idea since we have just had easter and there was bound to be new bunny parents out there the next will be on health and diet and stuff,xx Rachel

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    2. I hadn't thought of that, but you are absolutely right. AJ

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    3. we Have to do our little bit,xx Rachel

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  4. That is such great information for those who have wabbits or are thinking of getting one..poor baby Speedy, you give him a big slobbery kizz from uz xx00xxx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  5. This is very good information indeed. I'm so glad Speedy made a full recovery from his encounter with the kitty.

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  6. Great info Speedy! This cat would never hurt you and I would take care of any evil ones that would pester you!

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  7. Great post! Purrticularly right after Easter!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  8. That is some great advice. And Speedy, we're sorry that cat attacked you. We would never do that!

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  9. We just loved reading about Speedy. Then we went on to check out some more of his videos. He certainly is a speedy cheeky house bunny!

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  10. Oh, poor Speedy!! Mean kitteh, glads your peeps made the backyard all safe for you now Speedy, sure looks like your livin' up to your name in that second video!! BOL
    Kisses,
    Ruby

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  11. I think you did a great job! I might have even learned some new stuff from this. I don't think I've ever heard of the phantom pregnancy thing with the fur pulling.

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    1. Thanks Ann,I'm glad you liked it,and I'm glad I did this to I shall definitely do the other posts about bunny care,xx Rachel

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  12. Great post. So glad Speedy healed up from that awful ordeal a few months back. It was scary!

    I love the Speedy videos. Great fun!

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    1. Thanks,I was very angry at the time when Speedy was attacked but I'm ok now,he's safe and well and its all forgotten by him.those videos crack me up too,xx Speedy

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  13. oh speedy... glad you recovered from that. your kitty friends here will never hurt you like that, never. take care, speedy.

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    1. I know Sushi,I have lots of Kitty friends,mummy say's some times you get bad eggs in people and animals,xx Speedy

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  14. I love this post. I've heard that rabbits are the most neglected pet as their owners tend to just leave them in their cages. But you really show what great and interactive pets they make.
    Love and hugs to Speedy xx

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    1. Thats very true but those owners are missing out on a great pal,xx Speedy's mum

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  15. Every time I see that hole in Speedy's leg I want to get that cat and do mean things to it all over again. Dang ole cat...

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    1. Calm Brandi remember not all cats are like that just the odd bad egg,xxRachel and Speedy

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  16. OMG. Poor Speedy! Those pictures made me nauseous. I never thought about rabbits trying to hide their ailments by natural instinct. That's so interesting and also good for bunny parents to know so they can stay vigilent!

    xoxo,

    Jules of Canines & Couture
    www.caninesandcouture.com

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    1. not only that they can be in pain and you could easy miss it,xx Rachel

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  17. I am so sorry to hear that Speedy was attacked - I do hope he is on the road to recovery?!!

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    1. oh thats ok it was last summer it al healed up no lasting damage

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  18. OMC!! SPeedy! You are fast like the wind!! Look at you go! ANd you get the heeby jeebies just like we cats do...that's when we bounce across a floor looking like a Halloween Cat MOL!! ummm...and Speedy, I'm really sorry that one of my feline relatives attacked you in your own garden...I hope it didn't scare you so much that you fear your garden now...paw hugs, Savvy

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    1. its ok Savvy my garden has been cat proofed,Hehehe I am fast aren't I?xx Speedy

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  19. This is a wonderful post Rachel. Great job to you and Speedy. I'm so glad he recovered from that nasty cat bite.

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    1. Thanks Shell,you can't even see where it happened,xx Rachel

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  20. This was really great, Rachel and Speedy! We learned a LOT that we never knew before. ...that must have been very scary when Speedy had a run-in with the cat. We know how serious cat bites can be too. ...We're glad you're ok.
    love,
    Katie & Glogirly

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    1. Thanks Katie,there's no lasting damage and he still love's to run around in his garden,xx Rachel and Speedy

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  21. This is a good idea for new bunny parents! It will be very helpful :)

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    1. I hope to do some more posts on this soon,thanks Sarah,xx Rachel

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