Unlike many popular pets, rabbits are a prey species, meaning they are naturally more fearful. Rabbit body language can be tricky to read, so you may be left wondering why your rabbit is acting scared of you. Read on to learn more about fearful bunny behaviour.
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Why is my rabbit scared?
Rabbits are a prey species, and in the wild we would be their predators. When put this simply, why wouldn’t rabbits be scared of us?!
Nevertheless, with the right environment and gentle handling, rabbits can make wonderful pets. So, if your usually happy bunny suddenly seems scared of you, you may be left feeling baffled. Here are some common reasons for a bunny to be(come) scared:
Inappropriate handling
Rabbits are scared of things coming from above and picking them up, as a predator would. So if you’re towering over your rabbit and picking them up from above, you may be scaring them without realising.
Excessive handling
Especially if the rabbit has no choice. Rabbits need the option to escape into an enclosed hiding hole (mimicking their burrow) when they feel threatened. If you over-handle them without giving them this option, they may become fearful of you handling them.
Living alone
Rabbits need companionship from another rabbit to feel happy and settled in their environment. Rabbits that live on their own tend to be more fearful than rabbits living in bonded pairs.
Loud or sudden noises
Rabbits are easily startled; they are designed to react quickly to threats from possible predators.
Sudden movements
From people or objects.
Unfamiliar smells
Such as perfumes, cleaning chemicals or even new people.
Pain or illness
In the wild, an injured or poorly rabbit would be at greater risk from predators. This makes rabbits hide illness or injury very well.
Of course this list is not exhaustive. If your rabbit’s behaviour changes suddenly, it’s important to take them for a check-up at the vets, to rule out a medical cause.
How to tell if a rabbit is scared
It can be tricky to tell if your bunny is happy or not. Being a prey species, their behaviours are different from many other popular pets. Subtle changes in a rabbit’s body language can give you a lot of information about how your bunny is feeling, as long as you know what to look out for!
Before you can notice abnormal behaviours, you need to understand what is normal for your bunny, so spend some time watching! A happy bunny should have a relaxed body, a twitching nose and hop (or even binky) about. Rabbits are also naturally curious creatures. When relaxing, they may stretch their front and / or back legs out.
On the other hand, a scared or stressed bunny will:
- Have their ears flattened against their head
- Hide
- Freeze
- Tremble
- Run away from you
- Flatten their body to the ground
- Have a tense, rigid body posture
- Not twitch their nose and have their chin tucked under
- Thump the ground with their back legs
- Stop eating
- Show signs of aggression (such as standing on their hind quarters and ‘boxing’ at you)
- Vocalise (grunt, growl or squeal).
An ill or injured bunny may also exhibit these behaviours, so it’s important to book a check-up with your vet if your bunny seems unhappy.
How do I get my rabbit to stop being scared of me?
First things first, check that your bunny’s environment is providing everything they need to be happy and relaxed. Make sure they have enough space; a hutch is definitely not enough! Their environment needs to provide opportunities from them to engage in their natural behaviours, such as digging, jumping and foraging. Rabbits also need companionship. A lone rabbit will find it very hard to relax, since there is no rabbit to watch for predators while they do so. In the wild, there is safety in numbers!
Next, be sure that your rabbit isn’t unwell or in pain. A health check with your vet will put your mind at ease. A good quality diet based mainly on hay will help to keep your rabbit happy and healthy.
Finally, make sure you are handling your rabbit appropriately, and taking time to build trust:
- Approach calmly, without sudden movements
- Stay calm and quiet
- Never tower over your rabbit; sit on the floor with them instead
- Never try to pick your rabbit up from above
- Let your rabbit come to you: try putting a treat on your lap and letting them approach for it.
Once your rabbit is happy sitting on your lap, you can gradually start to stroke them, while giving a treat (known as positive reinforcement). This will gradually build their confidence in you.
Take home message
Being a prey species, rabbits are naturally nervous creatures. However, with the right environment, calm handling and plenty of positive reinforcement, they can thrive as happy, loving pets!