If you have a rabbit as a family member, it’s likely that you engage in behaviors that drive your bunny nuts. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 15 things that rabbits hate and you should avoid this as a bunny parents.
Number 19: High Temperatures
Rabbits prefer temperatures of about 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit are hazardous to domesticated bunnies. In fact, rabbits have no sweat glands and can exhaust heat only through their long ears because their ears are the least furry part of their anatomy. On hot summer days, dampen your bunny’s ears, give your pet plenty of fresh cold water, and make sure to construct a hutch to keep your bunny shaded during the heat of the day.
Number 18: Certain Smells
Rabbits are prey animals, and to survive, they’ve developed an incredibly keen sense of smell to know when a predator is in the area. The smell of blood or urine scares them away because they may think that a predator is nearby. Bunnies also can’t tolerate the smell of crushed red peppers, ammonia, vinegar, and garlic.
Number 17: Being Lonely
If you see a bunny in the wild, it’s unlikely to be alone. Rabbits are very social animals who need constant companionship. They travel in pairs and large groups, protecting each other from predators. Ideally, bunnies should be kept in pairs, but if you have a single rabbit, then make sure the company comes from you. A lonely bunny can suffer from depression, stress, and boredom.
Number 16: Having Nowhere to Hide
Bunnies are prey animal. It is important for bunnies to have a safe place to hide when they feel threatened or get spooked. Having nowhere to take cover will make your bunny scared, stressed, and anxious. Hideouts will help your rabbit feel safe and confident, and it may even save their life. Remember, rabbits are prey animals, and dogs and cats can be dangerous to them. Do not disturb or enter their hideout, as it’s your rabbit’s safe place to rest.
Number 15: Socializing with Predators
Outdoor rabbits face many dangers from predators. You may think it’s ok to introduce your bunny to cats or dogs, but these are predatory animals by nature and can be very frightening for your rabbit. Surprisingly, rabbits can die simply from the stress of hearing or smelling a predator in the area, even if they aren’t attacked.
Number 14: Loud Noises
Loud noises are stressful for your rabbit because they have much more sensitive hearing than humans. As prey animals, their sense of fear is a survival tactic, making it easy for rabbits to get frightened. The sound of fireworks, thunder, loud music, horror movies, loud vehicles, slamming doors, shouting, or your vacuum cleaner can be terrifying for your rabbit.
Number 13: Washing Them
Rabbits are very clean animals and almost never need a bath. Bathing your rabbit can be harmful because they may panic and fracture their spine or a limb if they thrash around.
Number 12: Damp, Stale, Dusty Hay
It’s important to give your rabbit high-quality hay. It needs to smell nice and be dust-free. Fresh, greenish hay is better than brown hay. Remember, hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet as it provides the fiber necessary to keep their digestive systems healthy. Make sure to give your bunny additional hay types like timothy and grass hays. Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets.
Number 11: Chasing After Them
This one is a must to avoid. Although chasing after your rabbit may seem like fun and games from your perspective, it can be devastating for your rabbit. When chased around, rabbits get frightened, and their heart rate could skyrocket. Not only could this affect their health, but they may also start to dislike you and stay away from you in fear that you might want to hunt them again. Make sure not to do anything that causes fear in your bunny. If a rabbit loses trust in you, it will be very hard to rebuild it.
Number 10: Small Spaces
Rabbits are social, intelligent, and highly curious animals who need to explore their surroundings. In the wild, they’re incredibly active and love to run and jump. It’s important that your bunny’s home has plenty of space for them to move around. Keeping your rabbits in tiny cages is unkind and can cause a range of health problems such as obesity, depression, and even deformities if they’re not able to run around naturally.
Number 9: Roughhousing
Children are unpredictable and impulsive, and they can sometimes agitate or frighten a rabbit. Young children should be introduced to bunnies in a calm and peaceful manner, carefully letting the bunny get close to them at the rabbit’s own will. Don’t let children or people frighten your pet, as rabbits are known to hold grudges.
Number 8: A High-Traffic Environment
Rabbits can get anxious and startled if they are kept in a high-traffic part of your house where many people and young children are constantly walking around. Likewise, bunnies don’t like fast movements. It’s important to avoid suddenly reaching out and touching your pets. A rabbit that doesn’t feel safe in their home environment will be in constant fear and anxiety.
Number 7: Riding in a Car
Rabbits hate car rides because a car is an unfamiliar environment filled with strange noises and weird smells. Remember, bunnies hate being outside of their known environment. When they are in a moving vehicle, they get anxious and even tremble with small, fast tremors.
Number 6: Being Picked Up
Bunnies are very skittish animals, and it takes a while for most rabbits to trust their human. That doesn’t mean they don’t like you; it’s just that they are prey animals, and they don’t know if you are going to eat them or not. Remember to be patient and let your rabbit come to you first. If they sniff or nudge you with their nose, do not move away; this is a sign that your bunny is starting to trust you.
Number 5: Petting Their Behind
Rabbits don’t like being touched on their back, stomach, or tail because they feel they are being preyed upon from behind. Unlike dogs who enjoy being petted on their back, rabbits prefer a head rub. They also tend to love their ears, nose, and cheeks being stroked.
Number 4: A Home Full of Urine and Droppings
Rabbits are very clean animals and appreciate a clean, nice home. Dirty, smelly homes will depress your pets and attract flies. If you wouldn’t want to lie down in your bunny’s home, then don’t expect your rabbit to.
Number 3: Not Enough Time to Exercise
Rabbit bodies are built to run and jump around. To stay mentally and physically healthy, they need to race around and get some exercise. Make sure to allow your rabbit to leave their enclosure and explore a bigger exercise area for a few hours each day.
Number 2: Dressing Your Rabbits
Some rabbit owners confuse caring for their bunnies with treating them like babies. It’s important to remember that a rabbit is a rabbit and needs to be treated as such. A common example is an owner who dresses up their bunny for a cute photo or because they may look cute in clothes. It’s important to remember that rabbits are animals, and keeping clothes on your rabbit will agitate them.
Number 1: Belly Rubs
A bunny’s stomach is a very sensitive part of their body as this region protects the most vital organs. When a rabbit exposes their underside to you, it means they are completely relaxed and full of love for you. However, it’s not an invitation to rub them on their stomach. While they are showing you their trust in a vulnerable position, if you pet them on their stomach, they can get defensive.