Bunny and Me: How to Deal with Separation Anxiety as We Return to Work

by Claire Ammon

With herd immunity on the horizon, many of us will soon be dismantling our home offices, ditching the sweat pants, and stepping outside of our bubbles to return to the workplace. While reverting to the old routine is welcomed by some, it is stressful for others. We were just getting used to this new normal and definitely weren’t missing that two-hour commute. And what about our furry friends? How will they adapt to being home alone again? And can we cope without them?

Chances are our bosses won’t go for an office full of emotional support animals, and let’s face it, our bunnies probably wouldn’t like it much either. But luckily for us, rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. As hard as it is to admit, they will probably be glad of a little extra peace and quiet during the day.

Here are some steps you can take to make the back-to-work transition a little less painful for you and your buns: 

  • Relieve your bunnies’ food-related anxieties by getting them used to a feeding routine (even if you still work at home part time). Breakfast is served before you leave for work and dinner after you return, with hay always available to graze on. Just as you’re getting ready to step out the door, your bunnies will probably be ready for a little post-breakfast nap

 

  • If your bunnies are going from cage-free to cage-bound, give them as much cage space as possible, and don’t cram it with toys. Give them room to stretch and binky, with a few toys to keep them entertained. Allow free roam time in the morning and/or evening when you have plenty of time to supervise and interact. I’m sure they’d love to join you getting some R & R in front of the TV. 

 

  • Ever spent $20 on something cute just for your bunnies to prefer the free box? Keep your bunnies too busy to miss you. You may think about replacing their current well-chewed, collapsing box with a new one. Don’t forget to make sure it’s bunny friendly: remove all tape and plastic, use untreated twine to hold it together, cut a couple of entry/exit doors, but keep the bottom in tact for your bunnies to scrabble and tear at – it’ll occupy them for hours and is great for keeping the teeth and nails in check. Stuff empty toilet paper rolls with hay, use paper bags, or get creative with an empty oatmeal container – upcycle your recyclables and never waste another dollar again!

 

  • To help with your bunnies’ circadian rhythm, open the shades a little before you leave to allow some natural light to come in, although not so much that they’ll be stuck in a blinding sunbeam all day.

 

  • Set up a bunny cam so you can see how your friends are doing in the middle of the day. A budget-friendly option like Wyze allows you to say hi, or for those willing to splurge a little, get one that also tosses a treat – perhaps some pellets or a raisin (don’t overdo it though!).

 

  • If your bunnies really seem to be having a tough time coping with being alone or cage-bound or your guilt is getting the best of you, consider having a pet sitter or trusted neighbor come in during the day for a little love and free roam time. Leaving the radio on low might also help.