Bunny Care Guide: How To Get A New Pet Bunny To Like You
78This hub arose from a question asked by a fellow hubber who is having trouble with a new bunny. I have answered it in the format of a new hub, as this is a common problem for many new rabbit owners.
Question:
"A week ago I was joyed by adding a Netherland Dwarf to my family. I am getting a little frustrated. I have spent hours each afternoon since I got her, yet she still will not come close enough so that i can even touch her. If i even move, she freaks out and has to run as far away from me as possible! I have even tried having a handful of yogurt drops, but she still is very hesitant to come near me. Is this typical and is there anything I can do that will help her trust me? Any tips would be so helpful!"
My Answer:
Yes, that is completely normal. Expect it to take a good while for your rabbit to become friendly. You have to remember that this is a prey animal, and to her, you are a huge scary beast. The first thing I would recommend would be simply having her cage near where you are a great deal of the time, such as in a family room, and leaving her be. Don't try to touch her if she doesn't want it, don't force anything.
One trick that may eventually work once she starts getting over her fear, is to simply lie down on the floor, at her level, and let her approach you. Most bunnies become curious very quickly and will hop up and have a sniff of you.
However in your situation, (and this applies to many people having similar problems) it sounds like a case of too much, too soon. Hours of attention is probably far too much for her to handle, and very stressful indeed. To her mind, she is roaming around in a large strange area, and being babbled at by a huge creature that may very well want to eat her. Instead of putting her through this, confine her to her cage and let her get used to that being her special territory, a place where she can go and be safe. Her cage, and her feeling of security there are very important things in her life.
Once she has acclimatised to her home, then she will become more outgoing. It is understandable that you want to interact with her a lot at the moment, but her fear response tells me that this is too much. Let her settle in, let her observe from a safe location that she feels safe in, and then try to befriend her later on. I would also say that for her temperament, it is too soon for her to have the run of a house, or even a room.
So, to summarize:
1) Confine her to her cage.
2) Let her observe you during times you are just living your life and paying no attention to her.
3) Don't try to touch her or bribe her yet.
4) Wait until her behavior changes, and she becomes curious in you. This will happen in due course.
She may come up to the bars of her cage when you approach, in that case, feel free to pet her and give her attention.
The exception to the cage confinement rule would be when you are cleaning the cage out, at which time she can be let out into a small area.
Put yourself in her position, would you want to suddenly be thrust into a strange new home and then have some giant always trying to touch you, or peering at you? Rabbits are quite sensitive creatures, but they can be delightful and full of affection if allowed to develop their bond with you in their own time.
If there are any further questions, please do feel free to ask!
Additional Note: This advice is only to be followed whilst she is still afraid and settling in. Later on she will need to get used to being handled and touched, but forcing these things in the beginning can be detrimental to her developing a good relationship with you. Once she starts to relax and accept little head rubs (rabbits generally love to have their heads rubbed), then it is time to start moving forward on the handling front.
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Comments
Thank you! This helps alot! Another quick question: is is better to have her cage on the floor or on a stand?
When she's out of her cage, her cage should always be accessible to her. So a cage on a stand (unless it has a ramp) is not going to work very well. When she is confined to the cage it probably doesn't matter too much if it is on a stand or on the floor, but in order to help her settle in better, I would recommend putting it on the floor, because it means you will be moving it around less. She may also feel safer if it is on the floor, as she may feel less exposed, depending on how you have your set up arranged.
Yes on the floor is best, leave the door opened when she is out on a run though. Just another suggestion for getting her used to you and the environment: Block off one room at a time in the areas she will be allowed to run (make sure she can't get out and get lost). Sit very quietly in that room with her, or lay on the floor as stated. But watch her for a good long time. Eventually her curiosity will override her jitters and she'll start to explore. Look to see if there is ANYTHING she might nibble on or touch that can harm her. You might not have thought she could get into certain things. I assure you, you will be surprised! Do that in every room you intend to let her play in.. Maybe one room a day. You don't want to overwhelm her all at once.
actually if the bunny is outside its a bad idea to have the cage on the floor incase mice and stuff get into it. also i think you should hold the bunny lots, even at the begining, i have a bunnny and she loved being held even from the first day
(sorry about my first 3 messages) the rest are good LOL.
sorry with my first 2 bunnies i held them lots they turned out really affectionate my second two i didnt holdand they turned out awful all my others i held and they were all good
that picture is ridic! lol adorable. I want a bunny but I dont think my kitties would like that
this is really cool and adorable. great hub, thanks for sharing.
Bunnies are really lovable and happy creatures (not to mention bunnies that serve you drinks! lol!) We recently have 3 bunnies before unfortunately, they passed away but don't think we never took good care of them. It's just that they passed away, period. Anyway, after having read this lens of yours, Bunniez, I think it's time we get new bunnies as pets. We have dogs, cats, an African grey parrot but having a cute bunny around is heart-warming. Just to keep our memories fresh of our dead bunnies, I have purchased Happy Bunny personal checks from this site, http://www.onlychecks.com/happy-bunny-personal-che and chose to put their pictures on it. Any bunny lover or animal lover, for that matter, should have their own artistically-designed personal checks for a change. You can try to take a look-see at this site. Anyway, your lens is great and I know you do love bunnies more than I do! 10 hopping stars for your hub, Bunniez!
This website was extremely helpful 2 me and I needed that because I will soon be the proud owner of 2 bunnies Snickerz and Oreo
my mom says i can't get a bunny but i keep telling her i will take care of her but my mom has a few questions like does the bunny have to get shots and how often and how often do you have to clean her cage?
thx
I have had my neutered rabbit for 1.5 years now. He still doesn't trust me, and I don't understand why. I try to make him happy and let him do whatever he wants. He doesn't like being held. Sometimes he doesn't run away from me and stays to be petted, other times when I approach him, he darts off because he thinks i'm going to pick him up. So I guess in a way, he chooses when he doesn't like me and when he does. It's making me really sad that after being with him for quite a while, that he is still very hesistant with me. I've tried everything, and I don't know what else to do to get him to trust me. I don't think he is a shy bunny at all, but has a lot of personality. Please help, thanks!
i have a new bunny, i got her for xmas. she is a lionhead, but not a purebred. she doesnt like being picked up in the wrong way. when i put one hand under her front paws, and the other on her bum, her eyes start to show its white. but when i pick her up and put her on my shoulder, while holding her securly, she doesnt like it at all, but doesnt kick. i let her run around in my room, because she lives in my room. but when i lie on the floor, she comes and sniffs at me, but after about 10 mins, she bites me whenever she can! i giver her apples and grapes and hay and these little carrot shaped factory rabbit treats, but she still doesnt seem to like me. its been 2 weeks now. and i am becoming very frustrated! there is no improvement at all! she bit my 2 sisters, and my cousin, and also wee-ed on my best friend! she has bit me a few times too. it is so frustrating! what do i do???
x
I have a 7 month old short haired that i resuced. We have had him for a little over a week and he keeps dumping his litter box, scratching us when we try to pick him up, and and chewing every thing. Can you help me?
thanks 4 the advice but um our rabbit first day and it all sweet but it still stomped and bite!
SO, i think that i should get a bunny, because they're cute and cuddly and i like those little suckers
I am new to this site. Just signed up today :) I have taken in a Jersey wolley(sp?) Obviously still learning the simplest things...She is a beautiful and loving bunny my daughter and I are so amazed that a bunny actually has such a strong unique personality (I never knew bunnies made good pets...and they are a lot smarter than I ever thought. So it's really something my daughter and I have just fell in love with) Anyway, I have lots of questions and some of the main ones have already been asked on here by other people...yet there are no answers?!? Am I missing something? I mean I'm not used to any website like this...Or have they just simply not been answered at all?? And if that's the case does anyone have any advise/tips on the best way to get answers to all of my questions...I've been researching A LOT...I really need some advise! Thanks!!
Any good books you would recommend? I feel like I've read them all & still have so many unanswered questions..
hi. first to tammy, how old was your bunny at this stage? if a bunny bites a lot it might be a good idea to wear protective clothing at first so you dont get hurt. after you have formed a significant bond with bunny everytime she bites you let out a high pitched squeal so as to let her know that you hurt her. after that pet her and let her know you love her-so your squel dosent stress her out so much. in order to successfually bond with any rabbit takes A LOT OF TIME AND PATIENCE one thing i cannot stress enough!!! take it at your rabbits pace and i promise you-the end result will be an amazing little rabbit. also another very important point-pet shop treats are not healthy!! they are so bad for bunny and could even result in the rabbits death. so please-avoid pet shop treats.
if a rabbit is scratching when you try to pick it up-DONT PICK IT UP. work at the rabbits pace, how would you feel is someone was trying to pick you up and you scratched and screamed but they still insisted to pick you up? please work with your rabbit and try to understand its position. do things slowely-sit on the floor and let the bunny come up to u. after a few DAYS of this, sit on the floor and have bunnys favourite treat on your lap. wave it under his nose so he smells is and then while he is looking put it on your lap. you will be amazing to see that he stands on the floor and reaches to your lap to get the treat. after a few days of this, while he is reaching to your lap, pick him up gently but firmly and sit him on your lap. the first few times he will jump off. after keeping at this you will see that he stays on your lap and eats the treat then jumps off. after this stange put the treat on ur arm and let him sit on ur lap and eat of your arm. after days of this..pick him up PROPERLY in your arms and put the treat in your arm-he will eat it fast and jump out of your arms. keep doing this taking it as HIS pace and soon you will see you have a rabbit that you can pick up and walk around with!
BUT one note of caution, do not over feed him his treat! if you do make sure you give him plenlty of fresh hay after it, because that is vital for him and also plently of running around time so he can burn off the excess he doesnt need. a fat rabbit is a VERY unhappy rabbit.
i have a brand new bunny thats 10 weeks old. i tried to pet her when we came home for the first time and she scratched me, and i accidentley dropped her slightly (not too much)what can i do to regain her trust?
i have a brand new bunny thats 10 weeks old. i tried to pet her when we came home for the first time and she scratched me, and i accidentley dropped her slightly (not too much)what can i do to regain her trust?
will my bunny get friendly if i get him fixed
MrMarmalade says:
2 years ago
good hub and has some excellent tips