Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A shy bunny

Viewing 10 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Deleted User
      Participant
      22064 posts Send Private Message

        Hi bunny fans!

         I just joined tonight and am hoping to get some information on how to make my bunny, and me, happy.

        So I have a very big Californian, he’s 2 and he came from a shelter where he spent his whole bunny life.  Now he lives with me in a 3 floor cage and is allowed to explore and binky and rip around from the time I get home until I leave the next day.  He’s terribly spoiled and believes he owns the place.  I love it, he seems so happy and has so much fun running all around/

        Here’s my question: he doesn’t seem to like to be petted at all, and I’m so sad! I’m not sure if he’s still adjusting to his new digs (it’s only been 3 months) and I’m pushing him too fast, or if I’ve given him too much ownership of the house, or if he just is an independent kind of guy.  It breaks my heart that he seems to be scared of his mom who loves him so much and wants him to have a happy life!   Are there suggestions on how to make him love me- or at least not be scared of me?  I give him treats after he lets me pet him so he will associate me with treats, but he’s still shy.  Maybe he needs more time is all?  I appreciate any suggestions or thoughts on this!  I mean, he is hilarious and very active and exciting to watch, but I wish he would play with me too! Although lately he has been jumping onto the couch and staring at me and will sometimes even jump on my stomach if I doze off.  That’s a good start, right? But if I reach my hand out to pet him, off he goes!

        I think I’m also panicking because my last bunny actually followed me around the house- he couldn’t get enough attention! And then when he lost the use of his legs and became a “special needs” guy, he seemed delighted to lay in my arms and lick me for hours.  Apparently, that is not the norm! So this is quite a change in bunny persona.

        Any advice you bunny experts have on how to get a shy, nervous bunny to feel more comfortable and happy, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!

        Murphysmom


      • bunnyfriend
        Participant
        2368 posts Send Private Message

          Best thing you can do is ignore your bunny. I know that sounds like the opposite of what you should do, but trust me it works Lay or sit on the floor and read a book or go on the computer, let him come up to you but don’t touch him. This will help him be more comfortable and help him understand that you’re okay. Let everything be on his terms, if he doesn’t want to be petted then wait until he wants to be petted. If he retreats, don’t go after him just let him have his space. Just go verrrry slow with him, he’ll warm up after a while

          My little lop bunny is skittish and doesn’t like to be petted except for once in a while. I let her come up to me and she bumps me with her nose, but I try not to push the petting. She is happy spending time with me when I’m not going after her. She’ll come up to me sometimes and “ask” for petting if she feels like it. It can make me sad sometimes and be frustrating.

          Welcome to Binky Bunny btw


        • mocha200
          Participant
          4486 posts Send Private Message

            My male Holland Lop has never liked to be pet and I have had him for three years. I know he still loves me because when He thinks I am going to give him treats he puts his paws on my lap and its so cute! The only time he has let me pet him is when my other bunny is right next to him. I am not sure if he feels more safe when she is around or something but even then he still will only let me for a few seconds. Some bunnies personalities are just like that. It is really hard to get used to as my other bunny just LOVES to be pet ALL THE TIME!


          • LoveChaCha
            Participant
            6634 posts Send Private Message

              All rabbits are different – some like to be petted, some like to be petted only on their own time, and some do not like being petted at all.


            • Sarita
              Participant
              18851 posts Send Private Message

                He’s so cute. I do love the Californian rabbits.

                I would try not to get too emotional about how he seems to be adapting. Just because he isn’t the affectionate or petting kind doesn’t mean he’s not content. And the fact too that he spent 2 years in a shelter (he’s so lucky to be out and in a great home now) may take some time to adapt and trust. Getting into a routine will help him adapt but just give it time. I don’t really think there is anything to make a rabbit “love” you, but trust will go a long way.

                When he jumps on the couch, try not to reach out and pet him and see how he reacts – heck, I know that’s hard to do, but I think it’s just instinct to play hard to get with rabbits :~)


              • Elrohwen
                Participant
                7318 posts Send Private Message

                  Some rabbits are just more aloof than others and there might not be much you can do to make him enjoy pets. I have a three year old lop who just doesn’t like pets and never will. I found that doing clicker training with him made him much more likely to approach me and he likes that it’s on his terms and when he’s done he can leave. He has even learned to like more contact this way and now he’ll sit on my lap and let me “hug” him (I kind of wrap my arms around him and squeeze lightly). He lets me do it, but we both know that he does it because he’s been conditioned to like it and I give him pellets to reward this behavior. He’ll never be snuggly, but I’m happy because he allows some snuggling and he’s happy because it’s on his terms and he gets rewarded for it. My boy is actually very laid back and not a nervous bun at all, so aversion to petting doesn’t mean a bunny is unhappy or scared. Actually, my nervous nelly bunny is the one who loves pets and attention.

                  Your bun might like more contact as he adjusts, but keep in mind that he might always be aloof, or that it might take him a year to warm up. Just love him for who he is and don’t try to force it. In the mean time, I’d recommend teaching him tricks to build your bond and interaction without needing to pet him.


                • Rei
                  Participant
                  375 posts Send Private Message

                    Molly doesn’t like to be petted, unless she is laying down to relax or is eating. If she is running around playing, she doesn’t want anyone touching her. Its her time, so I let her have it. Lots of bunnies are like that. Just sit on the floor and be around your bunny, so that he gets more used to you. But don’t be dissappointed if he never wants you to pet him. Its not you, its just the way some buns are. Just like there are people who are touchy and always have their hand on you when they talk to you or always hug you or something, then there are those that don’t ever want to be touched…bunnies have different personalities just as we do


                  • Deleted User
                    Participant
                    22064 posts Send Private Message

                      Wow. This was very helpful and useful. I feel better. Thanks new bunny friends!


                    • Elrohwen
                      Participant
                      7318 posts Send Private Message

                        Posted By mocha200 on 05/07/2012 08:18 PM

                        My male Holland Lop has never liked to be pet and I have had him for three years. I know he still loves me because when He thinks I am going to give him treats he puts his paws on my lap and its so cute! The only time he has let me pet him is when my other bunny is right next to him. I am not sure if he feels more safe when she is around or something but even then he still will only let me for a few seconds. Some bunnies personalities are just like that. It is really hard to get used to as my other bunny just LOVES to be pet ALL THE TIME!

                        I think our bunnies might be twins. lol What you typed completely describes Otto and Hannah, down to Otto being a three year old holland lop and being ok with pets when Hannah is around. Bunnies definitely have their quirks!


                      • RabbitPam
                        Moderator
                        11002 posts Send Private Message

                          Welcome. He sounds adorable, and I think it’s a very good sign that he jumps onto your stomach. He clearly is showing affection and is bonding with you, just on his terms.
                          This is a little tip, but it may help some. When you go to pet him, put your hand out low, and palm up. Don’t spread your fingers apart. A hand with spread fingers coming down from above actually resembles a big claw, like a predator would have. For skittish bunnies, that’s all it takes. So approach from below, gently turn your hand over to pet his nose and between his ears and see if he pushes his head in farther for more pets. My bunny is very non-tactile compared to my first, and she lets me pet her just to below her shoulders, but you’d think I attacked her when I get to her tummy. They are all different.

                          Since he loves to run, you can run away from him and then look back, inviting him to chase you. Don’t chase him first since again, that’s what predators do, but if he sees it’s a game, and if he comes after you, run again, then chase him back if he seems to run and wait.


                        • Deleted User
                          Participant
                          22064 posts Send Private Message

                            Oh thank you Pam! The hand thing was a really good idea! The claw analogy makes a lot of sense when you put it like that. The running game is a good idea too although he just seemed kind of baffled. We’ll try again. And thanks to you, and everyone else who mentioned that his hanging out on the couch, or jumping on my tummy is his way of bonding and saying hello- I just thought he thought I was a piece of furniture! And it’s also a great tip to try to resist petting him when he visits and let him get friendly on his own terms! It’s just so hard because he’s so big and fluffy and adorable! But thanks to everyone for being so helpful!

                        Viewing 10 reply threads
                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A shy bunny