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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.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How To Bond With My Bunny?

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    • bunnywiccans
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        Hello there!

         

        Just wondering if any of you can help me – we’ve had Audrey and Pigeon for nearly 2 months now, they’re roughly 3 and a half/4 months old now, have warmed up to us a lot and will happily hop around and come and sit by us for a little while, are okay to be held for not too long and stroked, but I was wondering how to make them a little more friendly? I mean they’ll come and say hello briefly but generally seem to prefer exploring on their own. We sit with them a lot and feed them treats which helps but, is there anything else? I know they might just not be crazy friendly bunnies but they’re so insanely adorable I want to be able to cuddle them haha. 

        Also, does it help to have set times for feeding/letting them out etc? That might be a stupid question, but we’ve been letting them out when we’re back from work and classes and making sure they have lots of time to run around in a set space, but just thought maybe not having set times might be throwing them off a bit?

         

        End of bunny ramblings. Thank you!


      • MoveDiagonally
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          Are they altered? Spaying/neutering can help with some behavior stuff, sometimes bunny hormones make them less pleasant. My bridge bunny, Ben, hit puberty at 4 months and was a nightmare until we got her spayed 2 months later (growling, lunging, general bunny anger).

          One way to get your bunnies to be a little more social is to sit on the floor (their level) and read/ignore them. This usually makes them curious about you and they might explore you a bit more. Offer them some healthy treats when they come over to you so they associate you with yummy things.

          I don’t know about set times. I know some people here are very scheduled with their bunnies and others are not.


        • RabbitPam
          Moderator
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            On the subject of their being speutered, I urge you to get that done on one/both asap because it’s very hard to tell the difference between genders until it’s too late. Siblings don’t care and don’t retain a bond from birth, so it will keep you from having an oops litter and will make it easier to maintain the bond between them.

            Ok, that said, I’m afraid that bunnies don’t exactly cuddle with humans, at least not for long. Many will do so more as they become mature adults, some not at all, and others vary depending on how many years they’ve lived with you and grown close. When there’s a pair, they usually prefer cuddling with each other.
            But they will show you their affection for you in more subtle ways, and you won’t doubt their attachment to you. As suggested, sitting on the floor will help a lot.

            As for set times, yes, they do have times they will have more fun with you. They are called Crepuscular, which means they forage and feed at dawn and dusk if in the wild. So, your bunny will be out and playful at those times. As a working person or someone in school this works out to be idea for bunny and human, since you can let them out first thing in the morning as you get ready for your day. Then, when you get home, they do well to be out for a few more hours with you around. They like routine, so giving them their food at roughly the same time daily will make them happy and secure. Unlimited hay and water will keep them from going hungry if your schedule varies somewhat. Games you play with them, special words and phrases, all become familiar with repetition and will become part of their routine. They are super smart, so use positive reinforcement (a raisin treat is a good example) to train them or get them into habits with you.
            Be sure to read up on the Bunny Info section to learn what to expect – and what not to – from life with a bunny. You have plenty of time to get to know them and vice versa, so have fun with it, and be patient.


          • bunnywiccans
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              Thanks so much! I know they’re generally not as cuddly as, say, cats, and they seem as friendly as they’re going to be at this age with us I think, but was just wondering if there was anything else I could try. They’re lovely, and I like that they do they’re own thing and I can just watch them hop around!

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          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How To Bond With My Bunny?