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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 Bonding with indoor bun

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    • lil_ginger_42
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        So far I do not think my bunny is scared of me, but, unfortunately we have had a few run ins. She goes where she shouldnt and although I know you shouldnt chase a bun, sometimes I have to catch her when I can, and I know that can be scary. I always try to show her I am sorry with treats, which she will take from my hand. But how can I show her that I mean her no harm, even though I unfortunately will sometimes have to snatch her up or “yank her around” from time to time. And I know I read that buns dont typically like petting, but if I were to try and see if my lil bun likes them (for she will often let me scratch her) where would be the best place? Ears? Head? Around the tail like a cat or dog? I just want my bun to know that I am here to protect her and make her happy….not just some prison guard that snatches her up and shoos her out of my bed lol


      • Franks mom
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          I would suggest you block any corners or places you don’t want her to go in so you don’t have to chase her at all. Just let her roam around freely while you sit on the floor and wait for “her” to come to you. Do not be forceful. Bunnies have a lot of personality and she’ll appreciate your patience. If you have the cage door open then she’ll go in and out by herself when she is hungry. Trust me. If you need her to get back to cage immediately try lure her in with a promise of a treat. Just show her the treat, hold it infront of her mouth as you move towards the cage. For me a piece of apple always does the trick. I had problem with my bunny getting away from me in the beginning but now I can’t get her away from me lol. She keeps following me around and sits where I am sitting. Its so cute! Patience is the key 🙂


        • lil_ginger_42
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            Thank you for the treat tip, I do try that when leading her places but she gets sort of bored with it and will ignore the treat after a foot. And I try multiple treats but she will still get tired of them and hop away. I have tried blocking the places, I just havent figured out a good way to do it. She gets by all my blockade somehow lol. It is a weird place… the spaces under and around my bedside table and some storage stuff around that. Any cheap block suggestions? I hope my bunny and I have the bond you two have some day


          • Jo Leigh
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              I agree with Franks mom. I understand that sometimes you can’t wait for them to voluntarily go back into their cage, so luring them in with a treat is a great way. They’re suckers for a tasty snack! I usually use a piece of carrot.
              I think each bunny is different in terms of petting. Merlin enjoys when I gently put my hand on his back and rub his sides with my fingers. He will snuggle down for ages. He doesn’t enjoy his belly or his chin being petted. Figuring out what he liked and didn’t like was kind of trial and error for me. You can definitely tell when they do and don’t like something. I have heard most rabbits enjoy being pet behind the ears so possibly start with that and when she is feeling more comfortable around you, you can branch out to other areas.


            • Franks mom
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                I have used chicken wire fence to block under my bed and it’s been working great so far. I used the ones that don’t have sharp edges and almost feels plasticky from home depot


              • Bam
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                  There is plastic-covered chicken wire, i e metal chicken wire cast in plastic, most often green. Just plastic is no match for bunny teeth =)

                  My bunnies are very cuddly, so I don’t agree bunnies generally don’t like to be pet. I actually think they enjoy being pet a lot – but it has to be on their terms. They don’t as a rule like to be lifted and held, that’s stressful for them. But if they are free to go when it pleases them, f ex nose-rubs and forehead-rubs and petting the ears is very popular. When rabbits are with other rabbits they tend to grrom each other a lot, so I think they have a natural aptitude for being pet and they will often reciprocate by licking your hand or arm or something close by like fabric or a piece of furniture.

                  But it doesn’t, as a rule, happen over night, as Franks mom’s says, patience is key. One of my buns went a whole year without wanting physical contact from me. With my other rabbit it “only” took a few months. I’ve only had dogs before, and rabbits are not like dogs, dogs sort of seek human attention right away, rabbits need to learn to trust you first. Treats are a good way to show them you are a resource to them and not a threat.


                • Pipje
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                    It took about 3 months for my first rabbit to enjoy my company. Giving him the space to do his own thing and never having to interfere and pick him up helped a lot. I used to lie down with treats in my hand and eventually he would let me touch him. Now he comes over and begs for pets. I started by rubbing and stroking his nose, his forehead and ears and cheeks and he purred a little. Now he is a purring machine whenever I touch his nose!
                    He doesn’t like other areas being touched as much, I think most bunnies prefer head rubs and touching other areas can alarm them, but every bun is different. Start safe with nose rubs!
                    You just have to remember that rabbits do not see or experience things the same way as us. They primarily see everything as a threat to start off with, and slowly they learn to trust. So don’t rush things and don’t expect love back straight away. It may take months of quiet patience but you’ll get there! Whatever you do, don’t yank her around, that’s exactly what she’s scared of happening and will only make things worse.

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                Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bonding with indoor bun