Baby bunny doesn’t like me ):

[Paige]

New to the site and to the world of bunnies (:

So I adopted Willow – my adorable half lop, half rex three weeks ago. She was born on Valentines day of this year so she is still young. Maybe three weeks isn’t enough for her to settle in but I feel like she really does not like me. She doesn’t seem afraid of me – she will take food and treats from my hand. But I feel like she is just using me for treats and doesn’t actually like me. She will run up to me but quickly run back away when she realizes I don’t have a treat. She will occasionally hop up to me but doesn’t stick around long for pets. Is this just because she is young, and still getting use to surroundings? What can I do to bond with Willow a bit more?

[blubudgie]

It’s only been 3 weeks so don’t give up hope yet. Sit with her for a few hours every day and just do your own thing, you don’t need to be constantly petting her or whatever, just get her used to your presence. When you do give her treats try petting her while she eats. Just move slow and have patience.

My rabbit doesn’t really come up to me a lot asking for pets either, I think it just depends on their personality. But when I go to pet her she will sit still and enjoy it. Otherwise she’s pretty independent.

[Mikey]

Sounds like shes not used to the surroundings yet. It could be that shes very, very shy. My middle boy, Bombur, is very shy towards people and animals aside from other rabbits; he really likes other rabbits and is calmed when he cuddles with them. Just keep doing what you are doing (bribing with treats) and she will open up to you over time. As Blubudgie said, too, dont try to pet her or pick her up every time either. Just hang around with her. Ive found laying down on the floor also helps, since it makes you look smaller and less intimidating

[Chloe_<3]

Welcome to BinkyBunny! My bun Chloe took a very long time to warm up to me. It took a week before she would even venture out of her cage on her own and about 1.5 months before she would let me pet her. I found that just sitting down on the floor nearby Chloe she eventually started warming up to me. Now she follows me from room to room in my apartment! As mentioned above, my bun also only comes up to me for treats or just to sit by me and only likes pets when she is in the mood. With patience I found she actually is very affectionate but just takes awhile to adjust! Hang in there, I know its tough especially when they are so cute and you just want to snuggle them 

[Sr. Melangell]

Bunny lives in her own little world, bunny will come to you when bunny is ready, as I always say, just like kids, Grandma or Uncle comes to the house, the child doesn’t want to come out of their room, they want to stay there and listen to music and play with toys, well now its computers and phones, Mum bangs on the door saying. “Come and see your Grandma.” (Or Uncle Or whoever.) Making the situation worse, then they leave them alone to play on the PC or Phone and then eventually you hear the door unlock and footsteps come down the stairs, also again bunnies are like kids, you know when Grandma or Uncle comes to visit and you are about 3 or 4 years old and they want to give you a cuddle and a kiss and you don’t want that, bunnies are the same, as everyone else has said, give it time, bunny loves you, my Olly is 3 years old and he doesn’t always want hugs and kisses.

[Kyrkogrimr]

It’s worth remembering that rabbits are prey animals and have a very different perspective on the world than, for example, a dog or a cat. It can take them a long time to build up trust with new people. Both my bunnies are very friendly, Sidhe cuddled up and toothpurred the first time we met her when we were being introduced to potential mates for Puck at the rescue, and has consistently been a very affectionate girl towards me in particular and others to a lesser extent – however when we first brought her (and Puck) home from the rescue after they’d been bonded, she was very nervous, very shy and wouldn’t leave Puck’s side for anything for the first few days. It took her a good few weeks to feel confident around us and several months to develop the bond we have now, even though she was very friendly with me from the outset (and hadn’t responded like that to other prospective adopters). These things just take time and patience.
Another thing to consider is her background before you adopted her. You specifically say “adopted”; did you adopt her from a rescue/shelter? (No shame if you didn’t, I got Puck, my first bunny from a breeder) If so, there’s no way to be sure how she was treated prior to you adopting her unless (like Sidhe, who’s mum arrived pregnant) she was born at the rescue. If she’s had a bumpy start – and sadly, being young doesn’t mean she’s definitely been spared that if she’s a rescue bun – it may take her a little longer to trust that not all humans are going to treat her the same. Just things to consider.
Honestly, at three weeks I wouldn’t worry that she’s not being particularly overtly affectionate; she’s choosing to run up to you, even if she does scamper off quite quickly. Bunnies aren’t shy about letting you know if you’re not welcome, and if she really didn’t like you, I doubt she’d come over at all.
I’d like to echo the suggestions above regarding just sitting in with her and doing your own thing. When I first got Puck I sat in his play pen with a book and “ignored” him unless he came looking for attention. Even then, I didn’t try to pet him straight away, I just held my hand out where he could sniff it and let him take things at his pace. If she’s nervous of the strange new human, then reaching out to pet her every time she comes close to you might be quite intimidating for her. Give her time; much like Chloe, Sidhe has become a bit of a rabbit-shaped shadow now that she’s had time to get used to me. She comes over for attention any time I go past the pen and gets quite offended if I won’t put my hand in to be groomed and give her ears a stroke XD

[Jessica]

it took quite  a bit for flopsy to gain my trust and she was the same way only came to me for treats. i would sit in the same room as her cage and let her hop to me if she wanted but i would offer a treat and ask her may i pet you. after almost 5 months she finally gained my trust enough to come to me ever morning for pets and cuddle for evening. for the shy violet bunnies you gotta be very patience with them. wait on their terms and their comfort zone.  its not an overnight thing with bunnies. they got the learn you are not a threat, you will not hurt them and they can trust you. 

[vivi]

interesting topic..i had mine for 4 months now and still don’t come to me …I have tried it all! I have sat with him for hours! i talk soft i we all do! i started slow with him we let him play all over he goes in and out his cage when ever…hay hay hay fruits veggies toys ..i mean i have tried it all! in the book! LOL and more…
and no change! my rabbit is not friendly at all!

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