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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.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Getting bunnies used to being petted

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    • JR
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        We bought two mini dwarf lop eared rabbits for our 5 year old two weeks ago. They were 9 weeks old when we got them.

        Hopsy is quite happy to be stroked, most of the time. Flopsy, not so much. Neither like being picked up. Hopsy tends to be ok, if he’s in the mood or if I can catch him without startling him. I don’t think I’ve managed to pick up Flopsy in the 2 weeks he’s been with us, apart from the first day because he was in a small enclosure before being put in his run.

        I know it might take time for them to get used to us and to trust us, and I’m really conscious that I don’t frighten them by grabbing them, or hurt them by kind of half picking them up and then letting them leap out of my arms and hitting something.

        If you can share any tips on how to get them used to us and the best way to get them to come to us and want to be stroked or picked up, that would be appreciated.

        I presume this is normal. What kind of timescales should I expect for them to like us. Bearing in mind my daughter is a typical 5 year old, in all of this.


      • Hazel
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        2587 posts Send Private Message

          Welcome to BB! Two baby lops, it doesn’t get any cuter than that. Please post some pictures!

          I guess this is sort of a mute point now, since you already got them, but rabbits aren’t recommended as pets for small children. Young kids are loud, like to run around the house, and presented with a fluffy little creature will of course want to grab and cuddle them (and who could blame them?). Rabbits are prey animals, they don’t like loud noises, sudden movements, and especially hate being picked up, which in nature means “You’re about to become someone’s dinner!” Baby rabbits are sometimes more tolerant of this, but as they grow older, most rabbits try their best to avoid it. Some people have had success in getting their buns used to being picked up enough that they will tolerate it. However, personally I wouldn’t recommend that approach. Chances are you will only succeed in harming your bond with them, they will start to see you as a threat and will avoid you and if cornered, defend themselves. And you do not want a scared/defensive rabbit, especially with your little girl in the house. People often have trouble accepting that part of their bunny’s personality and acting accordingly, which ends up in the rabbit becoming “mean” and getting dumped at a shelter because it bit someone. They also don’t play like a dog or cat, so usually the child gets bored with them pretty quickly. I know they seem like the perfect pet for small kids, but really they are more of a pet for adults, as they are also quite high maintenance and need more care and attention than a child can provide. Although I’m sure you’re doing all the care taking at this point.

          As for petting, our bun used to hate being touched, but with lots of time and patience, he learned to enjoy it. What worked best for me was gently petting him while he was eating something yummy, so he wouldn’t consider bolting straight away. Most rabbits like being stroked on their forehead/between the eyes. Just give them a couple of strokes, then stop. Do not keep petting them until they move, that will only make them associate being touched with running away . You want them to associate being petted with staying put, so don’t push them over that threshold. Give them a few seconds, or however long they need, then give them a couple more strokes, rinse and repeat. You will quickly figure out how much they can take before bolting. Keep doing this, and as they get more comfortable, pet them a little more. Before long they will learn that being petted is actually a good thing.

          Rabbits are giant pigs, so food and treats are the best way to earn their trust. Hand feeding will speed that process along, and will teach them to come to you when you call them. Lots of rabbits love craisins, but as with all treats, they need to be fed in moderation.

          One more thing, please don’t let your daughter pick them up, their hind legs are incredibly strong and if they kick out they can actually break their own back, so they need to be held very securely. And I wouldn’t want your daughter to get scratched either, of course.

           

          Edit: Forgot to ask, do you know what gender they are? In any case, I would advise you to check for yourself, or have a knowledgeable vet do it. If you need help with that, we can give some tips. Rabbits can be hard to sex correctly, and since they are approaching 3 months, you could soon end up with a litter if it turns out to be a male/female pair.


        • tobyluv
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            Hazel gave you good advice. I wanted to add one thing. Even if the rabbits are the same gender, since they are 11 weeks old, you will soon need to separate them until they have been spayed or neutered. Once rabbits hit puberty (at around 3 months of age) their hormones can make them aggressive, which can lead to fighting and injuries, so they should not be together at that age, whether they are the opposite sex or the same sex. After they are spayed or neutered and a few weeks have passed, you can start rebonding them.

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        Forum BEHAVIOR Getting bunnies used to being petted