New bunny behavior

[MuffinMama]

Hi Everyone! I adopted my new baby Muffin from a farm this week. He’s 8 weeks old and is a long haired holland Lop. The woman I bought him from told me not to touch him or really interact at all for a full week to let him adjust and recover from the trauma of moving. However, it’s only been two days and I’ve seen a HUGE shift in his behavior. He eats like a champ and has become very curious, hopping around his enclosure and even climbing the walls. He has also started realizing that I am associated with food and runs out of his hiding spot to eat every time I put fresh alfalfa hay in. I even held my hand out to him and he licked my fingers! He’s also quite comfortable eating with me present and laying on his belly with his back legs behind him Should I still avoid interacting or can I slowly start petting him and such? I want to give him time to adjust but this is torture! Lol. Thanks in advance for any help. (Also, any new bunny tips would be greatly appreciated.)

[xyla]

I think you can let him out. Ever bunny is different, and a week is a more general time period. Some rabbits will adjust quicker, and he seems like a sweetheart! Just make sure you have a rabbit proof room or xpen for him. Also, just let him come to you for a while in order to form your bond. It’s still a new place for him, so this could help a lot. But if he is acting like this, I don’t think it’s necessary to not let him out. Hope i helped

[tobyluv]

Unless he doesn’t seem to like it when you pet him (such as running away from you) I think it would be perfectly fine to pet him and interact with him. That would bring him comfort being in a new place and away from his litter mates. I’ve never heard of it being best not to touch or interact with a rabbit that you just brought home. Some rabbits love to be petted, and you will find out the favorite spots to do so. Some rabbits are more reluctant to be petted, but still tolerate it usually. Since he is a baby, I assume that he would enjoy and find comfort in your touch. You have to take your cues from him. If he doesn’t seem to want to be petted at some particular time, then respect that.

If you click on the BUNNY INFO link at the top of the page, you will find a lot of good information on all aspects of rabbit care.

[sarahthegemini]

If he’s happy to be pet, pet to your hearts content!

[MuffinMama]

Update: bit of a setback today… I was scooping some soiled bedding out of Muffin’s cage and he bit me! Just a quick nip, didn’t break skin or anything but I don’t know what to make of this. Any idea what this means/how I should react??

[Azerane]

He’s likely feeling a little defensive and territorial, so he’s guarding his cage. Sometimes just moving slower can help, otherwise if you have a playpen you can let him out into, you can let him into that while you go into his cage to clean up so he’s not in there feeling trapped/defensive.

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