I just want my bunny to love me

[Rachel]

I adopted a one year old rabbit from the shelter over a month ago. She wants nothing to do with me.  I really don’t think she is scared because she isn’t even frightened by the vacuum cleaner, but whenever I go to pet her she runs away.  If I am getting her pellets out she goes nuts and waits by the bag to stick her face in it and I try to take advantage of the opportunity and she dodges my hand but still waits for the food.  I haven’t done anything since I have had her to make her dislike me.  

[Finnigan!]

Before I got Finn, I had a bunny that was a bit rough around the edges. She was basically the exact opposite of Finn. She didn’tlike to cuddle or be pet and sometimes would nip eoples ankles if they got too close. I did a lot of research about her behavior and what I came up with is that females are more likely to be mean and aggressive especially around the breeding season. I found it best to let her come to me. It took a bit but we eventually got her to love us. Play to her curiosity. Try laying in the middle of the floor without moving too much and let her come to you. Don’t try to grab her just let her check you out and let her find out on her own that you are not a threat. You could also try offering treats out of your hand and when she goes to check it out give her a light pet between and around her ears. I hope this will help you. ?

[Rachel]

also will things change when I spay her???

[Deleted User]

I agree with Finn. You just have to be patient. Don’t try to touch her when she doesn’t want you to. Offer treats out of your hand and spend time just lying in her area and letting her come to you. When I first got Ophelia, she was very jumpy. She would get as far away from me as she could and dodge every effort I made to touch her. I would just sit or lay on the floor in her room for 1-2 hours a day and let her come to me. It took about two months for her to be comfortable with me, allowing me to pet her and not running away or jolting up from lying down when I walk by. Now she’s the sweetest ever. Also make sure you are petting her gently. They don’t like to be rough housed because they are very fragile. I started by only petting the top of her head, and eventually she got comfortable with me petting from her head to bottom with my whole hand. I got bun spayed two weeks ago and I have not noticed any change in her attitude. If I were you, I would try to get her a little more comfortable with you before you bring her to be spayed. I say this because she will require care after the surgery and you don’t want her to be extremely skiddish with you as you will need to check her sutures/incision site daily and if she isn’t eating you may have to syringe feed her, so it would be to your benefit to get her more acclimated to you. Again, if you can wait for the spay that’s great, if not you have to do what you need to. Rabbits just get calmer when altered because their hormones dissipate and they are not instinctively concerned with mating. Keep at, be patient, and let HER decide when she’s ready and you guys will form a bond

[LittlePuffyTail]

Patience. Adopting a bunny means not knowing much about their background. My little Bridge girl, Olivia came from a suspected abuse/neglect situation. She was very stressed out and afraid. It took about a year of me being at her level, trying not to interfere with her too much, giving her space, for her to come around and actually enjoy being pet.

Its important your new bun feels safe and secure in her new home. Make sure she has an area that is completely hers. A small pen or cage she can run into as she chooses if she is free roam. And try to avoid doing anything in there, like tidying up, while she’s in there.

I honestly didn’t notice much difference in my girl after she was spayed. She was over a year when spayed.

[cinnybun2015]

Spaying helps curb hormonal behaviors, but it may also make her sweeter if she is acting grumpy right now–but it doesn’t sound like she’s acting grumpy or hormonal from your post. Some rabbits just don’t like to be pet, much like my bun. However, something that helped me when I was bonding with him was just lying down on the floor. Rabbits are such curious animals that (most of them) won’t be able to resist coming over to sniff you and hop around you
Best of luck!! Keep us updated!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Rachel on 7/10/2017 4:06 PM

I adopted a one year old rabbit from the shelter over a month ago. She wants nothing to do with me.  I really don’t think she is scared because she isn’t even frightened by the vacuum cleaner, but whenever I go to pet her she runs away.  If I am getting her pellets out she goes nuts and waits by the bag to stick her face in it and I try to take advantage of the opportunity and she dodges my hand but still waits for the food.  I haven’t done anything since I have had her to make her dislike me.  

A month really isn’t a long time – think of it this way, she is a small prey animal, and she needs to learn that you (a big human, potentially a threat) aren’t a threat to her. 

Also, bolded part – stop doing that. She’s going to think every time she goes near you that you’re going to touch her. If she’s not comfortable with you yet, stop forcing it. 

[Deleted User]

I think you can get so much more out of your bunny than just wanting to pet them. I’ve taken to just spending time watching mine because they are so entertaining and fascinating. That way you also get to learn their personalities and behaviour.Mine aren’t keen on being touched but I always get a stroke at a certain time of night right before I go up to bed and this is routine. Daryl is very up tight and likes his own space and since I’ve learnt these things about his personality it’s like we now have a joint understanding on what is acceptable. I know not to invade his space and it’s like I am getting rewarded with the bed time pets. He enjoys these but I know not to push it too much because he has other things he wants to do. I think respecting what they want makes them trust you faster. Rather than trying to get them used to being stroked because it’s what you want. As others have said bunnies need time to adjust but I always think we need time to get used to the the rabbit we have because I think people have different expectations when getting a rabbit and it’s sometimes hard to realise that they are all different, much like children. You can’t pick them you just accept them for who they are haha. I’m quite happy to have rabbits that don’t want holding or stroking much because I still get so much enjoyment from them

[Deleted User]

I agree with Eddy! Each rabbit is different, and they are much more rewarding than their returned affection. No one should have expectations of what the bun will be like, you just have to see how they are and develop your own way to interact with them that makes them comfortable. While some can be very affectionate (as is my Ophelia), you can’t expect that every bun will be that way. They are animals, just like people. You can’t expect every person to enjoy the same things or have the same attitude. You have to learn what your individual rabbit is like and if that’s not her style find out what is!! She will still be a joy to be around

[DorothyTheMiniSatinBun]

Some rabbits don’t like it when you put your hand in front of their face or go in for pets. It was very unusual when I first witnessed this because I was so used to Dorothy’s affectionate personality, but when we fostered a Himalayan he was very nervous to be pet by me and would only accept it if he was in a relaxed position – with his head to the floor. And then if I got overly aggressive with the pet, he would make a noise. He would also nip my ankles. I was told he was just trying to get to know me. Also, we just adopted a male rabbit the same breed as Dorothy, and he loves to run around more than Dorothy. He spends more time investigating his environment (for hours this goes on), but after he is done, he will put his head down to rest and will allow pets. I am not sure he will open up and be more accepting of affection or get calm as he ages, but it is important to accept the bunny for their own individual personalities. Not every bunny likes affection.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Well said, Eddy!

Like the others said, some bunnies are more into a physical relationship with humans (pet, snuggles, etc) and some always remain more distant. The bunny I mentioned, she did warm up to me but always remained a little Diva. She established a strict set of rules regarding petting that I had to follow. If I went out of bounds, she would grunt and pummel me. I decided from the beginning to love her as is, and we had 8 wonderful years together.

[Willow]

I’m at my whits end with my Dwarf Bunny. We have had Monty a choc otter from a baby. He is now 1 year old. He lives indoors in his tray by the side of my 6yr old cross dwarf Willow (who is amazing). Monty is driving me crazy he HATES me but its very confusing. Every morning both buns are waiting for me with their chins rested on the edge of their trays. I give them both a tickle & little kiss on their heads & they will sit like that for ages if I let them. But when I get their food tub Willow goes straight to his bowl & waits for me to pop some in. And Monty licks the tip of my nose! But that is where it ends with Monty…as soon as he gets the food that’s it. He HATES me. The rest of the day he stamps his feet even if I just walk past him. If I go to give him anything he stamps & runs into his house. My boyfriend has no problem with him!!! He can go to him & kiss him & stroke him & he just sits there. I go to him & he acts like I’m going to kill him! My Willow sits there watching as if amazed by it all lol so I end up just scooping up my Willow (he’s like bagpuss lol) and he’s happy to sit with me on sofa or on my knee. I don’t understand why Monty licks my nose & is ok with me in morning and every other moment of the day & night he’s so angry… any suggestions?

[Azerane]

Hi Willow It’s recommended you start a new post for your own bunnies to help you get more responses, but I’ll suggest what I can.

After you’ve fed them in the morning, is that when you go and get yourself ready for the day. Maybe shower, put on a hand cream or make up etc. Anything like that? Some bunnies are super sensitive to different smells, and a bunny that may love you when you smell like yourself (right after you get out of bed) can easily be fearful of you when you smell different from putting on a cream or deodorant.

[Author]

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