back stabbing

[apexlime]

I realised not long ago Pici only likes me bc I feed her. Im pretty upset. what should I do?…

[sarahthegemini]

So that makes her a back stabber?  

Try and bond with her…what have you done thus far to bond?

[Deleted User]

Do you only spend time with her when you feed her? If that is the case, it may just be that the only positive connection she has made with you is that food=good experience. I suggest spending time sitting on the floor with her, not actively trying to get her attention. She will become curious and come and check out what you’re doing. Refrain from trying to touch her every time she comes near. Definitely keep feeding by hand to foster a positive experience for her, but also spend some time around her and let her know that it’s ok to come around even when you don’t have food. How long have you had Pici? It can take quite a while to earn a buns trust.

If anything, she may think that YOU are the backstabber “hooman gives snacks and is nice to my face, then call me a backstabber to other bun parents!”

Obviously I’m kidding but do try to just spend some time together.

[joea64]

I get Panda and Fernando out of their cage every evening for several hours during the workweek and make time for at least one or two “floor sessions” during their evening playtime. This is their first full weekend with me so I’m going to be spending a good deal more time with them. When they’re in the condo, I always make a point of it to talk to them frequently even when I’m halfway across the room sitting at my keyboard, like right now, say goodbye to them when I leave my apartment and hello when I come back. Bunnies may not always need pets – in fact, as with my Panda, newly-moved-in bunnies tend to be, shall we say, cautious, about being touched by their human for some time after their arrival – but they really, really like it when their human talks to them.

[Bam]

The way to a bun’s heart goes through its tummy. You have food, she wants food. It’s a starting-point that your relationship can develop from. The way you get a rabbit or other animal to trust you is by being a resource to the animal. Someone that provides food, shelter and good company. For a prey animal like a rabbbit, learning to trust a human is often a slow process. Rabbits are food to so many animals, their instincts tell them to be wary.

Be patient with you bunny. Spend time near her, you don’t have to interact all the time.

[joea64]

Try getting some hay and offering it to her in your hand. That will work very nicely for associating your hand with good things and it’s more healthful than feeding treats all the time.

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