Becoming Friends with Your Rabbit |
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Just brought your rabbit home and are trying to become friends with him? Had your bunny for months, but she still hasn't warmed up to you? Your dog loved you from day one and you can't figure out why your rabbit doesn't like you? Learning to become friends with a rabbit (prey species) is much different than a cat or dog (predators) . It takes a more deliberate investment on your part to become friends with your rabbit to build the trust needed to develop your relationship.
- Get On Their Level: Rabbits are ground dwellers and compared to us humans, they are small. It's hard for them to form a relationship with a pair of legs or a hovering body. Get down to their level. Sit or lie in your rabbit's pen or on the floor in a small room. In too large of an area, your bunny can avoid you altogether. In a more limited space, bunny may need to hop around you to get to the food dish or their toys.
- Let Bunny Come to You: While you're sitting on the floor, don't try to touch your rabbit. Read a book. Scroll through Facebook. Watch a movie on your laptop. In other words, ignore your rabbit. I know it's hard with all that cute fluffiness, but don't try to pet at first. Let BunBun's natural curiosity emerge and he will come to inspect you and learn that you're not a threat.
- Be Patient: It may take hours or days before your rabbit feels comfortable approaching you- this is largely due to their individual personality and their prior experience with people.
- Speak Softly: Talk to your rabbit so she learns the sound of your voice. Read aloud to him. Tell her about your day. Have that conversation about politics that you can't have with your family. Tell him how cute and irresistible he is; all rabbits love to hear that!
- No Sudden Moves: When you are going to get up or change position, try to broadcast your intentions. Stretch first. Start to collect your things. Give cues that your bunny can pick up on to begin recognizing when you are leaving or going to do something else. Predicable routines and actions help rabbits learn to trust and understand their new world with you.
- Give Small Amount of Healthy Treats: While sitting the floor, put a small treat in your hand- a piece of strawberry, a blueberry, a small slice of banana, an Oxbow or Small Pet Select treat- let your bunny come take the treat from you- don't touch at first. Eventually, bunny will come to associate good things with you- and your hands! After awhile of this, see if bunny will accept pets from you, usually the nose/head is a good place to start. Go at his pace. You will begin to recognize your rabbit's signals of acceptance and comfort with you. If Peter Rabbit won't take food from your hand, try extending your legs while sitting on the floor and putting his dinner greens or pellets on your legs for him to eat.
- Don't Pick Up/Hold: Rabbits are ground-dwelling animals who are naturally afraid of being lifted by predators, and yes, you are a predator! Some rabbits accept being picked up more than others, but being "still" or "calm" does not equal being happy; your rabbit may be too scared to move or struggle. Too often we see pictures online of rabbits being "happily cuddled" by humans, but looking at the rabbits eyes or body language shows that the rabbit is actually terrified or deeply unhappy. Although they don't like being held, rabbits do crave physical affection and will often lay beside their human for petting. There will be times when you must pick up your rabbit- nail trims, brushing, vet visits- and you should refer to proper holding techniques to ensure your bun is being properly supported to avoid possible injuries.
- Avoid Grabbing or Chasing: Chasing or grabbing at your rabbit is a clear prey/predator situation that will break down trust and make it difficult to form a healthy relationship with her.
- Get to Know Your Rabbit's Personality: Some rabbits are shy or scared. Some are outgoing or territorial. Some are relaxed or affectionate. Some are hyper or demanding. Each rabbit has his own distinct personality. Bonding with your rabbit will help you learn about and appreciate his unique personality.
- Speak Rabbit: Learning your rabbit's language is invaluable in building trust and understanding to enhance your bond. Please see our link "Learning Your Rabbit's Language" to become an expert at 'speaking rabbit'!
- Get On Their Level: Rabbits are ground dwellers and compared to us humans, they are small. It's hard for them to form a relationship with a pair of legs or a hovering body. Get down to their level. Sit or lie in your rabbit's pen or on the floor in a small room. In too large of an area, your bunny can avoid you altogether. In a more limited space, bunny may need to hop around you to get to the food dish or their toys.
- Let Bunny Come to You: While you're sitting on the floor, don't try to touch your rabbit. Read a book. Scroll through Facebook. Watch a movie on your laptop. In other words, ignore your rabbit. I know it's hard with all that cute fluffiness, but don't try to pet at first. Let BunBun's natural curiosity emerge and he will come to inspect you and learn that you're not a threat.
- Be Patient: It may take hours or days before your rabbit feels comfortable approaching you- this is largely due to their individual personality and their prior experience with people.
- Speak Softly: Talk to your rabbit so she learns the sound of your voice. Read aloud to him. Tell her about your day. Have that conversation about politics that you can't have with your family. Tell him how cute and irresistible he is; all rabbits love to hear that!
- No Sudden Moves: When you are going to get up or change position, try to broadcast your intentions. Stretch first. Start to collect your things. Give cues that your bunny can pick up on to begin recognizing when you are leaving or going to do something else. Predicable routines and actions help rabbits learn to trust and understand their new world with you.
- Give Small Amount of Healthy Treats: While sitting the floor, put a small treat in your hand- a piece of strawberry, a blueberry, a small slice of banana, an Oxbow or Small Pet Select treat- let your bunny come take the treat from you- don't touch at first. Eventually, bunny will come to associate good things with you- and your hands! After awhile of this, see if bunny will accept pets from you, usually the nose/head is a good place to start. Go at his pace. You will begin to recognize your rabbit's signals of acceptance and comfort with you. If Peter Rabbit won't take food from your hand, try extending your legs while sitting on the floor and putting his dinner greens or pellets on your legs for him to eat.
- Don't Pick Up/Hold: Rabbits are ground-dwelling animals who are naturally afraid of being lifted by predators, and yes, you are a predator! Some rabbits accept being picked up more than others, but being "still" or "calm" does not equal being happy; your rabbit may be too scared to move or struggle. Too often we see pictures online of rabbits being "happily cuddled" by humans, but looking at the rabbits eyes or body language shows that the rabbit is actually terrified or deeply unhappy. Although they don't like being held, rabbits do crave physical affection and will often lay beside their human for petting. There will be times when you must pick up your rabbit- nail trims, brushing, vet visits- and you should refer to proper holding techniques to ensure your bun is being properly supported to avoid possible injuries.
- Avoid Grabbing or Chasing: Chasing or grabbing at your rabbit is a clear prey/predator situation that will break down trust and make it difficult to form a healthy relationship with her.
- Get to Know Your Rabbit's Personality: Some rabbits are shy or scared. Some are outgoing or territorial. Some are relaxed or affectionate. Some are hyper or demanding. Each rabbit has his own distinct personality. Bonding with your rabbit will help you learn about and appreciate his unique personality.
- Speak Rabbit: Learning your rabbit's language is invaluable in building trust and understanding to enhance your bond. Please see our link "Learning Your Rabbit's Language" to become an expert at 'speaking rabbit'!