Human/rabbit bonding

[C_Harris]

Any tips for bonding with a new bunbun?

 I’ve had Rhosgobel (Rosey) for 3 days now! She’s settling in VERY well. I’m letting her get adjusted slowly…I let her out of her cage to romp around about an hour at a time, a few times a day. Usually she’ll romp around for 30 minutes, then go to her cage (I keep the door open) and lay down inside for about 20 minutes…she’ll then get out and romp around some more. The second time she goes back inside her cage, I shut the door (so that it’s HER idea, not mine, to be in her cage). I don’t want to do it the first time she goes in because do not want her to think that EVERY time she goes in, the door will shut. This is working pretty well for us, so far! She’s getting braver and curiouser each time I let her out!

 In between outings, I go to her cage maybe 10-15 times a day, open the door, and just sit there and pet her while she’s still inside so that she associates my presence with love and gentle talk. I try not to pick her up too often as she tends to not care for it a lot, though if I have to, I will. Usually when she’s out and about and exploring, she really won’t let us
pet her, but if she’s relaxing on the floor she’ll let me pet her. Too
much to do, I guess! Sometimes I’ll lay on the floor and she’ll come
over and climb around on my legs.

As I’m typing, she actually ran over, nudged my toe with her nose, and then ran off, lol!

 Any tips to help further the bonding process, or are we doing it correctly? I don’t want to rush her into this, though I am very much looking forward to bonding a little more closely with her.

 

Thanks in advance!

[RoyalElvira]

It sounds like youre doing a good job! Maybe you can also incorporate treats with her. Give her a tiny bit of apple every now and then while shes sitting next to you. Or give her apple while shes being calm and letting you pet her. The treats helped my little scared buns learn that I am a nice person that will give them apple sometimes!

[C_Harris]

Thanks! Rosey actually isn’t too big on treats. The only food she’ll eat right now is timothy hay and kale (and a bit of red cabbage). She won’t even touch the pellet food. I’ve tried carrots, broccoli, and some dried apples…she wants nothing to do with them. I think it’s because she’s still adjusting…that or she’s REALLY picky. I’m hoping to pick up some more options for her, soon!

[LBJ10]

Have you tried banana? That is bunny crack at our house. Mine don’t care too much for carrots and broccoli either. If you need to pick her up, it helps if she gets a treat for her ordeal. Mine pretty much expect the treat is coming once I’m finished doing whatever I’m doing to them.

[Elrohwen]

It sounds like you’re doing a great job. I would try more treats. One of mine is extremely picky and won’t eat any fruit, but goes crazy for craisins (they love sweet things). My other rabbit isn’t nearly as picky and goes nuts for bananas.

[thumperluv]

That’s really great! Nudging is a good sign, usually it means they want attention and love. I guess your bun was trying to get your attention! “Hey! Watch me hop around!”

[C_Harris]

Thanks everyone! I actually have some craisins, so I’ll see how she responds! I tried a bit of a fresh sweet orange last night and she seemed kind of interested.

 I also saw her binky a couple times last night! It was really adorable! /proud new bunny mommy

[thumperluv]

Aww yay rosey! Sounds like she would love doing some fancy binkies! My bun does 360s but he gets really confused on which way he was going after he lands

[floppybunny123]

do you always sit down on the floor doing your own thing while s/he is playing? if yes then your in good shape! Just try to give your bun a treat whenever he comes over

[floppybunny123]

do you always sit down on the floor doing your own thing while s/he is playing? if yes then your in good shape! Just try to give your bun a treat whenever he comes over

[C_Harris]

She was out for about 4 hours straight today. She didn’t like the craisins…but I found out she LOVES cilantro. She went crazy for it.

Lill’s Mama: I’ll go and lay on the floor for about 10 minutes at a time, then I’ll get up and do other things, then repeat. She usually just uses me as a carpet and walks over me, but a lot of times she’ll come over to my hand and lay down and let me pet her (she LOVES her head/ears pet). It’s hard to give her treats when she doesn’t really like anything, but now that I know how much she loves the cilantro, I found her weakness!

[Elrohwen]

Does she like pellets? I always keep a bowl of pellets in the living room and when the bunnies come over to say hi I’ll give them a couple. It’s a nice easy treat that you can give a decent amount of.

It’s great that she’s climbing on you and even letting you pet her! One of mine still doesn’t let me pet him and it’s been 4 years. haha

[C_Harris]

Nope…she won’t touch pellets, lol! Even the ones she was being fed before I got her.

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