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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Is this normal baby bunny behavior…?

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    • Julie M
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        Hello, I am a first time owner of a baby boy holland lop! So i’ll just get started describing our situation. I basically just need to know if this is all normal stuff or if I’m doing something wrong….
        I have had this rabbit for a month, almost exactly. He is 3 months old. After the first week he would lay with me on the floor while I was doing homework, he binkyed a lot outside of his cage and would eat cheerios and oats from my hand. He didnt much like to be touched or held. I contacted the breeder asking for suggestions and she mentioned that this particular rabbit was her ‘shy baby’ in the litter… But she told me to get him used to being held by holding him against his will for a few minutes everyday. Since I have started doing this I feel that our bond has gotten weaker! He does not come near me, always hides from me and no longer accepts treats from me. Not to mention i havent seen a binky from him in a long time.
        I am a little disapppinted and discouraged, as I read about how sweet and what great companions holland lops were for weeks before I decided to get one. Will he grow into the sweet animal that holland lops typically are, or is he going to be shy and skittish forever? Just wondering if this is normal baby behavior or of he is just an anomaly for the breed?


      • Julie M
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          Oh I also wanted to add that he has never bit me or growled at me or Anything like that. Just seems to be very afraid of me


        • Sarita
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            Welcome – first off, cheetos and oats are bad for rabbits so I would stop feeding him this right away!

            Every rabbit is different – rabbits are not bred for personality. But in any event, rabbits generally hate being held so that is part of the problem. Also he is reaching puberty and that’s another issue.

            The best way to gain a rabbit’s trust is to allow them to come to you – sit on the floor and they will be curious and come up to you – don’t reach out though, allow him to come to you without being grabbed.

            I think in time he will come around to trust you – will he be a cuddly rabbit…probably not in the way that you would like, but he will become more relaxed and less likely to high tail it away from you.

            Don’t be disappointed though or discouraged – let your rabbit be the way he is and he will be less fearful of you.


          • amethyst1201
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              As the proud parent of a new bunny, I just wanted to add that my bunny hates to be picked up, and will avoid me the next day if I had to pick him up to put him in his cage. From what I’ve read, this is normal behavior. Rabbits are prey animals, and being caught or held can be absolutely terrifying to them, especially if they don’t know you very well. What worked for me was feeding him a bit of a favorite veggie from my hand, and eventually rubbing his forehead while he nibbled. Watch carefully for any sign of fear or nervousness and take that behavior as a sign to back off. Let him warm up to you at his own pace, and soon he’ll be coming up to you to beg for treats and might even begin to cuddle or lick you


            • MerlinsMom
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                Most rabbits don’t actually like being held or picked up, they are prey animals and it reminds them of being caught by a predator. That being said, however, there will be some rabbits that do like it. One of mine is super cuddly and will sit on your lap for hours, the other hates being picked up and will scrabble and scratch and jump out of your arms. He’s perfectly friendly and loves to flop beside you for a head rub.
                I bonded with my two using bribery! Find a treat they really love (both mine love raisins) and start by just giving your bun one whenever you pass his cage. He will soon learn to look for you when you walk by. Also rattle the treat box whenever you give one – I did this with mine and now they will come running to me from anywhere in the house whenever they hear the treat box rattle! Just take it slowly. Sit on the floor with your bun and read or watch tv, let him come to you and offer him a treat when he does.


              • Stickerbunny
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                  Echoing what others have said – bunnies HATE being held. To them, it is a predator move and means they will be eaten soon. The quickest way to get my rabbits to run from me every time I come near them is to have to pick them up often. He needs to be able to be picked up for emergencies, but if you have no issues getting him when you need to, just only pick him up when you have to (clipping etc). Bunnies are a lot like having an aloof cat, they come to you when they want you and get in your lap etc if they feel like it. They don’t like being forced. So lay on the floor with him, offer him treats (craisins are a great way to get my buns to do anything), give pets if he allows it but let him feel safe around you.

                  And yes, oats/cheerios are really bad for bunnies. They shouldn’t have grains, nuts or seeds.


                • Julie M
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                    Okay thank you! I was starting to get worried. I will stop with the oats&cheerios. The breeder suggested those to me!


                  • Stickerbunny
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                      Hmm. Your breeder has me a bit worried with the advice of picking up the bun to bond with it and giving grains as treats. :s

                      Good treats that a lot of bunnies love are craisins – dried cranberries. Anything else fruity my buns go crazy for as well. Just feed in moderation, as too much sugar is bad for them. And introduce any fresh foods slowly so you know it doesn’t give tummy upset.


                    • LBJ10
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                        A Cheerio probably wouldn’t kill a rabbit, but it wouldn’t be good for them to eat. I’m sure the breeder you went to has given Cheerios as treats and since there were no noticeable ill effects, decided they were okay to give. I agree with Sticker, don’t listen to the breeder. Dehydrated fruits are good treats. Just make sure they don’t have weird stuff added to them.

                        As for being held, most bunnies don’t enjoy it. Mine will tolerate it fine, but they are used to being bribed for their trauma. It is a good idea to try to get them accustomed to being picked up for maintenance and such. You can accomplish this with bribery, but it depends on the rabbit. To bond with them, I would instead work on building trust.

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                    Forum BEHAVIOR Is this normal baby bunny behavior…?