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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 Will my rabbits ever like me?

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    • bunnylearning
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        This has been a struggle for me ever since I got my 2 holland lop rabbits (who are siblings by the way), who are neutered and spayed and have been with me ever since they were about 6 weeks old. I got them neutered as soon as both of them could be neutered and I don’t think that the hormones are the issue here. Though I understand that rabbits have many different personalities, just like humans do, my rabbits seem to have had a deep seated distaste for me ever since I brought them home. The only time I could pet them or show any affection towards them was when I first brought them home and even then I let them settle in and barely touched them. They are litter trained and pretty well behaved most of the time, which I am very glad about. Now, the “issue” is that I have probably never been able to pet them for longer than a few seconds. They usually get annoyed fairly quickly and, as my friends would joke, “body roll” away from me. They also hate being combed (just any sort of physical contact that isn’t between them). I have yet to try to trim their nails, but I know that that will be a very stressful experience for all of us. Romeo takes after his father and has long lionhead fur, which I do need to comb daily, but he absolutely hates contact and tries to run away every time I try to brush him. I have tried most of the tactics to get them used to me and not “fear” me, but really nothing seems to work. They are comfortable around me if I don’t try to pet them and would even flop on their sides to sleep. If anyone has any advice for what I can do, please help! Thanks! 


      • Sarita
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          Well, there isn’t any rabbit on earth that I know of that likes being groomed, so don’t be concerned they hate it, because they do.

          I think if they are flopping they are liking you. I think you have to remember that rabbits don’t show affection like dogs and humans. They really do sound like typical rabbits and while they may never show affection in the way you would like them too, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you – being comfortable and flopping are their way of showing affection – I think you just have to accept them on their own terms. I’m not sure how old they are since you haven’t mentioned that but perhaps as they grow older they will be more willing to allow you to pet them.


        • LBJ10
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            I agree. They sound like normal bunnies to me. Some bunnies are more affectionate than others, but what you are experiencing is definitely within that range. If they are flopping near you, then they are comfortable with you. That says a lot. Do you offer them treats for coming to you? Don’t try to pet them or anything when they come to you, just offer them the treat. As Sarita said, they may allow you to pet them more as they get older.

            For the grooming, I don’t think I’ve heard of any bunny that likes to be brushed. My cat liked to be brushed. I would tap the furminator on the floor and he would come running so he could be brushed with that thing. If the buns see their hairbuster comb, it’s all over. LOL


          • Chrystie
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              Although I have only about 6 months worth of being a bunny Mamma here’s my two cents. We first did tons of research and went by the suggestions that we heard most often, adopt in pairs around 10-12 weeks. That’s what we did. We found and adopted a bonded pair of 11 week old siblings from 4H. We got them spayed and neutered, respected their space, have kept their space very clean, have provided them with ALL manner of toys and chews and boredom busters and while we love Moose and Nutmeg it wasn’t quite the bunny ownership I had been hoping for. There are times I think Nutmeg (Alpha) pretty much hates me and everyone else. They clearly love each other and are bonded but they haven’t bonded with any of their humans. Pretty much, unless we have food, they don’t even like us looking at them!!! They let us pet them sometimes but aren’t friendly and cuddly like I was hoping so, enter Adaggio. The adorable little blue tort Holland lop I found in a local pet store that for some reason, I couldn’t leave the store without. I went to get bedding, food and toys for my other two buns. I brought Adaggio home. He was barely 8 weeks old and M&N wanted nothing to do with him so we made separate housing etc. My theory is, since M&N shunned him, he bonded with us instead. Due to that, he is the bunny experience I really wanted with M&N. He is affectionate….. Even needy at times. He follows me around even when I don’t have food, jumps onto my lap to petted, runs around my feet when I let him out every morning, sits on his hind legs so I will pick him up, loves to be held and cuddled, interacts with any human that comes around especially if they sit on the floor and recently, has even started coming up the stairs to find me in my room if someone lets him out before I come downstairs. We laugh and say he’s a dog in a Holland lop body. He’s awesome and he and I have truly bonded. He actually comes when I call him at least 50% of the time. Maybe that’s pure luck but he turns his head when I say his his name even if he doesn’t come running so I like to think he is responding to me. We always say he’s a 5 in looks and a 10 in personality so he’s a 10 and our other buns are both beautiful bunnies….definitely 9-10 in looks but a 3 in personality so they are a 3!!! Lol!! We love them all but Adaggio is definitely the house favorite. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s a 3rd wheel or just his personality but if I think I learned a lot by adopting a 3rd. Adaggio is now neutered and I’m hoping to bond him with the others at some point but I honestly don’t think that it will break the bond we have developed with him. I also think that having Adaggio around has made our other bunnies a bit more friendly… Well, at least Moose anyways….. He gets a little tired of his sister humping his face so he’s seeking comfort in my lap sometimes. Which doesn’t sit well with Nutmeg and sits there staring at him with one ear up and one down wearing her resting bitc* face from on high atop the bunny playhouse we got them. It’s pretty funny to see.

              So, I’m not sure what the answer is other than getting a young 3rd wheel. I think that the sibling pair bond is there to stay and a bond with anyone else just isn’t necessary for them so they won’t. I think that they can and probably will change a little over time but probably not to what you were hoping for. Every day I’m very thankful that I didn’t leave without my little Adaggio. Yeah, it’s meant extra work and more $$$$ but he’s so worth it. I can even take him outside in our backyard and front yard without a leash and harness. He doesn’t run off and hide…. He runs off to do binkies across the grass then back and when it’s time to go in, he follows me into the house where he gets his treat in the kitchen. The other buns get the backyard only and usually find a hiding spot in which we have to coax them out of and catch quickly or they will go hide again. I will continue to love ALL my buns and try with the other two because I don’t have to try with Adaggio, much like with my human children, it’s just there for both of us.

              Chrystie


            • bunnylearning
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                OK I get it now! It’s just that my friend’s rabbit is so affectionate towards most people and let them pet him and groom her without any problems. I thought my rabbits just hated me since they never acted in the way that my friend’s rabbit did. She probably bonded with my friend because it doesn’t have a bond with another rabbit. I also saw many Instagram rabbits that let their owners pet them, ask for affection, and even lick their owners, so I thought my rabbits were abnormal in some way. Since I can’t get a third rabbit, I guess I’ll use this information for the next time that I am able to adopt . Thanks for the help!!!!!


              • bunnylearning
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                  And they are still pretty young at about 7-8 months old, so I should have plenty of time for them to get used to me petting them.

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              Forum BEHAVIOR Will my rabbits ever like me?