Human to Bunny bonding Queries

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 2 months ago by (dig)x(me)x(now).

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- 01/16/2009 at 8:16 PM
  Osky
  Participant
  16 posts
  Hey there,
  
  I’m new to these forums, and relatively new bunny owner. I recently obtained 2 holland lops about 3 months, a male and female. The Male’s name is Tako and he’s about 5-6 months old now. The female is Snowball and she is about 6-7 months old. I just today got them neutered/spayed and am a little concerned about them, but they’re eating alittle and have seem them drink a little water so I’m thinking for the better.
  
  I’m a little uncertain about the care and bonding I am trying to achieve with them. Snowball although sometimes seeming very energetic to see me also sometimes acts afraid of me. Tako the male is very much afraid and even though afraid when i let him out he shows signs of aggression as if I’m in HIS way. I’ll be sitting on the couch just letting him run around and if he’s just walking through and decides he wants to scratch at the floor near the couch he comes near me and begins nudging my feet as if I was in his way and could just easily be pushed aside. But If I was to get up he would immediately run away, and even if I’m casually walking around the room during his play time he avoids me at all cost unless I’m lying there like a rock, then he investigates me. not really sure what to really do with either.
  
  Snowball just seems a little finicky sometimes and just seems like she wants some space. So I can understand her more than I do Tako. But one of the things I’ve been nervous or been avoiding is picking them up or trying to groom or cut their nails. Just simply for the fact that they avoid that much physical contact at all costs and I’m trying to avoid major discomfort with them. Example: I finally one time I had to pick up Snowball because she wouldn’t get in her carrier, once I did she kicked and even drew blood from me. . . .not a big deal on my end but she was terrified. afterwards she was cold with me and at times seems as though she still hasn’t fully recovered from it because it seems like she’s a little more offish so it seems like I have to go back to step one. I guess I’m wondering if I should just force them into doing the basic maintainence and eventually them get use to it. But I worry that they will just become very offish indefinately.
- 01/16/2009 at 9:31 PM
  riibu
  Participant
  60 posts
  What I’ve read is that it can take 3+ months for a bunny to really start to feel at home with you, depending on the personality of the bunny. I’ve had my bunny for just about 2 months and we’re still getting into the grove of things. Although he’s not aggressive in the slightest and can be very affectionate, there are also times when he’s standoffish and will sit in a corner as if he just moved in yesterday. As my experience with rabbits is only two months, I’m far from an expert, but I’ve found it to be quite effective to just lay on the floor watching TV while the bun(s) has the run of the room. Let them check you out if they want, but don’t force ’em if they don’t want to. Owen HATES to be picked up, and he’s definitely grouchy if I give it a try, so I’ve decided to give that a rest for awhile (all I want to be able to do is trim his nails!). I’ll also sit on the floor and bribe him with treats. When I first got him he’d be interested in the treat, but he’d avoid stepping in my lap at all cost. Now he’s more likely to jump into my lap for a treat. I think it just takes time and love.
  
  Your buns are still quite young, so they’ll also settle as they get older. And you might also see improvements now that they’re both snipped.
  
  Congrats on the bunnies and good luck!
- 01/16/2009 at 10:36 PM
  BookerTRabbit
  Participant
  45 posts
  I think that getting them fixed will really help with the agression. They are probably reaching their sexual maturity and have a lot of hormones to deal with. Some of it is also just the bunnies personality. Our bunny, Booker, often nudges at my feet or sometimes will dig a little at my clothes.
  
  I think that after they have adjusted to your house and their hormones have died down (about 4 weeks) they will start to warm up to you. They sound very very cute!!!
- 01/17/2009 at 1:04 AM
  (dig)x(me)x(now)
  Participant
  2517 posts
  I agree with the other responses that they will begin to come around. I would definitely wait until they’re both adjusted to being there until you bond them though. The process can be extremely difficult in certain cases, and it would likely make it a lot easier if they were already adjusted in general.
- 01/17/2009 at 10:06 AM
  Balefulregards
  Participant
  715 posts
  When I got Coco too – it felt like it took forever to gain her trust. Rabbits are a different sort of pet – Things are done very much more on their terms – and it takes a LONG time for them to be sure you aren’t going to eat them.
  
  Coco still ( nearly 10 months later) doesn’t like me to pick her up, so I rarely do. She does like to be on the bed with me – sleeping on her corner, or licking my feet ( a VERY high bunny compliment, the grooming)
  
  I know it seems strange – but I just lay on the floor alot – letting her sniff me and hop away – sniff and hop away
- 01/17/2009 at 1:57 PM
  (dig)x(me)x(now)
  Participant
  2517 posts
  What Baleful said is how a lot of us began to try to get bunnies out – just lay on the floor near the cage and read a book or whatever. They’ll eventually start sniffing around and getting curious.
- 01/18/2009 at 1:34 PM
  Osky
  Participant
  16 posts
  well the update on them has improved. Snowball seems a lot more complacent with me petting her, but she’s not very energetic and eating and drinking still not as frequent as I would like it. Tako is a little nicer than what he use to be but who knows still. once they get fully healed I’m not sure what to expect.
  
  I see what you all are saying and it kinda allows me to see a light at the end of the tunnel. but do you feel as though i should be handling them more to cut, groom, and move them? Will that have adverse effects on the relationship, or should I wait till I’ve gained more trust?
- 01/18/2009 at 2:15 PM
  (dig)x(me)x(now)
  Participant
  2517 posts
  If they’re in desperate need of maintenance, you can always take them to vet to get their nails trimmed and stuff so you don’t have to feel guilty while they’re adjusting.
  
  Bunnies definitely can hold grudges, so it might be a good idea to take it easy for now. There is no need to pick them up and move them around or anything (some bunnies will never allow being picked up). Let them come around and move about when they feel safe.
  
  Good to hear you’re making progress.
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