Rabbits aren’t normally cuddly.  IF  you get a 2nd one take this one bunny dating.  Bonding can take a lot of work. It is best to let them choose each other.  Then it won’t be so hard.

You can still check out the shelter bunnies.  Some can be gentle and somewhat cuddly even if they are hutch rabbits. IF you get a baby you wont’ know it’s adult personality.

also they may spend most of their time with each other instead.

Perhaps you can try going to his boxes and petting him in there.  He may like that.

It takes awhile to earn a bunnies trust and affection.  I would try using treats so the bunny assoicates you with positive things.  I use Craisins for my bunnies- I cut them into even smaller pieces and hand feed them.  For Schroeder at first I had to be closer to him to hand them to him- but I was able to lure him up onto the couch for visits while he is out by tossing Craisins to him- and getting him closer and closer until he figured out the Craisins were from me- now he hops up on my lap looking for more.

Well, I don’t mind just watching and enjoying my rabbits. I’m kind of the mind that some rabbits are more social than others and that they are what they are and as long as they are happy that’s the most important thing.

Maybe now that I think about it, I’m not much of a cuddly person so it could be that is why I’m fine if my rabbits don’t want to cuddle with me. I do have a free roaming rabbit that jumps on my bed and likes to cuddle with me (he does bite too though) and he likes to scratch on the bed. I do have to grab him and snuggle him next to me, it’s not his choice but I think he’s fine with it.

But the rabbits I have that are happy to be left alone, I just let them be happy that way – now I don’t know if they are happy obviously as this is probably not a rabbit emotion but they are content and healthy (at least they are eating) so I just accept them like that.

I’m gonna agree with the food idea. The raisins I bought are in a bag rather than a box and it makes a distinct sound when I pick it up. Freya knows what it sounds and looks like. If I’m holding that bag she’d follow me to the moon and back. Freya has always pretty much ignored us. The first week or two she would come up and smell us, make sure we were ok and th en go off and do whatever makes her happy. Eventually, like you, I got tired of spending an hour on the floor and zero of that time with Freya. We have discovered that she loves the couch and will hang out with us for a few minutes if we’re on it, longer if we have food she thinks she can get us to share. One night I wasn’t paying attention to the donut in my hand because something very interesting was on tv… Freya took advantage and discovered she likes krispy kreme as much as me. Maybe if you sit on the floor with a raisin he’ll cme sit on your lap for a few minutes. Then you can maybe more that to your favorite spot and he’ll come see you more often. I was kinda depressed for a few days about Freya not really loving me back, no cuddles and such, but I’ve discovered that she’s a joy just to have around and it’s enough for me to love her. (Of course the borrowed love I bribe from her with food doesn’t hurt!!)

All my rabbits love treats too and react positively to treats but I think it’s for the treats, not me.

Well, I’m not sure that he’s really anti-social, he just might be shy or an introverted rabbit. Also he may react differently to another rabbit and it could be positive. I think you will only know if you try.

With my independent bun, I’ve found that moving his environment around makes him come out and explore more. He used to have his maze in his pen area, but even when the pen was open he wouldn’t come out. Now we move the maze out of his pen when the pen is open, so he’s forced to explore across the dining room to get to it. Without the maze to lounge in all the time, he’s started exploring a lot more and hanging out with me when I come over to him. He’ll still cross the room to get to his maze, but he no longer spends 24/7 in there. We’re to the point where if I lay down on the floor, he’ll flop out about 6 inches away from me. He’ll even let me pet him and lay down as I’m petting. Both of these things are huge for him, and it all started when we shook up his world a little bit.

Feeding pellets by hand to my bun seems to help too. Even if he’s in his maze, he’ll get excited to see me if I’m carrying pellets. I think hand feeding him pellets for two months is one of the reasons he’s becoming more comfortable with me now and choosing to be around me more.

Maybe if you move your bun’s boxes, or take them away and provide new ones, he’ll be more inclined to come out. I know he loves them and you don’t want to take them away, but I think he’ll actually get more stimulation by the change in environment. Good luck!

I have never really had a cuddly bunny, I mean mine will cuddle with me on the floor, but I’ve never had a bunny that enjoyed being on my lap or being held, and though there are some that enjoy sitting on their human’s lap, it is rather rare. (though many will just tolerate it and that “tolerant” behavior is often mistaken for enjoyment).

Also, many people think that if they get a baby bunny that they will be able to teach them to enjoy being held. What they normally teach is to be tolerant, but bunnies really do form their personalities as they grow into adulthood, and that personality could be completely different than the what s/he was like as a baby.

I think if you go to a rabbit rescue or shelter, HOPEFULLY, the people there will know the rabbits well enough to let you know which ones would be best suited for you. I know that at the rabbit rescue I volunteered for, they knew each rabbit’s personality very well – independent, cuddly, whatever and they could help potential adoptees find the right match. Not sure how the rescues are set-up where you live and if that is really an option or not.

What country are you in? You can can try http://www.thehayexperts.co.uk

Also, check out the toy test section under bunny info – it is all about homemade toy ideas.

As far as bonding with my bunnies, I just get a bunch of pillows and hang on the floor. Now they will come over and push my hand for pets. I love that.

Here’s some alternative toys my bun loves — toilet paper rolls, cardboard anything, fleece fabric, stuffed animals, grape vine, stick bundle. I also just got her one of those edible hidey house log things. She’s obsessed & it’s great for her teeth! Just spend more time getting to know your bun & do more research on how to get them to trust you more. ?

Thank you Number1Bun for those suggestions! This is an old topic, so the original poster most likely will not see your response. We encourage users to respond only to newer topics so there’s a better chance of a conversation. I will lock this topic, but feel free to contribute in any recent topics!