Bonding with bunnies

[EgonSonja]

I am new to the bunny ownership, and I dont know what to do. 

Two months ago I adopted two bunnies who are now six months old (siblings, both neutered), from the shelter. Every time I visited them at the shelter, they snuggled against my arms and purred when I petted them. They now live with me in my apartment with unlimited hay, a proper diet, a litter box and free roaming of the house (the perfect house bunny situation according to my research). But I don’t think they like me, or do they?

Whenever me or my boyfriend enter the room they act anxious and shy and sometimes they even sprint in fear and stomp when they enter their cage/litter box (a place where I never touch them or invade their space, since I have read that this would be wrong). Sometimes an entire day can go by where they only come out to eat and drink and be fed the occasional snack or two. However they do sometimes come out for a morning or nightly exercise where they do binkies and act like happy bunnies, sometimes with us in the room. And! We have had a few happy times with us laying or sitting at the floor and our two bunnies licking us and flopping on the floor. But this has happend maybe two or three times in two months, even though we invest hours in laying on the floor, hand-feeding, speeking softly to them and everything that I have found on the internet. Most of the time they inspect the room while acting anxious and frightened, and the slightest movement from me scares them into their cage, and petting is OFF limits to them. Even though they will always have a home, I wonder if they will ever settle in and enjoy or at least accept our precense?

What can I do? Is the progress just very slow? Do you have any tips or tricks for a new bunnymom? 

We have no kids, other pets and we don’t make sudden loud noices etc.

[Muchelle]

Hello, welcome on the forum and congrats on your new buns!
It’s a very normal behaviour, they not only have to settle in their new territory (new smells, new noises, etc) but also have to get used to their new humans

Don’t try to rush it and be very patient. Keep spending time in the room, possibly on the floor, just reading or using your pc/mobile, or quietly chatting with your boyfriend. Keep offering them food while you’re chilling with them. They’ll get used to you, the sound of your voice, your smell and gradually accept you guys as a part of their territory. 

How much time will it take depends much on their past (were they abused, for example?) and on their personalities. It can be slow or it can be that once they’re comfortable they’ll open up. Patience is key

[Luna]

Hi! I agree that they just need more time to settle in . Luna used to be jumpy at first when I would walk in the room, so I would announce my presence to her before entering until she got more comfortable.

[Sirius&Luna]

I’ve had one of my bunnies for over a year now, (since she was 10 weeks old) and still sometimes she’ll run away like crazy if I stand up too quickly, or forget to say hello when I’m walking into the room.

Rabbits are by nature shy animals. It sounds like you’re doing all the right things to bond with them. They’ll surprise you one day by taking a sudden leap in trust!

[sarahthegemini]

My little Peanut took months to enjoy being pet. Now he’s the most affectionate out of him and Buttercup. Just keep being patient

Both of mine will still dart if I make a sudden jumpy movement or noise, although not as much as when they were younger. I think it’s something all bunnies will do to some extent. As prey animals, it’s better for their survival to dash and then check the surroundings and see that they’re safe rather than having a look first. And don’t worry that they’ve only licked you once or twice. Mine have licked me once and never again and I’ve had them over a year

[Author]

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