Bonding with my bunny

[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.  Even though they will always have a home with me I wonder if they will ever settle in? 

Am I just being impatient? Is there something else that I can do? I hope that some of you have a tip or two for a new bunny mom

PS. we have no kids or other pets. 

[DanaNM]

Welcome

Two months is not too long! I’ve had it take about 5 months to see shy bunnies start coming out of their shell, and some people report a year. It sounds like they are happy, and are still just settling in. It sounds like you are doing the right things, but bunnies often just take time and patience. It is worth it though

You have had some really positive experiences with them, so it sounds like you are on the right track!

I’ve found with shy bunnies playing hard to get works wonders. So basically kind of ignore them. If they come up to you, don’t try to pet them right away. Each day they are learning more and more that you will not hurt them, and that your place is safe.

Bunnies also seem to make changes in jumps (no pun intended). So one day, they decide you are to be trusted, and then there is a big improvement.

If they tend to startle when you enter the room, it might help to say something to them when you come in, so they know you are coming, but then don’t immediately go to them, unless you have a treat in hand.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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