Bonding with my new bunny

[Jimena]

Hello, I just got a lion head bunny last week, he’s about 7 weeks old and super friendly and playful. I’ve been really consistent with the litter training and surprised at how quickly he’s getting the hang of it! 

However, I want him to also want to lay in my lap while i pet him or when he sleeps. I’ve been sitting on the floor with him a lot while he plays so he is comfortable with me (doesn’t get frightened when i walk around him, lets me go in his cage, lets me pet him etc) But when i put him on my lap, no matter how sleepy he was before, he just hops right off haha I don’t want to force anything so I was hoping you guys had advice on how to teach my bun to just hop on my lap. He enjoys me petting him and stuff so why doesn’t he sit on me  

He doesn’t even run away when I lift him its just he doesn’t want to be held for longer than a second, and i know when he is hyper that he wouldnt want that but id like him to sleep on me when he is not hyper….

[Sarita]

Rabbits are not lap pets – they aren’t like cats and dogs in this way. He may sit next to you but maybe not, that’s just not really how rabbit’s operate – they don’t feel comfortable being in laps.

The best way to bond with him is to let him come to you – basically just sit down on the floor and do your thing and ignore him – don’t reach for him though and try to grab him – that will push him away. Just like what you are now doing.

[JackRabbit]

I agree with Sarita. Of my three, Kieko is the only one who is a lap bunny, and only on her terms. She’ll get on my hubby’s lap, but with me, she much prefers to lay on the floor next to me and will snuggle up. She is definitely the exception when it comes to bunnies. My other two are more typical bunnies — no laps unless climbing for a treat and then jump down again, sit a foot or two away, allow occasional pets as human treats.

Since your bunny is only 7 weeks old, alot can change with his behavior, but I wouldn’t count on him becoming a lap bunny. Keep working on earning his trust and you may be lucky enough to get some snuggles down the road.

[kirstyol]

Bramble will sit on my lap for a short period of time if I put a pillow down first, it sort of gives him a smooth surface that must feel a bit more stable than sitting on top of two separate legs pushed together. He will allow me to brush him or sometimes clip his nails (I usually get him on the other halfs lap for that, he holds I cut) but he certainly wont sit there for long periods and has never fallen asleep like that. Most rabbits don’t like being held at all so I think myself very lucky that I have this with Bramble, he does tend to sit still for a few minutes then try to climb on me like I am a climbing frame but I can usually give him a quick brush before he gets really antsy and wants down.

[Jimena]

yea i know bunnies are not really lap pets but i just wanted to see if there was any tips to encourage haha I will continue what I am doing though at least he likes to sit next to me

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