Bunnies not keen on strokes and head rubs?

[Snowleopard]

Hello everyone! 

I’ve had my buns for over 4 months now and I absolutely adore them. They’re free-range and have a large (over 20ft x 8ft) space to roam around in. They’re sprayed and neutered m/f bonded pair, estimated to be around 3 years old. I understand bunnies are prey animals and don’t like to be picked up (I very rarely do unless they need their nails clipped), but I was just wondering is it also common for bunnies to not like being stroked? I know social media shows the extra cute side of buns, but I see a number of bunnies who seem to enjoy strokes and head rubs from their owners, but my two don’t seem to. I don’t think they’re scared of me (they come up to take food from me, follow me around when I do housework and will sit by my feet when I’m working at my desk) but they hop/back away when I start stroke them or gently rub their heads. 

They’re adopted and though I don’t know much about their previous home, I know they were kept in a small hutch without much human interaction, could this be the main reason why? 

I was just wondering if I should stop getting my hopes up that they’ll enjoy my version of human affection and simply let them be.

[Luna]

Do you get a few pettings in before they start to hop away, or is it more immediate? Sometimes Luna will want just a couple head pets, while other times she demands pettings until my arm gets sore lol. Even though they’ve been with you for 4 months already, they might still need just a little more time before they become 100% comfortable with petting. Other than that, it sounds like they’ve settled in well and enjoy your company .

[vanessa]

Depends on the bunny, as to how quickly they learn that your hands won’t eat them. I have a super cuddly pair, and a super aloof pair. Of the aloof pair – I’ve had them for almost 4 years. Morgana allows me to pet her head, but she doesn’t show the same enjoyment from it that Guinevere and Lancelot do. Avalon rarely lets me pet him. I can sneak in 2 or 3 head rubs when I feed him his morning pellets but that’s about it. They come up and investigate my ankles, dance around me for food, but I haven’t been able to bond with them like I have with Guinevere and Lancelot.

[Yilina]

Hi Snowleopard!

I just want to add that I’ve heard that, sometimes, bonded bunnies aren’t as affectionated with their humans because they already have a friend bunny to get their grooming from. So, they don’t need a human so much.

Of course, that’s not the norm for all bonded pairs, but maybe it plays some role in your case.

[Snowleopard]

Thank you for your replies everyone! Luna, I usually get a few pets in, but they hop away quite soon after. My mini lop is more skittish and can sometimes still be startled when I pet her and she tends to back away more immediately. That’s interesting Yilina and a good point, they do groom each other a lot so I can see why they don’t want any extra!

[Author]

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