Deepening the bond with your bunny

[muffinandmunchbunny]

Hello!

Not sure how to intro this post, so I’m just gonna get straight to the point.

Having a strong bond with your bunny is so important, as it helps with so many things. Here I’ve listed a few ways to bond with your bunny and feel free to post your own ways! (Always make sure that you go slow with a bun. Get on your rabbit’s level to make yourself less of a threat.)

-Hand feeding your bun. Feed treats, veggies and pellets by hand, and the bun will hopefully associate you with food, and be excited to see you!

-Sitting down and talking to them. Sounds very strange, I know, but it lets them get used to your voice. This is great for a new bun you can not yet interact with. Remember to speak gently, as rabbits have sensitive ears. 

-Giving massages. Simply stroking them can help you bond, and it also has physical benefits, releasing tension in areas. Rabbits love being stroked especially around the head! Rub their cheeks (gently) and stroke up from the nose to in between the ears. Always stroke in direction of the fur.

-Play with toys with them. This could be throwing around a toy for them, or pushing a ball around for them. My buns love a little ball with a bell inside, I always see them nudging it around their cage! Another toy they love is a small chew toy carrot, I sometimes hang this on a string and wave it around (not as crazy as it sounds!) or hold it in front of them. They love nudging it, chasing it and chewing on it. you could use a toy like this as a treat toy by rubbing a bit of banana on it, I have yet to try this!

-Copy their behaviour. Watch a few videos on how two bonded rabbits behave, and try copy this. You don’t need to be licking your rabbit, but grooming is a good place to start. 

Remember to let your rabbit come to you and always be patient! Let me know how you got on and good luck!

[LongEaredLions]

Thanks for posting
Great tips! As bunnies are prey animals it is always great to keep things on their terms.

[sarahthegemini]

Great post! I talk to my rabbits constantly, I’m sure they’d tell me to shut up if they could!

[Sabrina]

We have had Bun Bun for 1 1/2 weeks now and she definitely knows I am the one that feeds her. She will go to her bowl and stare at me when I come around. This was one of the first posts I read after we got her so I have tried all of them. She isn’t fond of the grooming part but I do get to brush her some. Now if I can only get her to potty in the litter box when she is free roaming. :/

[muffinandmunchbunny]

Posted By Sabrina on 4/19/2017 11:15 AM

We have had Bun Bun for 1 1/2 weeks now and she definitely knows I am the one that feeds her. She will go to her bowl and stare at me when I come around. This was one of the first posts I read after we got her so I have tried all of them. She isn’t fond of the grooming part but I do get to brush her some. Now if I can only get her to potty in the litter box when she is free roaming. :/

Hey, its a good idea to give a few treats to bunny while you groom them, they then associate being groomed with good things.

To litter train a rabbit, put their poops in the litter box, wipe up any pees and put the tissue in the litter box. Then disinfect the area so bun can’t smell their scent anymore. Be patient, and bun will soon understand! Xx

[Sabrina]

Thanks! I have given her treats while grooming but she isn’t found of under her chin but she has a few mats as she is long haired under her chin. 

And I have moved the poop but didn’t leave the tissue as I was too scared to leave it. I will try that next time. 

[Author]

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