First pet bunny

[UsagiBunny7;)]

I just got my first bunny, Momiji! I’ve only had him for 2 weeks so far, can I get tips on how to bond? He lets me pet him, but has nipped me 3 times when putting him back. He really likes being in his cage!

[Q8bunny]

Time and patience are the key. Just be near him – especially on the floor – and let him get to know you at his own pace. And talk to him or read to him as much as you can.

Love your username, by the way. Usagi-chan is one of my bun’s nicknames.

[DanaNM]

Here are some tried and true tips for bonding with your bun and earning his trust:

– First, and very importantly, be sure that your bun can come out of it’s cage/hutch/pen/condo on it’s own. The pen/condo/hutch should be your bun’s “safe space”. If your bun’s home is elevated, you can use a ramp or steps to allow it to come and go as it pleases.

-Only pick him up unless absolutely necessary. Never do this just to spend time with him.

– Once your bun decides to come out to explore, play “hard to get”. ignore him. Lay on the ground while he is out, read a book, etc. If he comes up to you, don’t try to pet him (yet). Be patient and calm around your bunny. Respect if they want to be left alone. “floor time” is seriously one of the best things you can do.

– Hand feeding! You should feed at least some of his veggies and pellets by hand. You could do this with just the first few leaves of veggies of the day, or a few pellets when you give them. Fragrant herbs (cilantro, basil, mint, fennel) are all good at enticing shy buns. Talk to him calmly when you feed him so he associates your voice with good things.

– When he has become comfortable enough with you that he will lay down or relax near you on the ground, you can “ask” him if you can pet him, by placing your hand on the ground in front of him, so your pinky is on the ground and the back of your hand is facing him. If he puts his head down, he wants you to pet his head! If he doesn’t, then don’t force it. Stick to petting only the head and ears until he gets really relaxed with you. The back and bum are very personal and sensitive areas for rabbits.

. . . 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.  

[Mikey]

Also wanting to add that nipping is how rabbits communicate. It is how they let their friends know they dont like something. His nipping you is his way of saying he doesnt like what youre doing Although nipping is acceptable, if he nips too hard, yip and turn your back to him. This will show him that he hurt you, and that he should nip lighter in the future when communicating with you.

[Luna]

Hi! Agree with everyone’s advice. Floor time with Luna was the best way we bonded .

[flemishwhite]

They like to have their backs, shoulders, back of the neck scratched…gently, very gently, use your fingernails.  Also, they sort of like to have the part of their backbone just above their tail scratched…….but it drives them crazy!  “Sort of,”  because they like the feeling, but it also makes them nervous since it’s the place a predator would bit them.  They’ll often be confused as to whether lay and enjoy it or to run away.

When rabbits are enjoying their massage or scratching session, they’ll make a sound that’s equivalent to a cat’s purring.  They chatter their teeth and make deep breathing sounds.  It’s not very loud and you have to have your ear right up to their mouth to hear.

Occasionally after scratching session, since my head is on the ground, Snowy will sit up and rake her incisors through my hair giving me a head scratching in return!   

Treats: Slices of bananas, apples, guava, cherries.  Our Flemmish are now wanting raw, whole, unsalted almonds.   BTW, they don’t like ripe bananas….our bunns want their bananas to have green on the skins. 

I can make a whimpering sound while petting Snowy, and she’ll start mimicking the sound back at me.  It’s not very loud.  She can be a real chatter box!  

[Cookie's Bun-Mother]

This is so helpful! I just adopted a rabbit for the first time. She spent the first six years of her life in a hutch, so she’s super shy. I definitely find she wants my company but usually doesn’t want me to touch her. She does click her teeth when I scratch behind her ears but gets spooked more frequently when I try to pet her sides or belly. 

She loves when I hand feed her and has even let some of my friends hand feed her. 

I actually find she gets more comfortable with new people (graces them with her presence) once they have approached her and stroked (worshipped) her. She even flopped over when my friends came over yesterday! (She’s never been that comfortable before!) 

I’ve been trying to get my work done on the floor, near her. I even read her a book once (Gossamer by Lois Lowry- I would recommend skipping the first paragraph as it involves a rabbit getting eaten by a bird). Sometimes she boops me with her nose, but it doesn’t mean she wants to be pet. 

I definitely have observed the “asking to be pet” as I sometimes put my hand near her for a few seconds and she curls up into a loaf for me to pet her. 

[Author]

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