How to Know if These Rabbits Are Right For Me?

[royalbun]

I’m someone dealing with mental illnesses such as anxiety and PTSD, and as I adore rabbits and they’re a comfort animal, I adopted a bonded female pair yesterday. I know it’s ridiculously soon to question this, but how long should I give it to know if they’re right for me?

At the same rescud I got them, there was a bunny who immediately licked me and let me pet him. Even at a pet store near my house there are buns who enjoy me petting then. The pair I’ve got are super shy, but I’m sad and worried that they’re never going to warm up to me. I got them as therapy pets so I really need a bun or two who will love me, want to be near me and let me pet.

Advice, tips?

[milkaa]

first of all, i hope you get past your demons, and live the life you wish for. second, if you haven’t done your research, do it now. third, its completely normal for them to be scared of you! if you got them from a pet shop, they’re most likely babies. give them time. don’t immediately show love 24/7 unless you have to. always try to stay on their level, and pick them up slowly. rabbits are very adorable and calming pets and I’m sure that whenever they binky, flop or even kids you, they’ll bring a smile to your face 🙂

[DanaNM]

It takes most bunnies at least a few days to settle in, so I would give it at least a couple weeks to see how you feel. If you are in communication with the rescue, maybe you can ask them to put a hold on the bunny that you bonded with right away just in case you don’t feel it’s a great match after a couple weeks.

All of that said, some of my most rewarding and wonderful bunnies have been the ones that were timid at first. My newest bun was terrified at the shelter and cage aggressive. The first week I fostered her she didn’t want to come out of her pen at all. The next week she ventured out when we were asleep and it was quiet. After another week she would come out when we were awake and accept some pets. After probably a month she is a total love bug and loves pets and snuggle time on the floor.

The timeline can vary, but I think on average it takes a few days to a week to settle in to the space. For the first couple days, just let them get settled and don’t stress about petting. Once they seem more comfortable in their new environment, hand feeding and spending time on the floor with them while you read or watch TV are great ways to help them learn you are not a threat to them. I like to play slightly “hard to get” with shy new bunnies, so I will feed them, clean their box, etc, but will mostly just spend time in the same room as them but leave them to their own devices at first. Since rabbits are prey animals, if you try to reach for them and stare at them constantly before they trust you, it can put them a bit on edge.

The process of having them learn to trust you and building that relationship more slowly can make you bond more strongly to them after a bit of time, and then you feel like that special person that cracked the bunny code. 🙂

But yeah, do also communicate with the rescue. I volunteer at a rescue, and if they are similar to the one I work at, I’m sure their number one priority is to have good matches between adopters and bunnies. The volunteers there might even be able to give you some tips on the personalities of the buns you adopted.

. . . 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.  

[royalbun]

Thank you so so much, that makes me feel better. The rescue peole have been responsive but they just emphasize that most rabbits are shy, which I expect but doesn’t reassure me about knowing when it’s no longer shyness and it’s dislike, ya know? I really hope my bunnies end up bonding with me and enjoying pets, because that’s really all I want of them. They don’t need to be picked up like my cat, I just want to be accepted on their terms and feel loved.

So thank you for giving me hope. ♡ There were less shy buns at the rescue, but I just kept being drawn to these two no matter how shy they were. There were others that let me pet them, but I just went with my intuition that these 2 were right for me. So hopefully that proves true!

[DanaNM]

Def trust your gut, I’m sure you were drawn to them for a reason. 🙂 And thank you for giving them a chance! Shy bunnies are often overlooked, and I think bunnies definitely don’t show their true personalities in shelters for the most part, more so than other animals (although I think it’s true for all animals). I’m sure they have a lot to teach you and they will come out of their shell in some time!

You will likely find you celebrate the small victories at first (like one came up and booped you or took a treat from your hand), and then one day they will pass a big milestone, like happily accepting pets. Next thing you know it you are trying not to trip over them as you deliver their salad. 🙂

. . . 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.  

[ridia]

I agree with these other answers! Unfortunately, my rabbit was never shy, mostly just food-motivated. He liked being around me but not when I would try to pick him up, groom him, or pet him. The only thing I could do for at the most a month was fed him and make sure he had everything he needed. He was actually kind of sassy and didn’t like me for a few months, but there were a couple of things I did to see if he was interested in being friends or not:

• I sat with him in his pen. I didn’t touch him, I just sat there and let him tiptoe around me and sniff me. Eventually, I laid down so he could see me better and learn not to be afraid.
• Food is your friend! Of course, only feed your bunnies treats 1-2 times a week, depending on how big they are, but my rabbit always has an appetite. When feeding your rabbit treats, you can click your tongue or say his name. If you do it enough, you can call him using clicking noises or his name and if he comes running then it’s proven that he trusts you. It may take a few tries, though!
• Don’t come near him for a day at most. It sounds cruel, but it’s only for a day or even a few hours. If you are not within sight or sound of your rabbit and he starts to get frustrated and miserable, it’s a sign that he misses you. When I got my bunny I would sit on the other side of the room, in the shadows, until he forgot I was there, and then I notice that he seemed very upset without anyone to play with. As soon as he starts getting sad you should walk up to him and see what he does!
• Use your voice. Talk to him about how you met or what your favorite things to do are. Read him a book, but make sure he doesn’t try to chew on it (I know from experience)! Sing your favorite songs to him. And if you’re too embarrassed to do these things, like if you’re around other people, just whisper to him. He can still hear you even if everyone else can’t. It’s important that he knows your voice.
• Ask other people! My experiences only aren’t going to help you, since everyone’s situation is very different. Find other ideas online or from other bunny owners!

[pinkiemarie]

To be totally honest, the best part of my bonded pair of watching how much they love each other. The second best part is how much they love me 😀 they were an eternal comfort to each other and both of them will lay their heads down together in front of me for group pets. Give them time to settle in and get to know you and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with how wonderful a bonded pair is!

[royalbun]

Near 6 months later update: both rabbits have warmed up to me considerably. both now let me give them pets, and one has even started grooming me! Now that I know they trust me and like me, I’m pretty content to just hang out in my room near them. It makes me happy to watch them just enjoying their lives and knowing they like and trust me.

[BZOO]

Great update…can we get a pic?

 

[royalbun]

sadly from my phone at least it won’t let me ;w;

[DanaNM]

That is so wonderful to hear! Thank you for the update!

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

That’s wonderful! I’m glad they warmed up to you. 🙂

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