human to rabbit bonding

[Deleted User]

I have 7 rabbits who are all bonded to one another, they are all related, but I am having trouble getting them more bonded to me.  Any suggestions?

 Also, the rabbit who was bonded to me, now is fearful of me, because I have to give her medicine twice a day for her uti. I give her a favorite treat immediately afterward and this seems to help her not be so fearful. Any other recommendations?

[Hadi Skaini]

Whenever my bunny gets hurt even slightly , I immediately take her , cover the place she got hurt in and pet her
Sometimes it’s accidentlly my fault
It’s been only two month and I really love her and she loves me back
That’s all I know
Hope it helps

[bunmomma]

Spending time with each rabbit individually is very important for bonding. As for the bunny taking the UTI medicine, giving her a treat is great. Try talking to her in a calm voice and rubbing her nose (if she’ll let you). That always helps my bunnies when they’re scared or upset.

Also, maybe try spending a little extra one-on-one time with her after you’ve given her the medicine. Reassure her after the fact and help her feel comfortable with being near you. That way the last thing she remembers is something positive. Good luck with your lil buns!

[tanlover14]

I have a bonded group of six and everyone gets their own “hang out” time with us humans, haha! My three Lionheads will only snuggle when they’re not with their buddies despite being total love bugs. I would give one-on-one with each of them!

[Deleted User]

thanks for the advice. When you spend one on one time, what does that look like for you? Do you let him free roam, just alone, and interact with him. Or do you set up a small area, where you interact?

[Deleted User]

Hi Hadi,

 

My rabbits are not tame enough to interact with them so hands on. Maybe yours has a friendlier disposition. I feel like if I did that with mine I would be forcing them, and it might hurt the bonding. How did you become so bonded to your pet? 

[tanlover14]

One of my hates being held so I let him take a nice run in the living room, just him and I. And I shake the bag of treats so he comes up and gets some and give him pets while he’s chomping. He gets REALLY bad anxiety when I hold him or pick him up so I’ve tried just being really slow with him.

Three of ours like to be held though so when I take them out I snuggle with them, give them treats, do their grooming (because these three all have long fur), and just plain snuggle but these three are the only ones who like to be held.

My three that don’t like to be held, I’ve been working with one of them. I started off by sticking him in my lap on the couch and letting him roam me and the couch. Gave him nibbles of treats he loved to get him in my lap. He was really scared at first but started getting pretty comfortable with just hanging out. He still doesn’t accept being held held too well but now I set him on my lap while I’m sitting down and he likes sitting there and digging into my lap and getting treats. Slowly making progress with him hanging out with us.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for the advice tanlover

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