My bunny is afraid of me

[Stefan 'Geb']

 So I’ve got Ace, a lionhead-rabbit, almost a month ago. So far he’s been really sweet and cute but I notice when I try to reach him to pet him he hops away. When he is eating, he allows me to pet him without any problems and after he’s done aswell. 

In the evenings he seems calmer and lets me pet him, but every morning when he’s allowed outside he seems really scared of me…

Why could that be and how to make it clear to him that I am not a threat.

Thank you!

[Toni]

What is his body language like when he hops away? Are his ears down, and does he hop away quickly? Or are his ears up (maybe turning but not pressed against his neck/shoulders/body)? Does he hop away a long distance, or only a foot or two?

If it’s the latter, I don’t think Ace is afraid of you. I think he just isn’t in the mood for cuddles!

It may be that Ace is just really interested in the outside world. He might feel the need to keep an eye on the garden/backyard/lawn/wherever it is you let him hop around in the morning, to make sure there aren’t any predators around.

The best way to get him used to you petting him is time and food. I recommend bringing out some treats for him and feeding him by hand (like yogurt treats if he likes those, or some celery, spinach, whatever greens he likes). You could also try just sitting with him, so that he gets used to your presence.

I hope this helps!

[Stefan 'Geb']

He hops about 20cm away from me, ears up and I keep Ace in my room.
I guess I should hang out more with him, and maybe he’ll be more willing to be petted.

Thank you for your reply!

[Paige]

Maybe it is the place where you are positioning your hand to go and pet him?
If you are approaching right in front then petting it might startle him.
I think that placing your hand and slowly going to touch him from the side of his head would work better? But I don’t know what you are currently doing, so you might be doing the right thing!

[Muchelle]

Might just be his character. Mine gave me hell for almost a year before letting me touch him freely!
Don’t force him, always move slowly and never approach him from above: let him see your hand coming from the side of his head.
Then just keep trying at regular times or in certain situations, he’ll relax eventually

[Deleted User]

Yogurt treats are NOT good for bunnies. They are promoted and sold for bunnies but absolutely not good for buns tummies. 

Also, No cereal.

Be careful what you purchase in the stores labeled for bunnies because those companies that make those products just want to sell product and would try and convince you to eat the stuff just to make  a buck.

Be informed before you go to the store and make your own choices.

I know I bought some wrong things for my bun when I was starting to. Luckily all was okay. She ate the green beans without getting sick and ate a seeded toy I got her, luckily, safely too. Now I figure out what Im going after before I go so I can research it. If I get to the store and see something I think she would like but I’m not sure I come home and research it and if its okay I get it the next time I go to the store.

Enjoy your new bun Ace! and Welcome!

[Author]

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