Need serious help bonding with my bunny!

[BunnyBites]

I’ve had my bunny about 10 months, he’s about 16 months old. When we first got him he would binky around like crazy, but then he just stopped and started sitting in a corner all day. The same thing happened when we moved house, at first binkying like mad then after a few weeks he did the same again.

He seems happy enough, he eats all his food and hay, poops fine, he chews things and licks this little teddy he has, but he just doesn’t seem to do anything else at all!

Whenever I sit with him and try to play with his toys all he does is demand to be stroked (putting his head flat and ignoring any toys I move around in front of him). He has a playpen in my room which is about 3 meters by 2 meters and a big raised hutch (so he can run under and jump into his hutch) so he has loads of room, but I’m worried he’s bored or unhappy

Plus he wont even be picked up – EVER! He just kicks and runs away. I wish I could just cuddle him but its impossible.. What can I do?

[Sarita]

He sounds like a normal happy content rabbit. That’s how rabbits are.

Rabbits hate to be picked up so the reaction you are seeing is normal…he prefers to be stroked when you are down on the floor with him.

[bunnyfriend]

Rabbits are prey animals, they don’t like being picked up or snuggled. Best way to give him attention is to talk to him or spend time on the ground with him or pet him (he thinks you’re grooming him). Is your rabbit neutered?

[BunnyBites]

Yes he was neutered at about 6 months old. I know rabbits don’t usually like being held, I guess I was just wishing he wouldn’t be one of those bunnies!

Any explanation for him not binkying about as much? Thats my main concern :/

[Sarita]

I think once rabbits get a bit older, they don’t binky as much, so I wouldn’t be concerned. He sounds like he’s the relaxed type and that’s how he shows his enjoyment and trust.

[Elrohwen]

He sounds normal to me! I live with one very lazy rabbit (and one hyperactive one) and I find that teaching him how to do tricks helps a lot. Just getting a small bowl of pellets and sitting on the floor with him, teaching him new things, really gets him active and engaged. After a session he’ll often let out a little binky, or just flop out on the floor exhausted from the mental effort 🙂 Some bunnies are just more laid back and relaxed than others – I don’t remember the last time I saw my lazy guy binky (maybe 2 weeks at least?) while my hyperactive girl lets out a good binky or two every night (and she’s two years older than my boy – entering senior bun age). It’s just personality dependent since they’re equally content and happy bunnies.

Your bunny sounds content to me, but engaging with him in new ways might bring him out of his shell a little bit more.

[Malp_15]

Tait used to binky ALL the time, but now that he’s approaching a year he rarely does it. The most I get are head binkies

[BunnyBites]

Thanks for all your advice that’s really helpful at least I now know that he’s fine and probably just a bit lazy!

I wanted to know how I would go about teaching him to be held? I don’t want him to lose trust in me though.. He used to be held all the time in the pet shop we got him from but I’ve never been able to hold him myself. What’s the best way?

[Lazee]

I have 3, one very laid back, one plays a lot, one kind of inbetween.

Furbee won’t be held at all but loves attention at her level. the other 2, Pia and BB tollerat being held/picked up fairly well but both attempt to get way so I have to be very quick about picking them up. Once I have them they don’t struggle but they don’t want to be crowded so if I lay back in the recliner both will either set on my chest perfering to be facing out and allow petting. Pia perfers to set next to me on the couch.

Binking I find it is a way to show off and announce they are superior and fast to who ever is watching. Once they feel the message is out binking isn’t so important to them.

[Elrohwen]

I’ve tried Otto to be ok with being picked up, but he still hates it and just wants to get down. You can teach them to tolerate it, but I don’t believe you can teach them to like it.

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