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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
- This topic has 6sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 6 months ago by
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Hello mccluresm! Welcome to Binky Bunny!
It is very normal for bunnies not to enjoy being picked up, since bunnies are a prey animal, it scares them to get lifted up off the ground and not have the feeling that they could get away if they needed too. I would recommend trying to play with your bunny more on his terms. Bunnies like it when you sit down on the floor with them. To get him to trust you, let him come up to you and sniff you, and just sit quietly. Bunnies tell each other that they do not pose a threat by ignoring each other, so by ignoring you bunny you are teaching him that he does not need to be afraid of you. After awhile, try to give him some pets but if he runs away, let him come back to you instead of going after him. He probably won’t be a cuddle bun right away, he needs to get to know you first
When you hold bunnies on their backs it puts them into a kind of “trance” so its OK for cutting nails and grooming and such, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it all the time because the bunny is more in a trance state than really bonding and spending time with you. Also, be careful at the pet store with a bunny just because there can be dogs around, and you never know how they will react to a bunny, and bunnies can be frightened to death.
It sounds like you are off to a great start with Maxwell, so let us know if you have more questions along the way!
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I’m a relative-newbie, too, but as nobody else has replied yet, I’ll give it a try…
Bunnies mostly don’t like being picked up. I have 2, and my boyfriend has 2. One of mine sulks for HOURS if I pick her up, and one of his cowers like the world is ending if picked up. They just don’t like it. (I know you’re probably thinking of the remaining 2 bunnies…his is, well, maybe a little deficient? I wouldn’t count her as normal. She’s a little slow. And my 2nd is 3 days old, in my possession, so I just don’t know yet…)
But basically, I personally wouldn’t push the picking-up thing too much. Rabbits don’t tend to like having their feet off the ground too much. They can like being pet and fed and played with in other ways, but they really generally don’t want to be picked up. I know, it sucks. I always want to pick Lizzy up and cuddle with her…but she’s much happier if I smooch at her on her own level (the floor) rather than trying to pick her up. Also, I get clawed a lot less!
As far as “open” vs “closed” pens, rabbits definitely know the difference. Bunnies do tend to want to be out-and-about while we’re asleep, thus the nonverbal whining at the closed-gate. But if you are consistent, he will probably find some other way to entertain himself once bedtime comes and the gate has closed. Lizzy doesn’t like “bedtime” at all, but I bribe her with a raisin or a papaya tablet, and once I get her in her pen with her treat, all seems forgiven. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Good luck!
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