Trouble bonding with an adopted rabbit

[Nelford]

I recently adopted a 4 year old rabbit. He was raised with his brother for 3 years until the owner found them one night fighting, and they kept fighting so she split them up, and I adopted one of them. It’s been well over a month that I’ve had him and he’s very well behaved. That being said he just doesn’t seem that interested in me or doing much of anything. I live in an apartment, and I would love to have him free roam wherever he pleases but when I let him out he immediately goes under the bed or under the couch and doesn’t move. I’ve seen multiple videos online of rabbits and their owners playing, and the rabbits being very very active. He isn’t active at all, nor does he care for me I think. He doesn’t bite, he is neutered, and litter box trained so I have no problems there. I’ve tried to feed him carrots, and fresh vegetables but he doesn’t touch them, but he does like this nibble stick thing which looks like a dried carrot. I’ve let him smell me and he generally keeps smelling me, or steps back a little. When he’s out of the cage he doesn’t like to come near me usually. I am not sure if I am doing something wrong, maybe he’s lonely since he doesn’t have another rabbit here with him, or I am not being patient enough.

[Bam]

He may be a little perplexed over this whole new situation. I don’t think you are doing anything wrong. I think you are doing great, actually, you’re letting him set the pace. You could perhaps make a hidey-house for him of a cardboard box, make two holes so he can enter and exit and not feel trapped. maybe he’d like a house like that and feel safer and want to come out and explore more. Also reward him with treats if he approaches you on his own. He needs to learn that you are a resource to him, not a threat.

It is possible that he “misses” bunny companionship since he’s been used to that for such a long period of his life.

Your description reminds me of my bunny Bam. It took a vey long time for him to warm up to me, he sat under the coffea-table more or less all the time until he suddenly changed, almost over-night. He then became a very cuddly bunny. He likes to explore, run in his tunnel, roll his treat-ball and hang out with his humans and his dog.

At age 4 few rabbits play a lot and some never play regardless of age, so that’s not sth to be worried about. Nibble stick is good, you can also give him fresh apple twigs or willow, rabbits often like to chew the bark off those.

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