Hello, long time fan of r/Rabbits! My wife and I adopted two absolutely adorable bunnies about a year and a half ago. We are not sure about their previous life, but suspect it wasn’t great as they were both dangerously overweight when we got them and the brown lady (Clover aka misses) had her teeth removed which is extremely sad to me. When we first adopted them we expected them to be timid and spent a lot of time with them to get them comfortable with us. Now it’s about 1.5 years later and they are still extremely timid and won’t come out of hiding except for treats. Is there anything I can do to make them feel better and be less timid? They have a two story hutch lined with cotton blankets and towels and access to an entire carpeted room. We take them outside when it’s nice out and they seem to enjoy that. Any advice is appreciated!! Thank you!
by gmeinthebananastand
28 Comments
Because they are prey animals . They are born to be watchful of predators. Treat him well. He will eventually love you. ❤️
Well, a previous rough life can make them wary.
The best thing is to just flop down on the ground next to them. They understand a good flop, and do not find it as threatening. Just hang with them, read a book, take a nap, etc. Hand them a treat if they come sniffing about and return to what you were doing.
After a while, they’ll accept you as part of normal life.
Try bringing them a small treat every day and feeding them out of your hand so they associate you with nice things. Hang out non-threateningly around them. Bunnies can take years to warm up, so keep at it! Also, just be proud that you’re selflessly providing a good life for them, regardless of how they act. 🙂
Small steps and don’t be discouraged. They take time and are so worth the effort. Don’t give up !
Was a similar situation. Took a while from recovering from their past life but is great now…usually. Very cuddly most days but sometimes just grabs the treat and runs to hide and doesn’t want pets that day 🤷♂️
Idk how to edit a post so I’ll add a comment. Thank you everyone for your help, this really is an amazing community!
Have you tried laying on your back or stomach and covering yourself in treats? Lol! Mine isn’t afraid of me but it’s one of his favorite games. He thinks it’s funny or something because he does those happy shakes and binkies
Slather yourself with nana puree lol
Rabbits don’t like to be picked up – even the friendliest, most fearless rabbit I ever had would run away from me if I made a move to pick her up.
Best way I’ve ever found to get timid rabbits to come around to you is to just sit down on the floor with them, have some treats on you, and then do something else. I like to bring my laptop into the rabbit room and watch TV while I hang out with my two. If you’re just existing in their space without actively interacting with them, they automatically see you as less of a threat and possibly as a friend. You’d be surprised how quick curiosity will override fear and make them come over to see what you’re doing!
Also, sudden movements and noise spook them. So be mindful of your body and slow your movements down – even a sudden head turn or a quick reach for a water bottle can be startling for them!
I have a girl that I know the situation she came from because I found her on Craigslist. She had it bad for the first year of her life before me. I have had her for 4 years now and she still doesn’t like me very much and runs away when I come too close. Her mate passed away suddenly in the end of May and she’s become slightly less afraid of me since then but still thumps when I get close and grunts and swats at me when I put food in her enclosure. Some bunnies just won’t necessarily warm up because of the situation they cane from. I’ve accepted that she’s my grumpy little fluff nugget and she’s not going to like me but I know she’s happier here with me than she was there and that’s all that’s important to me.
My bun was the same way. Had her for 2 years now and she’s finally really warming up. started off with thumps and swats. MAJOR attitude lol. Got her off craigslist and dont know much about her past life. I literally just go on my phone on the floor next to her, i started with petting her head and giving her treats and recently i can pet her cheeks and stuff. i think the biggest thing that helped our bond, was (when she would allow) i would nuzzle my head on hers. i think it caught her off guard the first time and helped her realize im on her side. i also try to hand feed her food when i can (veggies, herbs, and stuff, piece by piece lol) and she has warmed up a lot recently. one day she kinda just realized “okay this creature is not gonna kill me” and i just keep being persistent and patient. my last rabbit was so cuddly immediately. kisses and everything always. some rabbits are just more to themselves, which is okay. they just need more gentle lovin 🥹 sounds like u guys are doing so good, just keep on loving ur buns. so happy to know they are with u guys!!
First pic gives off massive 🤨 energy
Lie on the floor with them and don’t try to pet them. When they allow you to pet them, have a petting session until they leave the spot and not just quick pets. Also feeding them all their food from your hands. Being mimdful of not making sudden movements and louder noises. You should enter the room silently. Also my bun lives with me and shares my whole flat with me, so I think that jelps build trust and a common routine.
It can be difficult for bunnies to come around and can take some time. Keep up with them though. They will come around to you. I’m sure of it 🤎
Two more tips. Try not to stare and have something to eat, like an apple, when you’re with them.
Rabbits recognise us as predators with our forward facing eyes so staring makes them nervous.
Predators aren’t hunting when they’re eating so it’s another indicator that you’re not a threat at that time. If you eat something they can also share you’re engaging in social behaviours with them.
Good luck with your bunnies 🙂
You’re in good hands with this community. I would say laying down is probably the best. Just be at their level. Maybe even put a treat on your belly. But don’t expect the laying down to take on the first shot. Also maybe get some hay toys or something to provide enrichment and get them to come out. Here are some we get: [hay balls](https://a.co/d/cIJNOiw) and [treats](https://a.co/d/i3tA3J2) they will learn to love you it just takes a lot of time with rabbits.
They are so stinkin’ cute
With low light but not complete darkness, kind of like in a burrow, try laying treats on and next to you. Gently pet them if they approach you, NOT COMING FROM A POSITION ABOVE THEIR HEADS! That gives them the impression that you’re a predator. They are used to seeing in lowlight and darkness, and their sense of smell works just fine. Start trying to convince them you’re another rabbit, not a predator trying to trick them. They can see and smell you well enough in the darkness, and will feel safer. Don’t try reaching for them the first few times, let them gain confidence around you first.
Hello Darkness, my old friend……
ETA: I mean, I can see the fear in their eyes, always looking above or from the “cave” of the safe bag. They feel threatened and need to feel that you are their safe spot.
Interloper
Lay on the ground with em
Lay down with them. That’s what I did with my Bungy. He loves to give me kisses now, especially when I’m on the floor with him. One thing I’ve realized is that all rabbits are different. Laying down with them makes a big difference, but it could also take a while. I’d work on that, ignore what they do for the most part when you lie with them, other than when they do something bad, of course 😅.
It’s just taken me one year to be able to touch one of my rescues. I’m talking about a long armed stretch from afar. Then any sudden movement and she’s gone. I always find it harder when there are two rescues, because they spook each other. But you will get there. I once had a rescue that bit me every day of her life, never changed. But that’s ok, because I loved her anyway. For me sometimes giving love is enough. If they ever show it, then that’s a bonus
I am naturally a floor dweller. This worked out great for my rabbit and I bonding together. Lol
We look like giants to them. I got on the floor with my bun and slowly built a bond. Don’t give up 🌺
Hi, here are some things that can really help.
Here’s my guide to learning to purr like a rabbit. This way you can communicate that you feel safe and happy around them. Your rabbits may purr back after a while. Just make sure that your posture and breathing are relaxed too, so it all matches.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/11cuuba/did_you_know_that_you_can_purr_together_with_your/
And here’s an excellent website about rabbit body language. The fun thing is: you can use that language yourself to communicate with them!
language.rabbitspeak.com
I got drunk and passed out in my bunnies pen all night. Now we’re chill. An unconventional method, yes. But may be worth a >!shot!< .😉
I’m in the same boat, just rolling with it until they completely trust us
The “🤨” his shedding pattern makes in the first photo!!!!