Hello!
I’ve adopted my two babies about one and a half month ago. They’re around 3 and 4 years old. I spent a lot of time with them in their room, sitting down or laying down on the floor, talking to them, reading books etc so they could get used to me. I can hand-feed them no problem, sometimes the girl (grey one) even hops into my lap to look for treats or eat pellets from my hand on my lap. But even though I still can’t really pet them, unless they’re eating or nibbling on willow branches. Is this normal for this stage of them settling down? Am I doing too much or too little? Also they don’t really want to leave their room, either , even though the whole apartment was bunny-proofed and is ready for the to free roam, I don’t know if they’re still unsure or if I should encourage them somehow.
Thank you in advance for any tips! Leaving picture of the bunnies 💓🐰
by nexyyen
34 Comments
Some you can pet and others never. The animal shelter staff told me they are not lap pets. We look huge to them. I have had my current bun for 8 years and I can only pet her when she is at the vet for shots. She will ball up in my arm but other than that she will sit next to me, lay down at my feet but rub? No
I’ve worked with dozens of rabbits at a shelter. I’ve been able to pet most of them, some only on their own terms, a few not at all but then I haven’t lived with and spent anywhere near the time with them that you have. Also, they’re less needy of human attention & contact when paired with another bun. I suggest you keep doing what you’re doing and they will most likely come around, it just takes time.
It seems like they’ve grown to trust you really well!
Where are you attempting to pet them? My boy was skittish when I first got him and was very wary of pets. He even nipped me a couple times when I came in too fast. So I learned 1. Only pet on top of head 2. Put hand nearby on the ground first as an offer to pet, and if he puts his head down like they do for grooming, it’s permission to pet.
All that to say it might take time for you to learn their specific body language and what they accept but the trust they are showing in you is a good sign. And they might not ever be super cuddly as some rabbits are not.
As to the free roaming, similar thing with my boy bun. My girl is not scared of anything and will immediately explore any new space given to her. But Lentil goes little by little over a long period of time. First it was a hallway, then another bedroom, and he’s currently still too scared of the living room to attempt that. To encourage him I do offer treats outside his room as he’s very treat motivated. They just have their own pace.
Bunnies that have a good bond with their mate get most of their cuddling and social needs met through them, it makes sense as they already have a buddy to chill with
Some bunnies are more social to humans than others, I have one very social bunny (although she was even more social to me when they were separated), and one very anxious bunny, that one doesn’t want any interaction with me besides for food
Give it time, but also know that they each have different personalities and sometimes there will be days where they will be more cuddly than other, but generally they are preys and happier around other bunnies (bonded) than humans, you are doing great.
The most rewarding BUT also most annoying part about owning rabbits is the fact that they’re prey animals and are wired to always be figuring out ways to sprint away JUST IN CASE. It may or may not take your rabbit a long time to let its guard down and sometimes that may mean months and sometimes that may mean a year. But it will happen, and when your rabbits start getting used to the regular routines of being fed and being safe, they’ll start letting their guard down more and more. It’s a long process and can definitely take a lot more than a month and a half. Good luck!
I have owned rabbits pretty much all my life, most didn’t enjoy being pat. They love to be around me and will take food from my hand, but only one truly enjoy a head scratch. It’s very typical for rabbits to not be cuddly, they show affection in their own ways.
So this might just be a thing with my bun but he doesn’t let me pet him unless I show him my hand first by wiggling it close to the side of his face and then moving to the front to pet the nose/forehead. They can’t see directly in front of them so even if they see you sitting there, having something touch their forehead out of nowhere might be spooky lol
I have two buns. One loves pets, the other rarely will tolerate or want them. Each rabbit is different and enjoys affection in different ways. This may change over time as well. Our bun that loves pets didn’t for almost a year.
Aww they are darling, congratulations on adopting them! I think it really depends on the bunnies, some enjoy being petted more than others. But you are 100% doing the right thing laying / sitting on the floor to hang out and connect with them. My Simba absolutely loves petties, but ONLY in his floppy bed. You try to pet him anywhere else and it’s a big nope! I find one of the best ways to make them curious and built trust is to lay on the ground reading a book or watching TV and let them approach you, like you have been. My bonded pair also enjoy pets, but Franny has patience for about 2 minutes of petties, whereas Cali will sit for much longer. Depending on their history they may not have much experience with loving humans who are trustworthy and wanting to pet them. It may just take some time too. With regards to exploring, some buns are fearless roamers and others prefer staying closer to their own space. Mine have mostly preferred staying on carpeted areas and avoiding more slippery kitchen, wood, vinyl or tile floors. We ended up putting seagrass runners down our long hallway to give them more area to run and explore on mats that were safe for chomping (but not so soft for humans walking 😂)
So many relatable stories here. You’re doing great! Keep it up! ❤️❤️
Too soon to say whether they will be fans of pets or not. Some never are, but it can take months or years before they come into their own. Took 3 months for my snuggle bug to show his colours and 6 months before I was even allowed to gives more than a few strokes to my girl.
It’s 100% up to the rabbit. One of mine seeks out cuddles and affection, falls asleep on my chest sometimes. The other one hates everyone but me, and even then I think he only tolerates me because I bring snacks and scoop the litterbox. He avoids physical touch like I carry the plague, and if I do touch him he immediately starts giving himself a bath. It’s honestly a little hurtful. 😂
Right now you’re the scary tall predator that tries to pick them up and sometimes drops food for them. You also mess with their perfectly arranged hay!
Joking aside, rabbits are prey animals and are always extremely cautious around new things like people, who they see as giant predators…until they don’t.
The best way to bond with a bunny is to be at their height…so lay flat on the ground and ignore them. Scroll on your phone or listen to music…but let them come to you and see you as a long bunny rather than a tall predator.
As I think someone pointed out, some bunnies just may not like to be petted. My solo REW hates being petted and its been almost 3 years. I can usually pet him during feed or right after when he’s on a greens high…
My previous pair of sisters would both only tolerate strokes for a little while before hopping off. One was super aloof generally, the other was the most affectionate bunny I’ve met, she would groom pretty much anybody. I had them for 11 and 10 years respectively and while they mellowed a bit with age, they never really changed in the fundamentals.
My current pair both LOVE head strokes and cheek rubs. My girl can be a little more selective about when she’s in the mood, but she’s more outgoing with new people (now that she’s settled down, she was a bit skittish when we got her). My boy is a little more cautious until he gets to know you but once he does he will not just enjoy but DEMAND head strokes, he’ll hop up and shove his head under my hand if I’m sat in their space.
All that is to say – each bunny is different! A month and a half isn’t super long, the hopping into your lap is a good sign, but it’s hard to predict whether this is just their personalities or if they’ll open up more in time.
Just turning in to say be patient, keep doing what you’re doing. And these two are beautiful.
Trying offering your hand to them, makes sure its in a fist and place it directly infront of their face. If the bunny doesnt move away, or even better drops their head closer, then try petting them between the eyes/ears. Thats the preferred place for most rabbits. Do not pet the chin as your average bunny wont like that. Make sure the pets are soft and gentle. You might even get some reciprocal licks if you do it right.
3 buns
Senior buns (dutch) is very vocal (grunts at everything) but will stay with you even if you fall asleep. Loves pets and cuddles
Middle bun (dutch/lionhead) very much the same, just not vocal. However, he makes it a game to get him. But once pets start, he will attack your hand if it stops.
Youngest bun (rex/lop) loves to be picked up…for maybe a minute. Then she wants down. If you sit down, after about 5 mins of being petted shes done and will nip at you.
3 rabbits. 3 different types of attention hogs.
Sounds like they trust you since they eat out of your hand. Bunnies are food driven. It took mine quite a few months, but I kept sitting and laying on the floor. I let them climb on me without petting and that helped. At first let them get used to you and occasionally try to pet from nose to ears providing a treat after each time you try to pet. Don’t give it.
Your bunnies are beautiful.
ABAD- All Buns Are Different.
My buns also have full range of the house when I’m home but they almost always just stay in their private room by choice.
They do come to me for pets and/or treats when I am in their space though. Yours might do this eventually but either way they will grow more comfortable with you over time.
It takes time and sometimes it’ll never happen, my netherland dwarf is a year and a half old and she loves getting attention from me, she will run to me to be pet, but if the spare human (my gf) dares to pet her she will run, my girlfriend has never had a bunny let alone prey animal pets so she struggles to understand that bunnies get attention on their own terms and if the bun doesn’t want pets, attention or to picked up it has to be respected if you want them to like you long term.
I’ve had both of my bunnies for years.
The girl and I have several hour long cuddle sessions. I am expected to pet her or have my fingers nibbled, but she won’t sit in my lap and we usually just lay on the floor. She also takes frequent breaks for ahem… second dinner and cleaning and then searches out my hand again.
The boy? The occasional butt scritch is permitted. No pets. He would prefer I did not notice his existence without treats in hand.
As far as leaving the room, what’s the flooring situation? I’ve been able to keep my bunnies out of certain rooms simply because they have tile.
One of my boys just gives me a look that says “I really don’t like that you’re touching me but also that feels nice. I’m confused” 😄
If she is jumping on your lap, that’s super good! She loves you and trusts you.
Try keeping the pets to the top of the head – mimicking the way they groom each other. They love the top of the head and dont love hands on their backs as much.
Good job with the willow branches – excellent chew sticks and distraction toys. They are both so precious.
i’ve had my girls for nearly a year, they still aren’t 100% comfortable with being stroked. whilst they’re eating they love it but when they’re not they just hop away. it’s completely normal! imagine our size to a bunny – even our hands look huge to them. the fact they let you pet them at all is a good sign!! they will grow to trust you more as time goes on!
It took my most recent bun about 4 ish months before she decided to let us start petting her, she still sometimes decides that she doesn’t want it and dodges our hands. Give it more time, but you can definitely get buns who just don’t want to be touched like that
We have had two bunnies for about six months. One of them does not like pets, at all. The other is ok with them for a little bit but more from my wife and daughter than me. We had to give meds to the bunny that was ok with pets and I was picking her up twice a day so now she is more skittish with me. They also rarely leave their room even though their pen is open all day. Only after they eat greens will they explore. It’s like they get a little boost of adrenaline and boldness from the greens haha
I’ve had Butterscotch since he was 7 weeks old, he’s 6 months now. He is extremely affectionate, licks people all over, runs up to us etc. But he only seems to want to be petted when he’s in his enclosure, or he’s falling asleep. When he’s running around the house he slinks down and away to avoid being touched, haha!
We always say, he’s adventuring, he don’t wanna be touched.
Don’t get me wrong, he absolutely loves being petted, it just has to be on his terms.
Because yours look like bonded adults, they are probably just more used to grooming each other and still not keen on human hands.
Even getting Butterscotch as a baby, he didn’t like being petted for quite some weeks. Even when he was very tame and used to us, he kept hopping off.
Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Every rabbit I’ve ever owned loves pets but some more than others. The key is to sit on the floor and let them come to you though, they don’t necessarily like being held, but obviously it’s important to occasionally practice picking them up safely so that if there’s an emergency you can get them into their carrier in a reasonable amount of time.
It’s normal. Some just don’t like pets, or might want to explore less (though I do think you should try to incentivise them exploring more rooms.)
Since you’ve only had them for a month and a half, I’d actually say them actively going near you and sometimes making exceptions for pets is quite good progress.
I feel it is absolutely up to the rabbit, they only want to be pet on their terms. Also idk if this is every rabbit or just my boy but he ONLY likes to be pet on the top of his head and behind his ears, anywhere else and he thumps at me
Just ironed them and they will come to you. It takes time and constant practice.
We a have probably traumatized bunny rescue, that had a pretty bad early life.
He took one year to touch, without him being very very scared. Still reacts strongly to our present. But heartearmingly gets a little more confident every interaction.
Unlearning when intrinsically be coded to induced panic attacks when seeing a big shadow/human takes time. And I am sure, others who say they never can really touch em, are true too.
I think with lots of time. Lots of interactions without forcing it, will slowly but steadily reduce anxiety related behaviour near you. But as all things alive, we are all different.
We had most success switching up habits and snacks. Introducing new places “near us” like a couch. And reward them for coming. Or feeding while cleaning and so on
My boy is finally enjoying attention and fussing after 6 years. But its very much on his terms
Wow lucky cuties get to free roam. I don’t think you have to worry too much. Relationships with bunnies can take a long time to build and will continue to deepen past the period you expect them to.
Bonded rabbits can be a bit of a challenge in that they are more focused on each other and less on learning to come to humans for social needs.
Either way, continue to love them, visit them and bring them little surprise treats. Do this consistently and the trust will build over time encouraging them to seeknyou out. Also, it’s ok to occasionally and gently push a bunny out of their comfort zone. You could lay out their supper veggies in the living room and pick them up and bring them to it so they are aware and tempted to stay there and eat. Obviously don’t stress them by forcing things, but the occasional pick up and bring to the other room isn’t a problem. You can also do this one at a time if you want to try and get some 1on1 time with each. Plus, one might come looking for the other and encourage them to move through the space.
I’m sure you will draw them out of their room.