Always be patient and wait for your rabbit come to you first. They’ll know that if something happens, there will always be someplace nearby they can bolt to. Teaching your rabbit to not be afraid of hands and petting them is an excellent way to bond with your rabbit. Female rabbits, for example, have a very high chance of developing uterine cancer by the time they are 6 years old. Rabbits are prey animals, which means they survived in the wild by being ready to run and hide at any second. If your rabbit leaves in the middle of an interaction, let them. We may not be able to exactly copy our rabbits behaviors, since our anatomy is so different, but we can do our best to mimic them and see if they understand. 1. Our first tip is that you cannot force your rabbit to love you. Getting a rabbit spayed or neutered also solves many health issues that are common in unaltered rabbits. To find out more about house training your rabbit > Grooming your rabbit. Others might come right up to you and even jump in your lap quite happily. Your bunny friendship will blossom and you will no longer be asking "How do you make your rabbit love you?" You give them positive reinforcement for their curious and brave behavior. You can lay down near your rabbit to let them know that you trust them. The Answer. How to bond your rabbits. Or you can try giving your head a little shake or jumping up and down to mimic a binky and tell your rabbit that you’re happy. Observe how your rabbit reacts to new places. Their hutch, cage or enclosure needs to be big enough for your rabbit. Letting your rabbit come to you, rather than you going to them allows the rabbit learn on their own that you're a safe person and you're not going to hurt them. You don't need to grab and hold right away but it's best to … Giving your rabbit a treat at the same time as you pet them, helps the rabbit to associate being pet with getting a treat. Although becoming more popular as pets, rabbits are shy and distrustful by nature. Why is my Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? Maybe sit near the rabbit and stay close to him but do not pick the rabbit up. If they still prefer to be left alone, then respect that and give your rabbit their space. This will give them space to zoom around and explore without feeling cornered and unsafe. When rabbits are held in someone’s arms, they no longer have the ability to run away. You can try twitching your nose at your rabbit, to tell them that you are interested and curious in them. It’s your job to teach your rabbit to be brave! Your rabbit might even take the opportunity to hop up on top of you to explore. There are so many different factors which lead to how secure your rabbit feels and how much affection they are willing to show you. They will show you affection when they feel completely comfortable and secure in your company. And it’s great for you because you get to have a beautiful friendship with your rabbit. When sitting with your rabbit, you’ll also want to pick quiet activities to keep you occupied while they decide whether or not to approach you. However, a rabbit who loves you will come up to you and gently nibble your finger. This should be a safe enclosure which allow them to move in a larger space and ideally is on a patch of grass. This delay both ensures proper healing and gives the hormones a chance to dissipate. One of the scariest parts of being a rabbit caretaker is when our pet rabbits get sick. To start with, just spend some time watching your rabbit. You won’t need anything special to bond rabbits. At this point it will be important to bring your bunny to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian to be spayed or neutered. Make sure you do this once every day for at least 5 minutes. Before attempting an introduction, the rabbits should be spayed or neutered, and you should wait for a full two weeks after the surgery before proceeding with the introduction. Forcing your rabbit to interact with you, or chasing them until they have nowhere to run, are quick ways to make a rabbit scared and distrustful. They’ll still be getting used to your presence little by little. As we get to know our rabbits, it is important to read their reactions and learn their body language. When your rabbit is starting to exploring, you can sit down on the floor and let your rabbit come to you in some way of its exploration. They’re curious creatures, so they will soon hop over to investigate you! The goal isn’t to force your rabbit to come up to you and interact, but to give them the option. If you try to force affection on your bunny, then it will be counterproductive. Unlike other pets, rabbits are prey animals and can be extremely timid and easily frightened. Try to only give your rabbit fresh or dried fruits and vegetables as treats, and keep them to less than 1-2 Tablespoons per day. She would come up to me, snatch a treat and run away as soon as I tried to pet her. Posted on January 28, 2015 November 14, 2018 by Best4Bunny. If you pick your rabbit up all the time, they will start to associate you with that feeling of being trapped and scared. We suggest: Don't force interaction or escalate too quickly. To help them feel safe and comfortable in their environment, you’ll want to adopt a daily routine or schedule. This brings you even closer to the rabbit’s level and will be less frightening. Locate a rescue or shelter that will facilitate speed-dating. The previous pet rabbit may attack or show signs of aggression towards the new rabbit. You want your rabbit to trust you while feeling comfortable and happy in his or her new home. Try and keep your pairs to roughly the same age or at the very least the same life stages. Grooming gives us quality interactive time and also gives us a chance to spend a few minutes checking our bunnies to make sure they are healthy. When you approach your rabbits, they learn that something nice appears – like a dandelion leaf or a handful of watercress. Just one small touch. Click to attach a photo related to your comment, How to ensure your rabbit is not afraid of you. In other words, let your rabbit choose his/her mate. If you’re having trouble finding a treat your rabbit loves, try this sampler pack from my friends at Small Pet Select. Once you have ensured all your rabbit's needs are well cared for and interact with your bunny in the appropriate ways, you will see they will start to show you love. Whenever you are interacting with your rabbit, you want to make sure that they have an escape route. You can even consider singing or humming softly around your rabbit. ), you don’t want them to expect a treat every time after they have become a friendly rabbit. All it takes to create a genuine bonding experience is some effort and creativity. My favorite toy for bonding with my rabbit is a ball food dispenser (check it out here). In fact, there are videos online of rabbits thumping and growling because their human friends have stopped petting them. For example, when you clip their nails, give them a health check, or remove them from a dangerous situation. In my experience, some of the rabbits who enjoy being pet the most are the ones who were completely afraid of it when I first met them. Subscribe to the Bunny Lady e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit care. If you’re scrolling through your phone or playing a game, make sure to use headphones for anything that will generate noise. You could associate yourself with something your bunnies love – such as toys or treats. If you want to bond with your rabbit and teach them to trust you, above all you have to remember to respect your rabbit’s boundaries. But don’t force your rabbit into an interaction if it’s only for your own entertainment. This goes for the space in their enclosure and outside of it for exercise time. How to bond rabbits safely. They will often also shake and show visible signs of fear, so be careful not to intimidate your rabbit in these situations. They may even feel that they have been caught by a big predator. As we are trying to assert, strengthening your bond with a rabbit relies on earning trust. Rabbits do like to bond so if your bun is skittish then just keep working with them building trust. “Bonding With Your Rabbit.”. My Elusive, for example, was one of those rabbits. This includes other pets, loud noises and even strong smells. The best way to bond with your bunny is to show them some love in the first place. By training your rabbit you are not only teaching them cool tricks, but you’re also teaching them to trust you. Too many sugary treats are not good for a rabbit’s health and can lead to a gut slow-down or dental problems. Most rabbits absolutely hate to be held. If they are nervous, do not try to touch their face, nose or chin. Most rabbits really enjoy being pet. Hold your rabbit properly. Bring yourself down to their level so that you’re no longer towering over your rabbit. Your rabbit is using their brain to get a yummy treat and trusting that you will eventually give it to them. But now she’s turned into a bunny who demands petting all day long. Before I share the article in its entirety, here is a quick overview of the steps you will take to properly bond your rabbits. Instead of forcing your rabbit into an interaction, you need to let them choose to come to you so you can gain their trust. If your rabbit is happy, they will bond with you faster. Wait for them to approach and nibble on the food. Before we discuss the next step let’s see how will you recognize a relaxed rabbit. It will slowly desensitize your rabbit to being touched so that they will be able to enjoy a nice massage. How To Bond With Your Rabbit/Bunny. You will also need to have a run for your rabbit to exercise. Fear is gone and the way is open to the rabbits to relax and come to trust each other. It was just a matter of finding their special treat that will motivate them. They will need to be able to run around freely, to have somewhere to hide when they feel threatened and to have enough room for accessories. If you’re a little stuck on how to start understanding your rabbit, check out my article that goes into all the behaviors you can expect to see from your pet rabbit (with pictures!). 3. You will know the difference between the two once you have bonded well. When your rabbit has had some time to adjust, let your rabbit explore you. They’ll be quick to run away if any loud sound or sudden movement startles them. Some bonds are easy and some are difficult and take a lot longer than others & some just won’t work. Getting to know the personality of your rabbit is one of the most rewarding experiences a pet caregiver can have. Getting a rabbit is a huge responsibility. Reading a book can be a great quiet activity. At AnimalWised, we show you how to make a rabbit more affectionate. By sitting quietly on the floor in a place your rabbit has access to, they will eventually get curious and come up to you all on their own. If your rabbit was adopted, it could be from a more serious trauma from your rabbit’s past. Give them another piece of food if necessary and try again a few more times, petting gently and then removing your hand. To make your rabbit feel safe, you’ll want to make sure they feel that they own this territory. Rabbits are near impossible to train, although you can teach them some basic tricks with a lot of patience. Over time, your rabbit will no longer hesitate. This is especially true of toys that are puzzles with treats hidden inside for your rabbit to find. They may even rub their nose against you and nudge you lovingly. Try not to talk in a loud voice. Introducing rabbit “strangers” so that they become friends is called ... Not only will your rabbit be happier living in a bonded pair or group, you’ll get so much satisfaction and enjoyment from watching them snuggling together. You also want to give your rabbit a lot of space for exercise outside of the enclosure. Then you will receive tips and tricks about rabbit care straight to your inbox so that you know you’ll be taking excellent care of your new rabbit. However, you will need to ensure you have more space. Learn the best ways to bond with your bunny by learning about what makes a rabbit happy, how to pet your rabbit and how to win the trust of a shy or aggressive rabbit. You can also make a number of hidden treat DIY toys. Even if they never actually run for it, having places to hide will help your rabbit feel more confident. Preparing to introduce your rabbits . Don't put a rabbit in a hutch with another rabbit if it compromises either's need for space. Rabbits tend to keep their claws and teeth in good condition by gnawing and scratching at roots and other vegetation in the wild. Once you know what your rabbit likes, you can use it to teach them to associate you with good and yummy things. Check out our video below for more signs your rabbit loves you. If your rabbit leaves in the middle of an interaction, let them. An older rabbit is going to be irritated and less likely to enjoy the company of a bunny who is full of energy. This rabbit bonding method is based on the premise that the rabbits become used to each other. Petting is also a way of mimicking grooming behavior, telling your rabbit that you love them and see them as part of the family. Don’t go in there expecting to pick them up or even accomplish anything specific. Watch your bunny: Sit and watch your bunny’s movements in the house. Treats are a great way to gain the favor of a rabbit. Most of the time when rabbits are eating, pooping, sleeping, or grooming themselves they won’t want to interact with people. If you don't, you will set back any progress you have made and make it very difficult to get your relationship to the point you desire. Even if you are not directly interacting with your rabbit, giving them fun toys to play with will make them happy and excited. I’ve made a step by step guide for how to make some of these fun toys using only toilet paper rolls and some other simple objects you probably have lying around your house. Rabbits are animals and their animal instinct is more acute than we sometimes give them credit for. Amy Pratt is a lifelong rabbit owner who has been specializing with rabbits at the Humane Rescue Alliance. There will be times when you have to pick up your rabbit for their own health and safety. Rabbits are prey animals, and that means they’ll start to feel very scared if they feel cornered. You can let them run around indoors, but ensure they are monitored constantly and remove any stressors in their environment. Giving your rabbit space begins with the literal sense. Ignore your rabbit while they sniff and possibly hop up onto you. We think of growling as a behavior only exhibited by wolves or dogs, but this is not the case. As much as you can, interact with them when they are outside the enclosure and leave them alone when they retreat back to their home. Right after you sign up, you’ll receive a FREE pdf rabbit care guidebook. A happy bunny will be a more affectionate bunny, so ensuring their basic needs are met well is imperative you want them to show you some love. Ensuring their diet is correct is also imperative in having a happy bunny. She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. So, if you want to build up the bond with your rabbit, don’t corner her or pick them whenever possible. It will take some practice to learn everything there is to know about your rabbit’s behavior. Rabbits are most comfortable on the ground. According to the RSPCA, Rabbit that is happy and relaxed will jump around with all four paws off the ground and twists in mid-air before landing. However, developing your bond takes a level of consideration where we need to go beyond the obvious. If you want to read similar articles to How to Make a Rabbit More Affectionate, we recommend you visit our Basic education category. Give Your Rabbit Plenty of Affection: They may not be dogs, but they still love to play. Over time, they’ll learn that you’re not a scary giant coming to get them. Anything that you do where the rabbit feels trapped will make them trust you less. Some may have trust issues and can try to flee or become aggressive. Your rabbit will learn that you are not so scary. To live a happy and healthy life, they need time to socialize with other people or animals (other rabbits) in the household. I always recommend getting a rabbit exercise pen to use as their enclosure (such as this one!). As they get older, rabbits will inevitably start to mellow out and enjoy being pet more, though. When they don’t want to interact right now, then leave them alone. Start with some tasty veggies that he just can’t resist (his bunny DNA just won’t let him!) Wait until they are finished with their solitary activity and then see if they’re interested in spending time with you. They are often more calm when they are eating, so this might be the most appropriate time to approach them. This is why it is so important to build up a bond with your fellow bunny so that they become more comfortable and are willing to tell you when something isn't right. Rabbits can be wonderful, social pets if you give them the chance to come up and interact with you on their own terms. The most effective action you can take is to sit or lay with your rabbit.