2006-07-31 12:43:27 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Some rabbits appear very shy, others bold and curious, but it is the nature of the rabbit to be cautious and careful. In the wild, they are an animal that is easily preyed upon so they must be wary to survive.
Misconceptions abound when it comes to rabbits. Few rabbits like to be held, they may not come when called and they don’t necessarily make good pets for children. In order to understand your rabbit for who he or she is, forget all your expectations and focus on him as an individual. Be open to learning about him and let him teach you what he is all about.
Especially with a shy rabbit, the first rule in communicating is to get down on the floor. The second rule is also to get down on the floor. Rabbits must be approached at their level – the floor. Spend time getting to know him where he is comfortable. If he seems to avoid you at first, spend time just sitting quietly on the floor, not approaching him, not trying to pick him up. Rabbits are naturally wary, but also naturally curious. Eventually curiosity will win out and your rabbit will come over to investigate you.
As Amy Espie writes in her article, Honorary Rabbit, “It’s easy to miss gestures of trust from a shy or aloof rabbit. Even friendly, confident bunnies are usually more subtle than cats. A timid rabbit may make a first step toward friendship simply by going about the business of being a rabbit in your presence – in effect, by ignoring you. This may not sound like much, from a human point of view, but it’s a great effort for her to switch from ready-to-run to a more relaxed, peaceful state. Although our house rabbits have been domesticated for more than 500 years, they are still basically designed to respond quickly to all the information coming through their ears, nose, eyes and whiskers.”
As with any animal, or humans for that matter, each has his or her own personality. Some are active and crave attention. Some are shy or aloof. If a rabbit is shy, you need to make an effort to interact with him. Although shy rabbits may become more sociable with time, do not expect a totally different personality. This seemingly reserved behavior is actually more common and “rabbit-like” than the interactive rabbit of folklore who plays with children.
Tips to win over a shy rabbit:
- Sit quietly on the floor with him in a small room. Do not reach out to pet him or pick him up, just sit with him. A slice of apple or banana may help entice him to visit you. See if he will eat it from your hand without running away.
- Allow him to investigate you. He may smell you, hop over your leg or nibble your pant leg, but don’t disturb his investigation. Let him get comfortable just being around you.
- After several days of quiet bonding, see if he will allow you to pet him on the top of his head, or lie down on the floor and approach him face to face. That's how rabbits approach each other. Note: If your rabbit is protective of his space, this could result in a serious bite to the face, so decide which approach would be better for the both of you.
- You can also try bringing the newspaper into the room to read. You might be amazed that this once-shy rabbit has an interest in the financial section! Let him play by tearing up the paper. Let him be a rabbit in your presence.
- Toys and more toys. Toys can build confidence and help displace anxiety. Observe what he likes to do. Is he a buncher? A digger? A chewer? See this page for great toy ideas: www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/toys.html
- Increase freedom and space as he becomes more secure. With time, you will start to see a braver bunny. The first time your rabbit nudges you or grooms you, the process of trust has begun and a special honor has been bestowed upon you. He is communicating with you as he would communicate with a fellow rabbit.
2006-07-31 12:53:59 · answer #1 · answered by confusedbuthappy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits are very sensitive and feel vulnerable, and as a result want to be very aware of their surroundings. Just lay on the ground for a minute and look at the world from their eyes, and you'll understand better why they're so sensitive and a little insecure - everything looks so big from their viewpoint!
The very best way to get closer to your rabbits is to sit on the floor/ground while you let them explore, and they'll eventually come and explore you - and have some food with you, so that when they approach you, you can show them that you're a friend with this food - a little slice of carrot, or apple, or banana. But don't try to force them, wait until they approach you. Another thing you can try is laying on your stomach ... when we do this, our bunn comes right up to my face and sits on the floor in front of me. But this will only happen when they've had plenty of hours and days to explore first! The longer you have them in your company, the more they will become familiar with your room, and then will settle down, sit down and relax, and then you can pet them. Another tip, keep things the same around your room, so that they don't have to begin their explorations from scratch every time. Bunnies need their areas to be the same every day ... this is how they feel safest and become calmest and more interested in you.
Also, here's a few excellent articles on rabbit behaviour and communication -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html - this one is SO good - how to translate bunny behaviour and language!
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunnyhouserabbits.html - this is my site - please have a browse and enjoy!
Very best of luck - give them time and patience, and you'll be rewarded!
2006-08-02 09:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by Lea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way you can get an animal to trust you is to be very patient, kind, and gentle. Feed them treats, talk to them in a quiet, soothing voice, move slowly around them, basically just show them you are not going to hurt them. It will take a long time, depending on how tame they are now, for them to trust you. So you need to have patience, and don't push them too fast.
Rabbits, unfortunately, are prey animals, and can be very skittish if not handled properly from birth. If you give them enough time and effort, they may become handleable, or they may not. I have found that most rabbits do not like to be picked up, but they will allow you to pet them. Just go slow, be patient and loving, and they should tame down in a matter of time. Good luck!
2006-07-31 19:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by Robin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"When a rabbit is first brought home as a pet, make sure that its cage or enclosure is placed in a cool, quiet area. Then spend time bonding with your pet and allowing it to get used to you. The surest way to a rabbit's heart is through its stomach -- an offering of tasty treats will go a long way in getting your rabbit's attention. To do this, feed your pet healthy treats (such as a small piece of carrot) while gently stroking it so that it will learn that interaction with you is linked with a positive event."
From - Rabbits USA 2006 Annual "Be More Than The Hand That Feeds"
This site gives a few more tips as well.
http://www.ehow.com/how_16472_bond-with-rabbit.html
Good luck
2006-07-31 19:52:34 · answer #4 · answered by All is On 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits are naturally a skiddish breed, you have to take it one day at a time. Give them little treats like a baby carrot here and a apple or banana chip there, but never in vast quantities, as it could hurt them. It could take a while, but it is well worth the effort.
2006-07-31 23:11:51 · answer #5 · answered by santana84_02 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is nice that you have rabbits and expect they trust you. Ok, first you need to give them names, then you feed them, then be really care about them, accompany them for about 1 hour everyday. And every morning, after waking up, you should get to be close to them, so that they will be familiar with your body smell. Well have a nice try!
2006-07-31 19:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by serkornel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them Trix. Dont you know all rabbits love Trix?
seriously, just spend time holding and petting them, they will trust you anyway since you are the foodgiver
2006-07-31 19:46:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
getem used to ur scent. Trusting you is ok jus dont letem get to close to trust each other. Or youll have a lot more than 2 to get to trust you them things multiply rapidly
2006-07-31 19:48:43 · answer #8 · answered by krayzeman32 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them time.
Cuddle them at least 5 minutes a day.
Speak to them too!
Maybe in a week U'll be close and they'll start licking your hands!
2006-08-01 00:44:02 · answer #9 · answered by Lucky♣Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pet and spend time with them. Feed them carrots. Talk to them at night.
2006-07-31 19:45:08 · answer #10 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋