Little Dwarf Rabbit Owner.... please give advice?

Question

I have a tan-furred male dwarf rabbit who is 5 months old. He is very independent and does not like being carried. He is very sweet and has never bitten. He's very mishcevious which makes him even mor independent and a little aloof. Can you tell me any games I can play with my rabbit? Can you also give me any ideas to make my rabbit happier, and more comfortable with me. He so cute, soft and small and I just want to carry him and snuggle him.

PS If any of you are rabbit owners can you please tell me what games you play with your rabbit, anything will be appreciated

Answer 1

We have two bunnies, one a small Dutch, Neither really like to be held and cuddled, but do love to be petted while they are laying on the ground near us.
Getting him to trust you just takes time - get on the floor and let him explore you, but don't pet him, just let him be. When ours want pets, they'll nudge us with their nose or lay down and put their head down "pet me now!" This article really helped us to bond with our bunnies:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

Ours don't really play with us, but we have toys for them - cat balls, twigs, empty toilet paper rolls, phone books...they'll chew and toss those. We also keep cardboard boxes out with newspaper so they can go in and dig and chew.
Here are some links for rabbits and toys:
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#toys

p.s. he's about at the age, where he should get neutered.

Answer 2

They are sure cuddly little things, but they sure do have spunk & personality! Mine was a serious cuddlebug, but he loved shredding paper. We'd play a little "tug of war" with a wood chew toy, or just race around together.

Best resouce I've found for advic on bunny language & behaviour, with some great resources is:

http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html

really interesting info, and a good laugh sometimes.. it really lets you get a look into what your bunny is thinking.

Answer 3

Yes, rabbits generally do not like being held and carried. If you want him to be happy, resist the urge to pick him up and snuggle him. Only pick him up when it is absolutely necessary, like when you are trimming his nails or taking him to the vet. Let him go in and out of his cage on his own instead of reaching in and pulling him out. I can tell my rabbit is much happier since I started doing this.

Rabbits do like to play games, but on their own terms. Spend as much time with your rabbit as you can. If you get to know him better and try to understand his body language, you will discover the types of games he is trying to play with you. Some rabbits like to be chased, others will play "fetch", or even hide and seek. Here are some links about the games rabbits like to play and their behavior:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-1/games-rabbits-play.html

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-1/just-for-fun.html

http://www.paperglyphs.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html

Have fun :)

Answer 4

I can't say I play with my rabbits but here are a few things you can give your rabbit to play with/chew on

cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towel rolls
paper bags
cardboard boxes (especially a closed box with two or three rabbit sized entrance holes cut in the sides)
cardboard concrete forms or large PVC pipes for tunnels (make sure bunny can't get stuck!)
untreated wicker baskets or other wicker items
hard plastic cat balls with a bell inside (make sure your bunny isn't chewing up and swallowing the plastic though)
hard plastic baby toys such as rings, links, keys, rattles, etc.
parrot toys and bells
kitty condos (the shorter ones), tunnels, platforms
towels
small straw whisk broom
straw balls ( you can get the ones meant as hamster houses; for added enjoyment fill with timothy hay)
box full of shredded paper (preferably ink free)
fresh branches from apple trees
dried pine cones
large rubber ball

Answer 5

make a 1 foot by 2 feet box of wood and buy toys for him which he can destroy( rabbit like to fool around) and some newspaper and hold and cuddle him

Answer 6

be sure that the cage is tall/sufficiently vast for the rabbit to be waiting to stretch out and arise and stretch if it desires to. constantly have hay available to it to sleep in/nibble on. sparkling the section that it poops/pees in extensive-unfold. constantly have dry rabbit foodstuff available to it yet in addition provide it treats of sparkling carrots/lettuce/vegetables daily. provide it sparkling water daily and rinse out the bowl to get rid of algae buildup. Take the rabbit out of the cage and carry/play with it for no less than a 0.5 hour daily to maintain it friendly and allow it get workout from hopping around out of the cage. If the cage is outdoors then make certain that's tall sufficient to guard the rabbit from canines, coyotes, and different achieveable threats.