Remember, they are prey animals and for the first day or two they don't know if you are going to eat them or not! Is this a sign of loneliness? Unless your project is gluing marshmallow Peep bunnies together, then your task of bonding rabbits is undoubtedly going to require significant persistence, consistency, and patience. To bond with your rabbit, start by opening the cage, sitting quietly on the floor, and letting the bunny explore the room on its own. This article received 50 testimonials and 90% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Tooth-grinding is a sign of pain, illness, or anxiety. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Most find petting, snuggling, nuzzling, and sitting companionably beside each other pleasurable activities. When your rabbit seems comfortable and ready, pick it up gently and place it in your lap or hold it in your arms. It's best to avoid reaching for your rabbit's food, toys, or litter box when he has grunted with disapproval at you. Your rabbit should get a minimum of two cups of leafy greens per six pounds of body weight. At best, she’ll tolerate these enforced housemates. One good bonding/conditioning tip that I did with my rabbit was placing his cage in an area where there is a decent amount of time where there are people talking. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. See http://www.wikihow.com/Litter-Train-a-Rabbit to learn how to do this. No. Give a few small treats as you are getting to know each other. Let your bunny eat a piece of the treats off the floor, then try to feed him out of your hand. And bear in mind that rabbits generally dislike being held. Choose an area in your home that will allow for daily interaction with and observation of the people in your household, but is still removed enough that your rabbit won't feel frightened by the chaos of day-to-day life. For more tips on spending quality time with your rabbit, read on! You can bond with your rabbit in many different ways, such as reading a book on the floor beside your rabbit and much more! But in some unusual cases where the bunnies are too stubborn, it may take up 2 to 6 months for a bunny to bond with the other one. In today's video, I will show you how to create a bond with your pet rabbit. A rabbit can be an adorable, beloved pet, but because rabbits exist as prey animals in the wild they can often be frightened and mistrustful of humans. Your rabbit will not bond with animals of another species, though. With painful paws, the rabbit may become too frightened to move, and, with the lack of eating, this could be very serious. ", adore her and enjoy being with her. If they try to take it away from you, let them. If your rabbit has his hind legs stretched out behind his body, it indicates that he is relaxed and comfortable. With that in place, you can roam around the backyard, wander through a calm park, or even mosey around the neighborhood. Rabbits are extremely social and need a friend, preferably another rabbit since they communicate and understand each other the best. Slowly rebuild your trust if you've had trust issues in the past. Whimpering or squealing is typically a sign of pain or fear. Lifting and holding should be kept to a minimum. Room to relax: Give your bunny set-up a once over before you start to make any introductions. If your rabbit is grunting and his ears are pined back, back off and leave the rabbit to calm down. Bonding with Your Rabbit 1. Rabbit bonding stage 1. Aim for healthy treats like a baby carrot, a tiny slice of apple or banana, or a small spoonful of oats. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Most rabbits need a stable temperature between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 to 21.1 degrees Celsius). A rabbit must be spayed or neutered before sharing a hutch with any animals. Locate a rescue or shelter that will facilitate speed-dating. If he/she does not move away continue to pet his/her head and the back of the ears. Let your bunny explore his habitat first and get used to it. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! Hello, everyone! Then offer her tasty treats through the wire of the cage. PSSST! Alternatively, place a towel over the rabbit and lift in him that. Make sure that you lift your rabbit in such a way that his legs are all supported, including his back legs. That will just make a withdrawn. Resist the urge to pet her right away. Licking a person is a sign of great affection. Next, offer the rabbit some of its favorite treats and wait for it to approach you rather than lunge for it. Many rabbits have BIG personalities. In the short term, cover the bed with a thick towel to prevent further damage to bedding. A rabbit may start out as shy, afraid, very independent, or hesitant to trust you. Don't let anyone who is unfamiliar with your rabbit be around them. Snorting could be interpreted as either a cry for attention and affection, or an indication of displeasure or distrust. If the floor won’t work for you bring the rabbit up on the sofa or bed with you. Getting your rabbits neutered before you introduce them will make the bonding process much smoother. Rabbits do not lick people for salt; rather, the behavior is purely communicative, and is an indication of tremendous trust and appreciation. 5. Give your rabbit time to get used to its surroundings. Let your rabbit come to you. ", helps greatly. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Make this a daily practice until your rabbit gets comfortable being around you. Be sure to keep the room your rabbit lives in at a comfortable temperature. One of the most important relationships a rabbit will ever have is with his caregiver. Speak softly. Rabbits are most comfortable on the ground. Those big ears are good at conveying sound! She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Play with toys together. It can take a few months for a rabbit to adjust to a new home and new people. Unfamiliar people can be highly stressful to them. Dark leaf lettuce, turnip greens, and carrot tops are often preferred by rabbits. Let your rabbit come to you. 2. A Healthy Diet. Unfortunately, this causes the gut to shut down, which can be life-threatening. A bonding specialist might affect different situations. `` presence as a precaution, you … Normally takes... 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