Adjustment
It will take time for you to get to know your new friend. They will be scared at first, they won't know you. You should leave them in their cage for a couple of days and gently talk to them and pet them. After a week or so they will get to know you and you will start to bond. Just remember everything is new to them.
Bonding
Rabbits are naturally skittish creatures. Until proven otherwise, everything in their surrounding environment can be considered a threat, especially a creature as large and noisy as a human. Setting your bunny's mind at ease and winning over his rapidly beating little heart requires patience, diligence, and a willingness to see things from a bunny's eye view. The first two weeks with your adopted rabbit are crucial. Failure to effectively bond with your bunny in this period of time may result in a stand-offish pet that isn't much fun to be around.
The first thing to do to bond with your newly adopted rabbit is to get down on his level. Let him know that you are not a threat. Lie down on your stomach near his cage and just observe. Spending time in this position will not only afford you the change to learn your bunny's mannerisms and body language, but it will assure him that you are just another resident of the home. He lives in the cage, you live outside of it.
Be sure to establish a routine with your bunny. Let him know he can count on you to bring him food and water consistently each day. Be sure to get a cage that opens on the top as well as in the front, so that you can add food in a non-intrusive manner. Thrusting your hand through the front of your bunny's home will likely be seen as a hostile move, and is to be avoided.
Let the bunny make the first move. Rabbits need at least an hour of exercise each day. During those all-important first two weeks with your new pet, make exercise time a bonding time. Sit in your rabbit's play area, but do not try to grab him or force him toward you. When your rabbit feels comfortable, he will likely investigate your presence with a nudge or two. Invite him to groom you by placing your hand, palm downward on the floor. If your bunny comes over and licks you a bit, you've bonded! Return the favor by gently rubbing or petting his forehead or cheek. Bunnies have thin skin and are quite ticklish on their backs, so it's best not to pet them there until you've formed a more lasting bond.
Once you reach the point where your pet rabbit allows you to hold him, bond further by speaking his language. You can gently grind your teeth, (the bunny equivalent of purring) which will make a sound that bunnies associate with contentment. Your bunny might just purr along with you.
Eventually your pet rabbit will think of you as nothing more than just an overly large and somewhat clumsy rabbit. When you have established trust with your pet, start exploring more ways to engage in play time together. For example, many rabbits like a good game of "chase," especially when it's combined with some hopping! Don't worry about how you look, just give in to the moment and enjoy your special bunny bond.
Bonding
Rabbits are naturally skittish creatures. Until proven otherwise, everything in their surrounding environment can be considered a threat, especially a creature as large and noisy as a human. Setting your bunny's mind at ease and winning over his rapidly beating little heart requires patience, diligence, and a willingness to see things from a bunny's eye view. The first two weeks with your adopted rabbit are crucial. Failure to effectively bond with your bunny in this period of time may result in a stand-offish pet that isn't much fun to be around.
The first thing to do to bond with your newly adopted rabbit is to get down on his level. Let him know that you are not a threat. Lie down on your stomach near his cage and just observe. Spending time in this position will not only afford you the change to learn your bunny's mannerisms and body language, but it will assure him that you are just another resident of the home. He lives in the cage, you live outside of it.
Be sure to establish a routine with your bunny. Let him know he can count on you to bring him food and water consistently each day. Be sure to get a cage that opens on the top as well as in the front, so that you can add food in a non-intrusive manner. Thrusting your hand through the front of your bunny's home will likely be seen as a hostile move, and is to be avoided.
Let the bunny make the first move. Rabbits need at least an hour of exercise each day. During those all-important first two weeks with your new pet, make exercise time a bonding time. Sit in your rabbit's play area, but do not try to grab him or force him toward you. When your rabbit feels comfortable, he will likely investigate your presence with a nudge or two. Invite him to groom you by placing your hand, palm downward on the floor. If your bunny comes over and licks you a bit, you've bonded! Return the favor by gently rubbing or petting his forehead or cheek. Bunnies have thin skin and are quite ticklish on their backs, so it's best not to pet them there until you've formed a more lasting bond.
Once you reach the point where your pet rabbit allows you to hold him, bond further by speaking his language. You can gently grind your teeth, (the bunny equivalent of purring) which will make a sound that bunnies associate with contentment. Your bunny might just purr along with you.
Eventually your pet rabbit will think of you as nothing more than just an overly large and somewhat clumsy rabbit. When you have established trust with your pet, start exploring more ways to engage in play time together. For example, many rabbits like a good game of "chase," especially when it's combined with some hopping! Don't worry about how you look, just give in to the moment and enjoy your special bunny bond.
