Photo by Sincerely, Cinnabun
The first and most important thing a new bunny owner needs to know is that bunnies are territorial and there are simple things you should know so you two can bond together happily.
You don't expect a bunny to bond and play with you the same day you brought it into your home.
Be patient enough as we help you how to bond with your bunny.
Bonding Tip 1: Get Down on Their Level
You could either sit down or just lay down on the floor close to your bunny. Let your bunny explore around you and sniff your clothes. Getting familiar with your scent is extremely important. While your bunny is close to you, avoid petting it until it's comfortable around you.
Bonding Tip 2: Sit Outside Their PlayPen
Sit outside your bunny's playpen. When you do this, you are slowly introducing yourself. Don't forget that you're not allowed to pet them yet, especially now that you're closer to their territory. Once your bunny is warming up, you can try sitting inside the playpen.
Bonding Tip 3: Give Them Delicious Treats
You can give your bunny treats for positive reinforcement. It's good to associate treats with your presence. They love treats, and that's one thing that will make them closer to you. At this point, if you can pet it gently, then try hand-feeding your bunny. This will somehow make your bunny think that you're not a bad person.
Final Thoughts
If your bunny reacts the way you are not expecting, don't try to force it to bond with you. Be patient. Some bunny owners took them months before they finally bonded with their bunnies. Bunnies have different personalities and it might take you to bond with your bunny for just a week or a longer time, like three months or more.
We hope you can have a fantastic Bond Day Monday with your bunnies!
Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits. We volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, did extensive pet product research, and asked experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.