If your rabbit doesn't seem to be up for socialization, then try again at a different time. With that said, your bunny may instead seem interested or eager for your affection. In that case, there's no such thing as too much attention. Feel free to play, pet, or cuddle with your rabbit for as long as it allows.
At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.
Because rabbits are social animals, they require daily interaction and attention (which is why it's helpful to adopt a pair). They aren't happy languishing in a cage day after day. For several hours daily, they need time outside the cage to socialize, exercise, and explore.
Whilst you may like to give your bunny a nice big cuddle every time you see him, this really isn't advised at all. Rabbits are prey animals and can become easily spooked and scared. They don't really like to be picked up and handled too often, even by humans that they like!
They are social animals that need the company of others in order to be happy. If you take the time to give your rabbit lots of attention every day, you'll be rewarded with a lovable and happy companion.
It's rare that humans have enough time to give their bunny the amount of socialization that they need. If your bun seems very needy or clingy, it might be time to get them a friend. There are also rabbits who turn to destructive behaviors to express their frustration at not having companionship.
You may need to handle them for any number of reasons, from grooming them to checking them for any signs of a medical condition. While most rabbits won't appreciate you picking them up all the time, it's still important to practice handling them occasionally. That way you can pick them up when you have to.
Rabbits like to play and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Ideally you want to provide them with up to 4 hours daily of supervised time out of their cage.
It's best to let your rabbit out of its cage or enclosure at least twice a day for exercise and socialization. If rabbits are regularly cooped up for more than 12 hours at a time, there is an increased risk that they will develop health problems (such as GI Stasis) or become depressed and lonely.
It is best to let your rabbit initiate this i.e. sit on the ground and let them approach you. The best times of day for cuddles are morning and evening when your rabbit is naturally more active. Avoid disturbing your rabbit when it is sleeping.
Your rabbit may show signs of wanting attention from you by nudging you, softly biting or even making digging notions directly on you. On the other hand, they may show signs of withdrawing from you, refusing interaction and not responding when you try to pet or play. A lonely rabbit may become hyperactive and angry.
Sadly many people fail to put in the time to spend with their bunny, so no connection & no friendship is made & the poor rabbit remains shy, reserved & nervous.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
There are lots of ways your rabbit might show they are relaxed, usually when lying down. They might sit with their legs tucked under their bodies (like a little rabbit loaf!), or lie down completely stretched out. Curiosity. Rabbits who are hopping around, exploring their environment and munching are happy bunnies!
Rabbits love nothing more than having the space to run around, play, dig and explore while enjoying a bit of 'me' time. Show your bunnies you love them by offering a secure environment where they can display these natural behaviours safely away from predators. A happy rabbit is a loved rabbit!
We usually tell our adopters that we expect the average bonding is going to take about two and a half weeks.
One guideline to go by is at least 8 square feet of enclosure space combined with at least at least 24 square feet of exercise space, for 1-2 rabbits, in which the rabbit(s) can run and play at least 5 hours per day.
Fresh food – an adult-sized handful of leafy greens, vegetables and herbs twice daily. Nuggets – just one tablespoon of rabbit nuggets once daily (or twice daily if your rabbits weigh over 3.5kg). Water – constant access to clean, fresh drinking water.
In general, rabbits will actively play in the morning and evening by chewing, digging, and foraging. In the middle of the afternoon and night, rabbits will settle down and sleep for a combined total of 12 hours in a day.
Rabbits are social animals, and, like us, can suffer from loneliness. Though there are exceptions, most rabbits want and need another rabbit for company. For this reason, we always recommend keeping rabbits in groups of two or more. Rabbit welfare organisations almost always recommend keeping two rabbits or more.
Your rabbit doesn't want to be held
Even though many people think of rabbits as cuddly animals, most rabbits absolutely hate being held. In fact, being carried is a scary situation for rabbits. Their first line of defense is to run as fast as they can and hide.
Tonic Immobility, often referred to as “Trancing” or “Hypnotising”, is a technique for handling rabbits that has been around for many years. It takes advantage of the rabbits' tendency, as a prey species, to “play dead” and stay immobile when placed in a vulnerable position, on its back.
Help them feel secure by holding all four feet against your body. Never pick rabbits up by their ears - this would be extremely stressful and is highly likely to injure them. Minimise restraint - reduce stress and minimise the risk of injury by using the minimum level of restraint necessary.
Bunny Butt. A bunny who is angry with their owner or another rabbit may let them know by giving them a cold shoulder, or Bunny Butt. They will turn their back on you and refuse to look at you. Bunnies hold grudges.