If your rabbit is confident and secure, you can put your arms around it and cuddle it, however, more nervous rabbits dislike feeling enclosed / trapped like this and may run away. Never force your rabbit to be stroked or cuddled.
3-5 Years Old
Rabbits tend to become a little less active by the time they reach this age. It is said that rabbits also become more affectionate during this period and they will start to trust you more.
Survival instinct dictates that a bunny will always fear a human until they're taught otherwise. Until a bond of trust and mutual affection is forged, your rabbit will resist handling. They may even bite and kick you when you try. As far as your rabbit is concerned, you're restraining them so you can eat them.
The best way to gain your rabbits' trust is by simply spending lots of time being near them, while allowing your bunnies to approach you in their own time. By sitting quietly with them in a safe enclosure, you'll show your rabbits that you aren't to be feared and that you can be trusted.
The whole bonding process can take as little as one day or up to several months – it all depends on your rabbits. Usually, it's a few weeks before your bunnies will be living happily together but it is well worth the wait.
it is true that *most* bunnies do not like to be held or picked up. they don't feel secure like that b/c they are prey animals. sit on the floor, do a quiet activity, and try to interact with her while she is on the ground. if she will come up to you, offer her a treat and give her head pets if she will let you.
Rabbits typically run away from people because they are afraid or angry. The rabbit has learned from past experiences that humans will chase them, pick them up, or trap them into a small cage.
Things to know before you start the bonding process
Male rabbits can be desexed at 10-12 weeks old and females at 16-20 weeks old. Male rabbits can take up to six weeks to become sterile after they are castrated, so it is best not to introduce to any non desexed females prior to this time.
Do rabbits love their owners? Rabbits can be very affectionate pets if they are given the chance. They are very social and enjoy spending time with their human companions. Once you've gained a rabbit's trust, they'll start to show you how much they love you in their own bunny ways.
Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it's a sign of affection as you'll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.
Should you avoid touching your rabbit's ears? Contrary to popular belief, most rabbits don't have very sensitive ears. While most rabbits aren't necessarily going to enjoy an ear massage, they don't mind when their ears are touched either. It's a neutral area for rabbits.
Many rabbits enjoy being kissed on the top of the head. Your rabbit will not kiss you back, but will return your affection in other ways. Licking is a key sign of affection from rabbits. You can teach a bonded rabbit to 'kiss' you with training.
Simply lure them to your lap and get them to put their front paws up on your leg. Many rabbits will do this naturally, but some will require you to lure them up a little bit. To lure your rabbit, hold a piece of treat in front of their nose and lead them toward you until their paws are on your leg.
Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.
A rabbit's bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds, specialist litter or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
Most rabbit nails will need to be trimmed every 1 to 2 months. Rabbits that are given areas with rough flooring or places they can dig into will be able to wear down their nails a little bit in their daily life. Therefore they might not need their nails trimmed as often.
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!
You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them. The two of you have developed a bond and friendship that your pet rabbit also understands.
The easiest method to help your rabbit relax is to place them in a familiar and secure environment. You're halfway there if your rabbit is already in its comfortable rabbit bed or close to its enclosure. Please turn off any loud noises and seal the door to keep other pets out of their secure place.
Licking means “I love you, I trust you.” Lunging may occur when you reach into your rabbit's cage to clean, give food, or to take your rabbit out – a sign of disapproval.