Every bunny is different, however in our experience it generally takes around 6 months for a bunny to finally feel settled and happy in their new home. Bunnies that don't appear to have settled and relaxed may be unhappy.
Top tip: Giving your rabbit a few pats a day (three to five) should help introduce them to your touch and smell and help them understand you're not a danger to their existence. You can do this when you take them food so they have a positive association with you.
As a general rule, you should leave your rabbit alone during the first 24 hours after bringing them home. Set up your rabbit's enclosure and keep them in a quiet spot in your home. This will give your rabbit time to adjust to their new environment, preventing them from feeling overwhelmed by the sudden change.
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.
We usually tell our adopters that we expect the average bonding is going to take about two and a half weeks.
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.
Little and often is the key, a couple of goes of whichever stage you are at a few times per day is plenty. Don't make all your interaction about learning to be picked up; grooming your rabbit, playing with toys and just hanging out in the same space will all help your bond and build trust.
Never leave your rabbits unsupervised with a cat or dog, even if you know they are good friends. Rabbits will need a large, safe enclosure in a quiet part of your home. This enclosure must include a main shelter and a large, secure exercise area, with additional hiding places.
Remember: Hold rabbits gently but firmly - ensure one hand supports their back and hindquarters at all times. 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.
Serve him Timothy hay or Orchard Grass. Much healthier than a diet of only pellets. Rabbits love exploring. Set up cardboard boxes to hop into or on.
Most rabbits love to be cuddled and stroked when approached in the right way. Few like being held or carried as being so high up from the ground makes them feel insecure, however, many will happily sit on your lap or snuggle up next to you for a cuddle.
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.
The best way to make your rabbit's life happier is to give them a comfortable home base. This means that their enclosure should not be a place that your rabbit wants to escape from every day, but instead a safe place where they can relax and play.
8AM: I like to start the bonding early in the morning because that gives me the entire day to monitor - which is especially important on the first day to see how the rabbits interact with each other.
Cardboard boxes, modified cupboards, or soft cat/dog tunnels or beds may be suitable. Some soft bedding such as blankets, old sheets, or padded pet beds should be provided for your rabbits to rest on. Rabbits love height, so providing ramps or a small cupboard or hutch that they can jump on top of is a great idea.