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How To Bond With Your Bunnies

Published date: 31 January 2025

Rabbits can make the most adorable companions; however, many prospective owners believe the myth that bunnies are inherently cuddly. Often, this results in disappointment when they realise rabbits are more reserved than they anticipated.

Read About More Bunny Myths.

Rabbits might look like squishy cuddly toys, but for the most part, they don’t enjoy being picked up and manipulated by humans. However, this doesn’t mean you and your bunnies aren’t destined to be best friends. Bunnies who trust their owners will be happier and healthier, so here is our guide to bonding with your bunnies.

Get To Know Your Rabbit’s Personality

Every rabbit is different, so to build a relationship with your furry friend it is important to understand their likes and dislikes. From their preferred games and activities to what treats excite their tastebuds the most. Discover our range of delicious natural treats. 

The early stages of bonding are all about getting to know each other. The key is to let your bunny interact with you in their own time and on their terms. Never force your bunny to interact with you before they are ready!

Every rabbit will have a unique personality so enjoy learning about your furry friend.

4-Step Guide to Bunny Bonding

A well-handled and respected rabbit will grow to make a wonderful family pet and companion. So, follow these tips to build closer bonds.

1. Start in Neutral Territory

At first, it is natural for your bunnies to feel nervous around you. Remember, rabbits are a prey species, that need to be defensive to survive. Don’t invade their personal space or territory.

Before you have bonded properly and trust has been built, it is important not to reach into their hutch or safe space. Instead start bonding by setting up a neutral play space, that is big enough for you to sit in and your rabbit to run around.

2. Set Up the Area

Now it’s time to make this area tempting to explore. Add hides, tubes, tunnels, and a hay rack, and scatter some treats around for your rabbit to find. Shop our Dust Extracted Devonshire Hay.

The trick is to be consistent. Sit with your rabbit in this safe shared space for half an hour or so every single day. Allowing your bunny to roam around, foraging and approaching you when they feel confident.

3) Make it Fun!

Our bunnies can get bored easily, so make sure you create an interesting space for them. Change the layout and introduce new toys and puzzles.

This will keep your bunny entertained and associate positive feelings with the space and you.

4) Begin Stroking your Bunnies

The likelihood is that after a while, your bunnies will naturally start to feel comfortable coming up to you and remaining close by.Once you notice this behaviour you can start to gently touch them.

At first, make sure you don’t touch them from above as this can startle bunnies, as this is like a predator grabbing them from above. Instead place your hand by the side of your rabbit’s head, so they can see and smell you and gently stroke.

Take it at your bunnies’ pace, eventually, your rabbits may feel comfortable enough to sit on your lap.

Another way to build a relationship with your bunny is to utilise their famous intelligence. Clicker training is a great way to exercise their mind and enhance the bond between you. Read our Clicker Training Guide.

Good luck becoming best friends with your bunnies. 

 

Written by Lucy Marcham

Lucy teaches all aspects of the Pets Corner curriculum and specialises in animal nutrition, ensuring that our staff have the right knowledge and understanding of pet diets to assist customers with confidence and care.