You’ve gone and got an adorable rabbit. You have a great setup, lots of enrichment toys, and a plentiful supply of fresh hay and pellets. Later that evening, you go to pick them up. They run away with a thump, and your heart is broken.
In this article, I’ll be sharing with you the 10 best practices for bonding with your rabbit and how to build a trusting relationship, so when you go to get some bun therapy, your rabbit will be ready to snuggle.
#1: Be Predictable
Being predictable is one of the best ways to earn a rabbits touch as it helps build a sense of safety, which is important because rabbits are prey animals and they are prone to fear. Here’s a few ways you can provide a predictable environment and build routines:
- Feed your rabbit around same time every day, so that you not only can track what they are eating, but also create a routine.
- Keep your rabbits layout mainly the same each time you clean it. This encourages a sense of safety rather than fear.
- Encourage exercise at regular times to increase curiosity and and stimulate your rabbits brain.
#2: Ignore them
Ignoring your rabbit may seem counterproductive but it actually helps them understand that you are a safe person. By sitting with or laying down near your rabbit and focusing your attention on something else such as a book or scrolling through videos (keep the volume low), you are allowing your rabbit to choose an interaction with you which does wonders for your bond.
#3: Keep at it
I recommend interacting with your rabbit 2-3 times a day for around 10-15 minutes. This provides you with an ability to observe their health, regular habits, and build a routine.
#4: Respect boundaries
You may notice that sometimes your rabbit will thump and run away from you. When possible, you should respect the boundary that your rabbit has set, allowing them to be able to freely choose when they want to interact. This helps them realize that they are in a safe space and will not be forced to interact if they do not want to.
#5: Offer treats
By offering your rabbit tiny portions of high value treats, you can create positive associations with yourself and lay a foundation for training later on.
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