To tell your bunny to come to you, use ** positive reinforcement with high-value treats**, associating their name or a cue word (like "come") with the reward through repetition, starting close and gradually increasing distance, and always letting them approach you on their own terms to build trust, ensuring you're on their level (the floor) and speaking softly.
The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 Days for the rabbit to feel overwhelmed and hide, 3 Weeks to start settling in and showing personality, and 3 Months to feel truly at home and build a strong bond. It helps adopters manage expectations, understand that fear and skittishness are normal, and encourages patience as the bunny decompresses in its new environment, emphasizing providing a safe space and routine.
You should speak calmly and lovingly to your rabbit. In other words, ``sweet talk'' your rabbit. Do not make sudden moves or noises. If your rabbit approaches you, have a special treat available to see if you can tempt him to come near your hands. When his curiosity gets the best of him, he will come close to you.
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.
Signs of a stressed rabbit include body language like ears pinned back, a tense hunched posture, wide eyes, and stillness, combined with behavioral changes such as hiding excessively, aggression (biting, lunging), destructive bar biting, changes in eating/toileting, restlessness, rapid breathing, or unusual vocalizations like grunting. These signals, often a prey animal's reaction to feeling threatened or unhappy, need prompt attention as chronic stress can cause serious health issues.
As a rule, a rabbit should be able to take at least three hops in a row from one end to the other. It can be difficult to buy purpose-built accommodation measuring these dimensions but there's no reason why you can't build your own! Rabbits are a prey species and need to be able to hide from things that scare them.
Games such as reverse fetch and tug-o-war, among others, give you ways to interact with your rabbit while also giving your rabbit a chance to have a lot of fun. Playing games and interacting with your rabbit is a great way to deepen the bond that the two of you share.
Yes! Bunnies can recognize their name by voice and sight and will even come on command. By rewarding your bunny with treats, petting, or other consistent positive reinforcements will help it retain these commands in its memory.
Rabbits aren't “starter pets”—they're high-maintenance, long-term commitments. While healthy adult rabbits will typically use a litterbox to do their business, they do a lot of business—and you will have to keep their box clean by changing it at least every other day.
Rabbits need unlimited access to grass and hay, so they shouldn't ever be left without food. However, if it's an emergency and there's no other choice, then they can go up to 12 hours without eating.
Rabbits are sociable creatures that can form deep bonds with their human companions.
The best bait for rabbits includes brussel sprouts, carrots, lettuce and apples; you can also spray the inside of the trap with apple cider. Unusual rabbit baiting tips include crumbling up cheesy biscuits and placing them inside the trap.
Do rabbits like cuddly toys? Some rabbits may cuddle certain soft toys, but chewing and destruction are more likely. Stick to sturdy, interactive toys meant for chewing and playing. Supervise any plush toys to avoid choking hazards.
Top 10 Bunny Dangers
Your Rabbit May Be Showing You Love
When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin).
Bored rabbits tend to fill their time by eating, meaning they put on weight. Obesity can cause heart problems, arthritis, liver disease, flystrike and skin problems. Bored rabbits also tend to groom themselves too much and get hairballs, which can cause life-threatening gut blockages.
The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 Days for the rabbit to feel overwhelmed and hide, 3 Weeks to start settling in and showing personality, and 3 Months to feel truly at home and build a strong bond. It helps adopters manage expectations, understand that fear and skittishness are normal, and encourages patience as the bunny decompresses in its new environment, emphasizing providing a safe space and routine.
Scented Sprays, Oil Diffusers, & Smoke
Rabbits have delicate respiratory systems. NO scented sprays, diffusers, oils, Febreeze, incense, perfume, or vaping/smoking around your rabbit. Some may cause respiratory irritation while others may cause liver damage, kidney damage, neurological problems, or cancer.
How can I tell if my rabbits are unhappy?
In answer to the question what animal eats rabbits, the most common that springs to mind is the fox. But there are numerous others including pet dogs and cats, birds of prey, stoats, weasels, ferrets, badgers and snakes.
We recommend a good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, particularly for outdoor rabbits. It's warm because the hollow strands trap warm air and it's also absorbent. It's important to understand the difference between hay and straw.
Signs of stress may include: appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body) being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes) being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.