A rabbit can take anywhere from a few days to several months (even up to a year) to fully trust and get used to you, as it depends on their past experiences, personality, and your patience; consistency, soft voices, and letting them approach you on the floor are key, with some taking 3 days to feel safe, 3 weeks to find a rhythm, and 2+ months to truly relax and "flop".
Rabbits do like to bond so if your bun is skittish then just keep working with them building trust. Whenever you feel is right, and this could be a few weeks or a few months, take away any areas they have to hide in and lay in their pen with them.
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.
They will be shy for AT LEAST the first few days, if not weeks or even months for an adult rabbit. This is normal. Gentle reassurance is very important during this period. You will be working on making them feel secure in your home, and with you as their caretaker.
How can I win back my rabbit's trust?
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.
You'll need to make sure you have plenty of time to spend with them every day. Rabbits with long fur also take much more looking after as their fur can become matted quickly and they need grooming every day. Although children can enjoy caring for pet rabbits, they should always be supervised when interacting with them.
Let your rabbit come to you.
Resist the urge to pet her right away. Let her explore you first, and learn that you are not a threat. Give a few small treats as you are getting to know each other. Eating is a social activity for rabbits and eating together builds trust.
Older Rabbit Behaviour
If your bunny lives indoors with you, you may also notice them becoming clingier and more affectionate. The downside of ageing brings its problems too. Your bunny will still want to use their litter tray, but they can sometimes find getting in and out of them a bit tricky.
Rabbits are most active in the morning and evening, and sleep during the day and night. Rabbits need at minimum 3-5 hours of exercise daily outside the cage. They are naturally curious and enjoy opportunities to explore. Start off with a small area of your house, allowing only as much freedom as they can handle.
If they are kept alone, they may begin to show some abnormal behaviour, especially if left without company for long periods of time. For those reasons, we feel it is kinder to keep them in social pairs.
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.
Bunnies are active and love to explore
To satisfy their natural curiosity, rabbits should be allowed several hours of daily exercise and enrichment outside of their cage (don't forget to bunny-proof your home!) and be offered toys and treats.
Both rabbits should be spayed/neutered. The strong hormones in unaltered bunnies can cause aggressive and/or sexual behavior. After they are spayed/neutered you will want to wait a few weeks before starting the bonding process because it can take some time for the hormones to get out of their systems.
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.
Provide a quiet space: Set up a designated area in your home where your rabbit can feel safe and secure. This will be their sanctuary as they adjust to their new environment. Establish a consistent routine: Rabbits thrive on routine, so establish a schedule for meals, playtime, and quiet time.
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.
Top 10 Bunny Dangers
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.
Resting area for rabbits
Your rabbit's resting area should have at least two compartments. A darkened sheltered area for sleeping away from noise and another for eating/relaxing. All areas should be well ventilated, dry and draught free as damp, poorly ventilated, hot or dirty environments can cause illness.
Quite simply keeping a rabbit alone in a hutch without the opportunity to exercise, display normal behaviour or without companionship is not acceptable. It does not meet any of the animals fundamental requirements, or any of the owners responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.