Rabbits are easy prey animals. When a giant human tries to hold them, they will feel nervous and scared. This kind of situation could become traumatizing for your rabbit. But that does not mean that your pet does want your attention.
Rabbits will take their time to feel comfortable and safe if they are in a new place. You should leave them alone until they understand that you are not a danger to their safety. Gentle voice and soft touch can help in making a better bond with rabbits.
It is normal for your rabbit to feel anxious. There are a few beneficial things to mitigate this behavior and keep your pet happier. Using those methods, you can let them know that you are their protector.
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Have a Routine
As you know, rabbits are prey animals. They might feel startled by new objects, strangers, and changes in their environment. Besides that, there are a few other reasons that can make your pet fearful. During those times, the rabbit will only approach you for their meal.
There is an excellent introduction video on YouTube. A daily routine is necessary to help your rabbit overcome its fear. Specific schedules will make pets more comfortable. Below we listed some of the practical steps:
Develop a feeding pattern. Make sure that it includes consistency along with a nutritious diet. It is better to offer food that is familiar to your rabbit. Even if you follow only this method, your rabbit will wait for your arrival and remain calm.
You need to be careful about the timing while trying to bring your pet out from its cage. It is good to take it out during its regular playtime or exercise routine. By using this method, there would not be any disturbance to your pet’s daily schedule.
Introduce yourself to the pet at specific times. If your rabbit is eating or sleeping, avoid touching and annoying it. Giving some alone time to rabbits will make them comfortable around you. Plus, it can get along with the new surroundings.
Learn Your Rabbit’s Body Language
Almost all animals have unique body language, and rabbits are no exception. Keep an eye on your pet to see how it responds to new toys or areas. Is your rabbit fearful, such as hiding or covering itself in a new habitat? Is your pet excited and roaming around when it is in new surroundings?
Understanding the rabbit’s body language is beneficial. You can notice how your pet feels when you bring it to some places or people. The best way is to introduce things at a slow pace. Allow your pet to adapt itself to everything. Rabbits take their time to adjust, feel safe, and stay comfortable in their new home. After they are happy with their environment, you can see changes in their behavior and body language.
Use Your Inside Voice
Rabbits are very sensitive to loud sounds and scents. Because of that, they need some time to feel comfortable in their new habitats. For rabbits, many aromas are harsh. Plus, they can hear even the little sounds which humans can not comprehend. It could become another startling factor for them.
After a while, rabbits will adapt to some level of noise. As they are living in your home, they will be comfortable with your smell. If there is a noisy person near their cage, rabbits will not get closer to them. They often tend to hide as they feel anxious and uncomfortable with loud sounds and violent behavior. In short, the best thing is to speak with your rabbit using a soft and gentle voice. Keep your pet in a calm area where there would not be any loud sounds.
Give Your Rabbit Places To Hide
Make sure to provide some hiding places for your rabbit. So, when the pet is not feeling safe or is nervous, it can go to its hiding spot. A few incredible ideas for giving hiding places to rabbits are:
- Empty cardboard boxes
- Buy pet cages that include hiding spots from pet stores
- Under high roof furniture (only if you are sure that it is safe for them)
Avoid chasing after the rabbit if it is in a state of fear. The best thing is to let them go to their hiding places until they are feeling safe. Make sure to conserve their hiding places only for them. Plus, do not allow anyone to bother rabbits if they are in those hiding spots.
Avoid Cornering Your Rabbit
As rabbits are fluffy and cute, all we want to do is pat their head and cuddle them. But, this is never a great idea to introduce yourself to rabbits.
If your pets are hopping away from your lap, do not hold them back. Instead, it is better to leave them alone on their own. Do not obstruct their personal space and never force them to stay in your arms. Doing so could make your rabbit more nervous and uncomfortable. If possible, try to sit in an ideal position and let the rabbit sniff around you. When the pets are done smelling you, they may come to you to get proper care and attention.
Respect Your Rabbit’s Boundaries
There are certain limitations while dealing with rabbits. Be careful when you are holding, touching, or picking them. Also, it is crucial not to annoy them while they are sleeping, eating, or playing. Rabbits like to stay alone and independent for most of their time. Due to that, you should not hold or cuddle them too often. If the pets are approaching you only for food, they feel that you do not have other things to give them.
If you want to stay near your rabbits, you should let them be themselves. Make sure to have a slow introduction at first. Plus, give time to the rabbit to identify your presence. Try to sit on the floor, and when your pet feels safe around you, it will come to you. Frequent touching, stroking their face, or patting their head can startle them. If possible, stay still, and after some time, your rabbit might hop onto your lap. Rabbits are lovely pets, and after adjusting to your presence, they will develop a strong bond with you.