Pet rabbits might be known for their confident, trusting, and curious nature, but every pet is different and worth loving, even if they are a bit shy at first! Each rabbit has different needs, and it’s all up to you to take these needs and incorporate them when bonding with a shy rabbit. How do you bond with a shy rabbit?
When trying to bond with a shy rabbit, use a low voice in a quiet room. Create a comfortable enclosure with boxes to hide in. Show consistency with how much time you spend with your rabbit, and give them treats. If you treat your bunny right, they will show you their quirky personality!
Bonding with a shy rabbit could be challenging and seem like a lost cause. This is why you must take baby steps when dealing with a shy rabbit, as you want them to become as comfortable as possible around you and their environment. Keep reading for some pointers to bond with your shy rabbit!
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Creating A Strong Bond With Your Shy Rabbit
Creating a strong bond with any pet could be a rewarding experience, especially once you realize the pet trusts you with their whole life. Unfortunately, some pets need encouragement, which is the case with a shy rabbit.
Let’s look at some small but effective things you can practice to gain your shy rabbit’s trust and make them come out of their shell!
1. Use A Soothing Tone Of Voice Around Your Rabbit
How you talk to a rabbit makes all the difference in their sense of trust and security in your presence. Using a calm voice with any rabbit is essential for comfortability and trust, but it’s even more so with a shy rabbit.
Always talk to your shy rabbit in a calm, serene voice that’s not too shrill or harsh. Whether you talk to them or around them, make sure not to make sudden moves.
Sudden moves could be shocking and startling to shy rabbits who don’t have a sense of confidence yet.
2. Keep Your Rabbit In A Calm And Quiet Room Or Area
Some households could get chaotic sometimes, especially with kids or other pets. When you decide that your bunny’s enclosure or cage might be a little in the center of chaotic energy, you should consider placing it in a quiet area of your home.
Additionally, if you have children, you must teach them how to be quiet and respectful around the shy rabbit.
It’s important to refrain from picking up a shy bunny, as it could startle them even more, and somebody might get kicked or bit, and the rabbit could injure itself in the process.
3. Create A Comfortable Environment For Your Rabbit
Once you have found the ideal, calm environment for your rabbit, making their cage as comfortable as possible is essential.
Choose a cage or hutch your rabbit can leave and enter at free will. This doesn’t mean the rabbit will be roaming free. It just means that when it is time to roam free, they can do it on their terms.
Additionally, be sure to place some hidey boxes inside of your rabbit’s enclosure or cage, as they will provide a shy bunny a secure place to hide if they become scared.
A hidey box will make your shy rabbit feel more in control of the situation. It may also be a good idea to have an extra one scattered around the room so your rabbit will have a safe place to run to when they start to gain more confidence and curiosity to explore!
You don’t have to spend loads on providing your bunny with a hidey box; you don’t even have to go to the pet store! A plain cardboard box will do the trick, as long as you ensure it is big enough for your rabbit to fit in!
4. Let Your Rabbit Become Used To Your Presence
If your rabbit is still new to your home, it’s expected that it’s going to be shy for the first couple of days. You must give your new rabbit a few days to adjust on its own. Give it time alone in its new environment, picking up on the new sounds, smells, and space.
Try to keep strangers at a minimum during this time, as it may cause stress and anxiety for the rabbit.
When you need to enter your rabbit’s enclosure or cage to change its water or to feed them, make sure you do it quietly and slowly. You should never try to touch or hold your rabbit during this period and keep your interactions as quick as possible.
5. Feed Your Rabbit Some Treats From Your Hand
When your rabbit has become more comfortable around you, you can start to sit next to them, holding treats in your hand. Good choices include a pinch of oats or a small piece of banana or apple.
Hold the treats in your hand and allow your bunny to get the sweet whiff of treats! Be sure to keep the treats in your hand while your rabbit is eating them.
Offering your rabbit treats is a non-intimidating and non-threatening way to help your rabbit to associate you with positive things!
6. Only Pet Your Rabbit Once It Becomes Comfortable
Once you and your bunny are comfortable with only being around each other, it’s time to try petting them! Your shy rabbit may be confident enough to willingly approach you routinely and eat treats out of your hand, but it may not be comfortable enough to be pet on its back.
Try to gently scratch them on their forehead while they eat treats out of your hand. From there, you may only then be able to move on to stroke their back!
If your rabbit flinches or tries to run away from you, don’t pressure them further. Try again in another day or two, and let them get used to you again!
Conclusion
It’s crucial to consider your rabbit’s needs and feelings, especially if they are shy. Never, ever run after a scared rabbit, as they are prey creatures, which will only terrify them further.
Not all rabbits are comfortable from the start, and once you earn your bunny’s trust, you will have a close and rewarding bond!
