How to Bond with Your Rabbit: A Guide to Gaining Their Trust

So you have a pet rabbit, and you see all of the happy bunfluencers on Instagram living their best lives with their rabbits. You want to be just like them, but there’s just one problem: your rabbit wants nothing to do with you. I’m here to help.

Hello, friends! I hope you are all doing very well. Today, I am going to help you gain the trust of your rabbit and give some tips on how to bond with your rabbit. Rabbits are very different from dogs and cats in the sense that they don’t automatically love and trust their owners. It is something that has to be earned by you. Lucky for you, I am here to give you five different things to be on the lookout for so that you can have a really strong relationship with your rabbit, allowing them to trust you and understand what they’re trying to tell you when they aren’t trusting you or while you’re in that process.

Starting Point: Free Roaming

Let’s start at a baseline: you have a rabbit, you’re working on free roaming and giving them that space, but they just don’t really like being around you. If you haven’t started to jump into the free roam lifestyle, which means that your rabbit does not live in a cage, this is where we’re beginning.

Step 1: Avoid Touching Your Rabbit Initially

The very first thing I’m going to tell you is a little tough to hear, but you need to trust me so that your rabbit can trust you: don’t touch your rabbit. No, wait, I am not saying don’t ever touch your rabbit. Rabbits are just very finicky, and touching them is something that you have to earn. Some rabbits are more snuggly than others, and eventually, your rabbit will tolerate or even love being rubbed and scratched by you.

When you first start, avoid reaching out to them. When you’re reaching out at your rabbit, they see your hands as a predator coming to grab them. So, remove that from the equation while you’re getting started; just let your rabbit know that you are not a threat to them. This may last a week or two where you’re just around your bunny, spending time with them, getting down on their level, but avoid physical contact. Let them come to you.

Step 2: Understanding Blind Spots and Touch Points

Once your rabbit does come to you, keep two very important things in mind: where to touch your rabbit and where their blind spots are.

Rabbits have a blind spot directly in front of their face and directly behind them. So, when you go to make contact, do it from the side so they can see you coming.

The special snuggle spots are their heads, the top of their nose, and their ears. They love that area to be scratched; it’s very soothing for them.

Avoid touching the sides of their body and their butt. These areas are more sensitive and remind them of a predator capturing them. This is how they will start recognizing that your touch can be soothing and comforting. Go at their speed. If you notice they’re pulling away from you, let them be. But if you notice your rabbit is coming up to you, start rubbing their nose and ears, being mindful of those do-not-touch spots and blind spots.

Step 3: Use Food to Build Trust

The next thing you can do to gain your rabbit’s trust is through their stomachs. Hand feeding is probably the number one thing you can do to really get your rabbit to trust you. If they accept food out of the palm of your hand, they are saying they trust you with their life. Start small, maybe with a treat, and just hold your hand out. Don’t try to touch them during this period. Let them see the food and that it’s coming from your hand. After that, you can start hand-feeding them their pellets, dinner, or anything else you can. The more you do it, the more they will come to you and see you as a bringer of good things.

Step 4: Avoid Predatory Behavior

One of the number one things to consider is not acting like a predator around them. Not all rabbits like to be held. Some do, but for the most part, they like to keep their feet on the ground. If you start chasing them around to pick them up, they will view you as a predator. There are times when you need to pick them up, like when going to the vet, grooming, or giving them medicine. When you do lift your rabbit, avoid chasing them. Try to lift them when they’re tired, napping, or in a litter box to remove the fear aspect.

Step 5: Learn Rabbit Body Language

Understanding your rabbit’s body language is crucial. Rabbits have strong body language even though they can’t speak, bark, or meow. Here are some key signals:

• Giving the Butt: If your rabbit hops in front of you and shows their butt, they are basically telling you to back off. Leave them alone when they do this.
• Flicking Feet: This is another sign of them telling you to leave them alone.
• Hiding or On Guard: When your rabbit is hiding or sitting straight up with wide eyes, they are feeling unsafe. Talk soothingly to them but avoid approaching or touching them.
• Nudging: If they nudge you, they are asking for something, whether it’s pets or food.
• Splooting or Flopping: These signs indicate that your rabbit feels comfortable in their space, which should be encouraging.

Conclusion

Rabbits can be confusing, shy, and finicky, but their love is worth it because you earn it. Earning that trust feels rewarding and creates a special bond. I hope this guide was helpful. If you have any questions or found these tips useful, please comment below. There are also an article about how to bond with your aggressive rabbit. You can find it here.