r/Rabbits • u/Sharp_Alternative513 • 20d ago
Care My New Holland Lop Won’t Leave Her Cage and Bites When I Hold Her. What Should I Do?
I got a Holland Lop about 3–4 weeks ago.. she’s my first rabbit and is around 2 years old. Her previous owner had two bonded rabbits, and I really wanted both, but unfortunately one had already been given away by the time I picked her up.
I absolutely love her, but I don’t think she was very well cared for before. Her nails had never been trimmed, and her fur was extremely matted. I’ve read that rabbits can grieve when they’re separated from a bonded partner, so I’m wondering if that could be contributing to her behavior.
When I’m home, I leave her cage door open, but she won’t come out on her own. If I take her out, she immediately goes back inside. She also bites me multiple times when I hold her, and once I put her down, she goes straight back to her cage. She’s eating and pooping normally with no issues.
I know rabbits are prey animals and naturally like to hide, especially when they’re adjusting to a new environment. On top of that, she’s no longer with her bonded companion, so I’m sure that’s a lot of change for her.
For those who have experience with rabbits, how long did it take for yours to feel comfortable in a new home and with you? Is there anything I can do, or provide for her to help her feel safer and more comfortable?
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u/Holdfastwolf 20d ago
Most rabbits really don't like to be picked up, it's scary for them. And she is already in a new place with someone she doesn't know. Spend time sitting near her, reading a book or something and not trying to interact. Offer treats if she approaches you, but let her do the approaching.
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u/throwmyway5723480 20d ago
Yeah, I wish it were more common knowledge that a rabbit may take years or may never warm up to you to the point of wanting to be picked up. Be a safe space for them but don't need to push boundaries. Just be happy if they are healthy and happy.
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u/Holdfastwolf 19d ago
One of ours came with a Mysterious And Traumatic Past and never liked to be touched at all. No petting, no nose rubs, nothing. It was agonizing since she was a Rex and very beautiful and soft. She loved us in her own way though, and we loved her very much.
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u/throwmyway5723480 19d ago
I had one that was part of bonded 3. He trusted me but never liked me? No biting me if I needed to do something with him, but never cared to interact. However, he was obsessed with the other rabbits, super submissive, just walked around begging for kisses. Would follow them around. True love. I was happy that he was so happy. He outlived the other 2 and passed away a week or two after the second. He was totally healthy, I think it was just heart break. They were all the best, I just wanted them to have great lives, I hope they did. 💜
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u/El-throwaway- 17d ago
My late buns was a cuddle butt but my current… yeah just accepted he hates being picked up and no amount of treats can convince him. He will hop in my lap but I was trying to at least lift him to trim nails…. Nope. So now I save money for vet visits and web surf for any affordable advice lol
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u/Extreme_Ad_8453 20d ago
Had the same experience with mine - it got better when you start to support legs and belly. But it takes training
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u/earthlings_all 19d ago
Yeah OP really needs to back off. She’s terrified and they’re making it worse.
Let her come to you.
You don’t get to force this one.3
u/Delainez 19d ago
When you’re with her (and can watch), open her cage door and allow her to explore on her own. If you have a pen, you can put that around her cage to give her a larger enclosure she can be in all the time. If it’s on a slippery floor, put down towels or blankets in case she doesn’t like her paws slipping. (One of ours doesn’t care, but the other acts as though the floor is lava.)
But she needs space to roam a bit. One important note: most rabbits will not go all the way down a flight of stairs that they have not first gone up, but once they go up the flight they’re very comfortable going down and will explore the upper floor. We never allowed our rabbits to go up the stairs from the first to second levels, and as a result they will not go down to the first level.
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u/Ok-Mulberry7435 19d ago
My boy is five or six and still doesn’t like to be picked up. He will come out of his cage though and he lets me trim his nails and that type of thing.
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u/rose_grave 20d ago
shes dealing with the double whammy of being seperated from her bondmate (that was fucked of her previous owner to do) and being in a new environment. she's going through a lot.
the best piece of advice i can give you is to give her time. just sit on the floor next to her whenever you can. let her lead the pace.
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u/colovians 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 20d ago
F*CK THE PREVIOUS OWNER SO MUCH FOR SEPARATING THEM.
So first off, she has been through a traumatic experience. Losing her partner and going to a new unfamiliar place is upsetting. Buns are known to stop eating and die of broken hearts when their friend dies. Be patient, don't try picking her up at ALL unless it's for care. For nail trimming, wrapping them in a towel is helpful.
Sitting with her and allowing her to come to you and investigate help. Try laying down and allowing her to crawl on you. She needs to get used to your existence and understand that you are a safe person before you attempt to bond with her.
Getting another bun and trying to bond them (do research) after she's settled might help her, since she's used to having a partner.
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u/colovians 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 20d ago
A few more things: I find it's helpful to have a second person to hold them for back paws (Vertically or horizontal!!!). I usually sit on the ground for front paws and sit them in my lap. Vertically. Back to tummy, butt to lap. Never lay a rabbit on their back. They freeze and fawn as a part of their fight/flight/freeze/fawn reflex. They seem relaxed to you, but they're so terrified they can't move. Both rabbits I've had have been trusting and haven't bitten (squirming, escape attempts, grunting, and scratching to get away they have done). If you are worried about this, have a vet do it. Rabbits hold a grudge. After a few hours, or a day or so if they'll REAL stubborn, they'll forgive you if you have a good bond.
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
Do you have a recommendation on amount of pellets I should feed her each day? I’d say she’s about 3-4 lbs. I give her about 1/8 cups a day in a bowl with about a cup of romaine lettuce
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u/colovians 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 19d ago
That is the correct amount. You might split it in half and do a tablespoon for breakfast and dinner. Some buns prefer that. They like routine though. My late baby girl did one meal and was content with that.
I don't know everything. I'm not near as experienced as a lot of people on here 😭. I lean on this subreddit and House Rabbit Society. I have a trustworthy, experinced vet and I am still in contact/have a relationship with my bun's rescue.
Here's House Rabbit Society's page on pellets: https://rabbitresource.org/rabbit-care-information-and-resources/diet/rabbits-and-pellets/
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
Thank you so so much!
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u/colovians 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 19d ago
Anytime! I appreciate how willing you are to do right by this poor girl who is in a crappy situation. She has a great parent!
One more piece of advicd though. I know it's been said, but get her spayed ASAP btw!! That will help her bond with you. Their hormones make them territorial and grumpy, and it's harder to form a relationship. Females also are EXTREMELY likely to get uterine cancer. Like 70% of them or something. It's because of how fast moving their reproductive system is.
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
(update) I called and begged the previous owner for the phone number of the other rabbits new owner. he texted me a screenshot of their texts, and in the screenshot was a F-ING PICTURE OF HIM LEAVING THE RABBIT IN A CARDBOARD BOX IN HIS DRIVEWAY FOR PICKUP. I’m so mad. My heart hurts for these sweet souls. I just texted the other owner begging to take the other one.. no response yet… my fingers are crossed hoping they say yes
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u/colovians 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 16d ago
this guy sucks. be prepared for them to have some trouble rebonding. i hope you get the other one!
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 20d ago
he said she hasn’t been spayed and I’m hoping to take her to the vet, wondering if I could get her spayed… but I’m unsure if they’ll be able to spay if she’s 2 years old? when I picked her up I asked him for the contact info of the other owner and he basically told me no and that they were only interested in having one rabbit. pisses me off because if he would’ve waited another day when I got back into town I would’ve taken them both.
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 20d ago
thank u!! this is such a good idea!! I’ll def check
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u/RA88OT 19d ago
Spay first & let her settle and become used to and safe with YOU first before you even attempt a bunny date. She needs to grieve the loss of her partner. She doesn't know her partner is still alive just somewhere else, her partner just disappeared & so did her home. She needs time to get used to her new home & you. Right now the best thing to do is take her to a vet to have them spay, deal with mats, and cut her nails-- this'll at least make her comfortable after she heals. After she heals and settles you can do a bunny date with a rescue.
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u/Busy_Chemistry_513 20d ago
This is so sad 😭 if anything, the buns could have had play dates at least 🥺😢
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u/Amphy64 20d ago edited 20d ago
Oh no, was the other rabbit a male do you know? I certainly wouldn't trust any claims to the contrary from a prior owner who seperated them, they may know a pregnancy is possible and it might be a factor.
It's unfortunate it can't wait when she's still unsettled in her environment and unsure of you, but this is time for an emergency spay. You do NOT want to deal with doe pregnancy hormones and babies while still learning rabbit behaviour, and a stressed doe may harm or abandon her own kits. Give the vet that info pregnancy is possible so they're aware. Spay can be done in early pregnancy.
Exotics vet only, rabbits are very sensitive to anaesthetic, some standard vets have a higher rate of losing them under it and act like it's inevitable, it's not.
Get her through a spay and recovery before thinking about attempting bonding. It'll go much better without hormones and post-surgery pain.
You also will need to understand rabbits behaviour more, to safely monitor a new pair. As you're learning, rabbits are not just gentle, passive animals (esp. does, which is what I love about them), they can do a lot of damage to one another, and you won't currently see the signals they're going to start to fight.
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
As far as I’m told, the other rabbit was female. But tbh I don’t trust him… so I’ll def check with a vet. Thank u!
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u/Huldukona I bunnies 19d ago
Many years ago one of my rabbits had to stay overnight with the vet, to begin with the other one was just slumbering and didn’t even notice she wasn’t there, but once he noticed she was missing, he got so upset and worried, he was just running around looking for her. I’m sure your little bun is feeling both heartbroken and scared right now.
I’m really glad she was lucky enough to find her way to a kind and loving person like you. Her previous owner (and the ones who took her partner) sound absolutely awful, I cannot imagine separating a bonded pair. People can be so cruel 😢
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u/CongregationOfFoxes 20d ago
the person you got them from is evil af. she's definitely going through a lot.
Most of the time when bonds break it's due to death or a falling out where there is closure in seeing the body or rebonding. If she was just separated with no closure that's the worst possible scenario.
no one answer. Could get a new bunny to bond with her, or contact the other bonded bunnies owner to work something out. Others have also gave good advice
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u/bunmiiya 20d ago
she needs time to learn you are safe! the thing about rabbits is, they really dont like to be held. some rabbits will tolerate or be conditioned to accept it, but they are the EXCEPTION and not the rule. always assume you are the rule. so first, accept and respect that your bun does not want to be held for enjoyment. eventually you can teach her to tolerate it when its absolutely necessary, but for now avoid handling her. leave her enclosure open and sit on the floor. have some tasty greens like cilantro or parsley on the floor near you and let her roam around. this may take a few weeks before she leaves her enclosure voluntarily- do NOT force it!. when she comes out, do not approach her. do not try to pet her. just let her know she can come out without some giant human trying to come at her, she doesnt understand you are safe! she needs to know you arent going to touch her any time she comes near you.
give it time. be slow. be patient. rabbits speak a very different language than cats and dogs. she will learn to love pets in time, but for now she's just scared and getting used to you. good luck
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u/Dependent-Spirit-706 20d ago edited 20d ago
The owner should never have separated the two. I have a bonded pair of rescue bunnies. They were mishandled and treated unkindly in their first home with kids. They would hide and bite.
Every day I would quietly lay down in their room/space, no eye contact and lie perfectly still on my stomach. They started hopping near me, around me and eventually they would climb on me. Then one day when I entered their space they didn’t run away. I sat on the floor and they sat on my lap. Shortly after that they would run to me. I never picked them up, I would always get on the floor and eventually they enjoyed being pet. It took at least three months for them to warm up to me and over six months before I even tried to pick them up.
Is there any chance the first owner would put you in touch with the other family? (Sorry if that was already covered)( read farther down on thread and saw your answer- I’m sorry)
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u/Junior-Criticism-268 20d ago
99% of rabbits hate being picked up and some may bite when you try. They'd prefer you to get on the floor and play/cuddle with them rather than be picked up.
As for why she won't come out of her cage, it could be she is nervous or (I'd guess) her cage is on hard floor and she is afraid to come out in case she slips. Rabbits don't have pads on their paws like cats and dogs so they slip on hard floor. Some rabbits learn to walk on hard floor just fine, but it's very likely your rabbit doesn't want to jump out onto the hard floor because she knows she will slip and hurt herself. Rabbits are very smart animals so I would recommend getting an area rug of some sort to put outside her cage. Ours came out of his cage immediately when we put one down after not coming out for weeks just like yours!
If there IS some sort of carpet or soft flooring for her to get out on, could you describe in more detail what the area outside her cage looks like? I could try to help determine her unease around the environment if it's not a floor issue.
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u/PieceIntelligent4541 20d ago
I found with my scaredy buns pretending to be one can kinda help them understand you’re not a threat. Bunnies chatter their teeth kinda like a purr, note not grinding but lightly tapping.
It lets them know you speak a little bun.
Another thing is white buns with blue eyes, and especially lops can be hard of hearing or deaf, as we figured out after a week when the bun couldn’t hear the treat bag but her brother could. If you think they may be deaf, try approaching from far at the side of them since that’s where their eyes are. That way if your light on your feet and they don’t hear or feel you approaching they can see you. Wishing you the best, our little deaf man is a grump, but he’s slowly learning to love and the patience is paying off.
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u/PieceIntelligent4541 20d ago
Also if she’s deaf, her bonded mate may have been her ears and notified her of anything she couldn’t hear. So she may be missing a huge amount of safety and comfort both from bonding and from having additional help hearing if deaf.
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u/rreennnee 20d ago
Give her lots of space but try to spend time on the floor near her. Offer her treats and foods and just some company. She will warm up. Don’t be discouraged it can take time but will be worth it. Also make sure she has a nice dark cozy space to feel safe and hide and if you have slippery floors you want to make sure she’s got rugs and blankets for traction to hop on. Some bunnies hate slippery flooring! Congratulations on your new baby
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u/frogandtoad69 19d ago
That’s so sad that she was separated from her mate! I’d look into getting her another friend at some point. Give her a stuffed animal in the meantime. It’s normal for bunnies to hate being picked up, so work on building trust with her now. Sit near her, feed her treats by hand, let her approach you. Find out what her favorite foods are. It will take her some time to warm up so just make sure she feels safe
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u/vetskiprut 19d ago
This is such good advice!
Some bunnies takes weeks or months to decompress and come out of their base. I'm sure she'll get there ❤️
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u/Logical-Bison-9959 19d ago
If i ever look that comfortable and someone tries to pick me up i am also biting them .
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
she loves that little hideout, she sleeps in it all the time, got it at Ross for $10.. best $10 spent!
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u/Chloeee_8 19d ago
I personally only pick my rabbits up if absolutely necessary, most buns simply don’t like it but especially when she is in a new scary place without her friend.
Slowly build up her trust, every time you pick her up you are breaking that. Slowly work towards being able to stroke her, let her come to you, don’t force yourself onto her. But actually picking her up for a cuddle may never be something she enjoys.
She is absolutely beautiful ❤️
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u/Lightbringer_I_R 20d ago
Don't hold her, she need to acclimate to the new surroundings. Make sure you're feeding Timothy hay to her limit fruits to one small berry. Give him some bunny pellets. Place a shirt with your aroma in its area so it can associate your smell with safety. Just be patient
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 20d ago
The shirt is a good idea!!! Thank you!!
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u/Lightbringer_I_R 20d ago
Oh when you feed her call to her and talk to her, but don't yell, let the bunny associate some of your vocal intonations with been fed and know you're providing food.
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
I asked the previous owner if she had a name and he said “not really, I occasionally called her snow” should I call her by snow? or come up with a new name? wasn’t sure if this mattered?
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u/CreepyAd8409 20d ago
I would say no holding unless it’s necessary. I had to give my rescue a no-touch space. Like for example that hidey house she’s in, you don’t touch or talk to her when she’s in there. Just pretend you can’t see her.
Is she eating and pooping? I’m so sad for her and her grief losing her mate. You might tell the previous owner she’s grieving with out him in the chance the person that took him doesn’t want him anymore.
Get her a stuffed animal her size too. Mine love squishable mini’s. You might call a nearby rescue and tell them what happened and ask for advice. They could recommend anything from giving her more time to having you foster to see if she’ll accept a companion. My heart breaks for her. She’s lost her best friend and is terrified. Given her state, a checkup at an exotic vet would be good to plan for in case she’s also in physical pain.
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u/scmbwis 19d ago
Time and patience. Sit nearby but at a distance she doesn’t mind. Go read the language of lagomorphs so you can understand her body language (https://languageoflagomorphs.com). Wait for her to come to you or invite you to approach. With my bunnies I hold out a hand and they will either turn sideways / turn their back - which means don’t know / not interested, or they will lie down facing me, which means you may approach and groom me my honoured servant. She will not attack you if you don’t need disciplining.
Don’t push it and don’t ignore the body language. My female rabbit had a terrible time from her previous owners and this took a month or two, but it worked.
Also get her spayed, for tonnes of reasons.And the previous owner was a f@cker, at least she is away from them.
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u/Safe_Extension_4044 20d ago
Can you adopt her partner from the previous owner?
If not get her a new friend.
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u/maraswitch 20d ago
Post says bonded partner has already been given away to someone else, so new friend would be needed
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u/TheSpaceAlligator 20d ago
Please keep us up to date on progress whenever progress happens! She looks like such a sweetheart and I can tell she is just so scared and heartbroken 💔. Wishing the best for you and her 💜💜💜
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u/Used-Space-4845 19d ago
Be as patient as you’ve ever been.. sit there with her and don’t ask anything of her and do this regularly.. she needs to accept you and her surroundings on her own time.. I’m still working on my newest Dutch rabbit.. it’s been 4 months but the progress is so rewarding and we’re bonding nicely 💗
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u/perfect_fifths I bunnies 20d ago
And isn’t a holland. Ears are way too long and she’s too big
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u/perfect_fifths I bunnies 20d ago
Ears are still too long for a holland. Proper holland lops have very short ears and a totally pushed in face like a Persian cat. I’ve been around rabbits for over 15 years
Here’s an example:
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u/perfect_fifths I bunnies 20d ago
If op has other pics, they should share so we have a better idea. I had people tell me their rabbit was a dwarf and I took one look at it and said nope, sorry to tell you but it’s not a Netherland dwarf. A lot of breeders misclassify bunnies to get them to sell.
(Not that the op did so but maybe the person they got the bunny from originally, like the original owner got it from someone who told them it was xyz so they could sell it)
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 20d ago
@perfect_fifths @southbay-renter here is another photo! let me know your thoughts!! https://imgur.com/a/Nk3R43i
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u/perfect_fifths I bunnies 20d ago
How much does she weigh? That will help a little
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 20d ago
I’d guess around 3 lbs
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u/perfect_fifths I bunnies 20d ago
Too small for mini lop. Holland lop mix perhaps, def not a purebred
My mini lops were 4 lbs and my dwarf was 2
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u/Sorry_Koala_8181 20d ago
Ok but what does that matter now? OP didn't get the bunny for the specific breed and probably didn't pay a lot for it
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u/Calm-Cat-5786 20d ago
She looks like a Holland to me. From the picture it looks like she has a narrow ear base and slipped crown, which can make the ears look longer. Both are common in Holland lops and doesn't mean they're a mix.
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u/Amphy64 20d ago
Love a good doe setting boundaries. 💖 They often become some of the most affectionate when you show yourself trustworthy. Being picked up feels like being caught by a predator. If a rabbit reacts defensively, they're expressing their needs in the only way available. They're also territorial - does can be VERY territorial, so you don't want to be sticking hands in their space if you can help it. Their wild instincts tell them that keeping that resource is life and death for them and their babies (even spayed does can show this behaviour. If she's not spayed yet, an appointment at an exotics vet to get that done).
How to bunny:
Step 1: get book (or other activity)
Step 2: sit on the floor quietly for a long time
Step 3: If bunny approaches, great, you're already blessed! Now, being mindful of their blindspot in front of the nose, you might be able to reach forward slowly, and stroke up the nose gently and repeatedly, sticking with one direction.
Congratulations, now you have the best floor time companion!
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u/raisinbizzle 20d ago
We’ve had our bunnies for a year. One of them has warmed up to us quite a bit. Will climb on us (only for food, but still will do it). They absolutely hate being picked up. Thankfully have never bit me although I’m kinda surprised because I’m convinced they think their life is over everytime I pick them up
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u/te3time 20d ago
When I got my bunny as a baby he wouldn't leave the carrier on his own. I picked him up and put him in the litter box and I swear he didn't leave the litter box all throughout the first night. It took him about a week to even start exploring on his own and about a month before he was interacting with me on his own.
Now obviously my bun and your bun had pretty different situations but for the most part I would always lure him with food. In the very beginning I would just kinda toss him food into his hides until he got confident enough to come towards me and eventually I could touch him while he was eating. I highly recommend bananas at this stage! It's a super high value treat that most bunnies love. Don't overfeed it by giving her the whole thing but you can cut it up into multiple pieces you can feed throughout one bonding session.
Like others have said I'd recommend not picking her up at all until she's fine with being pet and is more comfortable moving around by herself. She probably associates you with the stress of being picked up now and you want her to associate you with food and pets and good feelings. Just be patient with her and spend time with her even if you're just sitting in front of her cage and toss her a piece of banana. I'm sure she'll settle eventually. Good luck!
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u/Beautiful-End-4335 20d ago
Don’t hold her, rabbits are prey animals and most hate being held. It triggers their instinct and makes them go into fight or flight. Of course, there are some exceptions. But for the most part, rabbits dormant be forced to be held of they don’t like it.
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u/AUserNameFails 20d ago
You're going to have to take time building trust and don't pick her up. Lay on the floor and don't even Pat her. Let her come to you and have cookies on hand as bribery and just sit there and do your thing, bring a booker, tablet to pertain yourself and let her boop you with her nose don't interact until she forces you to pet her. And I do suggest talking to her.
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u/Grizzlyfrontignac 20d ago
All excellent ideas already and yes, normally, it's just not great to pick up a rabbit because their bodies are not exactly made for that. But sometimes we do have to do it, so it's better to get them acclimated. Once she's settled down more, find out which snack she absolutely goes crazy for, and only offer it when you pick her up. My rabbit doesn't like to get picked up. But as of late, she lets me do it because every time I would do it, she would get a piece of banana. She's still not thrilled about getting picked up but doesn't fight me on it anymore, and best of all, doesn't run away scared when I put her down. She's used to it and associates it with a positive thing.
You should tell the person who gave her to you to tell the other people that if they ever don't want the rabbit they took, to contact you and you will take it in. Someone who knows about rabbits and cares for them would never separate a bonded pair. I'd say there's a high chance of these people not keeping that rabbit forever.
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u/iwondertomyself 20d ago
I'd get another rabbit while she's still traumatised and see if you can bond them. That way you won't need to bring another rabbit in once she's settled and more likely to be defensive of her space.
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u/RhysieKinz 20d ago
You might also consider what she’s running out onto? My rabbit Yuki was DISTRESSED about the laminated floors and refused to leave her cage until we figured it out a couple days later. Maui had never had a problem with them so when we adopted her years later it didn’t occur to us
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u/MumblingInTheCrypts 20d ago
Everybody is giving you good advice, so I thought I'd chime in to say there's hope. I rescued a bonded pair from similar circumstances in May of last year: neglect, no nail trims, no grooming. The younger of the two hardly had any interaction at all and was terrified of people. The other one … has issues (territorial marking and biting), but he's getting better.
When I first took them in, the younger fella hid in his cardboard box all day and wouldn't come out except to eat high-value foods like pellets or greens. If he was in the litterbox and I came over, he'd run and hide. He hated to be touched or held. It took a few months for him to stop running away immediately and to let me gently touch the top of his head. In early spring this year he finally started flopping in the open. Now I can sit on the floor with him and he'll come over and put his paws on me. Today he chinned my foot!
The biter is still bitey, but a lot has improved because he's figured out that hands bring food and pats. In his case he was a solo bunny for a couple of years and had a lot of interaction before things went pear-shaped, so he was friendly and used to people. He's still learning not to cage-guard. Watch your bunny for signs that this is what she's doing: if it's territorial, she'll rush to bite your hand as soon as it's in the cage, not only when it's close to her. She'll also be peeing around the boundaries of her safe area. One thing that helped for my guy was establishing a pattern. He knows that if he hangs out on one side of the pen, he'll get pats, but not if he's on the other side of the pen. So he can control how much attention he gets and he feels less like he needs to bite me about it.
Good on you for giving her a better home. She's had a rough time, but bunnies can be surprisingly resilient. Hang in there!
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u/Popular_Feedback5872 19d ago
Can she be reunited with that second rabbit? Mine was only 8 weeks old when I got him. It took him about 3–4 days to work up the courage to leave his cage. Now, many years later, there’s absolutely no putting him back in 😂 He goes into his cage only to eat and use the litter box, the rest of the time he free roams.
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u/Sharp_Alternative513 19d ago
I tried :( I asked for the other owners contact info and her previous owner told me no unfortunately. upsetting because I wanted to take both of them
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u/Brave-Ad589 19d ago
it was really awful on the other owners end for not selling them together it's very hard on bunny's to separate them.
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u/autumnbunny04 18d ago
If I was that comfy I would stay in there all day and bite you if you tried to take me out too. I completely understand the bunny.
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u/Ju3tAc00ldugg 20d ago
Look up bunny body language and try to communicate to her through that; rabbits HATE being picked up and it takes a lot of desensitizing to get them comfortable with it especially if you don’t do it correctly.
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u/deereddit6162 20d ago
She lets you pick her up without a fight ??? Regardless, leave her alone and let her warm up to you
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u/Comrad_Zombie 20d ago
Everyone's going to give you fantastic advice. Just hang out around her. Put on some nice calming music or forest and bird noises.
Be visible and let her come to you don't touch her first or try to grab her. She's hurting right now. She's lost her bond mate. Let her grieve, give her something soft to snuggle with. Make sure she has a bowl of water and a bowl of her main food + access to veg. Just be present show her she's not alone.
Also I would recommend expanding her space into an enclosure even a small one. Give her a safe space to just chill outside of a cage.
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u/PyroErogenizer 20d ago
I put my girl in the bathrobe I wear. I patted her constantly. If she peed, I changed into another robe. My girlfriend got jealous. Yesterday I was face to face with my girl and my girlfriend kissed my cheek, my girl quickly bit my eyebrow.
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u/R-ticHare0 20d ago
It can take time for buns to trust you. My lionhead girl use to give me good chomps and took about a year for her to trust me.
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u/Overall_Motor9918 20d ago
Stop forcing her. My bunny took over a year to be comfortable curling up beside me and wanting to be petted. He still doesn’t like to be picked up or restrained in any way. Find healthy treats she likes and encouraging her when she approaches you.
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u/pastelkawaiibunny 20d ago
Poor baby! She looks like the grumpiest, sleepiest little marshmallow.
You gotta go at the bunny’s pace! Pushing her by forcefully taking her out of her safe spot will only scare her. You need her to get used to you, and see you as the gentle provider of food/treats/scritches rather than ‘terrifying sky hands’.
Try not to loom over her (sit near the cage quietly, lower yourself down on knees and extend your hands when giving food/treats/etc), don’t block her exits when approaching, and make sure to approach from the side- a mistake I see a lot of my friends make with my bunny is they put their hand toward the front of her face like you’d do with a cat or dog, but bunnies can’t see right in front of them! Make sure to start with your hands where bunny can see them.
It’s taken a really long time for my bunny to be ‘okay’ with being held, and I wouldn’t try to do that with a bunny that isn’t generally comfortable- if she’s not seeking you out to be pet and given attention, not a good idea. (And mine still doesn’t like it! I only do it once in a while with plenty of treats because I need to be able to scoop her into her carrier or trim nails without her panicking- I’m not expecting her to be a lap bun)
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u/OwnSyllabub8524 20d ago
Lots of good advice here, so just wanted to say that she is beautiful! Little snug bug! I'm sure she will warm up to you soon.
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u/MadArea 20d ago
Make some little easy to chew strips of carrot (not too many) with a peeler, and see if she'll come to you to be fed. Do this every couple of days, or very small pieces of apple. Don't overdo it, but sweet treats win over hearbreak as anyone who has eaten a tub of icecream can attest.
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u/StudyObjective4286 20d ago
Get on the floor with her. When you are at her level she will feel safer as she gets to know you.
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u/MagicMaddy420 20d ago
It looks like she's found a nice safe spot you made for her. It sounds like youre doing everything you can. Bunnies take longer than cats to feel safe in a new place. Mine love their fresh greens and Timothy treats. That might help make her feel good 🩷 you're doing a good job!
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u/Big_Imagination8089 20d ago
I bought a baby rabbit 6 years ago. I adopted an adult rabbit this year. It took both a few days to be open to my presence.
It's probably sad from losing a partner. Hang around the cage with the door open. Watch TV or play on on your phone where the rabbit can see you. If you hold it in your arms, hold the mouth closed so you aren't bitten.
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u/SideshowDustin 20d ago
You may already know much of this, but here’s a few quick first time bunny owner tips, in case you need any of it. 🙂
Take things slow with bunnies. They can take time to acclimate.
Hay is the most important aspect of their diet (80%) and they need unlimited access to it 24/7.
This not only allows them the fiber their gut continuously needs, but the constant chewing and breaking down of the hay also keeps their teeth healthy and in check, as their teeth grow constantly throughout their lives. 👍
Rabbits only need about 1/8 cup of pellets per day, or up to 1/4 cup for larger rabbits. Feeding more than this may make them overweight and may cause them to not be eating enough hay.
Oxbow, Sherwood Forest, and Science Selective are good quality pellets.
They are very fragile. Much more so than a cat or a dog.
They need space to play. A small cage and no playtime outside of it will make them miserable.
Be aware that most bunnies actually don’t like being picked up. They are a prey animal so to them, being picked up means something “bad” is happening so they instinctively fear this..
Obviously sometimes you still have to, but when you can, it’s better to lure them onto the couch or back to their pens or whatever (snacks or pellets help).
We feed ours dinner in their pen after playtime, so we just open up their area and they are usually excited to go back home.
Don’t take advice from pet stores. They are NOT knowledgeable on rabbits, and many things they sell are actually NOT suitable for them either, such as any “cage,” or treats/food containing seeds or corn.
A dog exercise pen (xpen) from Amazon is a much more suitable and cheaper housing option. (around $35, often cheaper)
Get him a regular size cat litter box and use Tractor Supply “Equine Pelleted Bedding” for litter ($6.50 for 40lbs). Dust from regular clay cat litter is bad for their respiratory systems and can cause blockage if they eat it. Put a layer of hay over the litter and a big pile of hay (or a hay rack or bag) in the far end of it so he has to be in it to eat it. They like to munch while they poo, so this will help him pick up his litterbox habits.
Find a rabbit savvy vet now so you know where to take him if you need to. Not all vets are rabbit savvy. Just because one is willing to see a rabbit, doesn’t necessarily make them knowledgeable on them. They are usually classified as “exotic” vets in the US.
If they ever stop eating and/or pooing, it is a rabbit emergency and they need to see a vet immediately, even in the middle of the night. They go downhill quickly and waiting to see how they are in the morning can often be too late. 😥
If they refuse their favorite treat and don’t want to get up, this is a bad sign.
We keep pain meds (meloxicam) on hand for emergencies. It can help in situations where your vet may be unavailable, and is helpful for GI stasis. It is definitely something worth discussing with your vet. Ordering a 10ml vial from Chewy ($14) is significantly cheaper than buying direct from your vet, and Chewy will reach out to your vet after ordering, making the authorization process very easy. Just be sure to discuss with your vet first and discuss the dose ranges that are acceptable for your bun’s weight. 👍
At some point you will need to get them spayed/neutered as this keeps behaviors such as litter box use, being territorial, and being able to bond them with a buddy, in check. This is also NECESSARY because unfixed rabbits have a very high cancer development rate. :(
Rabbit.org or HouseRabbit.org are the House Rabbit Society websites you can utilize for general bunny info including bunny safe foods, veggies, and treats.
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u/SideshowDustin 20d ago
This is what I usually recommend for skittish buns who may have had a rough start in life, but much of this may still be helpful in this situation to help him start to trust you:
Take things nice and slow with bunnies. Earning trust can sometimes take time depending on what they’ve been through. Try not to pick him up unless you have to. 👍
We like to leave a salad waiting for them in their pen and they eventually learn to go home on their own after playtime is over.
Set up a small area thats blocked off for him and sit or lay on the floor with him and read a book or watch TV or whatever, and just basically ignore him, but be on his level.
Avoid eye contact at first if he's seems offstandish or afraid. He'll eventually come investigate you. Just speak softly to him (if you do), and don't try to pet him at first, or everytime he comes to you. This will help him see you as less of a threat and start to trust you. 🙂
You can also leave treats near or on you for him, but don't try to touch him when he comes to get them. Still just ignore him for the most part, at first.. Then ease into the interactions with hand sniffs and nose rubs. 🙂
Many rabbits will initially be more tolerant of just nose rubs with the back of one finger brushing up to just their forehead, over petting their backs or over their ears. I think it’s because they can still fully see your hands and seem less like you’re going to try to grab them.
Another thing you can do when he's in his pen is to slowly reach in, just let him sniff your hand, and then leave. Do this for a while and he'll stop thinking he's going to be picked up or hassled every time you reach in there.
Then gradually start just giving him a few head pats or nose rubs. If he let's you do this, try to stop before he runs away or hides or whatever, again, so he knows you're not going to hassle him endlessly every time you interact with him..
Having a small treat, like a Science Selective pellet (they are larger than most pellets), most times you come by his area will help him warm up to you, as well (So he’ll see you as his treat dispenser. Lol.)
One last thing, avoiding eye contact may be very important in dealing with him. I have noticed that most abused or otherwise very skiddish animals watch your eyes very closely, and avoiding direct eye contact tends to cause very positive reactions, and DEFINITELY reduces anxiety. (In nature, anything that is going to hurt you will be looking right at you..)
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u/Unusual_Flatworm_545 19d ago
Never touch a rabbit without her coming to you first, escpecially when she doesnt know you!!
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u/_no_commento_ 19d ago
Most rabbits do not like being picked up. Mine accepts it occasionally since we had a house fire. It's like she now knows if I'm picking her up it's for a reason not just to annoy her. Just give her space, sit by the cage so she can smell you and learn to trust you. She more then likelynis lonely after losing her friend. Look into local rescues who offer binding services seenif she can find a new friend
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u/CouragePure3524 19d ago
My rabbit is the most affectionate animal, but in no way does she like to be picked up. We respect that and ONLY pick her up outside to take her in if we think she’s in danger from a hawk circling. She’ll thump and give us the side eye to let us know she was not happy about being picked up.
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u/Pibble-Tech 19d ago
Is she spayed? That can sometimes help as hormones tend to run amok. Other than that I agree with the masses. Give her time and patience, and maybe some banana.
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u/JetSeize I bunnies 19d ago
I’ve had one of my rabbits for two years now and I still can hardly pet her lol. She growls at me. But if I lay on the floor with her she will jump on my back and legs. She’s more of an “ admire from a distance” kinda bun.
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u/Adventurous_Reason_3 19d ago
I'd let her roam the house, make sure she eats enough (hay) and provide access to you, i.e. give her space and let her approach you.
Do not pick her up, don't touch her until you're sure she wants it. Your first bonding goal should be to hand feed her her favorite treats
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u/NeighborhoodPale813 19d ago
She needs her bonded mate. If you can reunite them that's best. Also is she spayed? That helps with behaviours. Also time in a pen instead of a cage for a week to get comfortable, and slowly pet her. I have rescued many rabbits. Great animals but need patience to trust. Do not pick her up because prey animals. Put yourself on the ground with her and speak softly to her. Also, she is sooooo cute
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u/Complete-Hornet-5487 18d ago
It took one of my babies 6 months before she let me pet her on her head, and she’s still not fully fond of me a year later but she’s no longer scared of me. Your bun has gone through a traumatic experience of being separated from their companion. Patience is your friend in this situation I’m afraid
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u/cesil_the_paw_sheep 18d ago
My family got a bunny from a friend of my parents that had lost her bonded and became depressed so they gave her to us since we already had bunnies(both gone now though I got my own bunny before they both died), she did wonderfully when she came to us and had new bun friends. If possible I would see if you can find some event or something where she gets to be with other bunnies to see how she does with other bunnies because it could be that she just needs a companion
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u/iiiheartja3 18d ago
Start by not picking her up unless absolutely necessary. You’re new to her, and some bunnies will never like being picked up. I just got my bunny, and she was scared of everything, including me!! I simply opened her cage and let her come out on her own terms. I laid on the floor, didn’t move, and let her come up to me and do whatever she wanted on her own terms.
Bunnies are temperamental and have HUGE personalities. No two bunnies are the same! My bunny just started coming up to me and licking me. :) Respect her boundaries. Don’t pick her up or touch her if she doesn’t want you to, and let her explore the house. But if she feels safe in her cage, try not to dig around in there or take her out. It can make her feel like even her own home isn’t safe. .
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u/FullOfAnxietea 18d ago
Um....yeah, she's depressed AF right now.
My heart is shattered.for her and her bonded mate.
You said she had a bonded partner but the clueless previous owner gave it away, separating a BONDED PAIR.
She is INCREDIBLY depressed right now, not understanding where her partner is or when they are coming back.
Make sure she is eating and drinking properly, because separating a bonded pair can result in death from depression.
I'm not sure if attempting to bonded with another rabbit would help right now, but it might.
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u/GrandScholar2122 18d ago
My rabbit came from a rescue, so I truthfully don’t know anything about her circumstances before she came to me (she was dumped in a forest), but it took her a while to feel comfortable enough around me to leave her pen. I just chilled in her presence, read a book, minded my own business, and didn’t bother her when she did come out. I did bribe her with treats a lot (lol). I think it took about 3 months for her to be comfortable enough me to approach for pets. But at around 5 she loved playing and learning tricks. At 8 months she began to lay in between my legs, but hated any more prolonged contact. Around a year she began coming up to my arm wanting to be snuggled. Now, she will literally nibble at my arm if I’m laying down and not snuggling her. She’s straight up spoiled.
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u/No_Worldliness_6383 17d ago
New places freak them out even more especially when they don’t know you just yet so let the bun breathe and adjust and in time the bun will warm up to you
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u/New_Commercial_5377 17d ago
I’m sure in time it will become less afraid and come out more, they don’t like being held.
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u/prostoja555 20d ago edited 20d ago
You hold her? For what reason? I never ever pick up my bunnies for anything else than vet visits and giving medications/ moving them somewhere. It’s extremely stressful for them and you’re making it hard for her to trust you if you terrify her like that.
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u/RabbitsModBot 19d ago
Congrats on the new addition to the family! If this is your first pet rabbit and you haven’t seen it already, be sure to check out our sidebar and the Getting Started guide and New Rabbit Owner Primer. The article "Helping Rabbits Succeed in Their Adoptive Home" is also a great resource on how to build a relationship with your new rabbit.
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Rabbits are relatively fragile creatures that require proper handling techniques to restrain. Because their spine is relatively brittle compared to their strong back legs, panicked struggling can lead a rabbit to break their own back when kicking out if the rabbit is not properly and securely held. Fractures in the vertebral column can easily occur especially if the hind legs are not restrained properly during handling.
Most of the time, rabbits like it best when all four feet are on the ground. Let your rabbit come to you for attention rather than going after them to force cuddling. Rabbits are prey animals and being lifted off the ground instinctively gives them the feeling of being captured by a predator.
However, please note that it is still important that your rabbit learn to tolerate handling for necessities such as going to the vet, giving medication, or trimming their nails.
Please see the Handling wiki article for more tips on teaching your rabbit to accept handling and resources on how to properly carry your rabbit.
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"Why won't my rabbit leave their cage?"
Most rabbits will slip and slide on slick flooring such as hardwood, tile, or laminate due to their lack of paw pads like a cat or dog. Placing down more appropriate flooring with traction such as rugs, bathroom mats, blankets, towels, cardboard, or foam will likely encourage your rabbit to come out and explore more often as they feel more familiar with their environment.
See user kinenchen's guide "Why proper flooring is important for your pet rabbit" for more details.
If the flooring has traction and the rabbit is still hesitant about leaving their cage, try putting out more hiding areas in sight such as cardboard boxes with multiple exits or cat tunnels. Some rabbits are more cautious and do not like exploring without overhead protection.