Help with my house rabbit?

Question

I have had a house rabbit for about a month. He is about 4 months old. He isn't unfriendly but I don't feel like he likes me very much. he'll let me stroke him, but doesn't let me pick him up, he runs so i can't hold onto him. Also he has started chewing the skirting boards and cupboards even though he has alot of toys, how can I stop him doing this? And how can I make him let me pick him up etc? Are there any games that i can play to help me bond with him? Any suggestions would be great, thanks x

Answer 1

Many rabbits absolutely HATE to be held, and it's quite dangerous to hold onto a kicking rabbit, they can snap their very delicate spines.  I mean, think about it.  They are prey animals, you are probably 20 times his size, and here you come grabbing him and picking him off the ground.  He's probably waiting to find out when he becomes lunch!  Most people will have a much better relationship with their bunny if they DON'T pick them up when not absolutely necessary.  Instead, come to his level, sit on the floor, and interact with him there without restraining him or picking him off the ground.  Yes, there are many who tolerate being picked up, and a very rare few that seem to enjoy it, but for the most part, they don't like it and I would avoid doing it, since obviously he doesn't like it.  If he's always been like that, neutering won't change his aversion to being held.  However it will help to eliminate any territorial urine spraying he develops as he gets a little older and will head off territorial aggression as well.  

Answer 2

Rabbits are creatures of the wild.  They are NOT domesticated.  If he let you pick him up without aiming pee at your eye, you are doing great!  The other behaviours you mentioned are typical of rabbits.  They don't particularly care for humans, but with careful handling can become somewhat tamer.  

My daughter had a caged wild buck rabbit for many years.  They are very hard to keep indoors.  Sam used to terrorize the cat when he finally succeeded in getting into the pen at her dad's house.  Instead of the cat chasing the rabbit, it was the other way around.

Answer 3

Are any of his toys chew sticks or something like that he can chew on? Rabbits have to chew on something. I'd try carrots to bait him with and pet him while he's eating on the carrot you're holding. Most rabbits dislike being picked up, they feel like their falling and will struggle. Pick him up and quickly put him against your chest so he'll feel secure.

Answer 4

I have a rabbit myself so I know exactly what your talking about. Rabbits are very skittish animals because they are prey animals. They are very lovable, affectionate, and social creatures but even though they're domesticated they still have certain instincts thats why they don't like to be held. So if your bunny doesn't like to be held I wouldn't try to pick him up and  wouldn't chase after him. He'll get used to you and you'll see how affectionate he'll become, bunnies starve for attention. I've had my bunny for years and she'll sit on my lap all day if i let her, she actually follows me around and nudges me until i pet her but even then she doesn't like to be held.

As for the chewing, bunnies LOVE to chew. My bunny would chew everything so you sort of just need to "bunny proof" the room. Cover certain things or build little barriers.You really need to watch him because sometimes it can be dangerous like chewing electric cords or some thing he can choke on.

I would neuter your bunny. I think it makes them friendlier and is a lot healthier as bunnies tend to get cancer in their reproductive organs. I take my rabbit to the vet once a year and she's spayed. You just want to make sure its a vet who specializes in rabbits.

Good Luck and enjoy you bunny.

Answer 5

make sure he has CHEW things - like an branch from an apple tree..

you need to pick it up and hold it more.. this is the only thing that works.. lots of holding... this is one very good point

if you got it from a pet store it will take more work than if you got it from a private breeder..

Answer 6

One thing can change your rabbits habits really quick is to find a house friendly rabbit or family. Then introduce your rabbit to it. As far as training rabbits, they train like cats. Which means if one rabbit does something, and he is introduced to rabbits that don't. The other rabbits will follow the odd man out.

We have a 4 year old rabbit. We have had him for 3.75 of those years. It took us 2 years to fully train them, but now any new rabbits we get quickly become like the first. Our friend just got a rabbit, we let our rabbit play with their rabbit for about 3~4 months, and now it acts like our rabbit too. We spayed her 3 years ago, I suggest not spaying your rabbit until they are 1 year of age. So, they can become dominate/ sub-dominate. This creates the family chain a rabbit is used to.

So, if you're having troubles with your rabbit it can either take a long time to train them, or you need to find a friend that has a rabbit trained like you want your to be.