How to socialize a bunny?

Question

I have two bunnies. One lops bunny, and one lionhead bunny. The lops ( who I have had for quite a long time ) is a great bunny. Whenever people get close she hops on up to people. I couldn't ask for a more socialized bunny. But i got another bunny ( the lionhead) to keep her company. While the two bunnies get along great, the problem i have is that the lionhead is very anti social. He doesn't bite or anything of that manner he just wont socialize at all. I've tried to coax him into socializing with treats or veggies to no effect. He doesn't like any of them even when left alone. Is there some trick to socializing a bunny I should know about? I feel that he is missing out not only on contact but maybe if I could get him out of his shell he could enjoy things more. I take the two bunnies for walks, but hes so shy I don't think he enjoys it at the level the other bunny does.

On a side note, I love my bunnies regardless of how they act, im just trying to make their lives better in any possible way I can.

Answer 1

Sounds like youre doing a good job trying to get him out of his shell. Bunnies are like people- they all have different personalities- he sounds like he is not as flambuoyant as your lop girl. Lops are just the best breed when it comes to being friendly, though.

Have you tried him out with different fruit, veggies and treats? My bunnies LOVE yoghurt drops. They will do anything for them.

You could also give him some toys to play with- maybe fill a cat treat ball with rabbit treats (i like peters nibble and gnaw), make some rabbit bon bons by wrapping treats in corn husks for your rabbit to unwrap, etc to get your lionhead to start to like new foods. The lop will probably help to settle him down and make him a bit more sociable as well. Give him some time, introduce a variety of toys and treats for him to try and good luck

Answer 2

We have two rabbits, one is mine and the other one is my sister's. My sister's is a lion haired rabbit, and both are really friendly. If your rabbit [the lion haired one] is young, they need to be handled at a young age. Try stroking him first every morning, and get him into routine of being stroked. While you stroke him, give him a little piece of fruit or veg off your hand and he will get used to you.

Answer 3

Hyia!

It was great to hear your bunnies are getting along. Most people complain about bunnies not accepting each other. Since you just got him, he's probably just shy a bit. My Netherlands Dwarf acted the same way, he just needs to be around people more often. Very few people have lionheads (pretty rare) so I can't quite define their behaviour or how long it will take to become socialized. Try to put one person at a time, two or more people might be going too fast for him. Try one person giving him a fruit or carrot in their hand (my bunnies just love bananas), and then the other until he has confidence in people.

Answer 4

Is the Lionhead Neutered? Because this helps.

You can't really " socialize a bunny,I understand you love your bunnies very much indeed. Maybe a vet check up would come in handy as sometimes pets can withdraw & act like theres something not quite right when they are in pain.

Because normally they are aggressive & shy,but as he is just shy,it has made me re-think about it.

Its either a physical problem or a mental problem,are you sure he wasn't mistreated by previous owners or breeders?

Sometimes an animal acts an odd way to try & tell use there is something not right. Or the only other thing what could be causing it is that you are maybe paying too much attention to the lop rabbit? He could already be a rabbit with tendency's to be slightly jealous towards other bunnies but maybe with you paying more attention towards the fun,playful bunny he has become more depressed. Also how old is he as he could be older than you think as older bunnies that haven't had much attention can become like your Lionhead.It depends where you live as Lionheads in the U.K are VERY common! It could be to do with breeding as well.

Hope this helps & you find out the problem with your little bunny. x*x