Rabbits are gentle and friendly creatures that make them great pets. However, rabbits are also easily anxious creatures and need a lot of attention before they become comfortable with you. Stroking a rabbit for the first time is a process of gaining its trust. Stroking the rabbit will become easier once you gain his trust.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Approaching the Rabbit
Step 1. Let the rabbit know you're coming
Remember that rabbits are prey animals. By nature, rabbits are used to being hunted. So if you startle him, the rabbit will run away. That's why you should always give your rabbit a sign that you're approaching so he doesn't get scared.
Don't sneak behind the rabbit. If you enter a room and the rabbit has his back to you, signal him that you are inside. Speak softly or make a light “cup cup” sound. This way, your rabbit won't feel like you're sneaking up behind him
Step 2. Bend down as you approach the rabbit
A rabbit may be surprised to see something as large as you approach it, even though it knows you are there. Especially if the rabbit has a nervous disposition or is not used to being held, approach it slowly and try to keep it down. That way, you won't startle the rabbit when you get close.
Step 3. Sit down and let the rabbit approach you
Catching him violently or forcing him to approach you will frighten him and bite you. To avoid this, once you're close enough, let the rabbit come to you. Letting him move at his own pace ensures that he feels comfortable and wants to come to you. This will make it easier for you to pet, play with, and hold them.
If your rabbit is new to the house, he may be hesitant to approach you. Don't force him to come to you. Continue this process for a few days until he starts to approach you to make sure he is comfortable when you start petting him
Step 4. Extend your hand to the rabbit
Slowly move your hand toward the rabbit, hand at eye level by the side of its face. Let the rabbit sniff your hand, of its own accord. You may also want to feed your rabbit at a time like this, especially if you've just had one and he's not used to you. Hand feeding is a great exercise for bonding with your rabbit, and it will teach your rabbit that you are not a threat and that your rabbit can approach you safely.
Step 5. Avoid surprising the rabbit when you reach out
While showing your hands is part of the bonding process, you can scare your rabbit if you don't do it right. Keep the following in mind to make sure your rabbit is happy and comfortable during this process.
- Show your hand in front of the rabbit, not behind it, as you will scare the rabbit when he notices your hand approaching.
- Rabbits cannot see directly what is in front of their faces or under their jaws. Move your hand from the side so the rabbit can see it.
- Don't put your hand under the rabbit's nose. For dogs and cats, placing your hand under the jaw is a sign of giving, but not for rabbits, as the dominant rabbit will approach the other rabbit and ask to be pampered by lowering its head under the other rabbit's nose. If you approach an anxious rabbit in this way, the rabbit is likely to become even more anxious, and if you do this to a territorial or dominant rabbit, you may be bitten.
Part 2 of 2: Stroking the Rabbit
Step 1. Make sure your rabbit is comfortable before you start petting it
Keep in mind that rabbits can have a nervous disposition and won't enjoy petting if they're not ready. If your rabbit is approaching you, this is a sign that it is comfortable and ready to be petted. Until your rabbit approaches you on its own, don't try to touch it.
Step 2. Caress your rabbit in the right places
Rabbits are picky animals where they like to be touched. Rabbits like to be petted on the cheeks, forehead, shoulders, and back. These are the areas that rabbits love to cuddle with, so your rabbit will love it when you pet them in these areas. Caress these parts to keep your rabbit happy and content.
In general, don't rub your rabbit's chin. Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits don't like to rub their chins and this will get you bitten. Also avoid stroking a rabbit's belly or paws as these are sensitive areas for them
Step 3. Lift your rabbit carefully
Rabbits need to be introduced to being picked up gradually, over a few days or so. Being carried is an unusual experience for rabbits. If your rabbit has never been held before, don't pick it up right away. Read Lifting a Rabbit for an explanation of how to lift it safely.
Step 4. Pay attention to your rabbit's mood
Your rabbit will give you signals that indicate whether he is happy or not. Pay close attention to this sign. You don't want to do something your bunny doesn't like, do you?
- Purring or grinding your teeth means your rabbit is happy. Rolling over, climbing over you, putting your head on the ground, licking, and pushing you with his nose also indicate happiness and a desire for attention. Keep petting your rabbit if he does any of these things. Your bunny is having fun.
- Growling, grunting, and screeching indicate fear or pain. Stop petting and lay your rabbit down until he relaxes again.
- Rabbits also sometimes stand on their hind legs and raise their front paws as if to punch you. This is a defensive stance and you should abandon your rabbit if he does this.
- If your rabbit turns around and tries to walk away, let him go. He may be tired or scared, and forcing him to play will make things worse. Let him return to his cage and rest before playing again.
Step 5. Carefully return your rabbit to its cage once you've finished petting it
Rabbits, especially young ones, can rebel and refuse to enter the cage. Lifting a rabbit roughly can be dangerous, so you should only force it into the cage in an emergency. Rabbits will usually go into their cage alone when they are tired. If you're in a hurry, entice the rabbit in by placing food in the cage. You also need to make sure the cage is set up properly so that your rabbit is comfortable returning to the cage.
Also don't force the rabbit out of the cage. Rabbits love to have a place to return to and rest. If you want to play or explore, the rabbit will come out by itself. Leave your rabbit alone while he is in his cage, unless you suspect he is in pain. If not, let him out when he wants to
Tips
- Always be gentle and slow, never fast and loud.
- If you're brushing your rabbit, avoid the eye area and make sure the brush is clean and soft.
- Avoid the ear and toe area before you really get to know your rabbit. Most rabbits will be frightened by a sudden touch of the ear or leg.
- Rabbits love to be petted when they are relaxed and comfortable, for example when the rabbit is lying down, gently approach him and stroke the top of his head (the part that rabbits really like). Use this as a starting point because this is when rabbits love to be petted. Be patient and the rabbit will learn to trust you.
- Keep in mind that the easier rabbit can be more difficult to train. Rabbits usually reach puberty at 2-4 months of age, and tend to be hyperactive and rebellious. In order for the rabbit to behave well, neuter the rabbit at this age. Or you can adopt a more mature rabbit so that it is calmer as you begin the training process.
- Once the rabbit has calmed down, approach him and gently pet him and let him come to you.
- Don't rush to train it. If you have a new rabbit, let it acclimate before trying to train or raise it.
Warning
- Hold the rabbit in a towel. If your rabbit jumps or falls off your arm, he is at risk of serious injury, especially a spinal cord injury, as the rabbit's instinct to kick out often causes hyperextension.
- Never bathe a rabbit unless absolutely necessary. Rabbits clean themselves like cats, but rabbits rarely need a bath. The local rabbit can't swim and bathe will stress him out and risk chills, skin irritation, hypothermia and unhappiness if you don't do it right.
- When petting a rabbit, don't force it if it doesn't want to be petted!
- Do not lift the rabbit upside down or lift its back unless you have a special relationship with it.
