There are lots of ways that you can tell if a rabbit is comfortable with you, or safe for that matter. To start off with here are some things NOT to do: * Do not allow children to be unsupervised with an animal. * Do not allow children to pick up an animal – ever! * Do not encourage rabbits to act as lap warmers.
* Do not let an animal sit on your head or shoulders.
Here are some tips on what to do instead: * Always take it slow when approaching a new rabbit (or even one you’ve had for years). Don’t expect them to come right over and accept affection; they may take weeks or even months before they finally trust you enough for this kind of attention.
If you go at their speed, not yours, they’ll be more comfortable and happy. * Keep your hands out of reach as much as possible, and only interact with the rabbit if he or she approaches you first.
Let them come to you! Scared rabbits can bite even when fully relaxed, but generally speaking, rabbits will let you know before it gets to that point. Rabbits generally do NOT like being grabbed unless they’re used to it (and even then sometimes).
* Do not pick up an animal without warning – always put a hand out for them to sniff first and let them get comfortable with this before proceeding further. You may need to sit on the floor for an extended period of time; again keeping your hands away from them. * House rabbits need lots of exercises, so spend time running around the room with them jumping over your feet, or doing other games that will get them moving.
FAQS
Q: Can rabbits be potty trained?
A. Rabbits cannot be potty trained in the sense that a dog or cat can be, but you can create a designated area for them to use by placing hay and a litter box in that spot. Most rabbits will instinctively go to the bathroom in the same place, so this makes things a lot easier.
Q: Can rabbits be trained to come when called?
A. Some rabbits can be trained to come when called, but it takes a lot of patience and time. You’ll need to start with basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down and then gradually increase the difficulty level. Rewarding your rabbit with tasty treats will further encourage them to be obedient.
Q: Can rabbits go outside?
A. There are some bunnies who do enjoy going for walks on a leash, but most of the time they’ll want to stick close to home. When letting your pet outside make sure that you always have them on their leash so you can keep them safe from strangers and other animals.
Q: Why does my rabbit have red, swollen eyes?
A. Sometimes rabbits get dust in their eyes from walking around on a floor that’s covered with hay or straw. You can clean this up by giving the animal a massage with some damp cotton balls or pieces of cloth. If you suspect an infection, give your vet a call.
Q: Can rabbits be house trained?
A. When getting a new pet it’s important to make sure that they know where the proper spots are for them to do their business. To house train your rabbit you’ll want to keep them in one room (preferably with hard flooring) and place a litter box in that area. After they eat or drink make sure to take them to their box so they get the idea.
Q: My rabbit doesn’t seem interested in eating hay, what can I do?
A. Some rabbits will refuse to eat hay if they get bored with it. You might need to switch up the type of hay you’re using and also try mixing in some different treats. Sometimes these changes will pique your pet’s interest and they’ll start grazing again like normal.
Q: My rabbit is always chewing on things, what can I do?
A. It might seem like your bunny gets into everything and chews through anything he or she can, but this is actually a natural behavior. Rabbits need to chew on things in order to keep their teeth healthy and trim. You can try giving them different toys to chew on or even put some electrical tape around dangerous areas of your furniture.
Conclusion
Rabbits can be a lot of fun to have as a pet, but you’ll need to do your research before getting one. Most rabbits are very active and will want lots of room to run around in, so that’s something to keep in mind if you live in an apartment or other type of small space.
They also don’t like being handled by people they don’t know, so make sure your rabbit is comfortable around you before reaching out and grabbing it.
Also Read: Will a Momma Rabbit Remove a Dead Baby from Nest?
[…] Also Read: How do you know if a rabbit is comfortable with you? […]