So, you’ve done all the research, found a cute little bun to bring home, and have built a space for them with everything and anything they might need.. And now what? Owning a pet rabbit is bound to be quite the adventure. Once you bond with your bunny, you’ll have the most loyal (and possibly mischievous) friend hopping around your home.
But before we can build a loving relationship, it’s important to understand that domestic bunnies like me are a little different from other pets. If you force us to bond with you in a way we don’t like, we can easily get stressed. And trust me, stress is not good for us.
What strategies can you use to bond with your pet rabbit? How can you build a loving relationship? I’ll explain everything you need to know in the article below!
Give us space
The golden rule of bonding with us? Taking your time! You can’t bring us home and immediately expect us to hop onto your lap. Forcing us into interaction too soon can make us scared of you, and that’s not a great start to any friendship.
Instead, try this: sit near our pen and let us come to you. Be quiet and calm – no loud noises, please! We're curious little creatures, and if you’re patient, we’ll hop over to say hello when we’re feeling brave enough.
Get down on our level
To build a bond with your pet rabbit, it’s best to get down on ground level. If you’re standing or sitting on a chair, your furry friend will only be able to interact with your legs. Imagine a giant looming over you with huge feet and grabby hands. That’s how you look to us when you’re standing up!
So, instead, sit down (or lie down) on the ground. You can sit with a book or phone and simply hang out near us. Sooner or later, your fluffy bun will get curious (we love poking our noses into everything), and it might even hop on you. It’s also a good idea to offer small treats as a reward for coming closer to you. As you may know, we’re quite the chewers, so a couple of veggies or fruits here and there might make us like you more!
Develop a routine
Did you know we buns are creatures of habit? It’s true! We feel our happiest when we have a predictable routine. In fact, it’s coded into our DNA. As prey animals, anything that happens unexpectedly can make us stressed.
One of the most essential steps in bonding with your bunny is ensuring they feel safe in their surroundings. When they feel good, they’ll also be much braver about spending time with you. Building a clear routine (for instance, feeding us at the same time each day, letting us out for our zoomies at predictable hours, and making playtime a regular thing) will make us more comfortable.
When we know what to expect, we feel more relaxed... and that means we’re more likely to hop over for some quality bonding time. Consistency goes a long way with us bunnies.
Speak softly to us
There are benefits to those big ears of ours! We can hear everything. No, really – everything. But that also means we can be easily startled by noise.
As much as possible, try to keep the noises around us to a minimum. That doesn’t mean you have to be completely silent. Instead, try speaking to us gently and softly. You can even try humming – we may enjoy it!
Remember to play with us
One of the best bits about our personalities? We’re total goofballs! While it’s fun to knock over plastic cups or toss a ball, there’s nothing better than playing with our owners. So don’t just sit back and watch as we let loose. Join the fun as well!
Your bunny will appreciate you waving their favorite chew toy near them, setting up tunnels for them to explore, or hiding treats for them to find. One of my favorite activities with my owner is hide and seek! Spoiler alert: I win every time.
Do training sessions
We’ve got brains to match our cuteness. If you wish to bond with your domestic bunny, it’s important to spend quality time together. And what better way to do that than by teaching them some tricks? This way, your bunny is not only learning how to do some seriously cool stuff, but also how to trust you.
Need ideas for training your bunny? You can teach us to come when called, jump on cue, give kisses, or even stand up for a treat!
Mimic bunny behavior
I know, I know, this can sound a bit bizarre… But a good way to bond with your domestic bunny is to copy their behaviour. While we’re quite intuitive, it’s not easy for us to understand what humans are trying to communicate to us.
By mimicking our body language (twitching your nose or giving a little head shake), you can show us that you’re feeling happy and comfortable, which gives us peace of mind.
Petting us is another form of bonding – it mimics grooming, which is how bunnies show affection. So yes, you’re allowed to give us head rubs... just wait until we ask for them.
Final thoughts
It may take a while for us to adjust when you first bring us home. Everything smells different. There are strange sounds. We don’t know who you are yet. So please, give us time! If you’re patient enough and let us come to you, we’ll become your best friend in no time.
In fact, one study found that rabbits whose humans spent more time interacting with them developed stronger bonds and showed more affectionate behavior, proving we really do notice (and love!) when you hang out with us.
Need more bunny wisdom? Hop on over to the rest of the blog!
FAQ
1. How long does it usually take to bond with a domestic bunny?
Bonding timelines can vary wildly – some bunnies warm up in a few days, while others may take weeks (or longer).
2. What are the signs that my bunny is starting to trust me?
Look out for relaxed body language like flopping, grooming themselves near you, gentle nudges, or even tooth purring. If we’re comfortable enough to eat in your presence or lie down beside you – big win!
3. Should I pick up my bunny to help us bond?
Actually, most of us don’t like being picked up – it makes us feel unsafe. Stick to ground-level interactions unless necessary.
If you’ve read this far, I know you care —
and that’s what makes all the difference for our furry friends. Thank you.
Paws and kisses,
Chester the Bunny 🐰
