How long before I should let a bunny run around?

[Snowballbun]

Hi all! I just got a new bunny in December, and the pet store guy (who is trustworthy) said that I should make sure I hold and cuddle with the bunny so that it likes to be cuddled and gets used to you. He said you shouldn't let it run around for at least 4-6 weeks so that when you take it out it will want to cuddle and not want to just run away....
Well I have been letting him crawl off of me a little bit lately, like on the couch....he has been so curious to explore. But now he also doesn't want to sit on me as much...he tries to struggle to get away so that he can get on the couch.

Do you think that this will pass? I am worried that my bunny will not like to cuddle anymore???

 

[elrohwen]

Honestly, the majority of bunnies don't like to be held and cuddled. Most like to be petted, but typically on the floor and on their terms. I tried to hold my baby bunny to at least get him used to it for nail trims and things, but within a few months he was a wild man and I couldn't pick him up at all. It's a pretty typical story.

I would put your bunny down on the floor and let him explore. He's young and wants to get some exercise and see what his new home is like. Is he able to go into and out of his cage on his own? This will be the best - you can leave the cage door open and he can come out to explore during his exercise time, but go back to his cage if he's uncomfortable.

 

[Snowballbun]

Hmmmm. Yea he would let me hold him, cuddle with him, and pet him for an hour at a time. We already have trimmed his nails, so like you said I think it would be good for that. I guess I'm just kinda bummed if he won't want to because he has cuddled with me for so long (well a month now).

He can't come out of his cage when he wants because I have it on a desk. (I was worried about drafts on the floor) We have a dog, so he can't have the run of the house, BUT, I want to let him run around my room. (Although, so far when I've had the bunny out, my dog (a yellow lab) will come up and give it kisses and lick its face) I'm worried if bunny started running, the dog's instincts would kick in and it would chase it.

My boyfriend and I were going to make a pen for him 4x6 feet to put in my bedroom...So that we can take him out for some exercise. I wouldn't mind letting him have the run of the room, but I know there is bunny proofing involved. I am worried that he will get under my bed and I won't be able to get him out. Also, I wasn't sure about what to block off wires with or things like that. And...what he will chew on. Any ideas about blockading for bunnies?

 

[elrohwen]

I would still recommend picking him up occasionally and giving him treats while you hold him so that he is used to it, but definitely put him down in an area where he can run around a bit. I'm sure he'll still want to be affectionate with you, but he may not want to be held and cuddled. My bun loves to be snuggled and hugged and kissed, but only if all of his feet are on the floor. Sometimes you just have to go down to their level where they feel comfortable.

My favorite thing for bunny proofing are NIC grids (Neat Idea Cubes). Some people use them to make whole cages, but I just use them to build a fence around the edge of the room so my bun can't get to wires and books. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13652600

I think building a big pen and then letting him run around while you're supervising is a great idea! Not all buns can be free range 24/7, but most can have significant out of the cage time without being destructive or getting into trouble.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Building a pen for him to get exercise in will be good. Rabbits should be able to get out of their cage for some exercise.
No offense, but your pet store guy doesn’t sound that “trustworthy” if he’s saying that you shouldn’t let them exercise for 4-6 weeks so that they will want to cuddle… that’s probably about the exact opposite. When I take my bunnies outside after they haven’t had exercise in a while, the last thing they want to do is cuddle - they want to explore.

I think you will have better luck bonding with your rabbit if you let him have exercise time, and you can also lay down on the floor with him and he can get used to you that way. You don’t want to force him to sit with you, because then he isn’t going to enjoy it. You have to leave it up to him, and take things slowly.

Like elrohwen said, most bunnies don’t like to be cuddled/handled. They do like to be pet, though.

Hope this helps.
Emily