Let 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???

 

[Nancy McClelland]

some like the company and are lap rabbits, but, they are mostly the exception not the rule. We hold ours for a little bit when we take them out just so they don't struggle and squirm and then let them come to us when they want attention. Who ever wrote that "curiosity killed the cat", was never around bunnies which are the nosiest creatures on earth.

 

[SweetSassy]

All bunnies are different.Some are cuddly, some aren't. I would let him explore and do his thing and let him come back to you. Let him know he can trust you. If you try to force it, he may not trust you anymore and may want to run from you.

 

[tonyshuman]

Yup, I have seen a lot of bunnies come through our shelter, and very few are the kind that love to be picked up and cuddled. However, most of them do like to be petted--but you have to come to them, and let them sit on the floor while you pet them gently. Most bunnies love to be petted and cuddled with while they have 4 feet on solid ground--it makes them feel safer. They especially like to have their heads petted, running your hand from between the eyes toward the ears.

Check out this site for more info on bunny communication/understanding what they want from you.

http://language.rabbitspeak.com/

Bunnies do need a lot of exercise. Depending on cage size, they need up to 4 hours of run time a day.

 

[juliew19673]

I agree with all - most buns LOVE to have the nose/cheeks rubbed, but to be actually held, sit on your lap - not so much.. But if you lay on the floor with them (at their level) they will like to be held next to you and cuddled..

after somtime you might find the "lap bun" but give them time to run around and check everything out and to find their "space" where they are comfortable to "invite" you in - then, they'll be relaxed to be cuddled.

Enjoy the process - its alot of fun if you don't push it..

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

juliew19673 wrote:

I agree with all - most buns LOVE to have the nose/cheeks rubbed, but to be actually held, sit on your lap - not so much.. But if you lay on the floor with them (at their level) they will like to be held next to you and cuddled..

after somtime you might find the "lap bun" but give them time to run around and check everything out and to find their "space" where they are comfortable to "invite" you in - then, they'll be relaxed to be cuddled.

Enjoy the process - its alot of fun if you don't push it..

ITA. Even one you've had for say 4 years, won't come to you straight off. Snuff still gets attitudes to this day. I call it a mood and a tude, haha. I have a vid of him snuggling with my friend, whose pregnant, he knows,so cute. But, if it would have been me holding him, and I let up my hands, he'sgone!

 

[Wabbitdad12]

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