My really anti social rabbits

katnanw · Jan 25, 2012

Okay....first off they're not actually anti social.... They love it when I pet them or clean their cage and stuffs. But when my friends come over / my parents drop by my room to check on them they get really scared and hide in the shoebox home I made for them, or even growl when my friends/parents start trying to pet them. I don't understand why this is happening, (for my friends, maybe so,) but my parents were always with me when we first got the rabbits so there isn't any reason for them to be scared right?
Oh when I let them out to run, they cower behind me if my parents / friends enter my room. Help me on this :?

MiniLopHop · Jan 25, 2012

This is natural rabbit behavior. Think from their point of view- everything eats them. A large mammal comes into the room that may or may not be a preditor. As a prey animal, the instinct is to hide.

You have proven to them that they can trust you. You are the source of food and nice things such as pets or play. That's why they look to you for protection. If you would like them to be more comfortable with your family, then try getting them to spend some quiet time with the rabbits. Perhaps bring the rabbits out to the family room in the evenigs to watch tv on your lap. If the room is rabbit proofed they can explore. Once they are a little more comfortable your family can try feeding them treats. Once the rabbits also associate your family with food then they shouldn't cower as much.

I have two shy bunnies and two bold bunnies. They are all comfortable with me, but I play with them daily. My husband will feed them occasionally, but only the bold bunnies will hop up to him asking for pets. The shy ones still tend to hide. Do what you can to help them feel more comfortable, but a rabbit is first and always a prey animal.

Nancy McClelland · Jan 25, 2012

Takes time to build trust.

LakeCondo · Jan 25, 2012

I'm sure they'll become more comfortable with your parents eventually, but not with the friends, so I'd limit those interactions.

katnanw · Jan 26, 2012

MiniLopHop wrote:

This is natural rabbit behavior. Think from their point of view- everything eats them. A large mammal comes into the room that may or may not be a preditor. As a prey animal, the instinct is to hide.

You have proven to them that they can trust you. You are the source of food and nice things such as pets or play. That's why they look to you for protection. If you would like them to be more comfortable with your family, then try getting them to spend some quiet time with the rabbits. Perhaps bring the rabbits out to the family room in the evenigs to watch tv on your lap. If the room is rabbit proofed they can explore. Once they are a little more comfortable your family can try feeding them treats. Once the rabbits also associate your family with food then they shouldn't cower as much.

I have two shy bunnies and two bold bunnies. They are all comfortable with me, but I play with them daily. My husband will feed them occasionally, but only the bold bunnies will hop up to him asking for pets. The shy ones still tend to hide. Do what you can to help them feel more comfortable, but a rabbit is first and always a prey animal.

Wow thanks im rabbit-proofing my living room as of now . Might take awhile cuz it's huge and messy but my room has been rabbit proofed so maybe I can get my parents to come to my room instead?

Thanks guys your replies have been very helpful. I hope my rabbits won't get scared of my parents too much after spending time with them.

Oh and also,, will they be frightened if too many people crowd in my room at any one time? Even if they have the whole room to run ? :?

LakeCondo · Jan 26, 2012

Yes, with most rabbits, the fewer people the better. But if the people are visiting you & leaving the rabbits alone & the rabbits have a box to hide in, everything should be fine.