Suggestions? Bunny doesn't like to be pet??? FRUSTRATED

[user 25471]

One of my 2 boys is REALLY frustrating me !! Both just about 3 months old. My Holland is beyond expectations, learning tricks and is a lover. My Lionhead is the issue. They live separately for now and I take them out for LOTS of free time (individually) and will until they are neutered. My Lion will COME to me for a treat and will sometimes "tolerate" me petting him WHILE he has his treat...he will even jump and sit on my lap for it. But any other time he just constantly walks away (or runs) if I reach to pet him. If I lay on the floor he comes and sniffs me and even jumps on me - but I cannot reach out to him - he runs. He tolerates me breifly petting him while he's in his cage but he keeps turning his head looking to see if I have a treat. If I don't - he jumps off his ledge and goes under it.... like leave me alone. I know how bunnies like to be pet - I've tried gently grabbing the little tuft on his forhead (that put my last lionhead in a trance) , long strokes down his back, tried his cheeks, and gently rubbed his ears. I get it some buns don't like "cuddlng" and being held - But I thought they all enjoyed to be pet (aside from some having experienced traumatic upbringing) but I am not sure I want to open and share my household , the expense of neutering, possible Vet bills up the wazoo if he ever has dental issues (been there) - if there's no future for us!! Any suggestions on how to proceed. I am willing to put some time in - just don't know what to try !

 

[Hermelin]

Not all rabbit like being petted, try to pet him when he’s in the mode to get spoiled. Like after playing, after food time and so on.

I have 2 rabbits that will only cuddle when they are in the mood and that’s after all their energy are out. But it’s better when the rabbit come with their own self and want cuddles.

My indoor rabbit free roams and will tell when he want to be petted and get attention otherwise he will avoid you.

It’s the same with my outdoor bun, he will most of the time run away but during specific time he will want cuddles and then fall asleep.

 

[user 25471]

I guess timing should play into it a little - they can be busy bodies..... but aside from that , what's so bad about being pet? !! .... I don't think any house pet should shy away . Only grown adults in this household, not children poking at him. Has anyone had a bunny like this that warmed up after acting like this? (...I'm hoping to hear some encouragement lol) Any techniques anyone used that helped?

 

[Hermelin]

The rabbit I have that often shy away and run away when seeing a hand it’s because of bad experience. But your rabbit it’s still a kit and will soon get hormonal. When you get a better bond with him, he will like being petted.

My indoor rabbit first became cuddle and allowed petting around 4-5 months. My indoor rabbit as a kit when he was allowed to run up on the couch and bed. He often hid away from humans and always avoided humans before.



You only need to keep on bonding with him and become closer. You will later have a cuddly bun after a bit of work.

Never had a rabbit that doesn’t like being petted and cuddle, all my rabbits have been clingy except the one I recently bought but he loves cuddling and petting.

 

[user 25471]

The rabbit I have that often shy away and run away when seeing a hand it’s because of bad experience. But your rabbit it’s still a kit and will soon get hormonal. When you get a better bond with him, he will like being petted.

My indoor rabbit first became cuddle and allowed petting around 4-5 months. My indoor rabbit as a kit when he was allowed to run up on the couch and bed. He often hid away from humans and always avoided humans before.

View attachment 40348

You only need to keep on bonding with him and become closer. You will later have a cuddly bun after a bit of work.

Never had a rabbit that doesn’t like being petted and cuddle, all my rabbits have been clingy except the one I recently bought but he loves cuddling and petting.

(So there's hope !) ...... That picture is So ADORABLE BTY !!! How completely Sweet

 

[somebunnylovesme]

Some bunnies are more independent and are more of a busy body type than others. I'm not trying to generalize breeds, a friend of mine had a lion head and went through the same issues.

 

[zuppa]

One of my 2 boys is REALLY frustrating me !! Both just about 3 months old. My Holland is beyond expectations, learning tricks and is a lover. My Lionhead is the issue. They live separately for now and I take them out for LOTS of free time (individually) and will until they are neutered. My Lion will COME to me for a treat and will sometimes "tolerate" me petting him WHILE he has his treat...he will even jump and sit on my lap for it. But any other time he just constantly walks away (or runs) if I reach to pet him. If I lay on the floor he comes and sniffs me and even jumps on me - but I cannot reach out to him - he runs. He tolerates me breifly petting him while he's in his cage but he keeps turning his head looking to see if I have a treat. If I don't - he jumps off his ledge and goes under it.... like leave me alone. I know how bunnies like to be pet - I've tried gently grabbing the little tuft on his forhead (that put my last lionhead in a trance) , long strokes down his back, tried his cheeks, and gently rubbed his ears. I get it some buns don't like "cuddlng" and being held - But I thought they all enjoyed to be pet (aside from some having experienced traumatic upbringing) but I am not sure I want to open and share my household , the expense of neutering, possible Vet bills up the wazoo if he ever has dental issues (been there) - if there's no future for us!! Any suggestions on how to proceed. I am willing to put some time in - just don't know what to try !

I brushed their coat every evening, they feel physical contact, they understand that I am taking care of them, and they learn that I can move them the way I need, I did slowly, talking nicely to them, they were more relaxed after that.

 

[user 25471]

Some bunnies are more independent and are more of a busy body type than others. I'm not trying to generalize breeds, a friend of mine had a lion head and went through the same issues.

That does seem to be more the case "busy body" than actually afraid. Did their bun get better over time? My daughters Lion Head is the same way - though she isn't around him as much as I am mine - and I was hoping that would make the difference.

 

[brandiallyn]

My rabbit, Beatrice, is still pretty young and she mostly tolerates petting; she doesn't really seek it out. I think she is just so hyper and interested in everything around her that she doesn't want to be still to be cuddled. I've been working with getting her used to human touch by petting her when she eats (the only time she is really still!) Just keep it up and be patient; maybe continue petting him when he's eating as you have been doing to reinforce it as a positive experience. As long as he isn't actually acting aggressively, I wouldn't be too concerned. Sometimes it just takes a longer amount of time for bunnies to warm up to the idea of being touched regularly.

 

[Crazybunnylady27]

I recently acquired a male lionhead that had spent the first 10 months of his life in a shed. He was very shy, easily startled, hated petting etc

I've had him 2 months now and he is a different rabbit. He still enjoys his own space at times and will walk off if he's busy - rather than running away like he used to. However, he doesn't duck away from my hand anymore and comes to me if I sit down and call him. I've had to syringe feed him antibiotics for awhile now due to an infection he had when I picked him up and I did worry that would make him more stand offish with me . Strangely, despite not enjoying his meds one bit, he seems to trust me more.

Hopefully your persistence will win your lionhead over and it isn't just his temperament/personality.

 

[VioletRose]

All bunnies are different and have their own personalities and special ways about them. Many many rabbits do not enjoy being fussed over, petted unless they ask for it (head down, ears flat etc), most hate being picked up etc. My bunny enjoys a good pet, but on his terms. I learnt very early on that having expectations of him as to how he should be according to what I wanted from him, was never going to work. He is his own little being and has the right to be. I am sorry that you feel that 'the work' of having him, vet bills, opening your house and world to him, is not worth if it he cannot comply with your wishes. I really hope that your future with him becomes one of unconditional love and acceptance, no matter how he evolves as a little being, liking to be pet or not. I do believe the less pressure he feels to be a certain way, the more likely he will be to come to enjoy your attention, but there may be a time, even a long time, of building trust and bonding. I sincerely hope that you find other ways to enjoy him, watching him be a happy bunny in his own way without expectations (it took me a long time to learn this myself in regard to my bunny, and we are now good companions), I really do. I think you both deserve that.

 

[user 25471]

Thanks . Yeah , like you said , I touch him while he’s eating or having treats & just keep him getting used to me touching him . He’s not afraid of me - just like “don’t bother me” . I can’t imagine at some point he wouldn’t begin to like attention . I am starting to try spending time with him in a small area there is NO DISTRACTIONS - nothing but me and him !

All bunnies are different and have their own personalities and special ways about them. Many many rabbits do not enjoy being fussed over, petted unless they ask for it (head down, ears flat etc), most hate being picked up etc. My bunny enjoys a good pet, but on his terms. I learnt very early on that having expectations of him as to how he should be according to what I wanted from him, was never going to work. He is his own little being and has the right to be. I am sorry that you feel that 'the work' of having him, vet bills, opening your house and world to him, is not worth if it he cannot comply with your wishes. I really hope that your future with him becomes one of unconditional love and acceptance, no matter how he evolves as a little being, liking to be pet or not. I do believe the less pressure he feels to be a certain way, the more likely he will be to come to enjoy your attention, but there may be a time, even a long time, of building trust and bonding. I sincerely hope that you find other ways to enjoy him, watching him be a happy bunny in his own way without expectations (it took me a long time to learn this myself in regard to my bunny, and we are now good companions), I really do. I think you both deserve that.

Yeah - you are right of course - that was my frustration talking . I know that sounded a little rough . I guess I’m really seeking encouragement and ideas .... I am with him for the long haul regardless . I do love him already . I will get him neutered - hopefully that will also help. he’s not mean thankfully . I actually do feel pretty confident he will actually warm up quite a bit hearing everyone’s stories - ( thank you all for that) ...: that and just me accepting him for what he is . A sweet , adorable , rather independent little man

 

[baobeithebuns]

my lionhead is about 15 weeks, she is such a busy body compared to my hollandlop.. my lop loves pats and lays there and nudges me for them, but my lionhead would just rather not... was the total opposite from when i first got them.. i am sure it’ll change, they’re still babies!! just continue to bond with him

 

[user 25471]

my lionhead is about 15 weeks, she is such a busy body compared to my hollandlop.. my lop loves pats and lays there and nudges me for them, but my lionhead would just rather not... was the total opposite from when i first got them.. i am sure it’ll change, they’re still babies!! just continue to bond with him

Aww. Thanks . There’s hope yet

 

[user 25471]

I brushed their coat every evening, they feel physical contact, they understand that I am taking care of them, and they learn that I can move them the way I need, I did slowly, talking nicely to them, they were more relaxed after that.

I think you are right about them knowing we are taking care of them . Since he’s a lion head he DOES need the brushing too . Just the routine - he HAS to get used to it at some point . He does
kind of need to BE KEPT still to brush - which I worry he is feeling like he is being restrained - but I’m guessing it will come and but he has to catch on !!