Kicking bunny

Question
I have had my bunny about 5 weeks now. He is only about 11 weeks now. When we first got him he would be fine with us picking him up and not squirming. Then he started to kick out his feet while holding him and one time I accidently dropped him because of the scratching. He just seems to be kicking out more. At first it was when we tried to pick him up while he was outside of the cage so I thought it was because he didn't want to go back in the cage, but now he is kicking when we try to pick him up in the cage to get him out.

Today he bit my leg when I had him in my lap and left a mark.

Is he acting like this because he doesn't trust us now? If so what can we do to gain his trust back?

I have been just trying to pick him up more so he feels more comfortable with it. I have also been letting him run around free, do you think to make sure to bond with the bunny right now I should be holding him in my lap more?

Also I have given him wooden blocks to chew on and he doesn't seem to like them, can you suggest any toys, homemade or store bought?

Answer
Dear Kristine,

Despite what pet store people and the media seem to think, the vast majority of rabbits do NOT like to be held and carried.  They are a prey species, and their instinct tells them when they are held that the are in danger, and not in control of their fate.  Please read this:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

to understand more about this, and how to better relate to your bunny on his own terms.  This will be the first step to building a lasting, trusting relationship with him.

His nip was a very firm attempt to tell you that he does NOT want to be held and carried.  But if you use the tips in the article above, you'll learn how to gain his trust and become his best friend.  With a rabbit, you can't force things.  And holding him in your lap will probably do more harm than good in terms of winning him over.

For ideas about toys, please see:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/toys.html

http://www.rabbit.org/care/box-toy.html

http://www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center/retail/toys.html

Hope that will help, and that you and your pal will be fast friends in no time!

Dana