How to deal with a shy bunny

Question
Yesterday we got a 5 month old bunny for the humane society. Apparently she was originally purchased in a pet store and then given up due to allergies in the house.

She seems to be a very sweet natured bunny, but VERY shy. She sat in my lap on the way home from the shelter (she peed in the carrier, so my lap seemed the better choice), but has not let us pet once her since she was sat down when we got home.

She is playful... in fact, she seems to play hide-and-seek (running behind cage until we call her, and then bounding out to just beyond our reach), and she sniffs our hands and feet as we sit on the floor with her.

But she WILL NOT let us pet her... she doesn't cower (as if she'd been harmed), but she hops away before we can really touch her.

I know some bunnies are aloof and shy... but do you have any thoughts for how to bring her soft black velvet fur close enough for some pets now & then?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Cheryl,

most rabbits are shy especially at first.  

First, thanks for adopting this abandoned gal.  She will love you forever for it.

It is recommended that bunny's first day home, you put them in their cage/house (already set up with everything including water bottle or crock, food crock, hay, and just let them be the first day.  It is a huge deal for them to move from one spot to another.  Their senses are overwhelmed with new smells, new surroundings, new shadows, noises, lighting, etc.

The next couple days you let them get used to the routine you set up for them concerning breakfast, lunch, dinner feedings (or whatever your schedule is) and get used to you reaching into their home, and petting them while in their house.

Don't give her the entire house at first, it is too big and too hard on her.  Give her part of the room she is in.  She will be exploring this and marking for a few days.  when she stops head-bobbing and being really cautious (rear legs moving independently/slow walking), she is comfortable with her area.  You can then consider expanding her area to the whole room.

You will need to bunnyproof the room before you let her out.  I would go to the House rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) to read up on the topic.  Basically getting rid of poisonous plants, either hiding electrical cords or covering them with plastic tubing, providing a litterpan for her when she is out playing in the space she likes to go (probably a corner somewhere).

Also I am assuming she is spayed b.c you got her at a shelter, but if not, you need to have her spayed.  Check www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html for a good rabbit vet near you.

Bottom line, spend time on her level as much as you can.  Don't reach for her - let her come to you guys.  She will start getting curious, just let her come over to you.  Avoid the urge to pet her.  No picking her up unless it's the only way to get her back in.  giver her a small pet every once in awhile until you notice it doesn't bother her or she isn't running from you if she anticipates a pet.  

Realize it will take a long time for her to develop trust in you.  She is a prey animal, it is a safety instinct of theirs.  Trusting the wrong thing can kill her.  Be patient, never hit, she will understand what no is.  She will start becoming more comfortable in a couple months.  You'll notice her in more relaxed poses.  She may hop on your lap for a favorite piece of something.  The real benchmarks come after the first year, we notice big changes because they realize they've been there a full year (by seasonal light changes) and then they understand they are in a forever home, and you may see some real wonderful signs they know they're secure.

I would suggest not feeding her treats while out of the cage, and at end of exercise time, put her lunch or dinner in the cage and let her go up for it, then close the door after her.

Keeping her intial space small will allow her to get used to you more quickly and interact with you.  Too large of a room and she will just stay away from you.  

Pick up a copy of the House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harrimann, at whatever big bookstore is around you.  Read it, learn it. Also the House Rabbit Society web site has hundreds of articles - nutrition, health, behavior.

Lee