Is my rabbit really interested in me?

When I have food he is on my chest, in my lap, running around me. When I don't have any food he always stays at arms length. Often he'll let me pet him for a bit but then hops under a table or shelf. If he lays on the back of the couch and I sit on it, he moves away. However, I will often find him sleeping under my desk next to my feet. When he lays down, it is in a relaxed position. Usually, he just doesn't seem to want me to be too close. Is this normal?

It can be. Rabbits can be fairly independant creatures. A bit like cats, who decide when they want attention and when they don't.

But also, if he's fairly new to being with you, it could be he's just not completely sure about you yet. It can sometimes take some rabbits, a bit of time to build that trusting relationship. It just has to do with a rabbits personality and previous experiences. Sitting with him, not trying to pick him up, and only petting on his terms, can help build that trusting relationship.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
It can also be that he sees you as the 'top bun' and is respecting your space accordingly. With this, it will just take time with him, for him to learn that it's ok for him to be in your space.

Him laying down relaxed, and getting excited and coming to you for food, are all good signs of progress in developing a more trusting relationship. Just keep working at it and you should see him developing a closer bond with you over time.

http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Understanding_your_rabbit

JBun said:

It can be. Rabbits can be fairly independant creatures. A bit like cats, who decide when they want attention and when they don't.

But also, if he's fairly new to being with you, it could be he's just not completely sure about you yet. It can sometimes take some rabbits, a bit of time to build that trusting relationship. It just has to do with a rabbits personality and previous experiences. Sitting with him, not trying to pick him up, and only petting on his terms, can help build that trusting relationship.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
It can also be that he sees you as the 'top bun' and is respecting your space accordingly. With this, it will just take time with him, for him to learn that it's ok for him to be in your space.

Him laying down relaxed, and getting excited and coming to you for food, are all good signs of progress in developing a more trusting relationship. Just keep working at it and you should see him developing a closer bond with you over time.

http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Understanding_your_rabbit

Click to expand...

Thanks for the information. I found, Bella, about two and a half years ago, near my apartment. I decided to keep him when a search for an owner yielded nothing. I didn't know anything about raising a rabbit but started learning through youtube and online. He seemed more affectionate and happy then. Always running around my feet, doing binkys and zooming around the apartment. I made a lot of mistakes at first when it came to responding to his "bad" behavior: getting angry when he would wake me up in the middle of the night by thumping right next to my bed, pissing outside the litter box. I stopped responding like that but I fear it may have already done lasting damage to our bond.
I try not to pick him up but he seems to get a fungal infection under his chin on a yearly basis. When it happens, I have to apply ointment on a daily basis. At first, I really had to wrestle with him to get under his chin. He's either learned to give in or I've learned a better way to handle this. But, in any case, I still have to pick him up to place him on the table and he really doesn't like it. I worry that this is the problem. I treat him as quickly as possible and give treats after its over. What else can I do?