How long till she accepts us?

So I got a baby lionhead bunny yesterday, she is 8 weeks old. Before coming to our home she was exposed to children everyday, dogs, cats and birds. They were born indoors and remained indoors throughout the hussle and bussle.. however she seems to be pretty frightened of me and my 2 daughters. I try to keep my kids quiet around her and not move too fast as best as I can, but she runs away from us and tries to find hiding spots. When my girls are asleep I let her run around the living room and I just watch patiently on the floor but she never tries to come near me, always keeps her distance. When I change out her hay, food or litter, her eyes about pop out of her head with fear. Im hoping she comes around with age and more time, I would really like her to be a big part of our family. How long should I expect this fear of us to last, and is there anything I can do to help her realize we mean no harm? Thank you.

It may be a slow process or she may come around sooner. But I don't think it's surprising she didn't settle in immediately. Things are suddenly different & she doesn't know why.

I think if you just brought her home you might be rushing it a bit. A common tactic for bringing home a new baby bun is to just let them be for a few days. Don't get them out, don't pick them up, just let them get acclimated to their new environment and let them learn their cage and new smells and sights and sounds. I know you say she was used to the hustle and bustle at her house but remember this is a totally new environment for her.

After a few days you can start with some out time of the cage but go slow there too. Start with small areas....don't set her down in a big scary room. Try a small room like a bathroom first or an xpen around her cage so she can come and go on her own. Offer safe "hideouts" like a box that she can go under to feel secure.

It takes time and patience and every rabbit has a different personality. Rabbits generally aren't cuddly pets. They usually don't like being held. Some do enjoy pets but there are some that don't. They are all unique. I would just give her some time to get settled in for her personality to come out.

you need to think toddler steps. one doesn't let a toddler run willy-nilly everywhere...one provides structure and limits.

She needs some control, plus she needs to get used to you handling her.

Stick her in her cage and then pick her up and hold her (cover her eyes to help settle her), cuddle her, let her roam around you but not too far away. Keep her activities closer confined to you and offer yummies...a wee bit of oatmeal, a touch of parsley (neither will upset her digestive system). You could choose to feed her all by hand at this point as well (or at least half of it). Just make a choice to feed her little bits. This way she knows that all good things come from you.

Don't let her just choose to stay away from you because then that's a choice she will always make. You want a rabbit that you can do things with, not just watch from a distance.

Thank you! Guess im just not used to a bunny not liking me haha, had some when I was a teenager and they were always so friendly and willing to come up to me. Guess its just a personality trait. I will stand back and give her some space and try interacting with her in a couple days. I was told to only feed hay and pellets until she is older, is there anything I can give her as a treat, as like a peace offering?

Yeah, these things just take time. She needs time to get adjusted to her surroundings and to you. I'm sure that, as time progresses, she will slowly become more interested in you and will want to be more interactive. When we first got Hegel in July he didn't have much interest in us at all. He would just run around having fun on his own and he was perfectly content with that. Now as he has grown up, he has become a lot more affectionate and more interested in interacting with us. It's a process, you know? I wouldn't expect this to happen over night. And, given that she is so young, it may take months before she starts taking an interest in you.

As for a treat, you could give her some lettuce. I would only give in very small amounts though. Maybe 1 or 2 pieces. And not every day. The best you can do for her now is just to give her some time to adjust and let her come to you.

I would advise against feeding an 8 week old any lettuce. It is recommended by some to wait up to 6 months before veggies are introduced, but I'd say 3 months would be the very earliest. Their intestines just aren't developed enough yet to handle greens and runny poo in babies can turn dangerous fast.

So no treats yet, I would recommend unlimited pellets and hay. Babies can have alfalfa hay.

I brought my Lionhead home at the same age and did what I said and she bonded fairly quickly so justngive her some time

Often rabbits like their pellets so much that they can be used as treats. I use pellets with Bandit as a way to reward him when he comes to me etc, because he loves them so much and he takes them gently from my fingers or eats them out of the palm of my hand. That's how I got him to start coming to me. Give her time, and let her get used to you, as others have said, step things back a bit. She just needs time.

I would advise against feeding an 8 week old any lettuce. It is recommended by some to wait up to 6 months before veggies are introduced, but I'd say 3 months would be the very earliest. Their intestines just aren't developed enough yet to handle greens and runny poo in babies can turn dangerous fast.

Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I heard, so I haven't given her anything. Thanks for everyones advice, I'll just give her time

Update for you all, Babs has come around very nicely..she comes right up to my daughters and I, takes food right from out hands, comes to the cage door right when I open it and lets me pet her, shes like a completely different bunny! All she needed was a little bit of time like you all said. Thought I would share!

yay!! my lionhead boys took a long time to come around!! a month or too. they are 5mos. and just got neutered a few weeks ago and now they are super friendly and lovey!! I gave my boys oxbow afalfa based treats and dried papaya to prevent wool block, not everyday,but a few times a week!! enjoy your new baby!!