Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing to bring your rabbit home
• Part 2 of 2: Approaching your rabbit
• Tips
• Warnings

Rabbits are popular pets. They are soft and fluffy and can be very sweet. But don't be discouraged if you have a rabbit that is scared or suspicious of you. If you have a little patience and act carefully, you can build your rabbit's confidence. Before you know it she will be hopping around and greeting you!

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparing to bring your rabbit home

1. Have all your supplies ready. You don't want to fidget around looking for bedding or food bowls when you bring your rabbit home. She will be stressed after the trip and will need a dark, quiet place to recover. Make sure you have a cage large enough for an adult rabbit. It should be about two jumps deep, three jumps long, and high enough for the rabbit to stand upright. Also have food, treats, water bottles, toys and straw ready.
2. Furnish the loft. Place the loft in a quiet room without noisy equipment such as a washing machine. Place a thick layer of straw or hay in the cage. Create a sheltered sleeping area in the loft, such as a sturdy wooden box full of straw.
   • Make sure that other pets (cats and dogs) cannot sniff the hutch. This will make the rabbit fearful as dogs and cats hunt rabbits.
3. Make hiding places. Your rabbit will also like other hiding places around the house. Spread cardboard tubes, wide enough for the rabbit, or shoe boxes around the house. This way, she has different places to hide or can run to if she gets scared while investigating.
   • You don't teach her to hide by giving her places to hide. It only lets her do what's natural for her. If she knows there are enough safe places, she will be more likely to roam.
4. Place your rabbit in the cage. Take her out of the transport box and put her in the cage. Talk to her softly and be soft but firm. If your rabbit appears nervous or excited in the shipping box, cover her with a towel before picking her up. The darkness of the towel (as if she's safely in a hole) has a natural calming effect that makes her feel safe and calm.
   • Make sure to support your rabbit's belly and her hind legs with your hands when moving her into the hutch. Don't squeeze her.
5. Give your rabbit some space. Do not grab your rabbit or take her out of her cage during the first three days after bringing her home. Allow your rabbit to get used to and feel comfortable in her hutch. She may be hiding on the first day, but that's normal, so don't worry about that. Once she is used to the sounds and smells, she will begin to explore her hutch. At first she will run and duck when she hears a noise, but she will get braver when she realizes it's not a threat.
   • Young rabbits are much more curious than adult rabbits, so this process can be faster with a young rabbit.

Part 2 of 2: Approaching your rabbit

1. Wash your hands. Rabbits can feel threatened by other pets, even if they smell them. So wash your hands after interacting with the other pets and before handling your rabbit.
2. Start feeding your rabbit out of hand. Once your rabbit has had a chance to settle down and a few days have passed, you can start feeding her out of hand. Start by sitting next to her cage and just talking to her in a calm voice. If she runs away, just keep talking and waiting for her to come to you. Open the door and offer her a tasty snack, such as a dandelion. If your rabbit doesn't yet have the confidence to get to the dandelion, put it halfway between the two of you.
3. Make your rabbit feel comfortable with you. When feeding or talking to your rabbit, rest your hand on the straw by the door. This way she will get used to your company while she is eating. Refill her food bowl and talk to her while you do so. Since rabbits learn through experience, she will quickly associate you with food (which is good). This will help calm your rabbit.
4. Pet your rabbit if she shows interest in you. Once she is comfortable eating in front of you, you can start to touch her gently. Don't overdo it by trying to lift her. She can get stressed and try to fight back. Instead, gently enter the cage with your arm and touch her back or flank. If she's not running away, you can pet her gently.
   • Avoid putting your hand over her head. Anything that moves over a rabbit's head is a sign of danger (such as a hawk flying over a rabbit). This can scare the rabbit. Make sure to approach her from her side or her back.
5. Pick up your rabbit. Once she's used to being petted in her cage, you can try lifting her. Sit on the floor, lift the rabbit out of the cage and place her on your lap, level with the floor. Keep some dandelions on hand so you can distract her by giving her a treat to nibble on. At first, keep the session short, about a minute. This way she won't panic. After a while, you can keep your rabbit on your lap longer.
   • You can also keep a towel nearby in case your rabbit gets stressed. Then you can cover her with a towel. This will calm her down. You can also pick her up in the towel, which will reduce your chances of getting scratched if she panics.
6. Let your rabbit wander. Once your rabbit is used to your presence and being picked up, you can let her roam around the house. Always keep an eye on her and start with one small room so she doesn't feel overwhelmed. Check the room first and make sure there are no corners for her to hide in and get stuck in. Make sure there are no electrical cables for her to gnaw on.
   • Rabbits will gnaw everything, so be on your guard and get rid of anything you don't want them to damage.
7. Lie on the floor while your rabbit explores. While your rabbit explores her new environment, you can lie down on the floor. This makes your height less intimidating to your rabbit and allows her to sniff and examine you without feeling threatened. A good tip is to keep a treat in your pocket or hand, and reward her brave demeanor with a snack.
   • Keep the sessions short and slow at the beginning, no longer than 10-15 minutes. This way your rabbit will not become overtired.

Tips

• Never leave your rabbit outside when it is hot! Some rabbits are sensitive to heat strokes, especially small rabbits. The larger rabbits can live outside in cages, but the small rabbits cannot.
• Rabbits that are kept outside in a cage must be protected from heat, cold, rain and wind. Rabbits that are kept outside also need protection from other animals.
• If you are the sole caretaker for your rabbit, she may be comfortable only when you are with her.
• Don't wash your rabbit. She can go into shock and die. Instead, you can dampen a towel and gently clean your rabbit's coat. Brushing is also a good way to clean your rabbit. Rabbits keep themselves clean, so don't wash hair unless you really need to. For example if she has a medical condition.
• Rabbits are fragile animals that must be handled with care. Their bones are so fragile that the muscles in their powerful hind legs can easily outpace the strength of their bones. As a result, rabbits trying to free themselves can break their own vertebrae if not handled properly.
• Rabbits are easily startled and dislike loud noises or sudden movements. Instead, speak softly and move slowly.
• Pay attention. Your rabbit may urinate or defecate when they wander around your room. Rabbit droppings are no problem. Simply clean them up with some toilet paper. To clean up urine, you can remove it with a piece of kitchen roll and then spray it with stain remover.
• If you give your rabbit something to eat and she leaves it for a few days, don't give it again because that means she doesn't like it. Instead, try something else that you think she'll like.
• Don't let your rabbit run loose. Put a cage in a room (yours, for example) and set everything up so she gets used to it.

Warnings

• Make sure to support your rabbit's legs when you hold her. Otherwise she could scratch you.
• Make sure to keep an eye on your rabbit while she's out exploring, if you don't she could get lost.