One of the main reasons that most of us get a pet is to have a companion and form a unique bond with an animal that cannot be compared to anything else. However, in order to obtain that bond, you must dedicate a significant amount of time to your rabbit. But a lot of people are still unsure how much time I should spend with my rabbit.
Rabbits are very active animals, especially when they are young. As such, you will need to spend at least an hour every day interacting with them. This can be anything from playing to cuddling or simply sitting with your rabbit and being present.
Many people take on rabbits without realizing that they come with quite the commitment. But even in our busy lives, you can still find ways to give your rabbit the attention and affection it needs to thrive.
Do Rabbits Need a Lot of Attention?
Rabbits are very intelligent animals and they require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. In days gone by, many people believe rabbits to be a good starter pet and would simply pop them in a small hutch or cage and get them out to play when it suited them. However, rabbits are surprisingly more demanding than this and without proper interaction from their owners, they can quickly become bored.
Bunnies are very social animals and in the wild, they live in big groups. For this reason, a lot of pet stores won’t sell rabbits unless they go in a pair. If you are unable to give your rabbit a lot of attention on any given day, having a playmate can help with this. However, if you do have a single rabbit, he will need a lot of interaction from you.
If rabbits are not given the right amount of attention from their owners, this can lead to them becoming aggressive. What’s more, you may notice that your rabbit begins behaving in questionable or unwanted ways because he is bored.
Being a rabbit owner comes with a lot of responsibility and this involves dedicating a portion of your day, every day to caring for your rabbit. Of course, you will need to also factor in the time it takes to freshen up the enclosure, replace food and water, and groom your rabbits but quality time together is also essential.
Each day, you should be aiming to spend at least an hour with your rabbit, longer if you can. The best time to do this is when your pet is most active. Rabbits are crepuscular animals which just means that they are most active first thing in the morning and last thing at night. These are prime opportunities to hop in and play with your pet.
Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that rabbits need to have social time with humans to protect their welfare. Without this, they may develop bad habits such as resisting being picked up or biting. While rabbits don’t generally like being handled too much, it is important to be able to handle your pet even for simple things like putting them in a transporter to see the vet.
What Is the Best Way to Spend Time With a Rabbit?
Rabbits appear to be docile creatures that don’t interact very well. While they may not be as in your face as a dog or a cat, rabbits show subtle signs and cues that, once you get to know them, are clear indicators of how well they socialize.
There are many different ways that you can spend time with your bunnies and it is a good idea to mix it up so that you, and they, don’t get bored. When you first adopt your pet, it will likely be very timid and may take some time to warm to you. But be patient and allow your rabbit to come to you. Over time, it will want to explore you and get to know you. Simply sitting near the rabbit and allowing it to sniff, nudge, and jump on you is the first step in establishing a bond.
When you’re closer to your rabbit, you can choose to play with toys with it. There are a lot of rabbit toys out there but the best ones are made of wood as these are great for chewing. You can also buy treat mazes and cups which rabbits love as a tasty nibble. It is also possible to train a rabbit to perform tricks, remember its name, and other things.
Affection is just as important and rabbits love to be stroked and petted. But again, this should always be on the rabbit’s terms. As you get to know your pet, you will learn to read the signs that it wants affection and in some cases, these will be very obvious.
How Long Can Rabbits Be Left Alone For?
If you are worried that you aren’t spending enough time with your rabbit, you’re not alone. Many of us lead very busy lives and it can be difficult to find the time to spend with your pet. Owning two rabbits will all but eliminate the need for you to commit to attention. The pair will provide enough social interaction but you may still want to choose appropriate times to spend with the bunnies to bond with them.
Alternatively, you might try to break up the time you spend with your rabbit. Instead of spending a solid hour with your bun you might do four fifteen minutes sessions over the course of the day. It is important to work out a schedule that you can stick to so that it is consistent. Rabbits love routine.
However, if you need to leave your home for a significant period of time, you will need to find someone to care for your bunnies. As a general rule, you shouldn’t leave rabbits for longer than two days at a time. Even in this case, it is essential to make sure that they have everything they need and won’t run out of food or water. Any longer than this and you should consider enlisting the help of a friend or kennelling the bunnies.
Is It Bad to Hold a Bunny Too Much?
Rabbits are incredibly delicate animals and as such, it is not uncommon for them to sustain injuries from being handled too roughly. The spine is of particular concern so when you hold your rabbit, you should always do so in the correct way.
Generally speaking, rabbits are huge fans of being picked up although you may get one who has a penchant for cuddles. As we have already discussed, it is important to let your rabbit take the reins. If your pet likes to be held, there is no reason why you shouldn’t, as long as you are gentle. However, if being picked up appears to distress your rabbit, it is best to avoid doing it unless it is absolutely necessary.
