You just adopted a rabbit!!

Now what?

Hunny Bunny congratulations on your new pet rabbit. The adoption process is done, and it is now time to head home. While you are probably bursting with excitement, for your rabbit this is likely a frightening time. Everything familiar to them is changing, and changes like that are very stressful for rabbits. However, here are some simple things you can do to help ease the transition into your home. During this critical period, the two most important contributions you can make are to:

  • Set up a friendly, safe environment.

  • Let them set the pace for getting to know you and the new area.

THE ARRIVAL 

When you arrive home with your rabbit, take the rabbit to a quiet area of your home. Keep them in a cage or small exercise area or enclosed pen until they become more familiar with your home. Be sure to have their cage stocked with all the necessities such as:

  • Litter Box

  • Food dish

  • Water bowl or bottle

  • Solid place to rest

  • Toys

  • Hay dispenser

  • Box, or hidey hole, or some type of covered space to give your rabbit a sense of safety

    Try to see the world from your rabbit’s point of view. How do you think you and your household look to

    him/her? A lot of noise, movement, and confusion will frighten them even more. Because your rabbit is
    in unfamiliar territory, they are likely to be insecure at first. Try not to overwhelm your rabbit with too
    much holding, touching, handling, etc just for the first day or two while they adjust to their new
    environment. Keep your rabbit separated from other pets until they are comfortable with one another.
    For the first few weeks, your rabbit may not be “themselves” as they adjust to this major change in their
    life. They may be slow or hesitant to warm up to you, or overly affectionate. This is all part of adjusting
    and should even out with time. Be patient and don’t be surprised if you continue to learn new things
    about your rabbit for several weeks to come.

GETTING AQUAINTED

Let your rabbit explore at their own pace! If they are not ready to be petted yet, talk to them or to
anyone while in their presence. Many rabbits enjoy listening to their humans talk on the phone. Hang
out with them in rabbit fashion, by sitting on the floor. Show them they can hop over to you, take a few
get acquainted sniffs, and then hop away again. This hands-off approach makes it easier to form a
hands-on friendship, especially with shy rabbits. As their fear diminishes, their curiosity increases. Place
a small treat or two, and a few toys on the floor next to you, to make their visit even more of a reward.
***This adjustment period should be as long or as short as your rabbit wants it to be. Trying to force it
along faster will actually result in delaying it further. ***
Bunnies get stressed easily and this can cause GI upset for them. Stressful situations can be If
you are going to travel with your bunny, having them in a new environment, or having new
people or pets around your bunny. You can help with this by giving them some infant gas drops
before stressful situations. You will only need to give them a tiny bit (about half the normal infant
dose of 0.3ml) either with the syringe or on a piece of hay.

Helpful Websites and Articles

www.ohiohollandlops.com   - They have great info under their Bunny Info tab.
www.oxbowanimalhealth.com 
Bunny Bonding
https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/breaking-down-bunny-bonding-6-tips-and-tricks
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/company/bonding