As you probably know, rabbits are prey animals. Accordingly, it takes a moment for the rodents to lose their shyness after moving into their new home. In the following we would therefore like to give you some tips with which you can make the acclimatization phase for the rabbits as stress-free as possible.
Settling rabbits in – the most important things at a glance
- Since rabbits are flight animals by nature, they are very shy at first.
- In the first few hours after moving in, the animals should be left completely alone.
- During the acclimatization phase, it is particularly important to avoid hectic activity and noise in the vicinity of the animals.
- Hand feed the rabbits to slowly build confidence.
- Refrain from lifting the animals, as this is associated with considerable stress for them.
- As soon as the rabbits have settled in and gotten rid of their shyness, they can roam freely in the apartment.
The day of moving in
You and your children are sure to be very excited when the rabbits move in. But while you can’t wait to finally engage with your new roommates, it’s important to give them a few hours of rest. Leave the four-legged friends alone and give them the opportunity to get out of their transport box and get to know the foreign environment. Once your rabbits have overcome the initial stress of moving, you can approach them carefully. But first, keep a little distance. Avoid frantic movements and talk to them quietly. This gives the shy animals a chance to get used to you and the sound of your voice.
The first days in the new home
In the days after moving in, it is still important that you do not stress your rabbits unnecessarily. Leave the animals alone as much as possible and avoid noise so as not to scare the four-legged friends. If you have children, make sure that they also show consideration and, for example, do not romp around the enclosure or the rodent cage. When feeding or cleaning, be sure to reach into the cage from the side.
That way, you’ll be on par with your rabbits and appear less of a threat to them. Also, refrain from picking up the animals and carrying them around. It may be tempting to cuddle with the cute rodents. As a rule, however, you can be sure that the rabbit will be anything but enthusiastic about it and that you will immediately destroy the fledgling relationship with the animal.
Building trust during the adjustment phase
It will take a while for your rabbits to trust you. But if you proceed carefully and give the animals some time, they will lose their shyness and become more and more trusting. For starters, feeding the shy four-legged friends by hand has proven to be a good idea. It is best to lie down on the ground, speak in a calm voice and offer the rabbits small pieces of fruit or vegetables.
Experience has shown that it doesn’t take long before the animals’ curiosity wins out and they happily accept the food offered. Before long, your rabbits will be completely relaxed around you and may even approach you on their own. Now you can also gently stroke the animals on their backs.
Freewheel in the apartment
Rabbits appreciate it when they are allowed to exercise outside of their enclosure and are given regular free-range indoors. Once the animals have settled in, you are welcome to give them this. Be sure to eliminate potential sources of danger beforehand, such as power cables or poisonous plants that the rabbits could gnaw on.
Tips for setting up the rabbit enclosure
- In order for your rabbits to feel comfortable, it is important to pay some attention to the layout of their enclosure.
- Provide each rabbit with their own little house as a retreat.
- The rabbit enclosure should have an area of at least six square meters for two animals.
- Of course, a water dispenser, a feeding bowl and a hay rack should not be missing.
- The floor should be easy to clean and have bedding and a layer of hay or straw.
- Boulders, obstacles for jumping and smaller climbing opportunities, for example, offer things to keep them busy.
Do rabbits need to go to the vet?
Of course, just like other pets, rabbits can get sick and then need to be treated by the vet. Irrespective of this, regular preventive appointments, where the animals are vaccinated, for example, are very important. Rabbit owners who don’t have to worry about high vet bills in an emergency and always want to give their four-legged friends the best possible treatment should consider taking out animal health insurance for rabbits.
Settling rabbits in – our conclusion
As you can see, rabbits need some time to acclimate. If you grant them this, it usually doesn’t take long for the animals to become trusting. Often they approach their human roommates all by themselves and sometimes even react when they are addressed by their name.