Have you ever seen a wild rabbit and wished you could be friends with it? Well, now you can! In this post, I’ll teach you how to make friends with a wild rabbit and show you some of the benefits of having one as a friend. So read on to learn more!
The rabbit, a small mammal that belongs to the same order as rodents and hares, can make for an excellent pet and companion animal. If you want to bring a wild rabbit into your home and turn it into a domestic rabbit , there are several things you should know beforehand; we will cover these in detail below, but first we’ll explain what makes rabbits such good pets in general:
How To Befriend A Wild Rabbit – 5 Step Process
Rabbits are not rodents – they’re closer relatives of horses than rats or mice. They’re generally far more pleasant than cats or dogs for people who prefer gentle quiet pets with less demanding care needs.
Many people describe their first encounter with a wild rabbit: they were walking through the woods and saw a rabbit sitting there in front of them… But what exactly makes this common sight so special? Why do we often feel like these animals are playing dumb at first glance when really they’re just too well trained to run away?
Rabbits are prey animals : that is, their natural instinct when confronted by predators (like humans) is to freeze and hope they go unnoticed. You may think that your pet rabbit is cuddly, affectionate, and friendly; but if it’s wild , it will first try everything it can to stay away from you! It may jump into the bushes or run away as fast as its little legs can carry it.
But if you’re persistent enough in being gentle, kind, and patient with the wild animal – not forcing it to do anything, just being there – then one day you might notice that instead of running off when faced with another human, the rabbit starts hopping towards you, And maybe is about ready for a hand-fed treat by now. Here are the detailed steps to befriend a wild rabbit:
1) Learn about the habits and preferences of wild rabbits
In order for you to make a wild rabbit feel at home in your house, you should first learn as much about these animals as possible. This section is divided into three subsections:
Habitat preferences
The first thing that you need to know is where to find the rabbits – what are their habitats? What kind of places do they like? While there are rabbits all over the world, some species will be more likely than others to be found in your neighborhood or even on your property . You can use this information to track down an animal and try getting closer to it. The next section lists several common types of habitat preferred by rabbits; if you’re unable to find rabbits in your city, try to at least figure out which of these the particular specimen you’re trying to befriend might prefer.
Old orchards full of bushes are a common habitat for rabbits , as are fields with short grass. Farmers generally consider them pests since they eat so much food! Residential areas sometimes have parks where rabbits can move around freely without being threatened by dogs, foxes, and other predators – but if you do find wild rabbits living among apartment buildings or houses then expect that they will stick mostly to backyards, no matter how small .
Rabbits love hiding places – especially if there’s already another herbivore using them as shelter! Bushes can make an excellent place to hide from both prey and predators alike; however, if there are cats or small dogs living nearby then you should be very careful with introducing the rabbit to your house – they may not like being around animals who could kill them at any moment!
Another good place for rabbits is an area with low-hanging branches; these can make great perches from which to survey their surroundings and spot predators. Don’t worry, though – even if they do spend most of their time up in trees, that doesn’t mean your bunny will never come down. Rabbits sleep right on the ground just as often as they sleep anywhere else!
Prey preferences
Before you start thinking about making a rabbit your pet, it’s important to first figure out what type of prey this animal is. I know this sounds like an odd question; rabbits are herbivores (plant eaters), right? However, many species also hunt for insects and small creatures in order to supplement their diet! Some of these prey animals may be perfectly suitable as pets – or at least less dangerous than others.
The most common type of rabbit that you will find is the European Rabbit , which has been domesticated since ancient times and can easily become a house pet . It’s not hard to tame them, they’re okay around other pets , and they’re relatively easy to look after . If a wild rabbit lives in your area then there’s a good chance it will either be a European Rabbit or an Eastern Cottontail ; however, if you’re looking for an alternative then the next section will help you with that.
Personal hygiene
The last thing you need to know before trying to befriend a rabbit is how dirty they get! Rabbits are known for their habits of licking themselves clean, and this isn’t just because they like the taste of their fur. Although they do have natural oils which keep them hydrated and protected from bacteria, rabbits also love grooming themselves after eating in order to get rid of any loose hair. These animals aren’t naturally very loud – they only make noise when scared or angry – but if one has been running around outside then it’s sure to be covered in dirt by now. Even if your rabbit doesn’t actively go hunting for bugs as a source of food, it’s unlikely that they would turn down an easy meal if they came across one.
So let’s say you’ve found a rabbit and you want to tame or befriend it; how do you actually go about this? The next section will outline the most important steps in making your new friend trust you and become domesticated!
2) Taming & Befriending
Now that we know what type of rabbits are out there and where to find them, let’s learn some tips on taming and befriending wild bunnies. Since most rabbits like perching up high (see “Hiding Places” paragraph above), try getting close to one with a tall stool or by climbing into a tree yourself.
Ideally, the rabbit will come to you if it feels safe doing so – but even if it doesn’t, there are a few tricks that may make them trust you.
If the rabbit is still hiding from you, then try sprinkling some of its favorite food or treats near your feet. This will get its attention and lure it over for at least a closer look, giving you an opportunity to offer some more tasty snacks from your hand. Some people have had success with this method by wearing a white coat which makes them seem less threatening to their prey!
3) Provide a safe, comfortable place for them to live and eat
Once you’ve tamed or befriended a wild rabbit, you’ll need to find somewhere for it to live where it won’t be hurt. If the animal wasn’t caught out in the open but was instead found inside your home somewhere, then consider keeping it in its own room with plenty of soft bedding to sleep on and chew toys to release some of its built-up energy. Make sure not to choose any dangerous objects as these might cause injury!
If your new friend is used to living outside, then try building an indoor hutch that will keep them warm during colder months. It’s best if bunnies have plenty of space that they can move about freely inside their hutch – otherwise they may become bored and stressed out! They will also need plenty of fresh hay to snack on and some sand for their feet, which can be placed at the bottom of the hutch or in a separate tray nearby.
4) Feed them properly
Once you’ve tamed or befriended your new furry friend it’s time to feed them! If your rabbit is used to eating vegetables then try giving it some carrots (which are high in vitamins C & K ) along with something more sugary like an apple or slice of strawberry . Keep an eye on how much they’re eating, because you don’t want them to become overweight ! Also provide them with safe objects like branches and sticks which can be chewed up to keep their teeth while discouraging any bad behaviors (such as chewing on your furniture or clothes).
5) Wait for the rabbit to come to you on their own.
Although your rabbit may be tame enough to take treats from your hand and to snuggle up with you on the sofa, it’s likely that they won’t feel comfortable being picked up for a long time. Since bunnies tend to panic and struggle if they’re lifted off the ground, it’s best if you wait until they come over and jump into your lap themselves before you start petting them!
Before trying to pick up a rabbit, you should know that they are agile diggers . If one ever tries to escape from their hutch then it’s best not to chase after them as bunnies will easily outrun humans. Instead, try placing an object in front of the
Challenges you might face when befriending a wild rabbit
1) It would take a long time to befriend a wild rabbit
Since rabbits are easily frightened creatures, it may take some time before your new friend trusts you enough to approach or let you pick them up . However, with food and patience it will almost certainly come around eventually! If the animal is very young then this process could be sped up by hand-rearing them , but otherwise you’ll just need to be patient.
2) It takes a lot of work to keep a wild rabbit as a pet
Like any animal, caring for a wild rabbit requires time and money . If you don’t already own rabbits then you should think about getting two or more so they can keep each other company when you’re not around to care for them – but even with the cheapest options, food and hay will still cost around £30-£50 per month (depending on how big your bunnies get).
3) Wild rabbits might show aggression towards you
If you do decide to spend time with your new friend, then it may be best if you avoid sudden movements which could startle the animal. Try approaching them very slowly and speaking to them in a soft voice so they get used to your presence before reaching out to touch their fur. If your rabbit isn’t too happy about being picked up , then let them hop on your lap or stand beside you instead.
4) Wild rabbits are not suited for life indoors
While some wild rabbits can become accustomed to living indoors, this should only happen after they’ve been properly tamed . Otherwise they will likely spray urine around because they’re anxious, chew everything in sight because they’re bored, and even use their claws against you because they’re scared and confused. For this reason, it’s best to keep bunnies outdoors in a hutch with plenty of natural light and fresh air.
Why you should befriend a wild rabbit?
1) They’re fun to play with!
Unlike some animals (such as cats and dogs ), rabbits love to play games like fetch which can be lots of fun for both you and your new friend. Plus they’ll quietly follow you around while sniffing at stuff on the ground, which will make it easier for you to get used to each other’s presence without feeling intimidated.
2) You can teach them tricks
Rabbits are very intelligent creatures that quickly learn what behavior is rewarded – so if you encourage good behavior then they will soon learn how to come when called, jump through hoops , etc. When training bunnies before an important event such as a show or photo shoot, it helps if their handler starts getting them used to wearing a harness when they’re still young.
3) They’re adorable!
Even the most gentle-tempered wild rabbits have something about them which is just really adorable . Perhaps it’s their twitchy noses, or side-ways hopping way of moving, or their inquisitive nature – but whatever it is you won’t be able to stop smiling every time your bunny comes near!
4) Petting them helps reduce stress levels
Similar to people, rabbits are able to feel relaxed and safe after being gently stroked for several minutes . This means that if you enjoy spending time with small animals then befriending a rabbit could help keep you calm in stressful situations (such as during exams), especially if you use aromatherapy oils to increase your bond.
5) They will reward you by being affectionate!
While there are some rabbits that are more cuddly than others , they all appreciate being petted and stroked for several minutes per day – which gives you the chance to show them how much they mean to you . For most bunnies, this alone is enough of a reward for befriending them 🙂
Why you should NOT befriend a wild rabbit
1) Wild rabbits can carry diseases
Although the vast majority of wild animals don’t carry diseases that can harm humans, rabbits are not as clean as cats and dogs – so it’s much easier for them to catch fleas , ticks, etc. These parasites will often bite humans because they mistake us as hosts (even though we’re too big for them to eat).
2) Wild rabbits can be aggressive
Even if your rabbit is tame and friendly towards you, they might show their displeasure by nipping or scratching . When this happens, there’s a risk you could get an infection from either their saliva or claws – and even if you don’t land up in hospital then you’ll still have to pay someone to treat your wounds.
3) Wild rabbits may never trust you
Rabbits are prey animals which means it’s in their nature to be afraid of any potential predators – including humans . Because they are naturally shy creatures that prefer to keep their distance, it could take weeks or even months for them to feel comfortable enough around you to let you pet them. If your rabbit ends up hating you then it might never want anything to do with you again!
4) They need lots of space
Although some rabbits can adapt well enough to living indoors , most wild rabbits have extremely high energy levels so they need plenty of space outdoors where they can roam freely instead. This is especially true during the day when bunnies will typically spend their time actively searching for food and playing games – because if they’re cooped up indoors then they’ll get bored and start destroying your furniture.
5) They’re not easy to care for
Rabbits are prey animals which means that although they can become tame , it’s also in their nature to run from danger – even when the threat is extremely tiny . This means that whenever you take them outside, there’s always a risk that they might suddenly panic and bolt off in some random direction away from you. If this happens then there’s little chance of ever finding them again!
Tips for taming or befriending your wild rabbit
1) Be sure to visit them often!
If you can spend time with your bunny everyday then they’ll quickly learn to trust you as well as look forward to seeing you . Even if you can only do short visits at first, try getting closer each time so they come out of hiding on their own terms.
2) Don’t rush the process – let them approach you first!
This ensures that they won’t feel threatened by your presence, which could make them lash out. Try putting some food outside of their cage in a basket or shallow dish (so they don’t feel trapped) and waiting for them to come out of curiosity.
3) Give your bunny some space!
If it seems agitated when you approach, then back off so they can relax – after all, this is their home . Instead of trying to pick them up at once, try calling their name or placing some food nearby so they learn to trust you more.
4) Keep your hands out of reach until they’re familiar with you
Again, since rabbits are naturally wary creatures it’s important that they get used to your presence before you do anything sudden like touching their fur. Try sitting beside the hutch while holding some pieces of rabbit food which you can drop down for them to eat. Don’t follow their movements too closely so they still feel in control, but try getting closer each time until they’re familiar enough to hop on your lap.
5) If you get bitten, don’t panic!
Since rabbits are prey animals, it’s best not to freak out because then they’ll know that you’re the predator and run away scared. Treat an injury with some antiseptic spray as soon as possible, and always be ready to comfort a frightened rabbit with a gentle stroke of their back if they ever need reassurance. You can also pick up a leaf or flower nearby and rub it on your skin first so that your bunny realizes that your scent is being transferred onto the object.
6) All rabbits are different!
Some wild buns could take a few months to get used to you, while others will be up for cuddles after just a week or two. However long it takes, the most important thing is not to give up because then your bunny will know that you’re not serious about befriending them. So don’t hesitate to try again whenever you can – even if there’s an end goal in mind which isn’t exactly taming your rabbit as a pet.
Conclusion
If you really want to keep your wild rabbit as a pet then it’s important to understand that it might not be possible for some people.
And if this is the case, then the most important thing is to make sure they’re happy – whether that’s living in their hutch or roaming around your garden.
So if you are interested in learning how to befriend a wild rabbit by building trust with them, follow these tips, and hopefully, you’ll have more success than ever before!
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Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. She grew up with cats and rabbits, and knew from a young age that she wanted to help animals in whatever way she could. After completing veterinary school in New Zealand, she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. There, she worked as a small animal veterinarian, seeing cats, dogs, and of course her favorite patients – rabbits! In the last few years, Dr. Cameron has been working as a locum vet while she concentrates on raising her two young daughters. She also started writing this blog to help other rabbit lovers out there.