Q&A for How to Play With Your Rabbit

Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. It's a good idea to offer fresh food (a variety of vegetables and fruit, plus a small amount of pellets) at these times, but make sure the rabbit has plenty of fresh-smelling green hay available at all other times.

Go back to basics and try to win your rabbit's trust by talking quietly and hand feeding her. Offer her different treats until you find one she really adores, and use this to gradually encourage her to step towards you. When she does show bolder behavior, give her lots of praise. Expect this process to take several weeks, but once she is comfortable with your presence, then try again to play.

Rabbits can't see objects up close, so they use their sense of smell instead. It could be that your fingers smell of pellets or fruit, causing the rabbit to nibble in the expectation of something tasty. In this case, wash your hands thoroughly so that they smell neutral and not of food or perfumes.

Rabbits are designed to eat growing grass and fresh herbage, such as plant shoots and leaves. The closest substitute is a good quality hay that has a slight green tinge to it. Supplement the rabbit's diet with a teaspoon or two of an extruded rabbit pellet. Offer a different type of fruit or vegetable every day.

In an adult rabbit, the male has two long, slim testicles in his groin, and a small mound where his penis is. The female does not have testicles and has a slit below her anus, which is her vulva. Distinguishing gender can be tricky, especially in immature rabbits, so if in doubt, check with a vet or vet tech.

Does that are not neutered are often territorial, hormonal, and grumpy. If she is not neutered, then consider getting this done. It may reduce her aggressive tendencies and also protect her from womb cancer.