I have read quite a bit after googling BUT I was curious if any of you would have any pointers that would help.
It is very domesticated....it was brought to the shelter by a VERY sad soldier who was deploying. It has a little pink collar, a beautiful cage, toys......so I would imagine it was loved very much. It also seems to have quite a funny little personality. Any GOOD tips that will make this even more enjoyable for us?
2006-06-23 12:16:53 · 14 answers · asked by sqwirlsgirl 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Gosh, I feel really sad for that soldier ... it would break my heart if I had to give up our beautiful indoor six year old bunn - we call him our "puppy bunny" because he's so bonded to us and so affectionate! I'm really glad your new bunn has been adopted by such good people as you. Also, because this bunn has had such a good life with such a good human, you're right, he'll have such an outgoing and friendly character, and be so attached to humans.
Are you going to keep him indoors with you? If you keep your bunn indoors with you, he'll really become attached to you. Our bunn lives in his cage, in the corner of our lounge, and we let him out every afternoon and evening for a couple of hours with us there - we are very careful to cover all electrical wires, and block behind the couch and tv with fat cushions - we've also got many electrical wires running high up along our walls, attached by plastic hooks - and the electrical wires that need to be on the ground are well-covered by oriental rugs as well as cushions. Als be very very careful of house plants - many house plants are deadly poisonous. Bunnies can also be toilet trained - I've written a small article on this -
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunnyhouserabbits.html#toilet
Have a read of these great detailed rabbit sites too -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/a/?once=true&
http://www.tagyerit.com/hopline/cold.htm
http://www.rabbit.org/
http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunnyhouserabbits.html - http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunnyfood.html - my own site - please have a browse and enjoy reading!
2006-06-23 16:18:07 · answer #1 · answered by Lea 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Bunnies are great pets! Did you know that you can litter box train them? If you start by keeping wood shavings in the bottom of the cage at first, then slowly lessen the area until finally, you have them in a little litter box in the corner of the cage. Much easier than cleaning the while cage.
Next, feed the bunny rabbit pellets every day. Limit the vegetables that are high in water (lettuce for example) because they cause diarrhea and can make the bunny very ill. With that in mind, only give your bunny a little bit of carrot now and again.
Also, check with your petstore to see if they recommend alfalfa or timothy to gnaw on. I used to give my bunny alfalfa, but mid-way through his life was told that timothy was better.
Also, bunnies LOVE papaya enzyme tablets. you can buy them in a drugstore. Crush one up every day and feed it to the bunny. Bunnies cannot cough up furballs so this helps break down the fur so that they can pass it with their poop.
Oh yes, the poop. Bunnies have two kinds of poop. One is soft. One is dry. they are both round. Bunnies eat the soft ones. They do not completely absorb all nutrients in their food the first time, so they catch them the second time around. Don't stop him if you see him eating his own poop. He's doing it because it natural.
I had my bunny (male) neutered because he tried to make it with everything in sight (the cat, my head while I was sleeping once, a sweater that was on the floor). If yours hits puberty hard, you may want to consider it.
Oh, you can get a bunny harness (leash) and bring him on walks too. Also, the love to be held and pet. I used to put my bunny in a trance by holding him in the cradle position on his back and blowing in his face.
It's best not to leave them outside in a hutch because of predators. They are defenseless in a cage outdoors, but keep in mind that they are very powerful animals so if he doesn't want to be held, he could kick and scratch you. (I still have scars!)
Oh yes and the electrical wires! Bunny proof your home because they gnaw everything, especially wires which can be dangerous!
Anyway, what a great thing your family has done by taking in this animal. Enjoy!!
2006-06-23 19:28:53 · answer #2 · answered by -- 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. Congrats on your new bunny!!! Rabbits make wonderful pets, however proper care is imperative for their health and well-being.
In regards to your bunny's bedding, Aspen bedding is the only type I would recommend. Yesterday's news is a great second choice, however it isn't very comfy for bunnies to sleep in, and it isn't very "burrow-able". Aspen is completely non-toxic. Even plain pine shavings are toxic to bunnies (and gerbils, hampsters, etc.) The pet stores won't tell you that. Wal-mart sells Aspen bedding at the cheapest price.
As far as hay goes, Timothy hay is what you should be feeding if your bunny is over 7 months old. Make sure he has unlimited amounts of hay and fresh water. For tips on feeding, etc., check out the link I've provided below. Lots of great info in there.
Bunnies are very social animals. Your little guy will miss you when you aren't there. They need a lot of exercise outside of their cage ... they don't like to be left alone couped up. I know it sounds like a lot, but at least a couple of hours every day is needed. You can take him/her out of his cage and let him run around ... but make sure you keep an eye on him. Bunnies love to chew, and may end up munching on wires or something else harmful. Set up a little litter box for him to go to while he's out, as well. And most importantly, if you notice ANY change in him, take him to a vet ASAP. Rabbits can succumb to illness very quickly, so at the first sign that something is wrong, get him in to be seen.
You mentioned your bunny has a collar ... you might want to take that off. It could get tangled in his hind leg if he tries to scratch, and bunnies panic very easily.
I was happy to see that he (most likely she, considering the color of the collar:) has toys - bunnies love toys.
Anyway, I could go on and on ... good luck and I wish you many years of happiness with your new friend.
2006-06-23 19:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by jayj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barbeque?
My daughter brought one home, but has not taken care of it. It is a caged rabbit in the back yard, I am able to pet it, but not many others can. I have known of people who have very tamed rabbits which they have actually litter box trained. Keep it's nails clipped and try and train it to not chew up stuff. I've been told they are as easy to train as a dog, much easier than cats.
2006-06-23 19:25:12 · answer #4 · answered by br549 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits can't take the heat. They'll die quickly if left in the sun. Female rabbits should be spayed, because if not, there is a great chance that they'll get uterine/ovarian cancer, and they can be really cranky. Rabbits are just better pets when neutered/spayed. Play with it, love it, and they're the best pets ever! You can even littler box train a rabbit. Good luck!
2006-06-23 19:25:10 · answer #5 · answered by John Z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on your new pet! :) Rabbits make great, loving pets. I don't know the age of your daughter, but I want to warn you about the sharp claws of a rabbit. They can cause deep, painful scratches with those claws. Keep them trimmed and be watchful around those back feet! Use your common sense and give it lots of love and attention. Your pet will be very loving and at least it won't bark all night long!
2006-06-23 19:23:27 · answer #6 · answered by valkyria 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never use cedar-based bedding, or "kitty litter"...."Yesterday's News" (by purina) is very good--no harm if they ingest it. Bunnies are great pets--mine get along with my doggies (upon proper supervision of course!). Fresh water every day, fresh rabbit pellet-food and make sure she had plenty of "roughage"--alfalfa or timothy hay (available at the pet store)--this allows their digestive system to work properly and keeps their teeth in check. Contrary to the cartoons, they do not live on carrots alone. I never give my bunny lettuce (can upset the stomach) and never ever do I let her eat anything in the yard--no grass, flowers, etc. And apple now and then is a good treat! Make sure your bunny is kept cool--they can overheat and get very sick--or worse!
2006-06-23 19:24:33 · answer #7 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pick up rabbit pellets, go to a good big pet food store and find some, also they have what looks like small bails of hay they are good too. you will have to clean the cage alot if its in the house, rabbits have a high pH level and can stink, use wood shavings to help cut the smell. also pick up some books on rabbit care, they will give you alot of info.
2006-06-23 19:25:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't feed it too much head lettuce. Rabbits like a variety of fruits and vegetables. Head lettuce lacks the nutrition a rabbit needs.
2006-06-23 19:24:29 · answer #9 · answered by marytormeye 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from past experience please be very careful if the rabbit is allowed to roam around your house-they are chewers and especially go after electric wires and could be injured. I understand they can be litter box trained. Good luck!
2006-06-23 19:26:03 · answer #10 · answered by caryl0318 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋