i got him yesterday and i got to a male bunny and femal there both scared and are hiding in a corner cage ... sadly the female died what should i do with the other one so he wont be lonely... and everytime i try to hold him he gets freaky and trys to go back in his cage?
2006-09-07 20:26:17 · 12 answers · asked by barcaroni2009 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I definitely agree that a trip to the vet is your first priority. You can't work on establishing trust until you know your bunny is healthy. Once you know he's healthy, then go very slowly. For a day or two, just hold your hand up to the bars of his cage and let him come to your hand to smell you. Once he seems like he's more curious than afraid, open the cage door and let him come out...never reach in and grab him unless you absolutely have to. You want him to feel safe in his cage, and if you repeatedly grab him out of his cage, he won't feel safe. Once you have him coming out of the cage just let him approach you. It will probably take at least 2-3 weeks of constant work, but just be patient. He will come around. Some bunnies love to be held, and some never get used to it. You just have to love him and move slowly. Also, the best thing you can do is sit next to the cage and just talk softly to him. He may not understand everything you're saying, but just the sound of your voice will start to relax him after he starts to trust you. Hang in there, and good luck. If you need any help at all, don't hesitate to e-mail me at: kbviolin_98@yahoo.com
2006-09-08 19:40:26 · answer #1 · answered by Kellye B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a treat like fresh grass or something else he likes in front of him. If he hops away try again later. As he's eating the treat, gently stroke him ears to tail. Repeat: establish trust. If his ears are up, the whites of his eyes are showing, or he is tense and trembling he is scared.
Put one hand under his stomach or chest and the other supporting his rear, and lift him gently towards you. Hold him firmly; he may be more comfortable if you are low to the ground. When he starts to struggle just let him hop away.
Another way to hold him is on his back in a cradle formed by your arms.
Make a play area outside and preferably within sight of his cage that he will feel comfortable going to instead of his cage all the time. This is also good if he needs more exercise.
Make sure he's not sick or injured: that may be the cause of his behavior.
2006-09-07 21:30:53 · answer #2 · answered by busagi_312 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try and understand the situation from the newcomer's perspective. You were taken from a shop where the owners probably cared that you'd be sold ASAP than for your welfare. Some creature 30times your size and a lot less furrier than yourself came and took you from that place you probably called home for at least three weeks. Instead of hopping around in a glass cube you're in a cold metal cage. You had a female mate, but she died. You're rattled, you're shaken, you're scared! What did the big ogre than took you from the store do to your mate?!
You've got to trya nd build trust with this little fella of your's. Talk softly to it. When you take him out, take him out gently, place him on the ground. Make sure you have the door closed to your bedroom so you won't have to make a kerfuffle to scramble after him when he bolts. If he jumps to a corner and hides, leave him, if he freezes, leave him. Lie down on the ground and just watch him. That way, you're not a towering beast, he can see you, and you can see him. After a few weeks f communicating by body language, he should start warming towards you and hopping closer to you.
2006-09-07 20:40:37 · answer #3 · answered by ab.missy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a wonderful bunny for 12 years...yes 12!!! They are very sensitive, and need lots of love and patience. Please find a good vet...you will need one sometime...in an emergency (late at night or on a weekend, they seem nonexistant for rabbits and other rodents) Im sorry about your girl bunny...your male will need you now more than before. They do need love and a lot of attention. Give him time to get to know you and spoil him rotten!!!He will settle down. When you hold him, do so in a comfy position so he doesnt get startled if you move suddenly. Speak softly and in a quiet atmosphere. Pet him gently. Have a treat, they love baby carrots. Give him a variety of fresh food like dark leaf lettuces, hard carrots, apple, celery (leaves and all) and MAKE SURE THEY ARE WASHED VERRRRRY WELL . Years of experience with critters . Also they NEEEED a salt lick. Get him checked up at least in a couple months, and as often as your vet recommends... I hope this is of help and please let me know how things go. Goth_star69@yahoo.com
2006-09-07 21:10:03 · answer #4 · answered by Bejeweled Addict 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where did you get him? Do you know his history? He may have been abused at some time and will take some time to trust people.
It could be he is freaked out about his mate dying.
Also, make sure you are holding him right. Rabbits can be very picky about how they are held. Make sure when you pick him up you have a good hold of his back feet, if you aren't careful he will break his own back trying to get away from you. And hold him close to your body, they typically become more comfortable that way.
Good luck!
2006-09-07 20:35:33 · answer #5 · answered by zoologychic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some bunnies like to be held and others have to learn nothing bad will happen if you hold them. Try to gently stroke your bunny right behind his ears on his neck, then after a few strokes lift up the scruff of his neck at that same spot,don't lift the bunny ,just his neck a little. This calms them down considerably. If he is calmer, pick him up by placing your hand under him, put him in a towel if he scratches and kicks, wrap up everything but his head, hold him close th you, talk softly and pet him. Do this as often as you can and soon he will be happy to have you hold him.
2006-09-07 21:35:37 · answer #6 · answered by need2knw 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits do not liked to be held or picked up. It is because they are prey animals and they feel they are in danger. If your female dies for no reason I highly recommed that you bring your boy to the vet ASAP to make sure he is healthy. You need to leave your rabbit alone so they can adjust to the new setting. You also need to do some reading about rabbits. You should read the book the House Rabbit Handbook and go to these websites.
2006-09-08 01:03:56 · answer #7 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u got him yesterday then give him some time to get used to his environent give him good water toys and talk to him do not touch him do not yell at him talk gentle and manke an appointment to see a vet
Rabbits are verry fragile timid scared animals they dont trust easily give him a wek and he will trust u pay lots of attention to him
rabbits do not like to be held even thought mine loves being held
once the rabbit trust u and comes to and accepts u touching him try picking him up
2006-09-10 00:36:54 · answer #8 · answered by Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ease your way to holding him again. let him get comfortable with you. he is probally just freaking out cuz the other one died. maybe give him a special treat and see if he will approach you to get it. dont make him come all the way to you to get it the first time slowly lead it to the point where u can hold him. dont be afriad to hold him as well he will be able to feel ur fear
2006-09-07 20:30:50 · answer #9 · answered by theskyispink v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you just got him yesterday so it is absolutely normal to be afraid, give him some space, dont try to catch him because he will become even more scared, try giving him some treats for bunnies, (there are some sort of candies for bunnies that mine just love them) in order to tempt him to come near you ,but when you make him approach you dont grab him, just pet him gently
never pick him up by his ears, as many people think because that hurts them, if you have to pick him up pick him up by his nape,like kittens,
but many bunnies dont like to be picked up anyway, mine doesnt
2006-09-08 01:18:16 · answer #10 · answered by girl24gr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋