He refuses to keep his food in his bowl - he dumps it on the floor of the cage and eats it. Does anyone else have this problem? Also, he loves for people to pet him, but he refuses to allow anyone to actually pick him up and hold him. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, should I try to bathe him in any way?
2006-12-15 04:24:08 · 13 answers · asked by Libby 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rabbits are very particular about their food - and its containers - and their housing. A rabbit dumping his food out is nothing out of the ordinary. (Guess he just wants to see all his food at once.) If it really is a bother you could try using a weighted bowl that's wider at the bottom. When you pick him up, do you also cradle his back feet? Rabbits hate to feel nothing under their feet. Make sure he's balanced and has your hand/arm under his back feet so he doesn't feel like he's going to be dropped. Maybe try just picking him up and putting him in your lap so he begins to know that when he's picked up he'll be getting support. Unless your bunny is really dirty or has long long fur, i would just let your bunny do his own bathing. If he is dirty you can bath him in the sink with warm water. Don't fill it too full - remember his little mouth and nose are very close to ground level. Use a very mild shampoo - use either a baby shampoo or one made for cats and/or rabbits - and be sure to rinse him throughly. Place him on some towels and dry, dry dry him off. Watch for drafts and cold spots, rabbits catch colds easily.
2006-12-15 06:52:14 · answer #1 · answered by laylaface2001 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My rabbit does it if I put a different food bowl down, or put it in the "wrong" place. I think he does it also when hes bored or wanting attention. Rabbits generally don't like being picked up, mine doesn't but once I have him up on the bed or something he just lies there and gets petted. It's normal. Don't try to bathe your rabbit! It stresses them out and I heard of some rabbits dying because of the stress.. Just give him a good brush every week or so and he'll do the rest himself :)
2006-12-15 17:53:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a rabbit that dumps his food out... try getting a feeder that attatches to the side of the cage so that he can't tip it over... Rabbits by nature love affection but are scared of heights, work with him on it and you might be surprised... DO NOT BATHE HIM... this could give him a cold or shock him and could possibly kill him... get some of that waterless rabbit shampoo if he stinks... hope this helps...
2006-12-15 13:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can buy a bowl that clips to the side of his cage. Most rabbits hate being picked up it makes them feel like they are in danger. Don't try to bathe him. Rabbits do a good job of cleaning themselves. Here are great rabbit sites.
2006-12-15 12:42:06 · answer #4 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits like guinea pigs will do that.. to stop it... Put a feeder that hooks on the cage so that can not happen..Use a hopper type feeder that hooks on the outside of the cage..
It is good that he likes to be pet.. one reason why he may not liketo be held one you may not be holding him right and are hurting him.. or he has a sore stomach or a sore spot.. may want to get that checked out..
OH and you do not need to bath a rabbit.. they will clean them selves and if you do.. they can catch a cold and die if you do not get them dry .. keep them out of drafts..
2006-12-15 23:48:46 · answer #5 · answered by Amber L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just don't give him a bowl, he knows how he likes his food - that is not in a bowl ! How old is he? If he is still young then pick him up more often, sooner or later he will get use to it. As for bathes, you shouldn't bathe them, they can get cold and die. Plus it's very stressful for them and they can go into shock. If you really have to wash him because a certain area got dirty, then use cornstarch, or wash him lightly with a face cloth. Usually they can clean after themselves.
2006-12-15 12:38:56 · answer #6 · answered by TRUSTME 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will clean themselfs. The more you handle an animal at a young age the more they want to be handled. Try holding your rabbit for 10 minutes 2 times a day, he will get used to it. I had to rabbits who refused to eat out of there bowls. Rabbits are picky and wont eat where they poop, so its fine to let them do that.
2006-12-15 12:27:59 · answer #7 · answered by sassy2sloppy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have kept bunnies for years and I am afraid this is very normal. Some bunnies just don't like to be held no matter how often you try and there isn't anything you can do.
As for the bowl issue, bunnies like to sift through their food and pick out the bits they like. That is why some tip the bowl over.
2006-12-15 15:10:44 · answer #8 · answered by lellylurve 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of rabbits won't eat food from their bowl. If your bowl is a metal, shiny one, you can forget ever trying to get him to eat from it as they see themselves in the shiny metal and don't like that. You can place a shallow tray underneath the bowl and it won't be as messy. Lots of rabbits don't like to be picked up... looks like you got one of those... there's not much you can do. As for bathing, I have no idea. You should ask someone in a pet store or your local vet. Oh... perhaps you can try getting the rabbit to sit on your lap by placing a carrot on your lap and inviting the rabbit to join you... that's the only way I get to "pick up" mine...
Good luck!
2006-12-15 12:34:37 · answer #9 · answered by The ReDesign Diva 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
is he young? when my rabbits were young they always used to do that. it might be because his bowl is to high at the edges and it hurts his neck when he trys to eat.
my rabbit also doesn't like being picked up, but she's not particuly friendly either so i can't help you there. maybe just pet him and don't try to pick him up.
DO NOT bathe him. rabbits lick themselves natrually, and don't like being washed, so don't try to please.
hope this helps, good luck!
2006-12-15 14:23:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋