1. I just got my 6 weeks old bunny 5 days ago and I want to ask, are ALL bunnies nervous and jumpy? Or is it because she's not used to me yet? What's a good way for her to trust me? Because I just always feel bad when I try to get her outta the cage and she's always running away or struggling... At times she really loves to cuddle and being stroked but then the next when you set her down and try to pet her, she dodges.
2. How do I litter train my rabbit? I just bought these litter training pearls and well she's been eating them the entire time so I had to remove it. X_X
2007-01-22 18:37:19 · 5 answers · asked by Kathy K 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Oh right, and my bunny doesn't exactly have a 'place she likes to relieve herself' she basically goes wherever she wants. >.< So that's why its difficult right now.
2007-01-22 18:57:33 · update #1
We have a red dutch dwarf rabbit, it is littered trained. At first we had to let it get use to us. Little by little.
This can be done while you litter train it.
Gate off your rabbit, so he will poop and pee in one spot that would be OK for you.
Keep him there, with paper for him to waist on,maybe his cage opened in a corner with about 10 Sq,ft of gate room. put paper in another corner away from his cage.
While he is in his gate,and you want to pick him up. Remove the gate so he can run back to it, little by little let him run around.
Put him in the gate when ever you see him poop or pee out side the gate so he learns to associate that area with his waist cycle.
Clean off all sent of any mistakes so he can not smell it. Keep the gate area with his sent, soon after 3 (WKS) not even your rabbit will be 100% litter trained and come to you when you call,and know what no is. They are very smart.!
You can use paper at first. then a litter box with wood shavens. Use the paper that has his waist sent on it. use it cut up and put it in his litter box, soon he will be going there. You have to let him make a few mistakes, He will learn.
Good luck!
If this don't help do a google!
2007-01-22 18:46:55 · answer #1 · answered by Mijoecha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bunnies are by nature a prey animal, and therefore are jumpy and quick to scare. With more time and handling, this will get better. Just be sure to remain calm and quiet when handling or reaching for her, try not to startle her or come at her from behind. Pet her for a few minutes before actually picking her up and handle her a few times a day to get her use to the contact. But if she starts to get uncomfortable, don't let her struggle, just put her back and try again a little later. Often times a rabbit will chose where in its cage it wants to go to the bathroom, figure out where she likes and place her box there. You need to be certain the box is the correct size for her, that she can get in and out of it easily and that she likes the litter (but not for eating :) ) Make sure you clean it often, they dont like messy boxes. Good luck
2007-01-23 02:51:05 · answer #2 · answered by cs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've got 2 rabbits now (father and daughter, who was born in my balcony) and no cages. First thing when i come home is to open the balcony door and let them in. Though i've litter trained them and they go to their trays in the balcony, they can't help leaving some little poo things here and there --so once a day i have to broom very quickly (although they've never done anything on the carpet in the living room or on the couches and so on). Also when they have diarrhea, from time to time, they soil the balcony (not much). My point is, even trained, they'll always soil a little bit...
Most important thing is never to frighten them! They mustn't lose their confidence in you. You always must be calm and tender with them and they'll really love you. Some times they are so sweet (especially the daughter): they put their head under my hand for me to stroke them. But you must also learn their signals. E.g. when tehy put their head on the floor and have their ears along their neck (not up, that is) they invite you to caress them:) really...
Mine get jumpy, as you say, when they get into the living room (always in my presence); they seem to love the thick carpet and start running and jumping jolting their heads in the air). But sometimes they get really scared (from a loud sound or when frying in the kitchen) and they run to hide (i read that they could get a heart attack if scared!).
Also talking to them in a high pitched voice except from being a sweet talk may also be necessary (i read) cause they can't hear very low frequences so they hear you and respond better:)
And never get angry at them. If they've ruined sth it's because you, the intelligent being, hadn't anticipated it and not because they are mean or mischievous. They're just little rabbits in an appartment...
2007-01-30 16:51:51 · answer #3 · answered by Christos F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's young yet and has just had a huge change in her life, it will take her time to get settled in. Best thing to do is spend as much time as possible with her. If you can let her out to run around in an enclosed space, a puppy exercise pen or old fashioned play pen are ideal, but a hall way or bathroom works as well. Spend time with her in there just sitting with her. Let her run around while you either watch her or read a book. Rabbits are curious by nature and it won't be long before she's crawling all over you. Try to let her initiate contact and don't grab at her the moment she comes over. Talk to her, offer her a treat and let her see that you're good to be with. If you do give her a cuddle and pat be aware of when she's had enough. When you put her down do it in a way that's not encouraging her to panic or run off. I usually sit down and put them on my knee for a second while still patting them, then let them move off in their own time.
As for litter training, this will come in time. Keep a litterbox in her area filled with a good hay like timothy or oaten. Drop a couple of her pellets in there to give her the general idea. Rabbits are clean by nature and tend to go in one spot, so get her used to the box early and you'll have no trouble later on.
I'm not sure what you mean by litter training pearls, but be cautious of anything recommended for cats or dogs, even rabbits for that matter. Not every company is conscientious about their products. Use a paper based litter in the box and put a layer of hay over the top.
2007-01-23 07:44:35 · answer #4 · answered by mbunnyau 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabits are livestock not pets.They need to have specific cages built for them,or allowed to run 'free range' outside
2007-01-30 12:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by boatworker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋