Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum THE LOUNGE WELCOME ! New to BinkyBunny

Viewing 60 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Deleted User
      Participant
      22064 posts Send Private Message

        Hello Binky Bunny.

        My name is Shigure, I am from Japan. I am new to rabbits and brought a Netherland Dwarf Hybrid. 

        Bunnies name is Yuki, not Yuki 雪 for snow, but Yuki 幸 for good luck.

        Yuki chan was born 2012/09/16 .. do not know if male or female as of yet.

        I have loaded up photos of Yuki. I hope you enjoy. I also have a few short videos on Youtube.

        I hope to make new friends here and learn about keeping rabbits.

        Nice to meet you all.

        Shigure.


      • DaisyBinks
        Participant
        66 posts Send Private Message

          welcome! what a cute name you will learn a lot here, I know I have


        • DaisyBinks
          Participant
          66 posts Send Private Message

            Just noticing that the birthday would make Yuki only 3 weeks old. That is very young for a bun to be away from mum, which concerns me :/


          • Deleted User
            Participant
            22064 posts Send Private Message

              Thank you, at the moment reading the forum.

              In Japan they remove baby animals from the parents very early… Back in Australia where I am from they would never do that until about 12 weeks.

              So as Yuki is so young I am really watching him/her and have taken time off to stay home and protect him/her for the next 2 months. At the moment he/she is sleeping with his/her body pressed against my body.

              Today Yuki started chewing on the carpet, wooden doors, cardboard box, table leg …

              Yuki will not eat the food the petshop said, but she will eat cabbage and carrots if I use a peeler to make then as thin as possible.

              I am worried because of the age so been researching the net for the past two days and I have not slept, because I am watching Yuki


            • CinnabunMom
              Participant
              1190 posts Send Private Message

                First, welcome to BB.

                It’s really important that Yuki get the proper nutrition at his age. Her diet needs to be as close to mother’s milk as possible. I would stop the veggies right away as bunnies cannot have them until they are about 12 weeks old. I’m with Daisy, this concerns me. What did the pet store give you? One of our forum leaders probably knows better what Yuki can and cannot have, but you are probably going to want to pick up some sort of supplement that is milk-like.


              • Deleted User
                Participant
                22064 posts Send Private Message

                  Pet shop just said pellets … but mix with water to make soft, I tried that and Yuki refused to eat… the pellets are way too hard for her to try and eat dry … The pellets are for baby rabbits. … there is nothing milk like at the shop. …. this is why I tried the cabbage and carrots… she has no problems digesting them and after she eats she goes to the toilet … and I spend the next 3 hours cleaning up …


                • jerseygirl
                  Moderator
                  22338 posts Send Private Message

                    Welcome Shigure

                    I’m shocked they let the babies go that young. That is sad. I hope Yuki will be ok.

                    Babies will start eating hay and pellets around this age (but still have the mothers milk too). I think getting her a good grass hay is important. One of my bunnies I’ve had from birth and she ate hay from early age.

                    Do you know what is in the pellets they sold you? She should be able to manage she these as they are.

                    Goodluck!


                  • Deleted User
                    Participant
                    22064 posts Send Private Message

                      I have been in a panic for the past few hours … I have rung over 20 pet shops trying to find a milk that I can give Yuki chan … they all say the pellets are for new born baby rabbits and can be used up to 8 months old … I have looked on the net to try and make something at home and half the ingredients on the net we cannot get in Japan.

                      I have re read the back of the pellet packet and it says for new born rabbit up to 8 months like the shops have said.

                      I have just got off the telephone blasting the pet shop I brought Yuki chan at and they now claim that the DoB is not the 16th of Sept, but the 06th of Sept, but on the form they have written 16th of Sept, is there any way I can find out Yuki chan’s age? Can a vet tell me?

                      She has been sleeping next to my chest all day long…


                    • jerseygirl
                      Moderator
                      22338 posts Send Private Message

                        Mmm… He could be about 4 weeks. Possibly even older…. Always hard to be certain though. He looks similar to one of mine I had at 4 weeks. Although I did try to give him a milk replacement, he never took very much.
                        I’m sort if thinking just getting this one onto hay and pellets might be your best bet rather then a milk that’s not specialized rabbit milk replacer.

                        I’m not certain a vet could tell you an accurate age.

                        Cute little thing! He/she will probably grow bigger then you expect!


                      • Deleted User
                        Participant
                        22064 posts Send Private Message

                          Decided to put the pellets in the blender with some water and turned it in to a paste … Yuki is eating it now… refused to eat it before as pellets…. so need to be like a paste before he/she will touch it … She is hopping about happy as now and no problems… I do not think I will be sleeping tonight … will stay awake and watch over my baby .. 


                        • jerseygirl
                          Moderator
                          22338 posts Send Private Message

                            Haha! You’ve definitely fallen for the bunny.

                            Scatter some whole pellets around too. It might surprise you.

                            Are you able to get hold of some hay?


                          • jerseygirl
                            Moderator
                            22338 posts Send Private Message

                              I don’t know if this site is useful to you because I cannot read it. I found it on House Rabbit Society site

                              http://garden-of-ethel.me.uk/en

                              Maybe if you contact they can help you find supplies?

                              House Rabbit Society is a great site too: http://www.rabbit.org


                            • Deleted User
                              Participant
                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                Yeah great I am a 44 year old Ex-Aussie RAINF and going stupid over a rabbit, lucky the guys back in OZ cannot see this, they be in fits of laughter…

                                Getting hay is no problems. I have got in contact with a pet shop in the next city and they have hay.  

                                Think the paste has recharged her batteries, she is hopping about like the energizer bunny  now.


                              • jerseygirl
                                Moderator
                                22338 posts Send Private Message

                                  Lol. Rabbits do that to us.

                                  Don’t worry, your safe here on BinkyBunny. We’re all nuts over rabbits.


                                • Deleted User
                                  Participant
                                  22064 posts Send Private Message

                                    Well that is good too know .. I was about to check myself in to the local funny farm!


                                  • Monkeybun
                                    Participant
                                    10479 posts Send Private Message

                                      What a cutie!

                                      I too think you should get this little doll going on hay as soon as possible, as it really is the best thing for them. A nice, tasty alfalfa hay may entice him to eat more Can’t have his slave blending pellets 24/7 after all… even slaves need rest


                                    • zoologist
                                      Participant
                                      270 posts Send Private Message

                                        Thanks for clearing up her name! Japanese is such a cool and complex language. I didn’t know Yuki could mean snow and luck. My boyfriend’s cat’s name is Yuki because she was white as snow when he got her as a kitten!

                                        Yuki chan is a cutie! So happy she’s eating now!


                                      • tanlover14
                                        Participant
                                        3617 posts Send Private Message

                                          What an adorable little girl — welcome to BB!


                                        • Deleted User
                                          Participant
                                          22064 posts Send Private Message

                                            Thank you everyone for your help and the welcomes …. I am on a high because about 20 cups of coffee in the past 24 hours …

                                            Update … I spent all night awake watching over my little girl … She is eating fine now and going toilet with no problems … she is hopping about and last night decided to go in to the other room were I normally sleep … 

                                            The room Yuki chan is in has carpet on the floor and she loves it, but my room has a wooden floor which she hates, but last night she entered the room and to my amazement jumped up on to the bed, scared the living daylights out of the girlfriend, who just about had a heart attack

                                            The bed is 30cm high and she got on to it with one jump, I have now decided to keep the shoji shut to the other room to keep her out of it. The kitchen also has wooden floors and she refuses to go in to there.

                                            In regards to Yuki chan’s age.

                                            The girlfriend rushed home from work as Yuki chan was not drink or eat for close to 6 hours, until I made the paste. 

                                            The girlfriend rang the pet shop and blasted them even though I did it a few hours earlier, they told the girlfriend the same as they told me and that is Yuki chan was born on the 06th of Sept and not the 16th of Sept, even though they wrote down on the for the 16th of Sept.

                                            I now think they wrote a younger age, because in Japan people will pay a high price for a young animal and a low price for a older animal, Yuki chan was ¥15000 because young, there was another rabbit the same breed but was 9 weeks old and it was only ¥8000

                                            I do not mind paying a high price for a animal, but I am really p*ssed they have lied, so filing a report with the local government about the pet shop.

                                            When the girlfriend got home yesterday, she said from the time she left for work until she got home I have stressed so much I have aged about 5 to 7 years. 

                                            My little girl this morning, checking out my lap top.

                                            After checking out the lap top, time for a bath … I love my little girl


                                          • tanlover14
                                            Participant
                                            3617 posts Send Private Message

                                              She is a gorgeous little girl — hope they are honest this time about her age and that she is older than first mentioned! Keep an eye on her (which it seems like you’ve been doing wonderfully).

                                              I can’t remember if it was mentioned before or not — have you found a rabbit savvy vet yet who you can take your new little girl to have a checkup?


                                            • Deleted User
                                              Participant
                                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                I am trying to find a vet that specialize in rabbits, but it is a bit hard.

                                                 I have put Yuki chan on my private insurance so my medical insurance that I use to go to hospital now also covers her 100%.

                                                Entered the Animal Ambulance in to the phone on speed dial if anything should happen, they have the same authority as a normal ambulance for humans when in comes to speed and running red lights.

                                                The nearest Medical Emergence Animal Hospital is only 3 minutes away from my house, and like all hospitals in Japan they are also open 24/7 for emergencies.

                                                I have just ordered a Cage, litter tray, rabbit maze, toys, as in my city there is nothing for rabbits, so at the moment using cardboard boxes… All the items should be here in the next week.


                                              • tanlover14
                                                Participant
                                                3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                  Everything sounds like it’s going good for her! I’m glad you’re so happy with her and working so hard to take such good care of her!


                                                • Memarie
                                                  Participant
                                                  93 posts Send Private Message

                                                    Yuki chan is so cute!! If you weren’t so far I would be tempted to steal her… Haha. I’m very impressed with all you are doing for her. It looks like she is in really good hands =)


                                                  • Deleted User
                                                    Participant
                                                    22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                      Thank you Memarieさん .. Yes I am spoiling my little Yuki chan and I think she has noticed it and playing hard to please now.


                                                    • Monkeybun
                                                      Participant
                                                      10479 posts Send Private Message

                                                        Oh heck, all bunnies are hard to please We are their slaves, and must bow to all their demands… lol


                                                      • Deleted User
                                                        Participant
                                                        22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                          Yes I have just noticed that … I have owned Cats and Dogs all my life and this is the first time with a bunny and I have aged 5 to 7 years in the past few days according to my girlfriend.

                                                          Yuki chan knows she has me wrapped around her little feet, if she was any bigger I think she use me as a carpet and walk all over me!

                                                          Tell me I am NUTZ for thinking I need to get her a friend in the next 2 weeks ….. Please talk me out of it, p-p-p-please


                                                        • jerseygirl
                                                          Moderator
                                                          22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                            She doesn’t need a friend yet. She has you guys.

                                                            But do consider it carefully because there can be some hiccups that arise as they mature.

                                                            1) The sex of rabbits is mistaken ALL THE TIME. Members here can attest to that. So you could end up with 2 boys, 2 girls, or one of each….which means having to separate them so they don’t breed. That can happen at a surprisingly early age.

                                                            2) Though rabbits might be buddies while young, when they reach 2-3 months of age their hormones arrive. Very often they begin to fight. So then you’re looking at separate habitats, looking into getting them desexed to cancel out the effects of the crazy hormones. Then some bonding work to help them get along.

                                                            It doesn’t always go this way. Some will stay friendly. But just some stuff to think about.

                                                            I don’t mean to come across anti-rabbit. I KNOW how addictive they are. My house is full now. But if you’re considering a 2nd because you think she’d be lonely, give it some time. They are pretty cute how they can bond to us. They settle into a routine of sleeping when you’re not around and seek us out when we’re home.


                                                          • Deleted User
                                                            Participant
                                                            22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                              I cannot play with her all the time, as I will return to work next year, and here in Japan most people work about 12 to 15 hours a day, then out with friends for a few hours before returning home.

                                                              I use to start work at 1800hrs at night and finish at 0700hrs the next day, then a 2 hour train ride home, so was away from home a total of 17 hours a day at least some days I never returned home and slept in a capsule hotel, the new job will be much the same.

                                                              So looking at getting her a playmate once I know her sex, at the moment I think female, but cannot tell yet, I have read on the net how to tell and I have looked and nope no idea yet. 

                                                              Once I know the sex then will decide on a friend. I am not one for desexing animals(The mammal called humans YES 7 Billion is too bloody many). I will look at the best option. 

                                                              I will be having a new house build next year if all goes to plan, so will have 1 room made just for my bunnies, but they will still have free run of the whole house.

                                                              Looking at a cage system like the picture below, but will need it custom made as there is nothing like this in Japan, it will give them the space they need if I am away for long hours or cannot get home (Earthquake 2011).

                                                              Also would redesign it with extra floors on the right hand side so bunnies can play on different levels, and the bottom of the cage would be redesigned for easier cleaning for litter tray, food & water bowls, hay dispenser etc.

                                                              Note : If the rabbits breed, they would have no problems finding new homes, and here in Japan if you dump an animal you are looking at a prison term of 2 to 5 years. Animal protection is very high in Japan.


                                                            • jerseygirl
                                                              Moderator
                                                              22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                                With those crazy hours I can definitely understand you wanting to get her a buddy.

                                                                Sorry to go off topic; you were there during the Quake & Tsunami? I still have a hard time comprehending that event – the enormity and loss…


                                                              • Deleted User
                                                                Participant
                                                                22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                  I moved to Japan in 2003, I was living only 200ks south of the leaking nukes. At the time of the quake I was in Yokohama, 10 floors up, the whole building swayed 1 meter either way throwing us all to the ground and turning the place in to a war zone, the trip home that normally takes 45 minute through the Aqua line took 15 hours, because all express ways were closed, all trains stopped, a 10 minute trip across Shibuya took 1 hour because of all the traffic. when I finally got home the next morning at just after 10am, my house was a wreck everything was destroyed, 2ks east of me the oil refinery went up and there was a huge blaze sending thick black smoke over my place, about a week after the quake I was told a family member of the wife(now divorced) was missing and 1 of my clients were also missing, 4 months after the quake they found the family member dead, the client they have never found his body.

                                                                  I moved to Kanazawa-Ku last year and now been told to expect a M8+ quake here, in the next 5. I am on Tokyo Bay and from the information shown on TV if the quake hits and there is a Tsunami my house will be under 20 meters of water. … … …. 

                                                                  And as I am typing this Yuki chan has just jumped a 40cm Barrier I set up to enclose her…  was not expecting that … bugger it!

                                                                  Chat later, I need to think of a new plan for the bunny, she has thrown a hissy fit being locked up and for the past 10 minutes has being trying to escape and she did it


                                                                • Monkeybun
                                                                  Participant
                                                                  10479 posts Send Private Message

                                                                    I know you said you aren’t one for desexing animals… but with female rabbits especially, it is very beneficial. Not just for the no babies factor, either. Female rabbits have an extremely high chance, 80-85%, of getting uterine cancer by age 4. Please reconsider, for her sake. Cancer is never pleasant


                                                                  • Deleted User
                                                                    Participant
                                                                    22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                      I have been searching the net on Japanese sites about rabbits with cancer and here in Japan the percentage is extremely low, the rabbit specialist are saying the difference between rabbits in Japan and the rest of the world is the diet they are put on and what has been put on the food, All rabbit food in Japan is organic and no pesticides have been used on them, the pellets have been designed to give the right amount of fiber, proteins, fats to make bunny healthy. They are saying one problem is water, for the best for home bunnies is to filter the water before giving it to them, to remove all the added chemicals that is put in the water for humans, eg : Fluoride, Chlorine both of which cause cancer.

                                                                      I will talk to the Rabbit specialist in Yokohama in about a months time when I take Yuki chan for a complete medical. I do not like interfering with mother nature or karma, reason is because I am a Buddhist.


                                                                    • LoveChaCha
                                                                      Participant
                                                                      6634 posts Send Private Message

                                                                        Female rabbits unspayed are very hard to deal with and are very very hormonal. I am talking from experience with my little one, and she is now almost 3 years of age. She is no longer hormonal, and just her cranky self

                                                                        Also, if you wish to get her a friend, you’ll need to get her spayed because.. sometimes females get territorial and do not like others in their space

                                                                        I have friends in Japan that have rabbits and their diets are basically the same as the bunnies in the US. The rabbit food here in the US has evolved and become a lot better. A lot have said that other rabbit parents in Japan don’t really spay and neuter due to the high price. Have you looked at the House Rabbit Society website?

                                                                        http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html


                                                                      • Deleted User
                                                                        Participant
                                                                        22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                          Female Rabbits are hard to deal with?? … Females in general no matter what are hard to deal with and very very hormonal .. that is living with them for 26 years  ★I am so in trouble★ 

                                                                          I have just been on the phone to the Rabbit Dr in Yokohama, making an appointment for my Yuki chan, and asked about getting her spayed, if Yuki is a female, the Dr said it is best if I let her have a litter then have her spayed then she will keep her character,  The Dr said if I get another Netheland Dwarf it would be the best idea, so the litter is not a mixed breed.

                                                                          I still do not like the idea of playing GOD and remove parts of her/his body, I have never done it with any of my cats or dogs … So I really do not want to do it with my rabbits. Mother Nature created it and I do not have the right to change what nature created.

                                                                          These are the views of a Buddhist.. So people may thing I am a little weird.


                                                                        • DaisyBinks
                                                                          Participant
                                                                          66 posts Send Private Message

                                                                            I do not think you are weird. My beliefs also put nature first. However, nature also made female rabbits so they can have litter after litter after litter, which a house rabbit does not (and should not) be doing. This is a lot of what contributes to the higher risk of cancer. A female bunny’s body is constantly getting ready for babies.

                                                                            I also do not recommend letting your rabbit have a litter before spaying her. This will only contribute to an already existing large rabbit population, many if not most of which do not find good homes such as ours and many of which are neglected or left to die. Even if you were to find homes for all the babies, it would be a lot of work and you would never know what happened to them.

                                                                            I understand not wanting to play god, and a lot of your reasons for not wanting to spay your rabbit. I was completely unable to name my Bunny a “real” name because of a lot of my beliefs. But you also made the choice to take a living creature into your home who will have a happier, healthier, and likely longer life if you spay her. It’s like having a child but not wanting to make medical decisions for it, which you would need to do, or face neglect charges.

                                                                            I have never heard of a rabbit keeping their personality if they have a litter first. That’s like saying a ten year old girl will be the same personality as she is when she’s 18, or when she’s 30. Personality changes occur with age for all creatures.


                                                                          • tanlover14
                                                                            Participant
                                                                            3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                              I would just like to point out, on the comment about them losing their personalities if spayed before having a litter…. my bun before her spay became really skittish and refused to let us touch her or even really be around her. She was constantly running from us and hiding and always seemed nervous and on guard. After her spay, she became A LOT happier. She began interacting with us, like the other buns we have, and she finally began developing a very goofy personality that was all her own! I think she was only able to do so by getting her spayed. She, in all senses, became a much HAPPIER bunny.

                                                                              Also, I understand the reasoning behind your beliefs and such — but I have to agree with DaisyBinks on her points behind female bunnies and their constant need to breed. It’s ultimately your decision, of course, but with such a high risk of cancer it’s very dangerous for her not to be spayed.


                                                                            • Deleted User
                                                                              Participant
                                                                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                Mother nature made Bunnies Breed a lot and fast because sad to say they are prey, so higher number are produced to ensure that at least a few will not become some Hawks or Foxes dinner … But on saying that … I completely understand what people are saying, but I still need to think about it and need to do my own research on the matter then I will decide …. At the moment I can pick Yuki chan up, check her teeth, her feet, brush her and she is fine and happy with me… I lay down on the floor and she will sit between my arms while I am on the laptop. I go to the toilet and she will follow me there and wait out side, then follow me back to the living room … So I do not want to do something that she will hate me later …

                                                                                I had to take my mothers cat to the vets to get fixed and after that the cat hated me like there was no tomorrow ……

                                                                                I have a question in regards to Toys.

                                                                                 In Japan we have

                                                                                Loquat Balls

                                                                                Yam Balls

                                                                                Guava Balls

                                                                                Shiso Balls

                                                                                Mint Balls

                                                                                Which are like the Willow Balls but made from other woods, do you know if Bunny can have them?

                                                                                The vets here say it is fine to feed Rabbits natural Yogurt, Un-heated/un-treated natural honey (not the rubbish that is sold for humans) Oats that have not be processed or had any thing done to them. But what I read on the net in English is saying NO to everything the vets are saying YES too .. Someone please explain?

                                                                                And I assumed Yuki chan was expensive at ¥15000 … but these Netheland Dwarf Bunnies are over ¥52,000 or about $US665

                                                                                Netheland Dwarf Bunnies


                                                                              • BinkyBunny
                                                                                Moderator
                                                                                8776 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                  Welcome to BinkyBunny! Oh, and ou don’t need to worry about being a “dude” here. We have quite a few guy members actually. I am glad you found us and hopefully we can be helpful even though some of what we say is going to be contradictory to the information you have received.

                                                                                  You have to do what you feel is right for your spiritual journey/religion. But part of our job is to educate and then of course, you can decide if what we say can be incorporated in whatever decision you make. Domestic rabbits are a product of human interference from 200 years of breeding that changes body shapes, colors, sizes and even characteristics.(mostly to be more docile and less skittish– even the most skittish rabbit is usually more docile their wild cousins). So now what we have is a rabbit with some domestic behaviors but stuck also with some wild instincts that can make things more challenging for them. (and their owners). When your bunny reaches sexual maturity, you may find that she may get territorial which can mean marking/spraying and sometimes even grunting and aggression. This can be triggered even more by another animal and/or bunny, (which is another reason to really wait before bringing another bunny in, so I caution you about that). You will begin to notice a change starting after 12 weeks.

                                                                                  The other thing to consider is that unspayed female rabbits have a higher rate of cancer. Now these percentages are a bit controversial as well since the actual percentages range from 40% – 80%, and usually that’s due to the percentage of risk increasing with age. So an unspayed female may not be at as much risk for the first few years, but the cancer risk percentage increases in time. After five years old, spaying can be a bit riskier, so by the time the cancer risk is very high, it sometimes is riskier to do the surgery (blood test and health checks should be done first). So that’s why people will recommend spaying earlier. Again, this is not to tell you that your decision to spay or not to spay is right or wrong, but it’s definitely something to be aware of.

                                                                                  As far as a vet suggesting a bunny to have a litter first. I have never heard that come from any rabbit-savvy vet or expert around here. Please note that the discussion of breeding is not allowed on this board because it can be controversial, but I wanted to at least give some additional information as you decide whether or not to spay. One thing I have heard is that yes, some behaviors can set in if spayed/neutered later, and that can sometimes mean bad habits — like spraying.

                                                                                  And I am so shocked at the young age (3 weeks) that bunnies are allowed to be sold there — the babies are not getting the kind of nutrition and gi tract bacteria balance they need. This can set them up for life of digestive issues over time.  Also, babies are much more susceptible to infection,so it’s better if they stay with their mother until 8 weeks to strengthen their immune system. I have heard that a very healthy bunny can be weaned as early as 5 months,but it really shouldn’t be common practice. And three weeks just seems bizarre.   I am very glad your bunny is doing well now, but in general this is not a healthy practice for bunny care. (Though I know you didn’t have any control over that). .

                                                                                  As far as the toys you mentioned — I’ve never heard of them and so I cannot comment. If they have food/treats included, I would not offer any as your bunny is young and still trying to build up his/her healthy gut bacteria. Which also means yogurt drops. Yogurt drops usually have sugar and milk which can promote an unhealthy bacteria growth in the gi tract. http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/treat.html#Candies/Sugars

                                                                                  I think right now, just focus on keeping her healthy and safe like you are doing. She is very lucky to have great humans who love her so much and are researching and checking out all the options. That speaks volumes. You have time to decide regarding the spay.

                                                                                  These are a few good resources as well to start with.:
                                                                                  http://www.rabbit.org.
                                                                                  http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html (diet specific)
                                                                                  http://www.sandiegorabbits.org/diet/rabbit_GI_physiology.html
                                                                                  http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/rabbithealth.html

                                                                                  Again, welcome and keep us udpated!


                                                                                • LoveChaCha
                                                                                  Participant
                                                                                  6634 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                    Yogurt or any dairy products are not recommended because rabbits do not need dairy in their diet. Too much calcium is not good for their sensitive stomach. Too much can lead to sludge like urine. A rabbits GI Tract is very different from other animals, thus the difference in dietary needs.


                                                                                  • Deleted User
                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                    22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                      OK now I have a problem, what I read in English and what I read in Japanese are really two different things … What I am now reading on this board and what I am being told from the Rabbit Specialist here in Japan is also very different … So now as a new Bunny Slave I am confused!

                                                                                      Today I brought Alfalfa Hay and bunny has gone STUPID over it, she has not touched her pellet blend, just water and hay … she has been doing Bunny 500 since I got home from the vets and pet shop, and at the moment she is driving me nutz

                                                                                      I tried to buy her bedding today and all they have is bedding made from Japanese Tree shavings …and I have search on the net and there is NOTHING to say that the Japanese Trees are safe for bunny …. but there is NOTHING else to buy for bedding or for the Toilet, but the Japanese stuff.

                                                                                      Edited 1825hrs (JST) : Yuki chan just chilling out!


                                                                                    • tanlover14
                                                                                      Participant
                                                                                      3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                        I don’t think anyone could have said that better, BB! Murasaki — You have quite awhile until the option to spay can even become possible so I believe you have quite some time to make the decision! I would just keep researching and see what you come to terms with. It says loads that you’re doing all this research and not just listening to one source/person!

                                                                                        That’s so interesting/weird that everything you hear there is so much different! Besides people on BB I don’t know anyone who lives outside the country, besides just visiting, so these different views are incredibly interesting to hear about!

                                                                                        Bunny has gone stupid over the alfalfa, HAHAHAHAHHAAH. That’s too funny. She’s sooooo absolutely ADORABLE!


                                                                                      • jerseygirl
                                                                                        Moderator
                                                                                        22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                          Haha! Great to hear she’s liking the alfalfa. Cheeky little thing can eat harder dry food after all. All that lost sleep…

                                                                                          What type of tree is this bedding made from? Most soft woods are fine but its really the processing that counts. When it’s heat treated (kiln dried) it removes most of the oils in the wood that can be irritants.

                                                                                          The wood litters are good at keeping odours down but if hard to get hold of,
                                                                                          plain old newspaper and hay or straw as litter will do for the toilet box. It just needs daily cleaning to remove soiled materials. You can add a bit of her eating hay on top at one end.

                                                                                          Hope that helps.

                                                                                          And I assumed Yuki chan was expensive at ¥15000 … but these Netheland Dwarf Bunnies are over ¥52,000 or about $US665

                                                                                          $US665???

                                                                                          ETA: thanks for elaborating on your experience during the quake. I appreciate it. I sometimes feel sad how quickly people forget once mainstream media drops their focus on disasters or turmoil in other regions.


                                                                                        • Deleted User
                                                                                          Participant
                                                                                          22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                            Welcome to BB! Yuki-chan is so cute! She looks close to the size of when I got my Skipper. Our vet said that our estimate of her age is pretty spot on. We got her at four weeks. =]

                                                                                            Don’t discount the idea of spray. =p Trust me it can sometimes be a savior! I’m dealing with an extremely hormonal bun right now. And I’m going to be honest. She is not happy right now. She was a lot happier when she was younger and battling with the hormones.


                                                                                          • Deleted User
                                                                                            Participant
                                                                                            22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                              Thank guys, will reply to the questions later on as today I have a bad flu and been in bed all day long, the girlfriend left for work and like she always does, she left all the doors in the apartment open, I got up 1120 hrs and went to the living room and NO Yuki chan, “Panic Mode” kicked in and I searched everywhere and nothing, 

                                                                                              Pulled the fridge away from the wall and Yuki chan was inside the fridge, ripped the power cord out of the wall so she would not get zapped and for the next 30 minutes tried to talk her out, to no prevail.. I cannot get my hands in there to grab her because off all the pipes in the way … 

                                                                                              So it was a case of destroy the fridge or lose my bunny. I pinched all the pipes at the start of the refrigeration unit so no gas could escape, crimped all the pipes coming from the fridge going to the refrigeration unit so no gas could escape and then cut all the pipes, I could then get my hands in there to pull her out, I made sure my hands protected her from any of the now cut pipes and slowly pulled her out, and her “Thank You Slave!” was a very hard bite.

                                                                                               

                                                                                              Yuki chan is safe, fridge is now dead so need to buy a new one and the girlfriend when she gets home tonight is going to be in so much bunny poo she is going to need a Backhoe to dig her out!. For over 1 year I tell the girlfriend to “SHUT THE DOORS”, to the cardboard, toilet, bathroom, living room, bedroom, kitchen .. and she still leaves them open, she has the brains of a gold fish and it just about cost Yuki chan her life, so one very fuming Bunny Slave at the moment! 

                                                                                               

                                                                                              Yuki chan is now sleeping after her little adventure and drama, and I need a double scotch.


                                                                                            • Monkeybun
                                                                                              Participant
                                                                                              10479 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                Oh my! Poor Yuki chan! Glad she’s okay. And you, get back to bed and rest. With the doors closed


                                                                                              • Deleted User
                                                                                                Participant
                                                                                                22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                  Bedding in Japanese Pine, but Yuki chan refused to use the bed now, so I have just tossed it and put in the bath-towel back in her house and she is once again a happy bunny .. I will use the bedding for her litter tray. I have tried a few things for bedding and she hates them all but for a lime green bath-towel.

                                                                                                  Also noticed that she LIKES the vinegar and water mix that I use to clean up her mess … Japanese vinegar is made from Rice so bunny loves it .. I am using a 50/50 mix to clean, and as soon as I clean Yuki will go to the area and lick the place.

                                                                                                  You know when you have not had enough sleep because of a Bunny when you spell area as ar*e .. Sorry about that …

                                                                                                  Yuki chan reading the latest on BB.


                                                                                                • tanlover14
                                                                                                  Participant
                                                                                                  3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                    LMAO — You need a double scotch… Hahahhaha. I just laughed soooooooo hard. My breeder had that problem with our little girl when she was a wee baby too! Apparently she managed to fit herself between a piece of wood and escaped. They had to pull up the whole barn practically looking for her before they found her! LOLOLOL.

                                                                                                    And my ferret used to do this too! He was free-roam and could get into the TINIEST places. The first time I lost him I was terrified and looked everywhere and could not find him at ALLL! No matter where I looked. I was freaking out. And then finally… I heard this scratching noise after a few hours and found him in the stove!!!!!! I was so happy I didn’t decide to make dinner and preheat the oven. Poor little guy. Made sure to check the oven EVERYDAY I used the stove after that.

                                                                                                    Cute little creatures always seem to be causing trouble!


                                                                                                  • Svandis
                                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                                    442 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                      Sorry to pull the thread off track but – Tanlover, you had a ferret?? I’ve been wanting either a ferret or a chinchilla for soo long. When me and the BF get a house of our own, we’re def. gonna get either a ferret or a chinchilla. Is a ferret much work compaired to a rabbit? A calm one of those haha, not your little rascals! lol j/k


                                                                                                    • tanlover14
                                                                                                      Participant
                                                                                                      3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                        OMG — I would TOTALLY suggest a ferret. I LOVEEDDD my ferret. I actually had my boyfriend ALMOST convinced to get one before when we were looking for pets we could have in our non-pets allowed condo. He was all for it but was majorly worried about their odor.

                                                                                                        And NOOO — I know my rascals are CRAAAAZYYY, but the ferret was AWESOME. And not much work at all. Ours was free-roam, usually when I wasn’t home also. But keeping them in a cage is insanely easy to do also because they sleep like 18 hours a day, no joke. I was like no way could this be true but he really did. But when he was up boy was he HYPER. He was always chasing the cat around and jumping on his back but he was never aggressive. We got him from a pet store when he was baby and the only problem I ever had with him was his biting. Did some research about biting and what to do (pick them up by the scruff of their neck which shows dominance and doesn’t hurt them at all!) They go totally limp… but it’s like the form of mother showing dominance. Did that like 3-4 times and said no and the problem was cured, it only nibbled when he played. He bit HARD the first couple of times but that trick cleared it all up. They are sooo much fun to play with too. Very social creatures.

                                                                                                        They steal and hide EVERRRRYTHING though. And like rabbits love to chew so they need lots of toys. Also very smart, mine figured out how to get out of his cage which was how he became free-roam… LOL. Gosh, I miss him! I’ll post a picture of him on this thread if no one minds!


                                                                                                      • tanlover14
                                                                                                        Participant
                                                                                                        3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                          Oh yeah, and as for the odor — I gave him baths 3x a week and cleaned his cage every day and put this stuff in his water that helps with the odors they emit and he was perfectly fine.


                                                                                                        • Svandis
                                                                                                          Participant
                                                                                                          442 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                            Haha! Having a ferret sounds like so much fun! And lol, I didn’t know they slept that much! haha
                                                                                                            Thanks for reply! Definitly a pet I’m gonna look into in the future!
                                                                                                            Looking forward to seing the photo

                                                                                                            Sorry again Murasaki for hogging the thread


                                                                                                          • Deleted User
                                                                                                            Participant
                                                                                                            22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                              Oh my gosh! Yuki-chan likes vinegar too! I thought I had the ONLY weird bun that likes vinegar. If I leave the spray bottle with my vinegar/water mixture out Skipper will lick the nozel to get to the vinegar. I agree with TL you need some scotch. Have you thought of putting up a barrier around the fridge to keep her from going behind there? We have a wad of old paper brown bags that I use while cooking smooshed inbetween the wall and the fridge. Skipper can’t jump over the bags to get behind the fridge.

                                                                                                              Haha TL! I had silly ferret that liked to get into places too. He would be able to slip himself under the space between the door and floor and sneak into our laundry closest and sleep in the towels on the lowest shelf. There was no way to keep him from going under because he would pull away any blockade we made so it became Gillie’s shelf. (Sorry Murasaki for the aside)


                                                                                                            • Deleted User
                                                                                                              Participant
                                                                                                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                Morning Bunny Slaves,

                                                                                                                Thanks for the replies ….

                                                                                                                Skipper’s Mama Yes Yuki chan loves vinegar, and she does the same, if I leave the spray bottle on the floor she will lick the nozzle, decided to change from 50/50 to 60/40 in the hope she would not like it and low and behold she loved it even more. So back to 50/50 because if she is licking it, it is better to be weaker as to not upset her tummy.  

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                I had a whole bottle of Glenfiddich last night as I am still sick as a dog and getting worse, have a fever of 38.7℃ today, girlfriend was told off last night for leaving the door open and she has offered to pay for a new fridge, so she will be out of pocket ¥110,000 all because of forgetting to shut the door, I think she will remember after this.

                                                                                                                I can see a new CM for VISA

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                Bunny Toys and other item ¥50,000 ($US 635)

                                                                                                                New Fridge ¥110,000 ($US 1379)

                                                                                                                Bunny doing baby binkies and the bunny 500,

                                                                                                                while driving you NUTZ.

                                                                                                                PRICELESS!

                                                                                                                For everything else there is Visa

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                I am trying to rest and this morning left my bedroom door open just a crack so I could hear Yuki chan and know she is ok, doing the bunny 500 in the living room. I was trying to sleep, rolled over and was nose to nose with a baby bunny … she somehow managed to squeeze in to my room.

                                                                                                                Picked her up off my bed, put her back in the living room, open the door up and put a box across it so she cannot get in, and tried to sleep again… 1 hour later I hear scratching on wood, but not the normal sound, so get up to find bunny has once again got in to an area which is off limits to her, she squeeze under the temp barrier I set up to protect the TV cabinet, she got behind the cabinet then jumped though the rear to set up a new home inside the cabinet.

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                I see owning a baby bunny is a full time job!

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                I rang my pet shop about a wire barrier and they have to order them in and will take a couple of days, so I need to keep an eye on bunny for the next few days to make sure she does not escape again.

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                I love Ferrets and was going to buy one, but decided on Yuki chan. May buy one at a later date when in the new house…. Do bunny and ferret got on?

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                Well back to bed for me … Bunny safe and sound asleep for the next hour before she drives me nutz again… 


                                                                                                              • Monkeybun
                                                                                                                Participant
                                                                                                                10479 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                  ferrets are carnivores, related to weasels, so I would really advise against having them and bunnies together.


                                                                                                                • Deleted User
                                                                                                                  Participant
                                                                                                                  22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                    OK then NO Ferret ….. Bunny Wins!


                                                                                                                  • tanlover14
                                                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                                                    3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                      Monkeybun — I’m not sure that I really agree.  My ferret got along with every animal we put him along with  — I took the little guy everywhere (in my purse)…. literally, everywhere.  I’m a firm believer that animals will develop how you raise them.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                      Also, there are tons of people on Facebook with dogs with their bunnies… Ferrets are not nearly as dangerous as having your buns share a home with their dog! 

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                      Anyways, here’s some pics of him!

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                      I loved him!  Miss having a little ferret around, I must admit!


                                                                                                                    • Deleted User
                                                                                                                      Participant
                                                                                                                      22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                        I have to agree with TL on this MB. Gilligan was one of the sweetest most devoted pets that I’ve had the pleasure of calling partially mine. (He was my bf’s and I became the step-mommy ;P) Gillie was great with cats and loved to play and tussle with them. He never once tried to bite them in a harmful way. The silly little ankle bitter saved the love nips for us.

                                                                                                                        Murasaki they just get even more fun and mischievous as they get older. ;P But we still gotta love them. Living in FL with the muggy weather and bugs it’s pretty much a must to have a screened in porch. Skips has made it her life mission to zoom past us when we open the door to let the cats in and out to the porch. It would be fine if we didn’t have a pool at the house.


                                                                                                                      • BB Administrator
                                                                                                                        Keymaster
                                                                                                                        392 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                          OOPS sorry, this is BB in admin mode. Hate when I am working on the site and I forget to put my BB hat on.

                                                                                                                           think when it comes to ferrets, dogs, cats, etc sharing space with a rabbit, there is no one right or wrong answer as it is about the individual animals, space and circumstances — but I do agree with MB in the sense that it’s smart to offer caution to anyone who is thinking about bringing predatory animal in to be housed with a prey animal. For example, some people have to really watch their cat carefully and fully supervise, where others don’t have to be as cautious because their cat has proven to be just a pushover and no threat at all. Some dogs are much less gentle than others — I’ve heard of nightmare horror stories with careful people, while others have such a easy going dog, that it could have a bunny crawling all over them and not care. So though having a ferret, a dog or cat along with a bunny may be just fine in many circumstances, I think it’s also important to make sure that when we are advising people (who may have zero experience with either) to offer a well-rounded perspective. Our own experiences (good or bad) do not necessarily mean that that is the reality for every circumstance. So I think that if anyone is interested in having a ferret, dog, or cat join their bunny household, it’s best to really research and look at the cautions so you know what to prepare for and prevent – just in case.

                                                                                                                          Helloworld!!


                                                                                                                        • Deleted User
                                                                                                                          Participant
                                                                                                                          22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                            Thanks for the input fellow Bunny Slaves …

                                                                                                                            I think I will just stick to Bunnies … 

                                                                                                                            I watched for close to 30 minutes last night as Yuki chan was in full play mode doing the bunny 500 and blinkies all over the place, this morning she has discovered she can jump and decided to see if she could take a leap over the 40cm temp barriers protecting the TV .. She made the 40cm and landed in the rubbish bin … the expression on her face was priceless… it was a case of “WT Happen and OI hoomin get me out of here, you stupid hoomin put a bin where I am going to land!” Camera had flat batteries again so could not get a photograph of it.

                                                                                                                             NEVER buy a Canon Powershot … they chew up batteries like there is no tomorrow … 2 AA batteries last about 30 photographs or 2:50mins of video … I am using Panasonic Rechargeable and they take 10 hours to recharge


                                                                                                                          • tanlover14
                                                                                                                            Participant
                                                                                                                            3617 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                              That is hysterical!! I know what you mean about sticking to bunnies — I don’t even know how I could handle another breed of animal right now! My babies take all my time up! Now if it were another bun… I’d find the time. O


                                                                                                                            • Deleted User
                                                                                                                              Participant
                                                                                                                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                                                                I really wish I could have gotten a photograph of it, both myself and my girlfriend crack up laughing and Yuki chan was not impressed we were laughing at her misfortune ..

                                                                                                                            Viewing 60 reply threads
                                                                                                                            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                                                                                            Forum THE LOUNGE WELCOME ! New to BinkyBunny