New Bunny Owner- So many questions!!

[MichelleP323]

I just got a new little dwarf bunny almost a week ago. I am enjoying every single minute with Dobby, but I have so many questions!! 

Firstly, I can’t seem to get her litter trained and I know that this is said to be difficult anyway, but her routine worries me that I may never be able to. She has stopped pooping on the floor now though, and just proceeds to only poop on my blankets and couch. I guess she has the idea now that she can’t poop on the floor but I’m not sure where to go with the litter training next.

Secondly, I tend to let her just roam around the living room when I’m home. This could be only four hours a day, or most of the day. When i put her back in her cage at the end of the night she tries to get out for awhile but eventually settles down. But still, is this too long to have her out? 

Another thing I’m worried about is the fact that she refuses to eat any sort of fruit or vegetable. She won’t even eat carrots. Nothing but hay and pellets. Should I be concerned about her nutritional needs?

For now I guess that’s all I’ll ask, the litter training being my biggest issue with my angel at the moment.

[Amys Animals]

Okay well, I have never heard of bunny litter training to be hard. Usually they just take to it…Or at least I’ve always experienced that. If you put the box in an area where she goes to the bathroom a lot it may help. I put hay in my litter box and that usually helps them use the box cause they can munch and use the bathroom.

I don’t think any amount of time let out of the cage is “too long.” Of course they do need down time and a cage to relax in. My rabbits are the same way. They don’t like to be put away but they calm down after a while. They will chew the side of the x-pen and make lots of noise but they know it’s bed time when the lights go out.

How old is your bunny? If it’s too young it may not even be able to eat fruits and veggies. I’m not an expert with baby bunnies, as I have never had one so hopefully some one will chime in on that if your bunny is a baby.

If you have only had the bunny a week it may be marking it’s territory. Bunnies tend to poop a lot to mark their territory. Also, it may take longer than a week to litter train her. Just keep working on it, I am sure she will take to it. =)

[MichelleP323]

Thanks! I honestly have no idea how old she is. The pet store I bought her from had no idea :\ but I think she is only a couple months old… if that. I have an appointment made at the vet for her in a week so that I can get her all checked up and get some information. <3

[tanlover14]

Hey there! Congrats on your new bun bun (photos are welcome! )

First questions first, how old is your bun and is she spayed already? If she’s not spayed, this is where ALL your problems lie and you should get her spayed as quickly as possible so she doesn’t pick up any bad habits. Typically around 4-6 months she can safely be spayed but you’ll want to find a rabbit-savvy vet who knows what they are doing. If your vet thinks your rabbit needs to fast before their spay (red flags should go up in your head! And I would look for a new one.) The House Rabbit Society has a whole article on how to find and questions to ask about finding a good vet so I would check out that website to get some incite into finding a good one.

In my opinion, you can NEVER have a rabbit out too long. Especially if they are young. Which from everything you have described your bunny really does sound young! (I know, I had three of the little rascals myself). If she’s young then a lot of that energy will typically calm down once she is spayed and a few months older. (9 months of age they really tend to start calming down and not need as much out time). ALTHOUGH, if you’re having trouble with litter box habits I would suggest limiting her space as it’s MUCH easier to teach litter box habits in a small space and make it bigger as she begins to get the hang of it. Usually as I expand an area, I add a litter box so they realize it’s there and as she gets better you can take out the ones she doesn’t use or rarely uses.

Lots of young bun buns take a few months to really get into the hang of veggies. I had to poke and prod him (literally) with a stalk of cilantro for about a month until he got so annoyed he grabbed it out of my hand to throw it. He must’ve gotten a taste because all of sudden he was a fanatic for cilantro. Carrots are bad for rabbits so when starting out with veggies definitely do NOT start out with carrots. Carrots should be given in VERY small amounts and my buns won’t even touch carrot so I wouldn’t be too surprised if yours isnt either. Try something very fragrant like basil, cilantro, or another herb. She’ll be more tempted to try a bite. As long as she’s getting the right amount of pellets though, her choosing not to eat veggies isn’t a big deal although I suspect the issue is she just hasn’t been introduced. If she hasn’t, then you should only introduce one veggie at a time (about one a week) so you can monitor her poos to make sure none of the veggies give her runny or loose poos. If so, then I would lay off that particular veggie and try different ones until you figure out which ones work well with your bun and her tummy.

Hope this helped! And welcome to BB!

[tanlover14]

Ah, I just saw your new post! Let us know what the vet says but if she’s from a pet store I’m willing to bet she is definitely a young girl.

[MichelleP323]

Thanks! I’ve already learned so much from this website. Honestly, I know very little about bunnies but I spend sooo much time researching so I can know everything possible. Dobby isn’t very old, from what I can tell, but the pet store didn’t give me any information on her. I’m quite surprised with her because she loves to cuddle and sleep on my chest, its actually adorable.

As for being spayed, not yet. I’ve only had her a week, but I have an appointment next week to determine when I can arrange to have her spayed. I want this done as soon as I can, although I am terrified at the thought. I read somewhere that 80% of female bunnies get uterine cancer, and I’ve read many other things about rabbits who hadnt been spayed, so its one of my biggest priorities right now.

I know that buns have really sensitive digestive systems, so I have been keeping an eye on her since I got her because I’m not quite sure how often I should be feeding her and stuff yet. So right now I just let her have a small dish of pellets during the day and she munches on hay all day otherwise. I had no idea carrots were bad!  Awkwardly odd question though, whats the difference between a regular button stool and a loose stool? 

[MichelleP323]

And (if this attachment works) this is Dobby!

[MichelleP323]

[bunnied]

Hi! From one newbie to another, lol

OH MY GOSHHH, your bun is so so so adorable! She’s a little cutie. :33

I’m trying to litter train my buns also, so I feel your pain! Welcome to the forum!

[MichelleP323]

aww thank you! isn’t she precious?! <3 <3 Getting a bunny was a huge spur of the moment decision for me, and I am absolutely in love now!

[tanlover14]

Spaying is VERY important. There is definitely a very high risk of uterine cancer in females not spayed. But this happens later on typically so I wouldn’t worry until you see the vet and find out how old your little cutie is!!! This will DEFINITELY help your problems with litter training as unaltered buns are typically TERRIBLE about it as soon as their hormones kick in. Usually their urine smells … not so pleasant also… this will go away with spaying also!

I would just watch out for anything that causes runny stool. Runny is bad news in bunnies. But sometimes you can look at their poos and just KNOW they aren’t normal. They should be in round balls so if you notice a lot that have fallen apart, it may mean something in their diet is causing a slight upset. I typically think about how their poos look daily and if they look totally different another day thats when it should concern you.

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