A few concerns about my new bunny

[MommaDiddly]

Hello all! First time bunny owner here. His name is Bo Diddley. I just picked him up from the shelter four days ago, and I gotta say, I think I really lucked out. He’s taken to the litter box really well, he doesn’t bite, he gets along well with my kitty, and he’s been doing binkies since day one! (At first when I saw it I thought maybe he was trying to run away from fleas). But I do have a couple concerns that I thought maybe you more experienced bunny companions could help me with: 

1. He doesn’t seem to be drinking enough water. Or any water, really. He had a bottle in the shelter but he hasn’t drank out of the one in his cage at all. I saw him take a few sips out of a bowl when he was exploring the apartment, but other than that–nada. Naturally, he’s only peed like three times since he’s been here as far as I can tell, and the most recent was a really dark color. I’ve never had a bunny before so I don’t know what bunny pee is supposed to look like, or how much water he should be drinking daily. I have been feeding him a fair amount of greens so maybe he’s getting enough liquids from that? 

2. Also, he does this little thing where when I enter a room he freezes while I’m facing him, and then as soon as I turn and start walking away he chases after me. Then if I turn around to face him, he freezes again (kind of like boo from super mario). He doesn’t nip or growl or anything (he’s neutered), so I’m not sure if that would be considered aggressive or territorial behavior, or if he’s just being shy/curious? It doesn’t bother me or anything (I think it’s actually pretty cute), but if it is territorial behavior I figure it’s better to nip it in the bud now before he turns into mr. boss man. 

Any thoughts about these two issues would be greatly appreciated!

[Sindri]

Neither of my rabbits like to drink out of water bottles I use bowls. As for the color of the urine it can be different colors. It sounds pretty normal to me. Color of rabbit’s urine is sometimes affected by the things they eat. Perhaps it will drink more water if using a bowl that is what I suggest for that issue. I was just reading in the new rabbits USA magazine that you can add a couple of drops of apple juice to encourage more water drinking. Maybe also try that.
As far as the behavior you have mentioned both of my rabbits have done that and its also what I would consider normal. You said you only had him for a couple of days it will take your bunny some time to get use to his new home.He sounds like he is adjusting well from what you have written.

[Sarita]

My rabbits drink very little if anything at all and my vet doesn’t seemed to concerned – I think they regulate themselves easier inside – I do recommend a bowl as well over a bottle – more natural that way. I think as well just as you mentioned the greens keep him hydrated enough.

Pee does vary in color from white to yellow to orange to brown.

I don’t think that is territorial behavior as he doesn’t have any territory to speak of just yet – probably just general caution as he is still learning his new environment.

[MommaDiddly]

Thanks for the replies!

I’m glad he sounds normal. I was worried he might be dehydrated. Funny enough when I bought all his stuff from the pet store the employee told me that rabbits will never drink out of a bowl! And when I asked how they get water in the wild then, he claimed that rabbits avoid stagnant water because of potential contamination. Guess somebody was misinformed….

[Hazel]

Posted By MommaDiddly on 4/23/2014 4:22 PM
 

Funny enough when I bought all his stuff from the pet store the employee told me that rabbits will never drink out of a bowl! And when I asked how they get water in the wild then, he claimed that rabbits avoid stagnant water because of potential contamination. Guess somebody was misinformed….

He was just trying to get you to spend more money. After all, chances are you already have a bowl at home…

Did you check if the bottle is working? Yours is brand new of course so it should work fine but they do malfunction lots of times and no water will come out. With that being said, I agree with the others, bowls are a better option. They are easier to drink out of and easier to clean.

[LongLiveLoyalBuns]

I cant help on the first one…

But the second i believe is curiosity, because i had a different rabbit and he would do that too i would walk out of the room and he would follow me.

Sorry i cant help on the first one.

[Elrohwen]

I very rarely see mine drink and they are fine. It’s likely that they drink when I’m not around, or get most of their fluids from veggies.

And his other behavior sounds like he’s just cautious and unsure of things still. It takes bunnies weeks or months to settle in, so that’s not unusual.

[Linette]

Well, I will say this, many rabbits in the wild don’t have any regular access to standing water. I think some of them do get it only from their food, and licking dew off of grass, so water bottles aren’t any stretch for them. but I have seen them take advantage of puddles when it rains.

I have a bottle and a bowl and he will sometimes walk past the bowl and go to his bottle, and other times vice versa.

[Author]

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