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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A new owner would love advice

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    • hrmom26
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        hello all, first off sorry this is so long lol 

          i am a single mom i have two older children 19, and 16. my fur babies include a cat , dog, and now bunny. I have never owned a rabbit before or know anyone who does, i fell into the bad idea of the Easter bunny pet-store rush. my son had his first job and has been asking for years for a rabbit i have always declined because i know nothing about them but at Easter when he was doing so well in school and working i gave in. that said i think of our newest addition as family so i will never think of re-homing so i need advice. Loki (our bunny’s name) was 8 weeks when we got him we have had him about 8 weeks. the adjustment has been hard he will be a house bunny and at first we had him in the livingroom that didn’t work out mostly because bless him he is a chewer like crazy and a tad hyper lol. in the living room we would let him out about 3 hours a day but i would spend that entire 3 hours basically getting him out of trouble.and his need for more activity is what led to his move to the upstairs , we have a small empty room. well at first that seemed to work out great he would only be in his cage at night and have most of the day out. things seemed to change fast thou he loves my son totally but he is not a fan of my daughter and i, lunging at us and biting etc he started to chew the baseboards of the room and it became impossible for my daughter and i to go in there. he would lunge the second we did and where he has a knack for getting in trouble and my son is not home during the day this became a issue.so i went on line to look for rabbit runs etc thinking if i got a decent size one he would have area to play but not chew the baseboards also if contained i could go in there if he needed something with out him attacking. 

        i found ideas of making your own bunny condo using wire storage cubes (which woot woot i had in the house already lol ) my son designed one last night as it stands now it is 7 foot by 3 foot we are going to the store today to buy another set of cubes to enlarge it when my son gets home. i thought this was great he gets to run a bit  and i can now go in give him treats and possible get him to like me  with out him attacking. my son does not want to do a multi level because he wants to be able to climb in and play with him. 

        my question so far are 

        1) how do i get him to like my daughter and i?

        2) he is so hyper and definitely needs more stimulation what can i do? i already have cardboard boxes, wooden chews, plastic cat ball toys in his house. 

        3) will he relax a bit as he gets older? 

        4) what else should i know? 

         he is a lionhead bunny and here he is with my son  and also we guessed he was a boy the petstore didn’t know 

         


      • Roberta
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          “Getting Him/Her to like you” Buy Craisins, do not tell you son… once or twice a day give a Craisin, they are a treat… Basically bunny crack… They love them.. S/He will come to like those passing moments and anticipate your coming and going with pleasure…
          Get a vet check for a baseline health check, also determine sex and discuss Spay/Neuter options… Boys and girls will spray… Boys and girls will get aggressive and territorial, whilst boys can get smelly girls can spray up to 5 feet up the wall…


        • Roberta
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            S/He’s lining you up and giving you the back off stare in that pic isn’t S/He…. HORMONES….


          • hrmom26
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              oh wow spraying up the wall … ewww  

              ya vet for sure thanks and i will buy the craisins 


            • Sarita
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                Welcome – what a cute rabbit.

                I agree that Craisins (in small quantities) are loved by most rabbits so offering him a treat is a good idea to try and make friends. It sounds like he’s bonded to your son so that is good.

                Most rabbits are very territorial and it sounds like he is just letting you and your daughter know that the room is his. Maybe also try speaking to him before you enter. I think he will calm down as he ages for sure. But sometimes small rabbits can be rascally even as they age.

                Rabbits, especially young ones are destructive so the cube enclosure is a good idea.

                It sounds like you’ve made some good toy choices – also check out the BinkyBunny store for more toy ideas as well.

                I definitely recommend a visit to the vet for a baseline exam and sexing and discussing spay/neuter.


              • hrmom26
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                  Posted By Roberta on 6/11/2014 9:30 AM

                  S/He’s lining you up and giving you the back off stare in that pic isn’t S/He…. HORMONES….

                  lol ya bless him he really is not my biggest fan he loves my son like crazy licks him, cuddles etc, but me and my daughter nope he actually growled at my daughter. the new cage is working out though it makes it easier for me to check on him make sure he is good etc etc with out any surprise attacks . 

                  also actually he does not like to drink out of those bottles they have that hang on a cage he likes to just drink out of a bowl like the cat and dog do is that common? i wondered if he started doing it just because he saw the cat and dog doing it lol 


                • Sarita
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                    I always use bowls/crocks – it’s more natural and honestly it’s easier to clean than those bottles. So ditch the bottle :~)


                  • Lita
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                      Sounds a bit like lionhead attitude to me. Our Mufasa thumps, grunts and lunges at just about everyone! Never bit anyone except another bunny. But he is Sir brat at the house. We keep hands away from the front of his face (teeth!) and usually ignore him. He definitly trys to intimidate us, but he always realizes it isnt working and calms down after a few minutes. Its kinda funny watching a 3lb bun try and look scary. At least with our brat, ignoring his attempts at scaring us seem to work and he isn’t as pushy as when we first got him.

                      We have two other lionmixes and both of them are kinda snots to. Not as bratty as Mufasa but still buttheads in their own way.


                    • hrmom26
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                        Posted By Lita on 6/11/2014 5:17 PM

                        Sounds a bit like lionhead attitude to me. Our Mufasa thumps, grunts and lunges at just about everyone! Never bit anyone except another bunny. But he is Sir brat at the house. We keep hands away from the front of his face (teeth!) and usually ignore him. He definitly trys to intimidate us, but he always realizes it isnt working and calms down after a few minutes. Its kinda funny watching a 3lb bun try and look scary. At least with our brat, ignoring his attempts at scaring us seem to work and he isn’t as pushy as when we first got him.

                        We have two other lionmixes and both of them are kinda snots to. Not as bratty as Mufasa but still buttheads in their own way.

                        lol i think the issue is … he does kind of startle me  i know he’s a tiny thing why do i get startled or scared  but i do. 


                      • LBJ10
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                          8 + 8 = 16 weeks

                          Maybe you should talk to a vet about getting him neutered.


                        • JackRabbit
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                            I have a 3 1/5 lb bunny that does the big bad scary bunny lunge thing too. She’ll even go so far as to grunt/growl and put her teeth on you . . . then, with teeth still on you she’ll cut her eyes up at you as if she’s checking to see if you’re scared yet. If we do nothing, she’ll either lick us or just hop away. We’re on to her now, but at first we thought she was an attack bunny! Since our 70 lb black lab tries to hid behind the sofa at the least little noise, maybe our little Kieko could be our guard bunny!

                            Treats are good for winning over a bunny, but you could even offer a piece of hay as a treat. Our buns seem to think that anything fed by hand is “special”! So, food=friend in bunnyworld. Most important when bonding with a bunny is to just sit with the bunny and let it check *you* out without trying to reach for it or pet it. Pets will come in time.


                          • Lita
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                              Hey little guys can be scary! We have a 2.5-3lb guinea pig who terrified me when we first brought him home cause he literally chased me. I likened him to a rabbid dog. Come to find out he was blind and his agression was a defensive thing, and i am not so scared anymore. But try not to be scared, or show it. Lionheads are sneaky buggers, I think they are the sneakiest of all buns. And if you let him he’ll walk alllll over you!


                            • ustjayenjay
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                                Congratulations on your new addition to the family. I am also a brand new bunny slave, they stole my heart the moment I saw them and we locked gazes and I knew they were the ones for me.
                                As far as winning him over: my buns were a little timid to start also, understandable because they are prey animals and in a brand new environment with all the brand new smells. It sounds great that he is able to have a quiet space to start out and that you are able to give him a nice large enclosed space.

                                In the beginning I would take some time, 30-60 min or so, just sitting by their cage, letting them get used to my scent for a few days, no sudden movements. Then I would sit next to the cage and read out loud, getting them used to my voice.

                                Once they recognized me I began to sit next to them in their cage and talk to them and give the occasional treat. When they finally started taking the treat from my hand rather than waiting for me to set it down and remove my hand.

                                When they finally seemed accustomed to me I opened the cage door and allowed them to come out on their own terms. I would just sit on the floor as they explored and came up to me to sniff. The first day or two I didn’t attempt to touch or pet. When they began coming over to me and seemed ok for me to reach out my hand, Always approach from the side slowly as their vision is much better than their peripheral vision to the front. I would offer a treat and gently pet while they nibbled. Very soon after they they were receptive to me petting them even with no treats.

                                Even after they became accustomed to me in their space I continued to sit and talk to them only petting when they came to me. Soon they began nudging my hand, ordering me to pet them, I obliged and slowly began attempting to pick them up. That only took a few tries. Once I picked them up I sat then on my chest and talked to them and gave them massages. Rubbing their head and lightly rubbing circles with my fingers around their shoulders and spine. After a few days of that they began coming to me and jumping up onto my lap to be pet and massaged. Now we cuddle every day and they even come when I call their names.

                                Also, the more calm you are the less likely he will sense distress and respond in kind. Sitting next to the cage he can’t bite you so you don’t have to be frightened. Also, speak in a calm soothing type voice and no sudden movements at first.

                                This is what worked for me with my buns. I hope it is helpful. Good luck with your bonding! Keep us updated.


                              • hrmom26
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                                  thanks for all the good advice, he has adjusted to the new cage. i am bringing in treats for him not just food i brought a box today a basket yesterday  etc etc . i also have been hanging in the room with him for a bit talking to him, so far he still  is a brat lol i was sweeping around the cage he chased the broom all the way around. i have to say he a cute little guy. here he is giving me the eye i had literately just set the basket down he jumps in and i took the picture. he’s like mine, my basket.   


                                • ustjayenjay
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                                    It is totally understandable that he chased the broom..buns do tend to be Very territorial when it comes to their space.
                                    I found that the only way my buns didn’t get mad about me cleaning up their space was to have them absent. Otherwise they would follow me around and if I moved a hidey box to check for poops and set it back down they would pick it up and throw it, as though they thought I were rearranging their furniture without permission. They to seem to put things where they want them and get irritated if their humans mess with them. My buns are now used to me hanging out in their space but they still give me the eye if I move anything.
                                    Perhaps if he will let your son pick him up to pet him, he could take Loki for a stroll around the house while you tidy/clean up. He’ll probably still sniff and move his things back where he wants them but since he doesn’t see you do it, he may be less likely to get mad at you. When he comes back to his space he will smell you, be sure to be in the room waiting with a treat. Hopefully then he’ll think…hmm, my house has been rearranged..I have to fix it…ohhh a treat. I like this human.
                                    This method seems to be working so far with my Lily and Daisy.

                                    I forgot to mention an important part that worked with my buns. When I spent time in their space it was necessary for me to be down at their level, not just some giant looming over them. At first I sat and once they seemed comfortable I moved to laying on my belly. They would sniff my face and ‘chin’ me and climb over me..take turns jumping over me like a hurdle. They really like when I come down to them rather than pick them up or even just bring them up on my lap.


                                  • JackRabbit
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                                      Ditto what Ustjayenjay said. (And said perfectly!)


                                    • LongEaredLions
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                                        Everyone has given such great answers! Not much more to say, but congrats on your new bunny, a lion! My favourite! He is such a cutie pie!


                                      • hrmom26
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                                          thank you all so much , you have all been a great help . and to funny now that you mention it my son fixed the blanket in his cage he ran over and immediately push it back the way it was to cute.

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                                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A new owner would love advice