Just adopted 3 year old male Bunny that was raised in a cage

[BusterBrownBunny]

Hi there, we have a adopted a bunny from a friend and looking for advice on how to help this guy settle in. He has been raised in a cage and kept out in the garage with very little human contact (only to trim nails, change cage and a few pets on the head) He was also raised on Bunny muesli type food (which I am trying to change to Oxbow Timothy based pellets slowly) and Timothy hay. Absolutely no veggies in his diet. When we brought him home, his nails were over an inch long (since owners split up a couple months ago, the owner had a hard time trimming on his own) So we trimmed them up a bit without holding him in an attempt not to stress him. We let him out for up to 8 hours free range in our home and he runs and jumps and lays relaxed and try not to pick him up too much. He will not use a litter box I created for him on the floor. His cage is over a foot high and I created a ramp but he won’t use it to come out or go in so I have to lift him in and out and I can tell it stresses him. We are going to create a large pen for him..and I will take the bottom of old cage and place it in same corner as he uses. He gets grumpy when I offer vegetables. He starts throwing hay and digging. He will not even try them and will not try his new pellets, either. I just adore him and trying to broaden his horizons and understand it takes time and commitment. He is also not neutered and are trying to find a rabbit savvy vet, too. Please advise on how to wean him on to a healthier diet and exercise. He did take to a croc of water after nudging and biting the bowl so I was happy to take away the water bottle and he drinks much more now. I just love watching him “binky” and chin items. Such amazing little creatures!

[Sarita]

LOL – he sounds like quite the character.

Honestly, it sounds like you are doing a great job and are providing a great home. Your idea for the pen is a good one. I think just take away the bad rabbit museli and give him the good stuff rather than trying to transition that.

How is he with eating his hay? As long as he eats his hay really good I would start by offering him veggies just one at a time. He may eventually get curious and taste the greens.

He’s probably just overwhelmed right now and on sensory overload.

[RabbitPam]

It sounds like you’re making wonderful progress with this little guy and he’s lucky to be with you now.

I would be a bit more limiting with his free range time as you try to litter pan train him. Possibly get a large, high xpen to add to his cage opening so he can move around more, but see if you can take him out for supervised play time, then stay in the habitat while he eats, sleeps and gets used to the pan. Hang hay over the pan to get him to sit in it while he eats. Put poos in there so it smells like his own place. Soak pee with a small tissue and put it in the pan as well. He may realized soon that it feels good to go there and have it confined.

Can you take the cage off its legs so he can get in and out more easily?

As for greens, just introduce only one, a basic like Romaine lettuce or green leaf lettuce, and give him a small amount every meal for at least 2 weeks. You don’t want to overwhelm him with choices. Let him get curious and nibble it. Once he shows some interest, give him more the next time. Wash it and leave it very moist in the dish, so he realizes he gets a drink from eating the greens as well.

If he binkies, he is very, very happy with his new home!

[Deleted User]

And remember, when he gets hungry he will eat. Good for you triple B! Your doing a great job! And I hate to say it…. it is gonna take time and lots of patience – but it will be worth it. Cheers.

[BusterBrownBunny]

Thank you so much for your responses! He is definitely a character. So much personality! When I have him out, he doesn’t pee or poop anywhere…not even in the litter box I made. I tried taking a scoop of his droppings and pee soaked from his litter box in the cage and placing it in his litter box on the floor but he didn’t use it. The whole bottom of his cage slides out so my next option was to just place the whole bottom on the floor. I have left his cage door open all day yesterday and then again today and he will not even attempt to come out. I can’t coerce him with food because he is not interested one bit. I did as you advised and now got rid of the muesli. I know they don’t need the pellets. He eats his hay really well. I will get a few different greens, let him sniff and if he attempts one, I will start with that..if he refuses all, I will choose one and offer it daily. If he refuses pellets AND veggies, will he be okay? Is laying on his side with head down normal? I read it meant he was sick but he seems great. Bright eyed and bushy tailed What does a foot thump mean? When I have him out sometimes he thumps at me Do you think it is a good idea (after he is neutered) to get him another bunny to bond with? I’ve read mixed things about this.

[Megabunny]

Laying down with his head down is doing the bunny flop and means he’s comfy and relaxed, though thumping means he’s alarmed about something. He should settle down with the thumping in time. Buster sounds like such a treat. I don’t think you HAVE to find him a friend if he has that much time with you and out of the cage. Just sounds like he’s such a doll that if you enjoy him and don’t feel like YOU want another, then just enjoy him. Especially if he isn’t overly destructive. The next one might well be. They usually are.

Enjoy! That’s a lucky bunny!

[JackRabbit]

Adopting him and giving him a taste of out-of-cage time is a wonderful thing.

Rabbits do thump when something alarms them like Megabunny said. They also may thump when they disapprove of something (rearranged their space, not moving fast enough when bringing salad, took something they wanted). Some buns with alot of attitude thump frequently (I have one of those!). I had two of mine at the vet the other day, and my little Marlee was thumping so loud that people in the waiting room could hear her — all because her bonded bun Moshi was not in the carrier with her. Once he was back in the carrier too she stopped. I posted about this the other day and another BBer said Marlee was saying “Give back my Moshi”!

Watching bonded bunnies interact is amazing. However, bonding itself can be stressful, emotionally draining, and time consuming. If you decide to get another bun, there are some BBers with lots of successful bonding experience. If you decide not to, just enjoy the bond you and your bunny develop and know that he’ll be happy just having you.

[Usagi1618]

Congrats, your bun is comfortable enough to flop near you! It makes me so sad to know that people just isolate their bunnies like that, it really makes me tear up. Thanks for saving the little bun.

[Author]

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