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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.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Help! New Rabbit.

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    • BelarusianBunny
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        My stupid husband went out to buy fish food and he came home with a brand new baby bunny. I am so angry at him and I could rip out all of his hair. After these years we have been together, I always had rabbits. Not one of these rabbits were purchased especially from a pet store. I am a full believer in adopting from rabbit rescues or shelters. I vaguely said that I looked at a specific breed from a breeder… But I was not expecting to purchase a rabbit. I didn’t expect to have a new rabbit at all. I understand this is his way of helping me with the loss of Dima but I am SO ANGRY.

        Apparently, this is a 2 month old mixed breed baby and obviously the runt of the litter. It is very alert and I must say well fed. I haven’t done my own investigation yet but the gender is unknown. I am not a baby rabbit expert but isn’t their gender apparent after 4 weeks of age? At 2 months, gender would be obvious, right? (Minus the cases of mistaken gender later on!)

        I don’t know how to care for a young rabbit. The youngest I’ve had has been full grown. I shall go through the forum looking at relevant posts but right now I am panicking. I’ve had rabbits for 15 years and I feel completely panicked and confused right now.

        Right now, he has a pile of timothy hay and regular Oxbow pellets. Is that fine for a rabbit of this age? How many months old or when do I start introducing greens and treats? Is it true that 6 months is the time for that?

        Tomorrow, I am going to make arrangements for a check up with the vet. I don’t expect to see anyone until after the New Year holidays; is that too late or adequate for a very scared little rabbit?

        I must say he’s very active and hyper… So not used to this! Help!


      • Mocha
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          Don’t feel bad or be mad at your husband because he isn’t from a shelter. He’s the runt, so you sort of are saving him (in a way) as no one would probably buy him. You also “rescued” him from the pet store. Definitely not all , but most petstores I find mistreat the animals there. Anyone reading this thinking about getting a rabbit, go to the shelter/rescue or a trustworthy, experienced breeder. (I’m just going to call the rabbit a him)

          Try to make the vet appointment for as soon as possible. If he seems pretty healthy, is eating and pooping normally, then I wouldn’t be anxious to take him to the vet. I would also wait at least a week, just so he get’s used to his new home. I don’t really know much about the gender, but the vet could help you with that. This is sort of gross… but here’s a link that may help you with the gender: http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/sexing.shtml
          Make sure to also get the rabbit spayed/ neutered when he/she reaches sexual maturity.

          He needs to be fed alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets (or you could feed timothy hay and alfalfa pellets.). The alfalfa helps young rabbits grow. You should switch him off it when he’s 6 months-1 year or whenever he stops growing. He should only be eating alfalfa/timothy hay, alfalfa pellets, and fresh water.

          You can very slowly start introducing veggies when he’s around 5-6 months. See how he reacts to different types and amounts and add more slowly.


        • Roberta
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            Sorry, I couldn’t help but smile. I noticed there was no mention of sending him or her back
            I’m guessing your hubby loves you very much and saw the void left by Dima and the ongoing sadness and was desperate to make you happy again.
            If this little one came from a pet shop chances are it needed rescuing after a fashion and hubby decided it was better with you than trapped in a pet shop tank where it was likely to be bought for a child and discarded once Xmas was done and the novelty had worn off.
            A vet visit sooner rather than later is best but if there are no obvious signs of distress or ill health a short delay should be OK.
            Now it’s time to find the little one a name and send us some pics. A new bunny should be a celebration and I am pretty sure somewhere deep inside you are secretly thrilled to have him.


          • Roberta
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              One trick I found for sexing boy bunnies if the bits haven’t dropped is to look at the tummy. At 12 weeks testicles might not be obvious but the patches where they will eventually develop is generally visible. Gently push aside the fur on the tummy about a half inch above and to either side of the genitals. Look for two pink patches of skin about the size of your thumb print. They aren’t perfectly aligned with the genitals but more up toward the abdomen.


            • JackRabbit
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                No bunny will ever take the place of Dima, but maybe this little bunny will help you heal from that loss. From keeping up with Dima’s story, I’m pretty sure your heart is big enough to share a peace of it with the new boy or girl. Mocha and Roberta are both right about food and a vet visit. You’re a good bunny mommy and this little bunny is lucky to have made its way to you.


              • BelarusianBunny
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                  Thank you everyone for the replies! The first night went well. The little bunny has ate well and has binkied multiple times. I’m not used to such a fast active little thing!

                  I shall go buy some alfalfa and pellets when the shops open. As well, I’ll make that vet appointment. I’m very thankful for the posts describing how to identify gender. When the little bun is more relaxed, I shall have a look around. It doesn’t matter if it’s a buck/doe loving wise, but I’d like to know if a spay or neuter is in the future!

                  I will definitely get some pics! And one other question: what is a good age for toys? Now or later? I don’t want the little bunny to hurt itself or injest anything right now that it shouldn’t. I know bunnies love toss n’ rip toys but what’s a good first toy? What’s a good Christmas present? The bunny just got everything brand new so I’m stumped.

                  Thank you to all that replied and thanks to this forum. This place is such an oasis!


                • Roberta
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                    All of my buns whether young or old love those plastic stacking cups for babies, they are colourful and make noise when you throw them about. Those big rolling balls with the smaller ball inside with a bell (cat toy) seems to be a perennial favourite with buns. Yucca chews are good for their little teeth, mine specifically like the Bunny Blast brand, they also do a range of parrot toys in the yucca chews that are slightly smaller and also have bells and noisy bits.


                  • kirstyol
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                    580 posts Send Private Message

                      We were convinced Bramble was a girl for the first 9 weeks we had him, when we got him he was only six weeks old and we weren’t sure, by twelve weeks which is when most people say you should definitely see testicles in a boy, we still couldn’t see them and assumed we had a girl. At 15 weeks the vet wasn’t even 100% sure but thought he could feel testicles and so he was reasonably sure he was a boy, it wasn’t until just before his neuter at 22 weeks that we were absolutely sure. Bramble is not a huge lover of toys but he has liked things to chew since we got him at six weeks, he also likes the big cardboard tunnels you get and one of those cat balls with a bell in it, other than that he is not overly fussed with toys. We started small amounts of veg just before his neuter so that we could give him some during his recovery which turned out to be a great idea because he wouldn’t eat anything else at all for at least a week after but he had his teeth filed down at the same time so that is probably why.


                    • LongEaredLions
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                        I had the same response as Roberta “I can understand why she is mad… But it looks like bunny is staying!”
                        As far as toys, bunnies of all ages can use them. I would stick with plastic or stuffed toys, and maybe a thick willow stick or a wooden chew block for now. I know it’s probably fine, but I would have to agree with you on not giving him/her anything overly rip-able until bunny is a bit older, for fear of them choking or stabbing themselves. Yep, I worry too much!
                        Congrats on your unexpected little addition!


                      • LBJ10
                        Moderator
                        16870 posts Send Private Message

                          Awww, I can’t wait to see the little cutie! I’m sure you will feel the excitement once the initial shock has worn off. LOL

                          A lot of babies aren’t terribly interested in toys, but mine have always liked their baby keys and willow toys.


                        • tophdade
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                          67 posts Send Private Message

                            Posted By Mocha on 12/21/2014 4:27 PM

                            Don’t feel bad or be mad at your husband because he isn’t from a shelter. He’s the runt, so you sort of are saving him (in a way) as no one would probably buy him. You also “rescued” him from the pet store. Definitely not all , but most petstores I find mistreat the animals there. Anyone reading this thinking about getting a rabbit, go to the shelter/rescue or a trustworthy, experienced breeder. (I’m just going to call the rabbit a him)

                            Try to make the vet appointment for as soon as possible. If he seems pretty healthy, is eating and pooping normally, then I wouldn’t be anxious to take him to the vet. I would also wait at least a week, just so he get’s used to his new home. I don’t really know much about the gender, but the vet could help you with that. This is sort of gross… but here’s a link that may help you with the gender: http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/sexing.shtml
                            Make sure to also get the rabbit spayed/ neutered when he/she reaches sexual maturity.

                            He needs to be fed alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets (or you could feed timothy hay and alfalfa pellets.). The alfalfa helps young rabbits grow. You should switch him off it when he’s 6 months-1 year or whenever he stops growing. He should only be eating alfalfa/timothy hay, alfalfa pellets, and fresh water.

                            You can very slowly start introducing veggies when he’s around 5-6 months. See how he reacts to different types and amounts and add more slowly.

                            Or, in my rabbits’ cases, when they’re nice and fat! Good luck! You’ll do great.


                          • Cottontail
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                              My Pete has been eating dandelion with his hay since he started weaning off formula… so I’ve never really been one to fully understand why veggies are put off until they are older. (Seems like soft plants would be preferred by young bunnies, like soft foods for toddlers.. But I’m not a bunny expert by any means). Introducing veggies slowly is good advice though… good to keep track of what upsets their tummies. I did find that my bun preferred his alfalfa in cubes rather than loose or in pellets… and nibbled on orchard/timothy here and there until he got a bit older and started inhaling the stuff.
                              As far as toys go, the first things he showed interest in were apple sticks to throw around and chew; and plastic lattice ball cat toys (the ones with the bell inside). Another thing he found fun when he was little was timothy twists. They are easy to pick up and throw, and easily destroyable by cutting through the bindings with his little teeth… I guess it made him feel powerful.
                              Congratulations on the new addition to your family, even if he/she was unexpected.

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                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Help! New Rabbit.