A Slip Up in an Interactions

[The Law Bun]

Hey all,

 

Hopefully this is my last post for a while where I am asking a question, though if the first 48 hours of bunny ownership has proven anything, its that no research can prepare you for it all. 

 

So heres the issue: Ms. Lilith has apparently discovered that if she stacks her hidey house next to her gravity pellet feeder, then she is able to hop in the hay rack. So low an behold there Lilith is hanging out in the hay rack. Now obviously problem is fixed by moving her pellet feeder further away (its too heavy for her to move, but I had it to the side for ease of use). The problem is how I got her out. I was in the process of working out when I came upon the knowledge. So I came in, and the only way to get her out obviously is to reach in and pick her up. So I reach in but she was too fat and I couldnt get my hands around her (she barely fits in there). So I couldnt get her to come up, and I gave her a slight tug on her ears to get her to raise which she did (this I know is a HUGEEEE no no but I applied no pressure and didnt in any way actually pick her up). She did raise easily and seemed happy enough to be lifted our and she didnt squirm when held. But how much is this going to set my bonding back tomorrow when I finally get to let her out . Any tips for making up? She doesnt seem angry, doesnt run away from me when sitting beside her cage and beside her. 

 

But ultimately, how do you all make up to your rabbits? Pats? Treats? Leaving them alone for a while (which I have done)? And I do promise not to touch Lilith’s ears again , but again it wasnt like I was holding her by the ears or pulling with pressure. I merely lightly tugged them so she would stand up enough to where I could scoop her bottom and midsection properly.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Sounds fine! I think you are being too hard on yourself. She is little and it doesn’t sound like she’s hurt or angry All good

When mine are mad-food and leave them alone They forgive!

[Little Lion Head]

Yup–food and leave them alone! Pumpkin hasn’t anything to do w/ me all day b/c she’s mad she has to stay in my room and had to get a shot at the vet tonight. Pumpkin usually forgives me within a few hours or a day!

[JackRabbit]

She sounds fine. Also sounds like she enjoyed being in the hay!

Gravity pellet feeder?

[LBJ10]

Yes, I was wondering that too JR. No need for a gravity pellet feeder, that’s just asking for trouble.

If there was no harm done and it was just her pride, I’m sure you’re fine. She will likely forgive you, but treats do help.

[The Law Bun]

She does in fact have a gravity feeder for pellets. She loves her water crock, and I plan at 6 months to do the same for pellets. However, I feel that a gravity loader for pellets is the best choice as a young bunny. I can give her unlimited pellets without having to refill twice a day. Same as the hay feeder, once a day and she’s good (more if she could stay out of the rack itself ). But yes it begged trouble when she was able to jump from one to the other, however the feeder is too heavy for her to move, and its not under my second floor, so she can’t sit on top of it and hop one to the next, so not sure how I am asking for trouble. That said, I could not be more open for suggestions on how to better my NIC cage and improve it for Lily. She deserves the best .

Secondly, tomorrow will be her first few ours of Xpen time. Though its not a 4 by 4, she will have 8 square feet of play room. Is there anything I can do to make her more amenable to patting/petting. I won’t lie, I broke atlas 3 times and tried to pet her in the cage , what can I say, I picked a gorgeous rabbit . But tomorrow, once she is out of her cage (I will not force it, maybe for a piece of romaine lettuce since she is nearly 4 months), any tips for bringing her on over and examining me. I do hope my bunny won’t hate me . Law students rarely take well to be hated haha . Again, thank you all for the answers, its so helpful to have a community considering the best my friends can say is, “why get a bunny they smell awful (and its so untrue).”

[Little Lion Head]

Treats are always good! Actually, we put the bunny’s pellets into an empty mayo jar. Whenever we want them to come over, we shake the jar, give a couple pellets then pet them. Pumpkin loooooves pets but Rocky’s not so sure (we just got him a few weeks ago). We only give a few pellets, so they learn that’s all they get, otherwise they’ll pester for hours for more and more! This might not work w/ pellets since she gets unlimited right now, but maybe you can shake something and give her a little treat and a few pats?

[LBJ10]

I just meant that gravity feeders often prove problematic. But you will probably want to switch to a bowl once your bun is older and you begin rationing pellets anyway.

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