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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 BEHAVIOR Couple Baby Bun ?s

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    • Brittany
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        There’s been a couple things concerning me about my Bun.

        Lola just turned 6 months! I’ve had her since she was 2 months old.
        I have a couple questions if anyone has answers or tips for me and Lo!

        1. I’ve read everywhere that she should be eating her size in hay each day. Well, she doesn’t. I’ll give her a handful in the morning, and then a small handful again in the evening which amounts to her size. Eventually it all builds up because she’s not eating it all. I think she only likes it when it’s fresh. I’ve experimented and didn’t give her hay one day and she didn’t even touch it. I give her limited amount of pellets each day. And only during play time when she does something right will I give her a very small papaya treat. So I don’t think it’s that she’s relying on other food sources. When she was younger she ate more hay, -‘d you can tell a difference in poops. Lately they are just dark pellets, where as when she was younger it seemed it was mostly hay poops. She has a large litter box and I always put the hay on the side so she can snack and poop. I would say she eats only half her size in hay each day. Any suggestions on what I could do? Is she’s okay? Tips?

        2. She is seeming to lose her potty training?? I built her a condo out of the wiring shelves, found her potty corner and put her litter box there. She always pees in her box, but lately (she got spayed last week- but this has been since before then) she is piling her poops up outside the box! I always make sure to scoop them and put them in the litter box. Sometimes she gets mad at me, so I usually try to when she’s not around but I don’t always have time to let her out to play, scoop poops, then spend 20 minutes trying to catch her and put her back! I’ve read that she may be mad I go into her cage and is maybe pooping to Mark territory over me?

        And 3. I try and bond with Lola as much as I can. I understand she’s still young, but she only ever seems to come near me if she hears be crinkle her treat bag. Even then, I’ve got to give her a couple (very small papaya cubes) to get warmed up enough to stay by me. Then eventually she’ll hang around me (just to beg for treats though.) she still is so very timid and scared. If she’s not hiding while she’s out, the moment she sees me walk in the room she'”” go hide. Or if she’s out with me, she’ll run and hide if I move. I’m wondering how long until she will know I’m safe and here for her.


      • cinnybun2015
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          The potty training loss is probably because of her spaying. The before might be because of hormones, and the after is just discombobulation, I’m guessing- she’s probably still a little bit out of it. It might be trying to mark her territory. You can maybe add another litterbox? It might make her feel more comfortable with her “territory.” The bonding aspect is a little tough. I’m assuming that right after her spay, she’s not going to want to bond. Maybe she’s just naturally shy, but you can definitely have her warm up to you. Some buns just take a little time. Something I’ve done in the past to bond with bunnies is lying down on the ground on my back. They’re often intrigued and hop over to sniff and occasionally jump over me/nibble my hair. It makes you seem less predator-like and more vulnerable by lying down.

          Hope this has helped.


        • Mikey
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            1. Rabbits need unlimited fresh hay at all times, and limited pellets to 1/4 cups per six pounds. The reason shes not eating her hay is likely because you are over feeding her pellets. The dark poops are likely from the amount of pellets. The more hay she eats, the healthier her poops will be

            2. Shes not spayed yet so her hormones are kicking in. Shes a teenager now and rebeling a bit. Be glad all you have to deal with is stray poops lol Once she is spayed, healed, and a few months have past, her litter training should go back to normal

            3. Mostly normal. How often do you try to handle her when she is out? Shes likely running away from you because she associates you with being held or petted (bothered) often


          • Brittany
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              You are exactly right about too many pellets. She is only 4 lbs, and I’ve been giving her 1/2-1/4 cup of pellets.

              I usually let her run when she’s out, my guess was that the majority of times I go to grab her, is when I’m catching her to put her away.


            • Mikey
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                That could be it for her running from you then. She doesnt want to get put away and thinks you will when she sees you. Spend some extra time around her, just laying on the floor and doing something like reading or the like and she should come to get used to you


              • jerseygirl
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                  She’s a cutie!

                  I agree about lying on the floor and letting her come explore you. Try tuck your hands away initially. It does take time.
                  I would give the papaya treat only when it’s time to go back to her enclosure. That way you won’t have to handle her so much and she’ll associate being being enclosed with something positive.

                  Re her diet, is she on a junior or adult pellet? If on junior ones, start transitioning her onto adult pellet, especially now that she is spayed. Desexed animal have a tendency to gain weight more easily.
                  Either way, start reducing the amount of pellets also. Hopefully this will renew her interest in hay.

                  What type of hay does she have?


                • jerseygirl
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                    I just wanted to make quick mention of something concerning me with your avatar pic. Is she wearing a collar?


                  • Brittany
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                      It’s a harness she used when she was smaller. I just had it on her to be safe when playing outside in case she ran. I made sure I bought one that wasn’t going to hurt her neck or anything. I actually read something on it onBinkyBunny!

                      I switched her to adult pellets a couple weeks ago. At first I mixed her old and new, now she’s full adult pellets.

                      Today is my first day limiting her pellets! So I’ll see how this goes!

                      Thank you all for helping, gonna try some new things out.


                    • jerseygirl
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                        It’s a harness she used when she was smaller. I just had it on her to be safe when playing outside in case she ran. I made sure I bought one that wasn’t going to hurt her neck or anything. I actually read something on it onBinkyBunny!

                        Oh good. It sounds like you are aware of the risks. : )


                      • MrBun&Daisy
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                          I’m glad you posted this! I’ve always thought this too. My buns eat about half their size too. I think i’ll cut back the pellets. But do you all think they will eat the hay if I do? I’m at work 8 hours a day- if they don’t eat the hay is that long enough to harm them? I just feel like they would rather starve than eat the hay lol


                        • Brittany
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                            I’m also at work 8 hours a day, I’ve been leaving hay in her cage and will leave limited pellets (I only give her half during the day, then the other half after I get home) it took her like 2 days to realize what I was doing, but she is now eating more hay! Even old hay, I thought she was thinking she was a princess and would only eat fresh hay lol. But try it out! Your bun will learn and adjust. I hid a carrot at the botto ignore her hay as well.

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                        Forum BEHAVIOR Couple Baby Bun ?s