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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A To many questions~!

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    • Dadoo
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        Hello there fellow bunny lovers~!

        I have not been here for a looong time, but I believe it is time to come back because I have so many questions and stuff I need some advice on!

        So lets start with another introduction; Hello! I am “housemate” with now 3 wonderful bunnies! Nami, who is my little stinky princess! She is a dwarf, approximate age is now to be 6 (oh my!). She loves to eat all sorts of things and she seems to be the dominant one. She was adopted (at the age of 3) with her friend Jax. He is also a dwarf, he likes to explore but he’s not all that into food (sadly). Him I’ve been having some health issues with lately (I will go into it more later). Now I believe Nami and Jax weren’t treated properly in their former home as they shy away from people. I’ve been working with them for these 3 years that I’ve had them and I’ve gone from them running away every time I walk around to me being able to pet them while feeding them treats! SUCCESS! And then lastly there is Yeti. My mountain monster! He is just all around a clumsy doofus. He is a classic lop eared bun, now 2 years old. He is sadly deaf, but that’s alright he doesn’t need them big ears! He is also a big fan of food! He is also adopted, he was well treated however and LOVES cuddles! I had hopes to show Nami and Jax that humans aren’t that bad if Yeti was cool with me petting him and stuff. Well that went to $*&!s..

        So lets get into the troubles that I am having!

        1. The biggest issue right now is the pen situation. It is divided. Nami and Jax were already bonded when I got them and they have been together for a long time. Now Yeti is in the picture and I would love for them all to get along. Nami and Yeti seems to be alright for the most part so I don’t think I’ll have an issue with them. But Jax and Yeti will get into such nasty fights when they are both out at the same time. From what I can gather Yeti doesn’t really seem to understand what Jax is doing because Yeti is a very relaxed bunny but Jax tilts those tiny ears back and lunches at Yeti, which at if I don’t interrupt, Yeti will start fighting back. And that’s when I’ll have hair flying, kicks in faces and nasty bites on Yetis ears (since they flop everywhere). I would LOVE for them all to be able to be in one pen, and I would love for Yeti to have some friends as he seems to get lonely while I’m at work. If you guys have ANY suggestions I am oh so very open! The pens are right next to each other because I figured maybe they would get used to one and another but no luck yet.

        2. In result of Yeti moving in Jax has now started peeing in odd places. Mostly right outside the litter box or if he is out he pees either in Yetis pen or outside it. I’m guessing he’s being territorial but why? And how can I urge him to start using the litter box again?

        3. Due to Jax peeing Everywhere I was feeling reluctant to let him run around outside the pen because the cleanup would be a mess I noticed he got a poopy butt. Now he’s had this before and I know it can happen sometimes but this time was different. I usually is able to clean it up but it was so bad I had to go to the vet, they cleaned it up and gave him antibiotics. Then a week later it happened again. And then a third time. Expensive bill for just Jax in about 2 months, but I would do anything for this little man! Now after the third time I believe it has been 3 weeks and he’s looking fine, so I’m hoping the last round of antibiotics worked. Thoughts?

        4. FOOD!!! What is with bunnies and FOOD! WHAT! So Nami eats most things, as does Yeti. Jax however ONLY will eat carrot. THAT’S IT! I would list the fresh things that I have tried but it would just be to long. I am worried because it’s not healthy just to eat carrots right? As when it comes to dry food I buy them a bag of pellets and a bag of the Fiesta kind with all the yummy bits and I mix those two together, because my bunnies are spoiled WHATEVER! Twice a day they get dry food (Morning and Evening) and then once they get fresh (Usually before I leave for work around 1pm). And then of course the constant hay. But lately I’ve notice NO ONE is really eating the hay. Maybe I’m feeding them to much and they don’t want to eat more. I’m guessing this is the reason for Jax poop problem, but he doesn’t eat anything so what am I to do! I asked the vet what to do and he suggested getting different kinds of hay and so I did! Now I’m sitting on 4 different kinds of hay and no one is eating it. *sigh*

        5. Bad teeth? Possibly from the not eating hay problem? Since Jax went to the vet they checked his teeth and said that they were starting to show over growth. Alright $*&!. Still need him to start eating and chewing on stuff. Maybe he’s not eating because his teeth are uncomfortable? Well then shouldn’t he not eat the carrot or pellets then too? When is it appropriate to have it “attended”? If I can avoid another vet bill I would love to! So I thought I’d ask first!

        6. This is the worst problem of them all, Nami, Jax and Yeti are all to damn cute. I can’t handle it. I wake up in the morning to feed these guys and they are all sitting there waiting for me and my heart explodes! I’m attaching a picture, but peek at your own risk!

        I think that is it! Who know’s maybe there is more in that case I will ask again. There was so many questions I wasn’t sure in what subforum to put this in so HERE IT GOES! If you have questions feel free I will answer to the best of my abilities, if pictures are needed from the pen situation I will provide as well, just ask! (= And a huge thank you for reading this massive post, I apologize. 

        Jax, Nami and Yeti


      • Agouti Lover
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          You should I try feeding Jax some leafy greens that rabbits really like (my rabbits like herbs like mint,basil and cilantro/corrinander a lot, and they looove kale) Or just try giving him treat fresh foods if that makes sense e.g. Banana’s, Apples, or even try giving him carrot tops.


        • Agouti Lover
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            Also fiesta pellets seem to have a lot of coloured pieces and nuts and seeds in them, these types of pellets are notorious for being bad for bunnies so try switching to oxbow or burgess if you have access to them
            Check out this list http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-food-comparison.asp
            It might help you to find a new pellet brand ( also I checked it and the pellets your currently feeding don’t meet the dietary requirements rabbits should have )
            Hope this helps


          • Agouti Lover
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              Also with the hay issues, if you keep your hay in a hay rack just try putting some piles on the ground. I started doing that once my rabbits stopped eating hay and for some reason when the hays on the ground they’re more inclined to eat it.


            • Azerane
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                Posted By Dadoo158 on 9/25/2016 11:33 PM 

                4. FOOD!!! What is with bunnies and FOOD! WHAT! So Nami eats most things, as does Yeti. Jax however ONLY will eat carrot. THAT’S IT! I would list the fresh things that I have tried but it would just be to long. I am worried because it’s not healthy just to eat carrots right? As when it comes to dry food I buy them a bag of pellets and a bag of the Fiesta kind with all the yummy bits and I mix those two together, because my bunnies are spoiled WHATEVER! Twice a day they get dry food (Morning and Evening) and then once they get fresh (Usually before I leave for work around 1pm). And then of course the constant hay. But lately I’ve notice NO ONE is really eating the hay. Maybe I’m feeding them to much and they don’t want to eat more. I’m guessing this is the reason for Jax poop problem, but he doesn’t eat anything so what am I to do! I asked the vet what to do and he suggested getting different kinds of hay and so I did! Now I’m sitting on 4 different kinds of hay and no one is eating it. *sigh*

                I’m afraid I’m too run down from work right now to respond to everything, but I will address this one for now as it seems to be the most pressing in regards to several other issues that are going on.

                Firstly, you are correct, carrots only are not an appropriate diet. Very high in sugar and not good for wearing teeth down, this combined with his lack of eating hay would 100% be the reason for Jax’s poop problem. You need to get him eating hay as soon as you can. If need be, you can always mix some pellets with water to make a slurry and force feed him with a syringe, that way he is getting better nutrients and fibre from the pellets, and not so much sugar from the carrots.

                Pellets are fine, in moderation, but I would stop feeding the mix immediately. No mixes are appropriate for rabbits, even though they are sold for them. They are basically just junk food and are notorious for leading to dental disease if fed too much. How much dry food are you feeding per bunny for each meal? If they’re a small-medium size, 1-2 tablespoons of pellets daily is more than enough for each rabbit. Mine weigh 2.5kg and 3kg and only get 2 tablespoons each daily split between a morning and evening meal. I would expect that the dry food is the main reason that they are all off of their hay if they are getting a lot of dry food, since it tends to be quite filling and takes longer to digest than fresh food.

                What does the fresh meal consist of? How much and what sort? Is it leafy greens or fruits and veggies? Leafy greens are great, fruits and veg are more full of sugar and tend to be more filling, treats only.

                In short, remove the mixed food and cut down the size of their pellet meals (assuming you’re feeding too much), get Jax to eat something other than carrot, even if it means force-feeding so he gets some fibre into his diet to help with his poop problem. Review what fresh foods you’re feeding and how much.


              • Luna
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                  I agree…mix is not good. How do Nami and Yeti get along? As for Yeti and Jax, I am not sure if this is true for rabbits, but I do know that other animals that are deaf/blind/etc. sometimes (due to their handicap) inadvertently send an incorrect social response to the other animals around. It’s not their fault, it just happens.


                • Dadoo
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                    Yey! Thank you guys for responding so quickly, I really appreciate it!
                    I have tried stopping using the fiesta and just giving them pellets but they looked so sad when there were no good bits of food in their bowl so I gave in. I will try again though! I feed the dwarfs a half a cup for the both of them in the morning and evening. Yeti, the big lop gets half a cup too in the morning and evening. I will lower this as well.
                    Now with Jax eating other freshies other than carrot, well.. I have tried! Want a list? Sure!
                    Romain lettuce, red leaf lettuce, iceberg lettuce, cilantro, basil, dill, carrot tops, bell peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, apple, pear, bananas, water melon, blueberries, strawberries…
                    I’m sure that there is more to the list then what I can think of right now. From what I’ve made note of he only eats pellet blend, dried fruit treats, carrots and only once he ate one small broccoli.

                    I’m going to skip feeding them this morning because they usually have food left from the night and just give them fresh stuff not including carrots, I’m thinking today it’s going to be lettuce and cilantro. I will also leave some hay on the ground right where they sit and stir up their plans for world domination while I’m at work.

                    Thank you so much for your advice so far! I will better my game, even though it’s hard to say no to those nose wiggelers!


                  • Dadoo
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                      Posted By Luna on 9/26/2016 7:01 AM
                      I agree…mix is not good. How do Nami and Yeti get along? As for Yeti and Jax, I am not sure if this is true for rabbits, but I do know that other animals that are deaf/blind/etc. sometimes (due to their handicap) inadvertently send an incorrect social response to the other animals around. It’s not their fault, it just happens.

                      Nami and Yeti seem to get along alright. I think Nami is slightly confused over how to react because she sees Jax get aggressive. When alone with Yeti he wants to hump her, dominance I’m guessing, she surrender quite quick. There has just been a few times when she has lunched at him but no fights.
                      I had a thought about signals too but a little differently.. so Jax has only been with Nami growing up and their ears are straight up except for when they get angry. Yeti’s ears however are lop. Could Jax read that Yeti is constantly in attack mode because of his ear placement? If so I’m screwed.


                    • Luna
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                        Not sure about the lop-eared theory…maybe someone more familiar could weigh in? But is Jax neutered? And is there a neutral territory they all have access to?


                      • Luna
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                          By the way, just looked at your pic of all three…so cute! (if Jax and Yeti fight how did that photo shoot happen??)


                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                            Hi and welcome . Yes all 3 are very cute !!

                            Sorry I have no exp with deaf bunnies nor bonding, except for a neutral area is a must, as is a stressful bonding session (which makes them rely on each other more) – so maybe a bath tub, or a laundry basket… sounds crazy but that’s what these crazy bun lovers do on this site – and it works…

                            Or else, sit in the area with them constantly while they’re together so they feel safe…


                          • Dadoo
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                              Luna & Vienna
                              I thought the living room would be neutral enough but perhaps not since that is where both the pens are located. I will give the tub a try but I hate stressing Jax out since he doesn’t quite trust humans. And the picture happened because Jax listens to me (and because I’m very stubborn and wanted a picture of all the wiggely sniffers). Whenever I see his ears go back and he’s getting ready to attack I give him a stern “No” and he quits.


                            • Dadoo
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                                I’ve done a lot of reading up about bonding in the last few days and today I decided it was the day to start!
                                So there I am sitting in the tub with two bunnies. Awkward. Two fights broke out, nothing to bad I manage to stop it with the spray bottle and a soft poke in the side. It seems to be only Jax that is aggressive, because even though Yeti is getting bit and angry looks from Jax he tends to himself or if his face is ever near Jax he is completely still and lowers his head waiting to be groomed. I feel like in the middle of the session Yeti got very worked up so I picked him up to get him away from Jax for a moment, while holding Yeti Jax thought it’d be a great idea to jump right into my arms as well. So now I’m in the tub with a bunny on each arm. (First time Jax has ever considered being that close to me on his own) He did decide to leave shortly after though. I got out of the tub to give them some room and Yeti was just sitting very still and Jax was sitting right next to him kind of guarding. Every time Jax went to sniff Yeti without pulling his ears back and lunching at him I would feed him treats. Yeti would of course also get some!

                                Not sure if I would call it a succsess, but then again it was the first time and I will do it once more tonight and then tomorrow again before work.

                                Do you guys have any pointers or suggestions? I really need the help!

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                            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A To many questions~!