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So I got Rachel a bunny over the weekend. I'm not a bunny expert.
1) I know I should get a cage, I'm getting one
2) How do I get my cat to stop scaring it and chasing it around the house? She keeps "pawing" at her
3) What should I feed it? What are the basics? Ahh I could just Google that or ask the pet store..
Anywhozzils anything helps.
Oh and his name is Fox... and the kitten, her name is Camille.Quote:
Originally Posted by mudweiser
Read my sticky Muddy.
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/other-...it-278170.html
I've owned rabbits all my life. I've also had cats. Cats and rabbits don't mix. Cats are predators. Rabbits are prey. It can work, but it's not a sure thing, and chances are, even if they appear to be best of friends, one day you may come in to a dead rabbit, and your cat finishing off a late afternoon snack of rabbit feet.
Rabbits are not easy pets to own, they require special care, a person that knows what they need and how to care for them. They are not a pet that you buy on a whim, without so much as housing in place.
So many people, go to the pet store, see the cute little bunny, decide they have to have it, take it home, and for a while all is well, until the rabbits hits sexual maturity (at around 6 months) and they realize that it's going to cost around $300 or more to get it fixed and stop the spraying and aggression that the rabbit is now exhibiting.
Then they realize that if they don't clean the cage every day, it can smell, so bunny get's an outdoor hutch, where he's often neglected, or plain forgotten. The owner doesn't realize that these are social creatures. If they don't have a bunny buddy, then they need to have someone else to spend time with. Also, rabbits that are wild dig tunnels and live in groups. There's no concern of freezing in the winter or boiling in the summer. An outdoor hutch is not adequate.
You could ask the pet store, but I've never met a pet store employee that knew anything about rabbits. When I bought Cotton, the so called rabbit expert at the pet store told me that Cotton was a girl. Well if that's true, then neutering him was a big mistake. ;)
Rabbits aren't a pet you buy on a whim, but you have, and now you have to get the necessary supplies, the right food, shelter, accessories, to make him happy and healthy.
I'm here if you have any questions.
Ohhh dear.
I did just what you did muddy... bought a bunny from a pet store because I thought it was cute.
I didn't have a cage or anything for him when I first got him, but I thought "oh well, can't be that hard"
Within a few days he had chewed through the fish tank heater cable and killed about $3000 worth of my parents tropical fish. Tore up the carpet and peed everywhere.
He became an outdoor bunny.
He was 5 when he died... he got myxomatosis which is transmitted by mosquitoes. If he had have been inside it probably would never have happened.
Fast track a few years and I got another bunny... this time I did everything right, I researched before I bought one, made sure everything was bunny proofed and had a proper cage setup indoors.
Then I met Alty LOL Wow, I thought I knew a lot about bunnies... I didn't.
I never even knew it was possible to get a rabbit desexed, let alone that it was necessary.
They aren't easy pets, and I really wish pet store employees were more educated or I probably would never have been allowed to buy Jack in the first place when I was about 12.
1) I like the cages that are on stands, with plastic bottoms and wire sides/lid. You will probably need either a bunny proof room or a puppy play pen so it can have some free-run time each day.
2) Rabbits are food to cats. Keep them separated. They might be friends now, but one day the kitten will grow up and see food instead of a playmate.
3) I feed Dora a mixture of pellets, grains and chaff, about a cup a day. On top of that a variety of vegetables. Fruits should only be given as treats as they are quite high in natural sugars.
Hay should be given freely all the time. Bunnies pretty much need to constantly eat, and hay won't make them fat like free-feeding pellets would... plus hay wears their teeth down.
The rest is in Altys sticky ;)
Uh no. I didn't buy Fox. A lady down the road from me, her bunny had babies and she was just going to release them all into "the wild". Yeah nice big city to get killed. So I took one home with me, because well I couldn't take them all.
Anyway thanks for the tips guys.
As for the neutering/spaying, both animals are getting that done once the rabbit is old enough to do so. I think it's about 1-2 months old. If I didn't have money to spay/neuter I wouldn't have gotten a pet to begin with.
When you do get the bunny spayed/neutered, make sure to shop around for a vet that knows about bunnies. They're considered exotic pets, as such, most vets have no idea. Desexing a bunny is not the same as desexing a cat or a dog, you really need to know what you're doing. If you need help searching for a bunny vet, let me know, I can help.Quote:
Originally Posted by mudweiser
How many bunnies did this lady have? I'm shocked! Domesticated rabbits cannot live in the wild, especially babies.
Although I do think researching is good before bringing a pet home, I have to say that I probably would have done the same thing, and worried about supplies later. Having said that, would you consider a second bunny from that lady? Your bunny will do better with a friend. They're very social creatures. If they're from the same litter and still really young, they'll bond very well. Just make sure to separate them when they reach maturity, otherwise you'll be the one with bunnies to sell. ;)
Anything you want to know, I'm here. I can help you find a cage, give you a list of foods you can and can't feed, help you with toys, homemade and not.
Just let me know what you need help with. :)
Done done and now just waiting for them to be old enough to get desexed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Altenweg
I only saw 4 babies in her yard at that time.Quote:
How many bunnies did this lady have? I'm shocked! Domesticated rabbits cannot live in the wild, especially babies.
Ooh I don't think I could afford to spay/neuter THREE pets.:eek: That would be pushing it Alty. It'd be nice to get him a friend but maybe further down the road. The bunny really isn't alone, except for at night. During the day, me and Rachel and the animals are outside and we all basically play together, and the bunny does get a lot of human attention.Quote:
Although I do think researching is good before bringing a pet home, I have to say that I probably would have done the same thing, and worried about supplies later. Having said that, would you consider a second bunny from that lady? Your bunny will do better with a friend. They're very social creatures.
But it won't be until a little later until I can get him a playmate.
1- I got a cage for inside. It's one of those big metal cages. I know the bottom part is bad for the bunnies feet so I'm just going to get the bottom welded off so that Fox doesn't hop around on that wire. The bin thing at the bottom would be filled with wood chips :o And no the bunny isn't in that cage yet, I'm getting the bottom welded off first.Quote:
Anything you want to know, I'm here. I can help you find a cage, give you a list of foods you can and can't feed, help you with toys, homemade and not.
Okay I have : Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Carrots (a lot of them) AND Beans. Those are the things bunnies CANNOT eat.
Are they able to eat plain (uncooked) oatmeal? Not loads of it but like a little pile? Just wondering... I got the Timothy Hay yesterday, Fox seemed to enjoy that. I also gave it Raisins, a little piece of Apple, Dandilions, Weeds and greens.
As for toys let me know: he seems to like going into one of my shoe boxes and playing with the cardboard sides.
Anyways-- let me know if you have any other tips for me!
Thanks!
Pictures! More pictures!
My friends bunny really likes clover.
Here is one and Rachel with the bunny.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell
I don't understand the whole kids in photos thing:confused: Uh she's well dressed and umm... yeah.
EDIT: I guess I'll just hardcore edit it.
Cute, but what do you mean about kids in photo's?
I don't even know. I came in here a while ago and they were talking about removing children's photos from the site. I never knew what happened.. no one really told me why. Obviously you don't want to post photos of children taking a bath or in a swimsuit...
I think it's just to protect them. If we post our pics, that's our choice as adults, but they don't get to make the choice.
I had tons of pics up of my kids too. I didn't see any harm, but I can see their point and I'm not unhappy that they removed the pics. You covered R's face, so you should be fine. ;)
How's the bunny baby doing? Did you get a chance to remove the grate from the cage?
I also have an enclosure for my rabbits, so they can hop around without worrying about the dogs eating them.
Here's a picture.
Attachment 31563
It's actually a dog enclosure, around $30 depending on where you get it, but I've seen them on Kijiji and other sites.
But she may not stay that way after someone not so nice tweaks the picture and puts her in a porn magazine.Quote:
Originally Posted by mudweiser
Holy sh!t I did not know that at ALL.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Ugh I feel sick.
Back to Bunnies:
1- Thanks for the tip Alty, but I don't think I'll have a that wrap around cagey thing in my house. I let it roam free when Camille is outside doin' her own thing. I'm not getting it because it honestly would eat the space that I have left.
2- The welding off the bottom of the wire cage is happening this weekend :)
Questions:
•Fox ALWAYS seems to find a way to eat Camille's food. I ALWAYS have Fox's food fresh and ready and he'll finish it all and sooner than later I see him eating Camille's Meow Mix :eek:
-what can I do? Is it bad for him?
•Can I put a "litter box" for Fox? Would he be able to understand that when he roams around the house he goes poop and pee in the box of wood chips? How do I get him to do that?
•Do bunnies have bad vision or something? Just wondering..
•What kind of chew toys do I get Fox? She hasn't been playing with old books and paper towel rolls.
*I still don't know what sex Fox is... that's why I keep calling him a he or sometimes a she. Lol
Make sure all sharp, pointy edges have been filed flat.Quote:
Originally Posted by mudweiser
No worries WG it was filed to the flattest of flat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Here is a photo of Fox in his cage :)
It feels like I need to put more stuff in it but what? Any suggestions?
Thanks
That's a nice cage Muddy. Where did you get it?
Just fyi, it's probably better to fill the litter box with litter, not wood. If it's wood then Fox will likely use it as a bed and pee and poo in another corner.
You can buy a bunny litter box. The difference is that it's triangle shaped, fits in a corner. Don't get a big one, just big enough for Fox to sit in, that way he'll be less likely to use it as a bed. Watch him, rabbits usually pick one corner to do their thing. When you see where he's going, simply put the litter box in that corner, pick up some of his poo and place it in the box, and if he's inclined to litter train, it should be fairly easy. Rabbits are very clean little animals, so most prefer not to have their waste all over.
As for toys, there are tons of things you can get. A salt like and grinding stone are a must. The salt is good for their diet, and the grinding stone helps keep their teeth filed. Rabbits teeth grow constantly. If they're not ground down, it can cause health problems. Rabbits can keep them ground down with the proper tools. If not, then you'll have to go to your vet to get the teeth ground.
Go to a bigger pet store, one with pet supplies only. You can buy a cardboard hideyhole. They're cheap, look like a tube, but bunny can fit inside. This provides a place to get away (rabbits like to have a covered area) and it's good to chew on, relieve stress.
Put newspaper in his cage. He may not go for it right away, but he will eventually. I've never seen a bunny that ignores the chance to chew up newspaper.
There are bunny toys you can buy, just be careful of a few things. No artificial dyes. If the toy is natural material and colored, then it's not good for bunny. Small parts that can be broken off should be avoided. Plastic or rubber is a bad idea. Try to stick with cardboard toys, or wood toys.
I'll do a Google check, post some pictures of bunny safe toys. :)
Oooh! Thank you so much alty!!
I actually got the cage from a recycling center here in my city.. it was free :)
As for the wood chips, he's been poopin' & peeing on that side of the cage-- do you REALLY think I need to get the litter? That seems to work. I will get that stone at the pet store tomorrow and that hidey hole thinger.
Merci beaucoup!!
Here's a site with lots of great bunny stuff.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source...way6sWRa5cpYVg
Pictures of rabbit friendly supplies and toys.
Attachment 31630
Litter box
Attachment 31631
Nibbly hidey hole. Safe for bunny to eat.
Attachment 31632
Chewable toy.
Attachment 31633
Another chewable toy.
Greenie greenie greenie greenie greenie.Quote:
Originally Posted by Altenweg
THANKS!
No problem Muddy.
Use the wood chips in the rest of the cage. Use kitty litter in the litter box. A lot of bunny experts say that kitty litter isn't safe for rabbits, but if you get a dust free one, it's fine. I've never had a problem using kitty litter with any of my rabbits. Not scented, not dusting, and it's A-Okay. I've found that the litter made for rabbits doesn't work as well. They're pellets and my rabbits eat them. :(
Also, with the wood chips, make sure that you don't get treated wood. Pine is okay, but I prefer cedar, or a mixture of both. As long as it's untreated, it's okay.
Any newspaper, old phone books, great for stress relief. In fact, the humane society asks that people donate their old phone books just for the bunnies. :)
Any more info you need, just ask. :)
Oh man Alty they don't ship to Canada but now I see what I need to get. Thanks :)
I've seen those products in a lot of pet stores. Your best bet is to go to a supply store, a place that only sells pet supplies and not pets.Quote:
Originally Posted by mudweiser
There are tons of warehouse type places, huge selection, low cost. Just Google to find one near you and you should have no problem finding the supplies. Even Walmart has some good bunny stuff. In fact, that's where I buy my bunny food, when they have it.
The best rabbit food I've found is "Kaytee" it has fruits, veggies, nuts and grains. The rabbits love it, it's not a lot of filler, healthy, well balanced, and not too expensive. Keep in mind that I have 4 to feed, and it costs me around $30/month.
Also, when it comes to food dishes, we have the ones that attach to the cage. I recommend the same thing for the litter box. If it's not bolted down, bunny will throw it around his cage. Lots of waste, lots of mess.
I could talk about bunnies all day. Aren't you sorry you asked? ;)
OOOHhh thanks Alty! I'm not sorry I asked! I'm happy you did!
Okay well one question.. yes another one :)
HOW THE HECK do you litter train a bunny? My bunny keeps pooping and peeing everywhere :(
What do I do? Thanks!
Bunnies usually pick one spot to go in, and unless that spot gets too full (which it shouldn't) they stick to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by mudweiser
Just watch him. They like to use a corner (once the get used to their cage) so just watch, see which corner he uses, then put the litter box in that corner, put a few of his poos in the box, and he'll catch on. He's young, so he should figure it out very quickly.
If you clean the box every day, he'll use it. :)
I'm a bunny expert lol I own 1 and a cat.
Put bunny and cat togather and if the cat keeps pawing bunny he might be playing...
If he uses claws you need to get a spray bottle and spray him with water.
If the cat is not using claws he's just saying hi so try picking up kitty and bunny
In your lap and pet them both.
You may have a bunny, but you're far from being an expert.Quote:
Originally Posted by ashgirl
Cats and rabbits are natural enemies. Putting them together is just asking for trouble. Spraying your cat with water is also not a good idea.
This is an old thread, so I will close it, but I wanted to post to make sure people didn't follow the advice you posted. There's more to being a rabbit expert then owning one.
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