Hello Rabbits Online!

[kaymas]

Hello Everyone!!!!

I don't have my rabbit yet but what a better way to get started than to discover the ins and outs and everything fantastic about the world of rabbits from you lovely people!

My name is Katie and my boyfriend and I will be getting out own little bunny addition within the next month or two. We both live in Toronto Canada and are so excited. I wish I could show you pictures but I promise once we get our rabbit many pictures will be posted :big wink:

Any tips you would like to give some first time owners would be greatly appreciated

 

[ZRabbits]

Hi,

Always good to get a head start on the exciting experience of a bunny. Lots of info in the RO Library and RO member threads.

My advise to a new bunny owner is that time and patience is the key. Don't rush them. If you want a bunny to have a free run. Start out in small spurts and a small area. Let your bunny get to know and feel secure in his space.

Also don't feel bad if your bunny doesn't snuggle or nudge you at first. The most important part of any bunny experience is gaining their trust. Like slowly introducing new foods, you slowly introduce yourself. Your voice, your smell, your touch. Again it takes time, but time well spent IMHO.

Can't wait to hear when you get our bunny. And definitely love pics.

K

 

[kaymas]

Thanks for the advice I will definitely be taking advantage of all of the information here and will keep what you said in mind for sure

 

[LakeCondo]

You should find out ahead of time what hay & pellets the rabbit is currently eating. Even if you want to transition to something else, you need a small supply. The seller may give some to you.

All rabbits should have unlimited hay unless they don't eat their other food & just eat hay instead. If it's a growing rabbit, it should have unlimited alfalfa pellets. Adults shouldn't have as much calcium as alfalfa provides, so they should get timothy pellets, Oxbow is a brand that most rabbits like & they carry both types of pellets. The amount for an adults varies by weight, but the bare minimum would be 2 tablespoons daily. At maybe 3 months you can start introducing greens, one at a time & very slowly increasing the amount of that green, making sure it doesn't give them soft poop/diarrhea.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[kaymas]

Hi and thanks for both the welcome and the advice!

I had no idea about the different pellets so thank you so much for that!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:wave:

 

[gmas rabbit]

looking forward to see the bunny you chose. Welcome to the forum.

 

[agnesthelion]

How exciting to be getting your first bun! I remember bringing Agnes home just a few short months ago. She has stolen my heart

Start litter training right away. ALOT of the times watch for the bun to pick the corner of their cage they want to use and put the litterbox there.

Toys can be stuff from around the house, toilet paper rolls, pop boxes, old phone books.

When you first bring bunny home you will probably want to hold and snuggle her all over. Resist if you can let her have a day or two in her "cage" watching you. This allows her to identify also that her cage is safe and her home.

Start free run areas small. You can go with more space as time goes on.

Find a rabbit savvy vet in your area.

And lastly, post pictures and name of you new bun as soon as you can...we all would love to see!

 

[HEM]

Welcome to RO

 

[LakeCondo]

It's so good when people find out things BEFORE they get their bunny. Some people get one & immediately start feeding it greens or carrots, then come & ask why it has diarrhea & what to do about it. You are looking before you leap [hop] to get a bunny, so it won't be getting sick when you do.

 

[kaymas]

Oh my goodness you are all so wonderful!

Agnesthelion thank you for your tips!!! I can't wait to go pick out our bun and then take pictures for you all to see....there will be many lol:biggrin:

Lakecondo it bothers me when people go get a pet without knowing the first thing about their care! I didn't want to be one of those impulsive people (no matter how baddly I wanted to go pick out a bun and bring it home :embarrassed! I want to make sure I know what I'm doing so I can give this bunny the proper forever home it deserves

One thing M (the boyfriend) and I have decided on is we want a lionhead and we'll be getting it at the end of August! Still a ways to go but it's worth the wait

 

[melbaby80]

Welcome! I researched a little before I got my buns, then learned more as I went on from here. Careful they are addicting!

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

Unless you've already put down a deposit, I have to plug for the adoption option!

I'm so glad you are doing your research ahead of time. That way your transition to bunny ownership will be a good deal easier when you know what to expect.

Whatever way you get your bunny, I'm sure it will be happy with you. I just have to advocate for the bunnies in the shelters and rescues. It's a popular time if year to drop off bunnies at shelters (got bored of them after easter) and so most of them are young, but come litter trained and already fixed! There are many breeds available and even adopting one bun saves two lives, since it opens up a spot for a new bunny to have a place at the shelter and a second chance at life.

Good luck and I hope to see you around! Everyone here is super helpful and wi gladly answer any questions.

 

[LakeCondo]

There are pros & cons of shelter vs breeder. I went the shelter route & so missed Honey's childhood, but didn't have to worry about her when she was spayed or put up with her hormonal period before that.

And summer IS a good time to get a shelter rabbit.

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Welcometo Rabbits Online, my name is Dave and I am a moderator on the forum. So if I can be of any help please let me know. This is a terrific website for rabbits and their slaves, not only is it very active but also friendly. I am so glad you’re here and I know you will enjoy it.

Hopefuly, your bunny will never get sick,if you everhave a sick bunny, please post in The Infirmary and include your rabbit's age, breed and health history as well diet and output details leading up to the problem.

Here are somelinks I thought you might find interesting:

*For reference the Library section

*To brag or tell everyone about the antics of your bunny or just to talk about your day here is where to start a Bunny Blog, you can also look back at it later and remember when you had a life before your bunny.

*Now all the bunny’s like talk to each other when we mere slaves aren’t around in the Bunny Chat is the spot to be.

*The House Rabbit Society has a lot of good information on what veggies are safe for bunny’s, etc.

*Here is a link to learn what your furry master is trying to say to you How to Understand Your Bunny's Language

The Let Your Hare Down section is for anything non-bunny related.

Here is a link tothat will help you and your bunny to connect, How to Bond with Your Bunny.

Now every forum has rules and ours can be found with this link Rabbits Online Forum Rules. This gives guidelines on what is acceptable, what is not and how we hope everyone will treat each other.

Everyone on this forum loves to see pictures of each other’s bunnies. So if you would like to post a picture this link will help you do that, Upload Photo's to Photo Gallery. Then in the post, you click on the "G" in the tool bar to insert your photo. Many people also use Photobucket. You just copy the img file and paste it into the post.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions and I am glad you have joined rabbits online; I look forward to seeing you around.

 

[kaymas]

Thank you everyone for the welcome

Massimo and I were planning on adopting at first but we found out that the Toronto Humane Society doesn't have a lot of rabbits for adoption at the moment and Massimo really wants a lion head rabbit. He's never had a pet before and he will be the primary caregiver for the time being so I want him to have the kind of rabbit he wants. Hopefully we can adopt the next one (yes I'm already thinking about the next rabbit and we haven't even gotten the first...I think I'm in trouble :shhhh: don't tell Massimo though lol)

We can't wait to pick everyone's brains when we have questions and we can't wait to post pictures