Hi! This is Thumper and Katie!

[ThumperTheBunny]

Hi, I am Katie. I recently got a new bunny named Thumper. He is 4 months old and I love him sooo much. he is still really nervous acting around me. I got him two days ago, so i keep trying to hold him but he won't let me. I don't have any pictures of him because I don't know how to upload him, but he is a mini rex. He keeps pooping everywhere, so does anyone have any tips? I feed him pellets and spinach for breakfast and supper each day. And he drinks out of a water bottle that is hung in his cage. I didn't know that rabbits were so hard to keep! He stays in a little cage on my dresser, and I thought he wouldn't require much care. Any tips would be good!

 

[Madelyn L.]

Um, firstly I would stop trying to pick him up so much. Rabbits are prey animals and if you don’t hold them just right, it feels like they are being taken hold of by a predator. Especially if your bun is brand new, I would leave him alone. If he is 4 months old his horomones could be kicking in and you need to get him neutered. And you do NOT just need to feed him pellets and spinach. Pellets in too large amounts can lead to obesity and a VERY unhealthy rabbit. Also, spinach in large amounts is harmful to rabbits. You NEED hay in your buns diet. It is an absolute must. It keeps their stomach moving and keeps them healthy. And please don’t use water bottles. They can get dirty and rabbits have to crane their neck to get water. Use a bowl instead. And rabbits should most definitely NOT live in cages. Rabbits are meant to run around and living in cages can lead to sore hocks, obesity, depression and much, much more. And put the cage on the floor at least. Rabbits hate being up really high. This article should help you with bunny care!
https://bunnylady.com/rabbit-care-guide/

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Unlimited hay for sure and a mix of veggies. We have had 2 out of 50 that liked being carried around. The rest grew to tolerate being picked up. Best to sit on the floor and let them come to you. Ours all use a pan to pee in but mostly poop wherever--why I own a large shop-vac.

 

[HalaBuns]

Do as much research as you can about rabbit care. You will find great advice here and there’s also a huge amount of other resources out there if you have a google, information is not hard to find.

You want your bunny to be happy and healthy. They are not the easiest of pets to look after, so you need to get clued up on what they need, both physically and mentally and how to read their body language, or your little fluff ball could run into problems.

 

[ThumperTheBunny]

Uh I don’t really have that much money to make all of those changes. And thumper is getting better when I pick him up now! He even chatters his little teeth so loudly and it’s cute He still tries to get away some though. And when I got thumper, the pet store person said they were easy to take care of. He said the cage I have was plenty of room.

 

[HalaBuns]

Regardless of what a pet shop owner told you / sold to you, your bunny will never be happy in a small cage. They need enrichment and space for their physical and mental well-being. Please do some research for the good of your bunny. It costs nothing to gain knowledge about how to look after him in a way that will benefit both of you.

 

[SirLawrence]

Hi Thumper! First off, let me say that the rabbit community can come across as mean and pushy. We just care A LOT about rabbits. I call myself "Crazy Rabbit People". Rabbits care doesn't have to be hard or expensive, but it is different than for other pets. So, keep asking questions, and do your own research and take NOTHING on the advise of a single individual. We all want you and Thumper to have a long, happy life!

I knew nothing when Sir Lawrence was dumped on me. I had to learn everything myself, but I did, and he's as happy as he can be (along with his "brother", Lucas). Mistakes were made, but I did the best I could. Every day I did a little better. You can do this!

I can only tell you what has worked for me. Every rabbit is an individual; there's no magic formula that will work for everyone.

Tractor Supply sells Timothy and Alfalfa hay in 50-lb bales for around $20, which should last your bun for 6 months, as long as it doesn't get wet or get infested with bugs! They also get salad greens I buy ready-to-eat at the grocery store. I try and avoid spinach and anything else with oxalic acid (oxalate). In small quantities, it's not dangerous, but shouldn't be a large part of their diet. There are many online (free) resources to get information on a healthy diet for your rabbit.

Neither of my boys like being picked up at all, so I don't even try. I get down on their level to give them pets, so they don't feel threatened. I can't let them roam free, so they have a room for when I'm not home, but get let out when I am. Apparently, their "house" is more than adequate, because sometimes, they would rather stay in there than come out and play! With that being said, I'm sure you can't devote a whole room to Thumper, but do the best you can. There are inexpensive "pens" that can be set in the corner of your room for your friend! He does need to be able to stand up on his hind legs, stretch out, and run around.

Also, start searching for a vet that actually knows how to provide care for rabbits. Emergencies can arise and escalate quickly for rabbits, and minutes can determine life or death. Also, call local rescues to see if they can provide "triage" care in an emergency. My local dog groomer is also an animal rescue, run buy two vet techs that specialized in exotics. They can provide emergency care, and more importantly, can contact a rabbit-savvy vet after hours. I made it a point to make friends, and they saved Lucas's life one night. True "Rabbit People" will help a rabbit, regardless of any kind of payment.

The biggest things to concentrate on are health, safety and happiness. If you can educate yourself to provide these three things for your bun, I think they should be priority.

Keep your chin up, and concentrate on what you're doing right so far, and try to do the best you can.

Sorry that was kinda rambly, but we're here to help!

 

[ThumperTheBunny]

I still don’t think rabbits are very high maintenance. Thx to everyone that’s responded but I rly don’t think they need that much care the pet shop person gave me a detailed overview of how to care for thumper. He said since they are so small they just need a cage, and I think that is true. He said water bottles are good too. He said pellets are highly nutritious and never even mentioned hay, so I don’t rly think they need it. I think many of y’all just give your rabbits too much.

 

[SirLawrence]

Well, here's a basic article written by a veterinary hospital (a.k.a "doctors") I think you should at least give a quick skim. Just looking out for you and Thumper!

 

[Fuz]

@ThumperTheBunny. Without offending, you are making a mistake by listening to that pet-store owner. When you research adequate care for your rabbits, you will find that he was just trying to sell you the pet. Hay is an absolute essential part of any rabbits diet.
Once your rabbit grows, (in a few short weeks!) that cage will be insufficient. Thumper will get sad, frustrated, and stressed.
Of course I don't know your financial situation, but try to provide proper care (as you can afford) for your new pet. Look through the forum, you will find plenty of guides on how to take care of him.
Best wishes.

 

[ThumperTheBunny]

But I don’t get it. The pet store owner explicitly explained to me that the cage would be bid enough. He said rabbits are very low maintenance. The man was really informative and I don’t think he is lying. I have enough money for all this stuff, but frankly I think getting all that stuff for a rabbit is ridiculous. Thumper will be fine I think. Hay will just get everywhere. And I give my bun some grass that we fertilize for a treat sometimes. And everyone, seriously think. Do small, tiny rabbits need a ton of space? No they don’t.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

If you are not willing to take advice from people on this forum then why did you even ask questions in the first place? We aren't trying to offend you in any way! I was so lost when I first got Theo (my bunny), but after a tiny bit of research I found out everything I needed to know.

May I ask, why are you able to trust one man from a pet store that was trying to sell you something (people lie all the time when selling stuff because people are greedy) instead of trusting 6 people (all saying the same information) who are gaining nothing from helping you?

I am also confused by some of your statements. You say in your first post, "I didn't know that rabbits were so hard to keep!" but then in your next couple of posts you say, "I still don’t think rabbits are very high maintenance." What do you really think? Are they hard to take care of or are they not?
You also say, "Uh I don’t really have that much money to make all of those changes" and then later say, " I have enough money for all this stuff." Do you or do you not have money? If you do not have money to properly care for an animal you shouldn't have it.


First off, whether you believe it or not, rabbits need at least 24 square feet of room. You said, "since they are so small they just need a cage, and I think that is true" but the rabbit isn't going to stay that small forever. Cottontails (wild rabbits in the US) are small rabbits weighing around 2-3lbs. Cottontails are tiny but they are not kept in a cage, they are free! I am not saying to free your rabbit! If you let a domestic rabbit loose it would probably die in the first couple of days since they do NOT know how to live in the wild. But, no matter the size, rabbits need LOTS of room to run around in a safe place so as a responsible, loving rabbit owner that means that you need to provide the space your rabbit needs.

Second, rabbits need hay in their diet. Any quick google search will tell you that a rabbit's diet should consist of 80% grass hay! I get $20 bales of Timothy hay from Tractor Supply that will last me 6 months, which evens out to $3 per month. If a rabbit does not eat hay it will get malocclusion (see the picture of overgrown rabbit teeth). Pellets should only be offered to rabbits in small amounts (take a look at the pyramid picture I attached). Rabbits should get at least 2 cups of leafy greens per day, take a look at this list: Suggested Vegetables and Fruits for a Rabbit Diet | House Rabbit Society

Third, rabbits need water bowls. Rabbits drink as much water as a dog every day and they are not able to get enough water out of a bottle. Bottles also store bacteria that will make your rabbit sick.

I think many of y’all just give your rabbits too much.

We do not give our rabbits too much, we give them what they need. I try my best to give Theo the best life he can live, but I do fail because we live in a fallen world and everyone will fail no matter how hard they try not to. I try my best because if something happened to Theo my life would be over, that is how much I love and care about him.

And I give my bun some grass that we fertilize for a treat sometimes

Fertilized grass is very dangerous for rabbits, please stop feeding it to him.

If you are not willing to make these changes in your rabbit's life then I highly suggest giving him to someone who will. I hate to say this, but you said "I love him sooo much" but the way you are acting is not loving towards him. If you really loved and cared about Thumper you would do anything you could to give him the best life possible.

 

[Madelyn L.]

If you are not willing to take advice from people on this forum then why did you even ask questions in the first place? We aren't trying to offend you in any way! I was so lost when I first got Theo (my bunny), but after a tiny bit of research I found out everything I needed to know.

May I ask, why are you able to trust one man from a pet store that was trying to sell you something (people lie all the time when selling stuff because people are greedy) instead of trusting 6 people (all saying the same information) who are gaining nothing from helping you?

I am also confused by some of your statements. You say in your first post, "I didn't know that rabbits were so hard to keep!" but then in your next couple of posts you say, "I still don’t think rabbits are very high maintenance." What do you really think? Are they hard to take care of or are they not?
You also say, "Uh I don’t really have that much money to make all of those changes" and then later say, " I have enough money for all this stuff." Do you or do you not have money? If you do not have money to properly care for an animal you shouldn't have it.


First off, whether you believe it or not, rabbits need at least 24 square feet of room. You said, "since they are so small they just need a cage, and I think that is true" but the rabbit isn't going to stay that small forever. Cottontails (wild rabbits in the US) are small rabbits weighing around 2-3lbs. Cottontails are tiny but they are not kept in a cage, they are free! I am not saying to free your rabbit! If you let a domestic rabbit loose it would probably die in the first couple of days since they do NOT know how to live in the wild. But, no matter the size, rabbits need LOTS of room to run around in a safe place so as a responsible, loving rabbit owner that means that you need to provide the space your rabbit needs.

Second, rabbits need hay in their diet. Any quick google search will tell you that a rabbit's diet should consist of 80% grass hay! I get $20 bales of Timothy hay from Tractor Supply that will last me 6 months, which evens out to $3 per month. If a rabbit does not eat hay it will get malocclusion (see the picture of overgrown rabbit teeth). Pellets should only be offered to rabbits in small amounts (take a look at the pyramid picture I attached). Rabbits should get at least 2 cups of leafy greens per day, take a look at this list: Suggested Vegetables and Fruits for a Rabbit Diet | House Rabbit Society

Third, rabbits need water bowls. Rabbits drink as much water as a dog every day and they are not able to get enough water out of a bottle. Bottles also store bacteria that will make your rabbit sick.


We do not give our rabbits too much, we give them what they need. I try my best to give Theo the best life he can live, but I do fail because we live in a fallen world and everyone will fail no matter how hard they try not to. I try my best because if something happened to Theo my life would be over, that is how much I love and care about him.


Fertilized grass is very dangerous for rabbits, please stop feeding it to him.

If you are not willing to make these changes in your rabbit's life then I highly suggest giving him to someone who will. I hate to say this, but you said "I love him sooo much" but the way you are acting is not loving towards him. If you really loved and cared about Thumper you would do anything you could to give him the best life possible.

Very well said. I 100% agree. @ThumperTheBunny, please make these changes.

 

[ThumperTheBunny]

I am so sorry everyone! I just don’t know what’s right, but I guys seem to rly know what ur talking about! I’ll try to fix them. It’s not that I don’t have enough money, it’s just that my parents might not let me use it. I’m so sooo sorry

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I am so sorry everyone! I just don’t know what’s right, but I guys seem to rly know what ur talking about! I’ll try to fix them. It’s not that I don’t have enough money, it’s just that my parents might not let me use it. I’m so sooo sorry

There is no need to apologize, people make mistakes. It is always amazing when they see what has been done wrong and begin fixing it!
I understand that your parents might not let you spend your money, but please show them how rabbits should be owned so you can begin to improve Thumper's living situation. Here are several links with lots of housing ideas: 2020 Indoor Cages... add your photo!
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/housing-options.html

 

[ThumperTheBunny]

Thank you so much for being nice. I rly don’t want thumper to be unhealthy. I will definitely try to convince my parents about proper care