New bunny owner

lovebunnyok · Apr 12, 2009

Hi everyone! I am new to the forum, and have had my bun for a month now. His name is Tupper Ware, and he is a 4 year old pedigreed Holland Lop. He is the sweetest bun, loves to be petted, but not too into being held. I understand that buns are like that, and try to only pick him up when absolutely necessary.

He has some issues that I am hoping someone could help me with. I'm beginning to think he is deaf. He does not respond to any sound at all, not even loud things being dropped. This occurred to me one day when my upstairs neighbors dropped something on the floor. It was so loud it made me jump, but when I turned to look at Tupper, he was unaffected by it. Also, none of the household appliances bother him. He has even hopped over to the vaccuum when it was on, and sniffed it!

Another issue is his diet. I am giving him all the hay he wants, but he doesnt seem very interested in it. He does eat some, but not as much as I have read they should eat. The rest of his diet includes 1/4 cup of high fiber pellets. I don't think the previous owner gave him very many veggies. I have been trying to introduce them into his diet, but he gets some soft jelly beans when he eats them. Is this normal, and should I just watch this, or should I take him to the vet?

I have so many other questions, being a new owner. I have read up everything I can online about bunnies, and I hope I am doing right by my new bun. Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading this long winded post!! lol

crystal · Apr 12, 2009

I've had my bunny for less than 24 hours, so you are more experienced than me! You must be doing something right because he is still alive... I'm not going to pretend that I'm experienced enough to give advice, but I'm sure you will get some before long- you've come to the right place

anneq · Apr 12, 2009

Heya Ceci - welcome to the RO forums - I also am the proud owner i.e.'slave' of Holland Lops - have you thought about maybe taking him to the vet?

lovebunnyok · Apr 12, 2009

I have thought about it many times. I am planning on getting him neutered in the next month or so, and have already found a vet in the area with experience with rabbits. I may just have to set up an appointment. He seems to be a very happy, active bunny, so I am wondering if this is just normal for bunnies.

Wabbitdad12 · Apr 12, 2009

Welcome to the forum! Being a bunny slave is a good life. Give him the veggies, soft poops are ok, but if they are runny like diarrhea then cut back on the amount until they are more normal.

I have buns that will eat all the hay they can get their paws on and others who will nibble here and there on it. So if Tupper has access to it when ever he wants that will be o.k.

Whether he is deaf or not, I can't tell you that, but some of my buns will rarely react to any loud noise. It could be his previous owner had loud noises around him and he is accustom to it. I have a flemmie and and a mini rex who always come up to the vacuum when I am using it. My blue flemmie doe will even charge at it, just to let it know who's the boss.

After a while you will get use to what is normal for him.