New bunny owner

[Laura0709]

I am a first time bunny owner. I adopted an eight month old white female, pink eyes. The owners had several rabbits, and she was in a cage with 2 other white rabbits. I'm pretty sure one of them was a male.

I've had her almost 3 weeks. She was raised outside in a very large pen, but now I keep her inside. She has seemed to adapt very well. I let her outside when the weather is pretty.

The past few days, she's become grouchy. She growls, tries to nip at us. I am beginning to wonder if she's pregnant. It's my first rabbit, so I'm not sure about her behavior. When I give her carrots or apples, she goes crazy. Then when I pet her while she's eating, she gets snippy. She was so friendly and loving the first couple of weeks.

Any insight or opinions or greatly appreciated.

 

[jujub793]

she just may be hormonal...? but if she was penned with other bunnies it could be possible she's pregnant.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat:

 

[Laura0709]

By the way, my bunny's name is Sissy. Is there any sure way to tell if she's pregnant? Thanks for your help!

 

[Laura0709]

I'm trying to post her picture; maybe I can get it loaded later.

A couple of other thoughts/questions:

She's been staying in the living room and had been previously staying in the family room with us. She started pulling up the corner of the carpet in the living room. How does a female act if she is pregnant and is trying to build a nest.

Also, I feed her timothy hay and pellets. She gets carrots and apples for treats. If she is pregnant, should I increase the amount of food? She acts like she's starving all the time. Thanks!

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Let me welcome you to 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.

Many bunny's recommend their slaves to this site so we may learn of others methods to keeping our furry masters happy.

She could also be lonely. If she was in a pen with other rabbits, she could be depressed. I had a bun that was depressed and he perked up when I put a stuffed bun in his cage.

A rabbit will generally build a nest just a few hours before giving birth. A doe will pull fur from its chest and use hay.

I would also post your concerns in the Behavior section. You will get more replies also.

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.

I have listed some links 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.

*Rabbits Online also has regional forums , this a good way to find a vet in your area that has experience with rabbits and to find out from other nearby of good sources of rabbit supplies.

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.

I am glad you have joined rabbits online and I look forward to seeing you around.

 

[Laura0709]

Thank you Dave! You know, I didn't think about her being lonely. I need to look at some different toys for her. Her being off by herself a lot, this all makes sense.

I have had her 3 weeks today, so I'll keep watching her in case the male got to her before she was given to me.

I appreciate your insight!

 

[Laura0709]

Hi Dave. I have a couple of stuffed toys I keep out for my girl, a rabbit and a teddy bear. She doesn't take to them when she's out of her cage, but seems to when in her cage. I keep her out during the day and cage her at night. She is still being a aggressive?? All she does during the day is lay near her litterbox or lay up under the living room window. She acts like a loner. I'm going to post also on the Behavior forum. Thanks!

 

[Laura0709]

Anyone on line? I need some help. I had posted about my aggressive "Sissy". She turned so affectionate today, after a couple of weeks. She's just started pulling her fur, so possible pregnancy. How long will it be before she gives birth?

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Try sending a PM to SAS or Dave. If you have a rabbit savvy vet, give them a call. Out of my realm of experience.

 

[CCWelch]

I am sure by now you have a litter if she was pulling hair. I am sure you are crazy with worry, don't be. Most rabbits are a natural at raising their babies. If they are chubby and warm leave them be unless you need to move mom and babies somewhere for safety reasons. Do not be afraid to touch the babies, just make sure you pay attention to mama too. If she tries to attack you then leave her and the babies be for a couple days and try again.

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Laura0709 wrote:

Anyone on line? I need some help. I had posted about my aggressive "Sissy". She turned so affectionate today, after a couple of weeks. She's just started pulling her fur, so possible pregnancy. How long will it be before she gives birth?

Sometimes rabbits have phantom pregnancy's. Their body tells them the are pregnant and they will go through the nest building etc. If a doe is pregnant they will give birth between 30-35 days.