New bunny!

[cabbage]

Hello everyone!
So i recently bought a bunny, 7 week old minilop (I think, but his ears haven't flopped yet so this may be wrong). I was hoping to litter train him, which i have started to do by putting his poop in the tray, and if i catch him peeing moving him to the litter box. Do you have any other reccomendations?
And i also wanted to know, I should be letting him out of his cage (indoor bunny this one) to exersize and socialize, but if i do that he just pees and poops everywhere, and its surprising how much pooping he can do! Sometimes i can't catch him in time, or i dont even notice him when he is about to pee. So should i wait till i have litter trained him before i get him out of the cage or just be persistant? And if i take him out should i get another litter box for him for outside the cage?

And another question (i did a lot of research on the net, but i figured it would be best to ask rabbit owners themselves!) What is the best way to build a good relationship with your rabbit? Are there things you should avoid doing - i dont want him to hate me forever and i love him already!

Thank you so much! Sorry a lot to ask in one go!

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

cabbage wrote:

Hello everyone!
So i recently bought a bunny, 7 week old minilop (I think, but his ears haven't flopped yet so this may be wrong). I was hoping to litter train him, which i have started to do by putting his poop in the tray, and if i catch him peeing moving him to the litter box. Do you have any other reccomendations?
And i also wanted to know, I should be letting him out of his cage (indoor bunny this one) to exersize and socialize, but if i do that he just pees and poops everywhere, and its surprising how much pooping he can do! Sometimes i can't catch him in time, or i dont even notice him when he is about to pee. So should i wait till i have litter trained him before i get him out of the cage or just be persistant? And if i take him out should i get another litter box for him for outside the cage?

And another question (i did a lot of research on the net, but i figured it would be best to ask rabbit owners themselves!) What is the best way to build a good relationship with your rabbit? Are there things you should avoid doing - i dont want him to hate me forever and i love him already!

Thank you so much! Sorry a lot to ask in one go!

--i trust your area didnot get slammed like christchurch-(earthquake)-we get them here too,-anyway,-rabbits have a way of telling us what they want,-they do pick the person they like or want,--just be accessible,understanding,and loving,--try cuddling-our inside rabbit likes this..rabbits may be weaned at 8 weeks but i believe that is still a bit young--two poop boxes is good,,a crock and bottle for water is also good..once you zero in on cabbages personality and behavioral pattern you will be able to notice suttle changes which can be critical for health issues,-here is a website great for learning http://www.medirabbit.com --happy days-sincerely james waller

 

[agnesthelion]

Babies poop alot for their size and everywhere. This will slow down, I promise!

As far as free run while litter training, you do want to keep them to smaller spaces while training. You can gradually move up as he gets older and better at litter training.

Keep soiled litter in the box while training so he smells that is where he is supposed to go. Also, watch what corner he "picks" in his cage and move the litter box there. Keep all messes in the cage that aren't in the box cleaned immediately so he doesn't smell that he should go there again. Also, avoid bedding in the cage. That is just confusing for a baby in litter training.

As far as bonding, go slow. It's about time and patience. Sit on the floor with bunny and let him come up to you. Dont force too much yet. As bunny gets more and more comfortable, move at his pace for more things. Agnes I got at 7 weeks too and she follows me around like a dog! Begging for head scratches, will sit on my lap, I can pick her up, carry her around, she is a very affectionate bun.

Oh and you'll want to get bunny neutered to help with behavior and litter habits too. When he reaches sexual maturity (4-6mths) he may start spraying and marking.

 

[cabbage]

Thanks very much!! So much help. I think he likes to pee every where, but poo in one corner and pee in the other, but hthat may have been because of where the water bottle was. and he seems to be drinking a lot of water now!
So just about letting him out of his cage, should i just close of an area outside of the cage to let him romp around in, and cover up the floor in case he piddles? And if i catch him should i usher/pop him in his litter box?
Thanks!

 

[agnesthelion]

Yes I would bunny proof a small area for free run. You'll get to know his body movements before a pee. Usually they are still and sometimes back their bum up to a corner to pee. Yes, get him to his litterbox ASAP. Do you have a cleaner called Natures Miracle in NZ? If so get it. It is amazing in getting out the pee smell. You will want to clean up where he goes outside the cage too.