PLEASE please please, don't ever hit a bunny!! They don't understand, they will not associate any sort of punishment with their behavior, and it will never get the result you want. Also - bunnies are delicate, it's very easy to break bones. My friend the magician, he "pulled a rabbit out of his hat", a seemingly gentle trick, but the rabbit's back was broken in an instant. Also, bunnies don't really like being picked up and carried around. But when they initiate climbing up onto your lap, they can be very affectionate to you.
It's very important that you stick to feeding hay -- Timothy hay is best, it's got plenty of protein for their needs. A high-quality pellet can be added once a day. I don't know if you are in the US or not? We give Purina Rabbit Chow to all three of ours, and they enjoy it. Another thing is that rabbit's teeth grow constantly, and they can become too long, causing many problems. So one important reason for the Timothy hay is that it's also coarse enough to keep their teeth from getting too long. Wood to chew on is a good idea, though you can't give them anything that could be toxic. My rabbits love willow branches! Many commercial rabbit toys are made of willow, also. Either way, we always keep willow in their cages. I give them cardboard oatmeal containers, too, (but no plastic!), and they chew to hearts content.
One more reason for the Timothy hay, and no carrots, cauliflower, or other veges that are similar, is it can throw off their gut. Bunnies do not need carbohydrates, they only need the amount they get in their hay. Their digestive system is very different from ours. They eat their food, it's processed in the gut, it's pooped out - but in the mornings or late at night, there is a special type of poop called cecotropes that they eat again. Too many carbohydrates will throw this off, and cause poor health in your rabbit. It is well-explained here:
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-rabbit-eat-his-poop
These special feces are called cecotropes, or “night feces.” They are produced through fermentation of food in the part of the rabbit’s digestive tract called the cecum. Cecotropes are soft feces that are nutrient-rich and are passed out of the body like normal stool but then are re-ingested later by the rabbit so that important nutrients can be reabsorbed. These feces have more protein, less fiber and higher levels of certain vitamins, such as B vitamins, than the typical hard bunny fecal pellets you might see in the litterbox or around your rabbit’s cage.
While owners are often disturbed when they see their pets eating their own feces, realize that cecotrope ingestion is a normal and important part of rabbit behavior that will help keep your pet healthy. Owners should not try to prevent their rabbits from eating these feces and, since cecotropes are only passed once a day, there is little chance that an excessive amount could be consumed.
Has anyone warned you that rabbits chew on electric cords and on computer cables? They love them. I have no idea why. If anyone has said anything about "rabbit-proofing" your home, this is part of the reason. You have to put the cords up high where they can't reach them. Or your rabbit can bite and be electrocuted, or your computer will stop working, and you won't figure out why until you check the cables! The little screw-in hooks can help keep the cords and cables off the floor.
Best of luck to you, please write again and let us know how you and Coco and Max are all doing! Do a lot of reading on the web about rabbits, and you'll learn how to keep them healthy and safe, and be able to enjoy their affection and funny quirks! Oh -- sometimes, if rabbits are annoyed, they will stomp their tiny feet. It is the funniest thing, however, it could also mean there is a predator around and they are trying to scare it away.
Peace. ~ Rita, bunny mom to Beau, Wiloughby, and Suzette, plus Lily the cat and Fritzi the dog =)
