Trying to help my new baby bunny adjust

[bunnyluv96]

Hello there. I have a question. I just brought my darling little bunny home today,:bunnydance: and he seems to be adjusting just fine. A bit frightful still, but he's already figured out the water bottle which is amazing to me because he had a bowl at the breeders his whole life. (All 8 weeks of it )He also seems to be curious about who I am, which I think is a good thing. My question is, when he was living at the breeders it was very different. He lived in the garage with all the other rabbits, in a cage that was 3ft by 3ft. It was all metal mesh, the kind with the pull out tray underneath. He had nothing in his cage except food/water bowls. Nothing. No mat, toys, etc. The cage I have for him is totally different! It's in my house for starters, and it has a plastic bottom-but I put a soft fleece baby blanket in the bottom to make it soft and not slippery. I got him a woven hay den to snuggle in, a few toys, bunny chew sticks that come on a metal thingy that hang from his cage, etc. The problem is, he has never in his life seen any of this stuff so he has no idea what the heck any of it is! I have a litter box set up for him, put some litter and hay in it and he's poopin everywhere but there lol. They had the mesh bottom cages so he could do this. I scooped up some of his poo and put in the litter pan to help intice him there, hope that works. But my main concern is how do I help him understand that toys are for playing with and dens are for sleeping in etc? It's like he's been living on the moon lol. I just want him to understand what things are for and am not sure how to help him. Any advice? Thanks!!

 

[jcottonl02]

Well hi!

I'm glad he is settling in well! You certainly have provided him with a wonderful comforting new home, which is great to hear, and you clearly know lots about bunnies.

I wouldn't be too concerned if he is not full of personality at the moment; some animals are very nervous when they get taken to a new home. Some will be very confident and start playing/marking territory straight away. Others will seem timid, and perhaps won't play or be particularly aware of where they are.

I would give him a few days to settle, before you start worrying .

After a few days, if he still hasn't worked out what his den and his toys are for, just try playing with them with him. For his den, all you can do is make is snuggly for him so he wants to sleep in there. He will sleep wherever is comfiest, so if he doesn't sleep in there, no worries because he clearly likes where he is, and he'll find the best place after a few days!
If, however, you want to speed the process along, if he falls alseep on your lap etc. and it's time for you to head to bed, why not place him in the soft little den to continue his sleep?

Litter training may take a while, and differs for each bunny. It can also be made much easier by neutering, which you would do at about 5-8months old, depending on your breed (for yours, I would say approx 6months).
Bunnies tend to poop and pee in one corner, and stay using that corner, so you could cheat a little and just place the litter tray where he is pooping and peeing.
He is probably now pooping everywhere, because he is in a totally new territory, but that should settle, and he should find his 'spot' soon.
If he keeps urinating everywhere after a month or so, then this may be a sign of an infection (just FYI, in case this situation arises), because bunnies normally do pick a spot and stick to it.
Well done for scooping his poos into his litter tray- this is a very good technique for litter training- keep at it, and he should twig

Just try to make him as relaxed as possible. Routine is always good for animals, so try and feed him breakfast/dinner etc. at the same time each day. As he is only 8 weeks old, I wouldn't introduce veggies/fruit yet. I would let him get used to the pellets and hay (which should be unlimited at all times btw), that you have first, and then perhaps in a few weeks time, start very slowly introducing veggies, one at a time, and monitor his poops. This is to see which kind of veggies give him the runs.

I would give him today to just relax and get used to being here, alone, to destress, and them from tomorrow onwards I would start handling him as much as possible. This is to get him used to being handled, from a young age. The more you handle him now, the more likely he will be fine with being picked up/handled etc. when he is older. However, some buns will just 'hate' being picked up, and there is nothing you can do about that unfortunately .

Keep an eye on his poops and urine, his drinking and eating, and note his behaviour. You need to be aware of his normal habits and behaviour so if they change you can notice quickly, and see if something is wrong before it escalates.

Good luck! He is an absolute darling from your pic.

Jen

 

[bunnyluv96]

Thanks so much! Ah, that makes sense why he is pooping everywhere, marking territory. I did notice he seems to pick one spot to urinate in and I moved his litterbox to that corner this morning. He seems to have a great appetite in spite of being in a new place, and this morning he was in his cage and when I woke up I went to check on him. When he saw me he perked up right away and hopped over to me so I guess I'm doing something right! lol. He seems to like me. And he seems to like being petted. I haven't held him much because he's still getting settled and didn't want to stress him. But I'm hoping since he likes being petted he will like being cuddled too. He is drinking good and seems to be settling in just great. I will try playing with him with his toys, see if that helps him catch on. Do bunnies know how to play from instinct even if they've never been exposed to toys? If so, maybe he will catch on, he seems to be smart! Thanks so much for the reply, I'm new to the bunny mama thing and want to make sure all is going o.k. :bunnydance:

 

[jcottonl02]

Well you certainly seem to know what you are doing.

That is so lovely to hear- I am glad he is happy and settling in well. He seems like an intruiged, excited little bunny who knows his mama!

That's great that his appetite is good- that can only be a good sign. I'm not sure if this is totally right, but I have definately read it (anyone correct me on this?), but I believe young rabbits should have unlimited pellets? Up until about 4 months old? Because obviously they are growing lots. You'll need to be logical though- if little Sunny is looking a bit tubs then maybe time to start limiting .
I know this is obvious (but just in case!!! ), rabbits need unlimited, good quality, fresh hay. It is very important. Get him used to it when he is young, and he's more likely to eat more of it when he is older.

Yes, I would definately give it a day or so before handling him- it's great that he is fine with the petting, so I'm sure when you come to handling him he will be okay with that too.


Ah you already caught on! Has the moving the litter tray to his 'spot' worked? Some naughty little bunnies might move their 'spot' once a tray is put there, but hopefully he hasn't!!!!!!

In regard to the toys, I would try and encourage him. Perhaps offer him the toy, and he might pick it up and throw it away- he playing with you!!! Pick it up again and offer it, and see if he wants to throw it again.
Some people drag blankets around for their rabbit to chase, but mine have never been interested in that. I'm not sure how it would work, because rabbits aren't predators. Dogs and cats would love this, because it is then 'practising' their hunting instincts. We just find it cute!
When I tried that for my buns, Pippin ran and hid (I wasn't surprised), and Benji got angry, roared, and attacked it. Needless to say, I haven't 'played' that game before.

HOWEVER- in saying that, my bunnies love to play football! Especially Benji! I push a ball towards him, he'll pick it, throw it around, and then nose it around, and perhaps even push it back to me! It is so interesting to watch!
Flashy actually has a most wonderful video of her rabbits (one with a head tilt) playing football, and it is just amazing! I am not entirely sure where it is though...

Good luck! We want updates and lots and lots of pictures!!!!

 

[bunnyluv96]

It worked! I think I lucked out and got a super smart bun because he's only been home with me 3 days and yesterday he used his litter box! I moved it to where his pee spot was and the next time he went it was in the box. I was super excited he caught on so quick! I got him out yesterday and it seems like he loves petting but was a bit uncomfortable with holding because he was really squirmy! But I let him out in a rabbit proof area to run and play and I tried playing with the toys and he seems either clueless about them still or uninterested. I figure maybe he needs more exposure, maybe if I try to play enough the repetition will help him understand. I was trying to take some pictures of him and he'd hop away right before I snapped the pic, so I'd shuffle over to him and he'd hop away again lol. Finally he'd sit still and then Charge the camera and me. Is that bunny play or is he just silly? He seems to be doing just great, other than he isn't chewing anything? Not the sticks,blocks, t.p. rolls, or woven bed. Makes me wonder a bit but maybe it's the newness still or his age? But when I got up this morning he was awake chewing some grass and when he saw me hopped down from his food and straight over to me like bunny language for good morning! and maybe I missed you! lol I am so happy to finally have a bunny, he is a total delight!

 

[jcottonl02]

Well that sounds absolutely wonderful!!!! I am SO happy for you .

He sounds like he is definately comfortable with you, and feels relaxed and safe with you, maybe even beginning to think of you as his Momma!!!

I've heard some rabbits love to play 'Chase', but this MUST always be from the rabbit's point of view- never chase your rabbit- only ever let your rabbit chase you, or you run the risk of utterly terrifying him. The rabbit will instigate this, so you'll know if he wants to play.

That's so great because some rabbits are hard to litter train, especially unspayed ones, so that is really great that he has learnt so fast, for such a young bun!!!

Keep us updated, and with piccies when he lets you take some

 

[elrohwen]

I'm glad things are going so well with your little guy! It really just takes time for some bunnies. I've had my holland lop boy since he was 8 weeks old and it took him months to really come out of his shell fully. Just be patient! He'll figure out what his toys are for (at least some of them - some he may never like). Just spend a lot of time sitting with him, reading a book or just talking to him. The more time you put in with him just being calm and hanging out the faster he'll come out of his shell.

And good job to him for using his litter box! My bun was also litter trained the instant I brought him home and has been perfect ever since, so hopefully your guys has equally clean habits.