Rabbit questions

feelinggood_2

Another question for all you rabbit experts!

I'm having a baby in April. Bunny is very sensitive to change, and is prone to jealousy. How can I ensure baby and bunny get along?

ClareEmily

feelinggood wrote: »

Another question for all you rabbit experts!

I'm having a baby in April. Bunny is very sensitive to change, and is prone to jealousy. How can I ensure baby and bunny get along?

When baby first comes home make sure bunny is in room or hutch well away from the noise of crying and has somewhere to hide when you have the many visitors that will be round to see the baby.

Make sure that you still spend time with your bunny, think of it as another child who still needs your time and attention

Found this on the rabbit org site which I hope is of some help:

P.S Many congrats BTW how exciting


New Baby in the House?

If a baby is coming, or has come, to your rabbit's house, your rabbit will probably be getting less of your attention for awhile, but neither of you needs to suffer. You may not have time for lots of petting and playing, but focus on maintaining the rabbit's daily care routine. It can be relaxing to have some petting time with your rabbit when baby sleeps. Rabbit will adjust! Your rabbit will be infinitely happier with you than if he is given away to adjust to a new home. Shelters and rescue groups overflowing with dogs, cats, and yes, rabbits, are constant reminders of how difficult it is to find people willing to give an animal a good home for life. Many are initially enthusiastic about getting a new pet, but when the newness wears off and the reality of care sets in, many animals find themselves disposed of for the owners convenience.

Remember!-When baby gets older, rabbit will have added attention from your child (and you) which can be a good thing if you are committed to teaching your child about the rabbit.


Teaching Children to be Rabbit People

Whether you have brought a baby home to your rabbit's house or have brought a rabbit home to your child's house, it is well to remember to:

• Learn about rabbit behavior/language so you can point out the rabbits feelings about your child's actions.
• Choose a time of day when your child is on "low ebb" for teaching your child about the rabbit and for play with the rabbit.
• Set your child and the rabbit up for success. Try to anticipate and prevent inappropriate interaction by often showing your child how to interact.
• Try not to get into a pattern of always saying "Don't..." and "Stop..." to your child about the rabbit. If your child does something inappropriate, show and talk about what the child can do with the rabbit. Offer choices for behavior and ask "What could you do...?". Otherwise, your child may see the rabbit as something he is always getting in trouble for.
• Keep the child away from the rabbit for a short time if the child refuses to stop a behavior that may hurt the rabbit.
• Set up the cage so rabbit can get away from the children-"a safe zone". Use child gates in doorways and or turn the cage so the door faces the wall with enough room for rabbit but not the child.
• Put the rabbit in a closed-off room when there are lots of playmates or parties. It is often better if the guests "don't know the rabbit exists". --Refrain from having children's friends in to "see the new rabbit" for the first week or so.
• Show children's friends where rabbit lives and how to pet at times when only 1 or 2 friends visit, then make sure the rabbit is safe during the visit.

What You Can Do with Different Ages

Sitting/Crawling Infants (6-12 months) Start teaching the idea that the rabbit is to be respected and treated carefully.

BUNNYRULE # l: Gentle petting. Sit on the floor with child in your lap while you pet and talk to the rabbit. Guide her hand over the rabbit's head, ears, and upper back. To prevent fur-grabbing, hold her hand flat or use the back of her hand. Do this frequently but no longer than 5 mins. at a time.

BUNNYRULE #2: Leave the rabbit alone when he hops away or goes in his cage. Interpret rabbit's body language for the child ("Oops, he didn't want anymore petting. He wants to eat or take a nap.) Prevent the tendencies to chase a rabbit who has had enough and to bang/poke on the cage by explaining: "Chasing him will make him scared of you." or "Banging on his house scares him." Watch your child carefully and make such explanations at the moment before it looks like the child may engage in such behaviors. Explaining, then redirecting the child's attention works best for this age when inappropriate behavior seems imminent or occurs.

BUNNYRULE #3: Don't touch droppings and litter. Teach the child that the litterbox and droppings that may be found on floor are "dirt". You may have no problem with picking up the dry droppings with your hand, but you don't stick your fingers in your mouth! You may have to change your habits for awhile to teach this concept. A box with a cage floor wire grate works well.

Toddlers (1-2 yrs.) Continue reinforcing or teach BUNNYRULES 1-3 and add #4. Although unintentional, toddlers are capable of doing real harm to a rabbit. They will need constant supervision and frequent gentle reminders of appropriate behavior. See below for additional notes on rules.
Due to still-developing muscle coordination, toddlers have a hard time keeping fingers out of rabbits' eyes so you may have to insist on two-finger petting or back-of-hand petting.
Closely supervise children's interactions with the rabbit. This is the stage of the stick when some are prone to bash things with sticks. Children this age also have a hard time not chasing a rabbit who hops away. If she chases the rabbit, the rabbit will learn to be scared of her. Teach respect for the rabbit ending the petting or playing session ('Well, that's all he wanted to do.") and interest the child in another activity.
Children who are interested in toilet-training can understand "that is where the bunny poops and pees".

BUNNYRULE #4:We pet, but don't pick up the rabbit. Explain that it scares the rabbit to be picked up and both of you could get hurt. Explain that Mom or Dad may pick up the rabbit if she needs care.
Explain rabbit language & actions: "Hear her teeth clicking? She likes the petting. See her toss the ball? She's playing." If child gets scratched, explain what the child did to scare or hurt the rabbit and show a better way to act. Redirect loud play to another area ("Look at bunny. She doesn't like the noise.")
Toddlers love to share their snacks with the rabbit so make sure rabbit gets only small amounts proper foods and is not overloaded with cereals and crackers. They also love to help with feeding - scooping & pouring food, taking vegetables and hay to rabbit.

One to Seven-Year Olds If a 2-yr old has grown up with a rabbit, she can have quite a bit of empathy for and knowledge about a rabbit. Continue or teach BUNNYRULES #1 through 4. Teach by example instead of by a lot of "No's"; Your child will learn most by watching you. If interested, the child may help with feeding and play with the rabbit with your supervision.

Older children Continue or teach BUNNYRULES #1 through 4. Teach by example and setting up situations for success. Your child may build a friendship with the rabbit by sitting on the floor with the rabbit while doing homework, art work, reading, or watching t.v. The rabbit will eventually come to investigate and to be petted. Older children have lots of other interests and interest in rabbit may come and go. The rabbit's care should continue to be your responsibility, but your child may help with feeding and grooming.

BreakinEven

ClaireEmily

Thank you for those links, esp rabbit welfare. I have read a few of the leflets inc neutering and have a couple of concerns. Rabbit Welfare say not to fast the rabbit, my vet has told me to fast from 7pm the previous day and to remove all bedding that night so it can't eat? Plus it is a v small practice (a large house which the vet live upstairs, works downstairs) with one examination room and I am not confident that they have all the equipment Rabbit Welfare recommend. I'm now in 2 minds about cancelling.

I'm fairly confident that the neutering will solve the aggression as she is fine being handled and groomed and will often climb in my sleeping bag with me when i'm lay watching telly (am refusing to put the heating on yet).

Also, a slightly icky question if you don't mind? Narla (bunny) has an obsession with cleaning me, any attempts to resist this are met with a love-nip. I know she is only grooming me but she is very thorough (nose, ears, eyes - given the chance) but I don't like her licking my face when she has just sat eating poo (i know that this is normal). Am I over-reacting by stopping this?

ClareEmily

BreakinEven wrote: »

Hi,

I've got a 7mth female lionhead and have a few questions.

1) She's getting neutered
What can I do when i collect her to make her more comfortable? I think I'll be keeping her inside and sleeping on the sofa to keep an eye on her

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/neutering28.8.07.pdf
Have a read of this, gives you advice of what to do when you get your bunny home from her op

2) Any other ideas to encourage not messing the bed area?

What are you putting in the litter tray? We use newspaper in the bottom then lots and lots of hay on top, bunny likes to munch while on the toilet, change twice a day.


3) Just general rabbit quirks. Are all rabbits greedy? She is a eating machine. She gets the reccommended amount of excel dwarf & baby pellets plus a bit of fresh stuff and will still steal any food within reach, any non-food items which she can get her mouth around go down the hatch as well! I can only assume she has a cast iron stomach :eek:

The hay and veg diet is the best for bunnies, if she is given unlimited quality hay she will happily munch on this during the day.
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/going_green_oct_06.pdf
Please be careful what food and non food bunny has access to, rabbits DO have delicate stomachs and can become ill very quickly.

She refuses to acknowledge my fiance exists, won't accept any food of treats from him, let him touch her etc . Which means he think she hates him.

This will only be cured with time and patience from your fiance, he needs to not make any sudden movements, or noises or block her escape route if she feels threatened. He needs to get down to bunny's level and just sit with her, bunny will become curious, and slowly he will be able to give her some tip bits and then gently stroke her while she is eating.

My hubby never had bunnies before, but he has bonded big time with ours and she licks his head, they lurve each other awww (he actually loves her more than me boo sucks).

Also, doesn't seem to grasp that she isn't human. As soon as you leave the room she is in 'my' chair watching the telly.

LOL aww cute

Doesn't realise that her ears only fold back and not forwards, if she's sqeezed from under something she can not back in without getting her ears stuck.

Silly bun

I could go on....Is it just mine?

Answers to your questions above, your bun sounds like a right little madam LOL

ClareEmily

BreakinEven wrote: »

ClaireEmily

Thank you for those links, esp rabbit welfare. I have read a few of the leflets inc neutering and have a couple of concerns. Rabbit Welfare say not to fast the rabbit, my vet has told me to fast from 7pm the previous day and to remove all bedding that night so it can't eat? Plus it is a v small practice (a large house which the vet live upstairs, works downstairs) with one examination room and I am not confident that they have all the equipment Rabbit Welfare recommend. I'm now in 2 minds about cancelling.

I'm fairly confident that the neutering will solve the aggression as she is fine being handled and groomed and will often climb in my sleeping bag with me when i'm lay watching telly (am refusing to put the heating on yet).

Also, a slightly icky question if you don't mind? Narla (bunny) has an obsession with cleaning me, any attempts to resist this are met with a love-nip. I know she is only grooming me but she is very thorough (nose, ears, eyes - given the chance) but I don't like her licking my face when she has just sat eating poo (i know that this is normal). Am I over-reacting by stopping this?

Hi there

That's quite ok, sorry it was such an essay.

Right to be honest I would cancel and find a rabbit savvy vet, join the RWAF and they will give you a list of experienced vets in your area, and also they have a helpline (which I have already used) so you can discuss your worries with people who know their stuff.

I have lost two bunnies from Gastro-Intestinal (where the bunny has an underlying problem which causes the bunny to stop eating) My local vets are rubbish with rabbits and I would not want you to experience the same heart ache, so better safe than sorry. I have never heard of fasting your bunny before an op.

LOL she loves you and thinks you are another bunny, maybe in the future think about getting another bunny to keep her company. In the meantime I would just stroke her instead when she is trying to lick your face. My hubby lets ours lick his nose and head and ears ...it really is quite grim to be honest.

BreakinEven

Madam is one word for her!

Honestly she eats anything if she get it in her mouth down the hatch it goes, plus blatent stealing, she's jumped up and had stuff off my knee more than one, including a plum that sh dragged under the furniture in the hope I wouldn't steal it back.

My OH spends the same amount of time with her as me, and has even taken over most basic care (feeding, watering & grooming) to try and build a bond with her. She still ignores him. if he is in her way she nudges and scratches him until he moves. I guess she's just a women rabbit. Lol.

Will be very glad when she's neutered as she has constant PMT at the mo. Will come and cuddle up with me, suddenly bite me and strop off under her chair for a bit, then comes back out is over affectionate. Know how my OH must feel with me every month!

ClareEmily

BreakinEven wrote: »

Madam is one word for her!

Honestly she eats anything if she get it in her mouth down the hatch it goes, plus blatent stealing, she's jumped up and had stuff off my knee more than one, including a plum that sh dragged under the furniture in the hope I wouldn't steal it back.

My OH spends the same amount of time with her as me, and has even taken over most basic care (feeding, watering & grooming) to try and build a bond with her. She still ignores him. if he is in her way she nudges and scratches him until he moves. I guess she's just a women rabbit. Lol.

Will be very glad when she's neutered as she has constant PMT at the mo. Will come and cuddle up with me, suddenly bite me and strop off under her chair for a bit, then comes back out is over affectionate. Know how my OH must feel with me every month!

My bunny nabbed a whole ginger nut biscuit and ran like the wind.

Oh dear seems like her other half is way down on the bunny pecking order, how funny.

BridgetJones_2

BreakinEven wrote: »

Hi,

I've got a 7mth female lionhead and have a few questions.

1) She's getting neutered :shhh: on Friday as she is a moody and territorial little madam. I feel really mean putting such a little rabbit through such a big operation, yes i'm a fussy mummy, but seeing as I have a deep rabbit teeth shaped cut on either side of my finger :mad: for daring to go too near 'her' chair (she sits under it for hours at a time and woe betide anyone who disturbs her) I have made the decision.

What can I do when i collect her to make her more comfortable? I think I'll be keeping her inside and sleeping on the sofa to keep an eye on her


2) She has a nice big 2 tier hutch in the shed, but the ONLY place she will toilet is in her bed, whenever you clean her out it is sodden. Obviously coming into colder weather she has nowhere dry and warm to sleep. In the house she uses a litter tray without fail (but only when it is in a box so nobody can see her). I've brought an identical tray for her hutch. Will she use it? Not a chance. I've tried saving poohs from cleaning her out and putting them in the litter tray to encourage her but no improvement.

Anyother ideas to encourage not messing the bed area?

3) Just general rabbit quirks. Are all rabbits greedy? She is a eating machine. She gets the reccommended amount of excel dwarf & baby pellets plus a bit of fresh stuff and will still steal any food within reach, any non-food items which she can get her mouth around go down the hatch as well! I can only assume she has a cast iron stomach :eek:

She refuses to acknowledge my fiance exists, won't accept any food of treats from him, let him touch her etc . Which means he think she hates him.

Also, doesn't seem to grasp that she isn't human. As soon as you leave the room she is in 'my' chair watching the telly.

Doesn't realise that her ears only fold back and not forwards, if she's sqeezed from under something she can not back in without getting her ears stuck.

I could go on....Is it just mine?

1. Yep, keep her inside for 48 hours at least. It's easier to make sure she's eaten and passed the food. It's very important this happens but I'm sure the vet will run through this with you. Also makes it easier to check the wound and she's not pulling at her stitches! I kept my one in a dog crate in the living room

2. When you say the 'bed area' do you mean the private bit without a window? Mine will only go to the toilet in there, I've put a thin litter tray in there, makes cleaning so so easy! Could you put a pile of hay somewhere else in the hutch to make a comfy bed?

3. Personally I only give my two a small handful of pellets a day, it's more a treat than their actual diet. But yes they are eating machines!! I buy A LOT of veggies every few days & they love it.

4. No it's not just yours! My 2 have some mental quirks. Paddy likes to attack the tunnel, will he go through it...no. Will he punch, kick and bit it...yes! He didn't really like my OH until he was neutered but he's now quite keen. Pops is a proper little housewife, anything she doesn't like in the hutch she flings out the door!

lexuslass

Hi

One of my daughters Netherland Dwarf rabbits died... we had two together which we bought at the same time - they were actually sisters.

Now apart from my daughter (and me!) being upset, the remaining rabbit looks it too!

My question is ... Do rabbits have a tendancy to accept another rabbit after one has died?

Obviously, I don't want to get another if she is going to attack it but on the other hand, I'd hate to think she was pining for company (if you see what I mean!?)

Thanks in advance

ClareEmily

lexuslass wrote: »

Hi

One of my daughters Netherland Dwarf rabbits died... we had two together which we bought at the same time - they were actually sisters.

Now apart from my daughter (and me!) being upset, the remaining rabbit looks it too!

My question is ... Do rabbits have a tendancy to accept another rabbit after one has died?

Obviously, I don't want to get another if she is going to attack it but on the other hand, I'd hate to think she was pining for company (if you see what I mean!?)

Thanks in advance

Hi there

Really sorry to hear about your bunny do you know why she died?

Yes rabbits will accept another rabbit, contact a rescue centre, like bobtails who will actually bond your rabbit for you.
http://www.bobtailsrescue.org.uk/
http://www.bobtailsrescue.org.uk/care2.asp?newsID=14

P.S Please do not buy another one from a pet shop or breeder, hundreds of bunnies looking for a forever home.
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/