Rabbit questions

Tarry

That's really good and definetely easier when they have white nails instead of black nails which are more difficult.

tankgirl1

Hi

Sounds like you have it sorted

If in doubt though, I would ring the vets and ask for a nurse appointment (much cheaper than seeing a vet ), and they will show you how to do it yourself

Loopy_Girl

Not sure whether I am posting for advice or reassurance actually!!!

As you all know I have Max the bunny (Netherland Dwarf) who is just over 7 months old.

Now I had a bunny when I was wee and my sister had one and they were fine bu every night I go to bed I am in a state in case he gets too cold and...well, you know.

A cold snap is predicted. He is an outdoor bunny and has a nice thick coat but obviously this is his first winter.

Very thick layer of sawdust throughout the whole hutch, a scary amount of hay in his bedroom which he has clearly 'nested' round him and he also has a blankie which he sometimes uses when he thinks no one is looking!!!
He also has a waterproof curtain cover thing and also a hutch hugger.

I was telling a work colleague my concerns today and she 'helpfully' told me about when her bunny died from the cold (assumed I suppose, could have been anything really) and she must have saw my face as she hurridly said that all bunny had for protection was a bit of old carpet over the top!

I do have a hut but to be honest I don't see the point of moving him in there as it's no warmer in there and he is protected from the wind with hugger and curtain plus if I move the hutch it's very dark in the hut and he would get not much natural daylight during the day.

I keep thinking that our family bunnies were fine and my Dad has a neighbour who has had a bunny for years and it's been fine in the winter.

Am I doing enough and I am I being a silly billy?!!! I'm just a big softy and would be broken hearted if anything happened to him especially if it was becasue of the cold.

Mucho thanks xx

Spirit_2

Your bunny sounds as if he is nice and snuggly.

We have two rescue bunnies at present, they free range in the day and live in a stable at night. They have a bale of hay (and each other) to cuddle up to at at night. There is also a hutch they can access within the stable if they want another level of shelter - I do not know why we bother, they never go in it.

We have had many pet rabbits over the years, they all go to bunny heaven in the end, some younger, most older, none of our (well loved bunnies) have ever gone from cold.

Loopy_Girl

Spirit wrote: »

Your bunny sounds as if he is nice and snuggly.

We have two rescue bunnies at present, they free range in the day and live in a stable at night. They have a bale of hay (and each other) to cuddle up to at at night. There is also a hutch they can access within the stable if they want another level of shelter - I do not know why we bother, they never go in it.

We have had many pet rabbits over the years, they all go to bunny heaven in the end, some younger, most older, none of our (well loved bunnies) have ever gone from cold.

Thank you...I know I am being silly but I still feel sorry for the wee thing and was panicking that he wouldn't be warm enough and I knew that bringing him in the house each night would be more damaging than leaving him out since he is used to the weather outside.

Thanks Spirit xx

UKTigerlily

You sound very loving & caring to me. Remember it's only more recenly that house rabbits have been the in thing, how many of us had rabbits outside in hutches 24/7 through our childhoods? I know I did & none ever died from cold (With alot less protection than yours has!). I only have a few suggestions but not very good ones & you seem to be doing just great

* Could he (If he doesn't already) have a companion? Not for a heating system for him but just as company in general
* How about a bedding like bedexel? We use it for our rats (We? I!) as sawdust is bad for them, i'm wondering as it's cardboard squares would it be warmer? (Tho you have hay which he'd still need anyway & is warm)
* Finally, you can buy pet hot water bottles. They're called Snugglesafe & are like plastic disks you microwave, they come with a cover & then you pop it in with them. 100% safe, easy to obtain & last for 5-10hrs I think. Be big enough for him to sleep on too, they're pretty big! And not like our own hot water bottles that have covers, these aren't too hot for the pet. I gave my sick cat one the other day & I ended up cuddled up to it! http://www.snugglesafe.co.uk/heatpad.htm

1sue23

I would use one of the old fashioned stone water bottles in the hutch ,just fill with warm water before you go to bed and place it in the hutch ,this will keep the chill off when it is very cold.

Loopy_Girl

UKTigerlily wrote: »

You sound very loving & caring to me. Remember it's only more recenly that house rabbits have been the in thing, how many of us had rabbits outside in hutches 24/7 through our childhoods? I know I did & none ever died from cold (With alot less protection than yours has!). I only have a few suggestions but not very good ones & you seem to be doing just great

* Could he (If he doesn't already) have a companion? Not for a heating system for him but just as company in general This is the plan when the better weather comes in - am going to get him a rescue girlfriend!!! If I had any idea when I bought him for my daughter how much |I would enjoy looking after him I would have got 2!!!! Reason I am waiting for bigger weather is so they can have a play in the pen rather than being cooped up right away when bonding and also, I only have a 5' hutch which is fine just for him but would be too small for 2 bunnies so I will need to get a bigger hutch.


* How about a bedding like bedexel? We use it for our rats (We? I!) as sawdust is bad for them, i'm wondering as it's cardboard squares would it be warmer? (Tho you have hay which he'd still need anyway & is warm) I actually made an informed decision about the sawdust. I did read it could have potential problems for bunnies so I decided to use it and if there were any problems stop immediately. The breeder used wood shavings also. I realise people have differing opinions on this but this is my choice Good ide about the cardboard squares though as the bottom of his hutch slides out (easy cleaning!) but the bottom is a plasticky material so the cardboard would take the chill out of it. Will layer it and then bung everything else on top
* Finally, you can buy pet hot water bottles. They're called Snugglesafe & are like plastic disks you microwave, they come with a cover & then you pop it in with them. 100% safe, easy to obtain & last for 5-10hrs I think. Be big enough for him to sleep on too, they're pretty big! And not like our own hot water bottles that have covers, these aren't too hot for the pet. I gave my sick cat one the other day & I ended up cuddled up to it!
I had read about these and though they were a good idea but didn't know where to look so thanks for the link!!

http://www.snugglesafe.co.uk/heatpad.htm

Well the mountains of snow we were due didn't materialise!!!! The dog has a runny bum so was up a few times last night to let him out (bless him, didn't poop once in the house just let me know to ket him out!) and I was expecting to be skiing outside but in actual fact it was raining and washed away the snow we had lying already!!!

You are totally right TigerLily about rabbits historically being outside!! As I say, I was probably looking for reassurance more than anything and I have defo got it...whether next year I will be fine as the other bunny will be there for warmth or in an even bigger state as I will worry about them both, we will see!!!!!!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Blackpool_Saver

Bring it inside, no question.
Please, just do it.

amandada

I can't offer any advice as our 2 guinea pigs are sitting shouting at me right now!