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Anonymous
sup /an/

I recently got a pet bunny from the petshop. I hadn't had a rabbit as a pet since I was young. Back when I was dumb, hyper, and my parents mostly took care of it.

Now that I"m an adult with an apartment I thought I needed a good pet and so got this baby bunny.

I'm trying to read more on rabbits so I can better understand it. Thing is SO FUCKING CUTE. She seems to like running around and climbing up me or the couch. It drinks alot of water.

The lady at Petco said that putting Timothy Hay in a litter box will train a rabbit to poop and pee there.

Anyway, anyone else have a rabbit? How's the experience? What are things you do to make it happy. Mine seems to like hiding under the bed alot... I wish It would pop out.

Also does that Timothy Hay thing work for you?

ANYWAY, tl;dr Owning Rabbits.
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>> Anonymous
Well, I adore my bunnies, so...
First, check www.rabbit.org
Second, buy the House Rabbit Handbook.
Rabbit behavior is different from that of a cat or a dog.
First, you have to understand his habits. Rabbits are crepuscular, which means, they're more active at dawn and dusk. During the day, from around 9-10 to 4-6 o'clock, they will be taking a nap, preferably on a dark spot, like under your couch.
Another thing, not all rabbits like to be picked up. You will have to get him used to that to brush him or trim his nails, but that's not how they like to relate to humans. They love to be petted on the head. The best thing is for you to lay down and let him come to you in his own terms, rabbits are curious and they will come to sniff you.
As for litterbox habits, the best thing you can do is to neuter/spay when he/she is old enough. Rabbits tend to go in the same spot, but when puberty comes, they will mark their territory. Also territorial poops are to be expected.
Until they're one year old you can give alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets, since they're growing. After that timothy hay or oat hay and timothy pellets. My favorite brand is oxbow, since it has a lot of fiber. It's important that the rabbit has access to hay all the time.
Also, rabbit proof your house. Rabbits have to chew all the time because their teeth keep growing. So, *everything* especially what is on the floor is game for them. Electrical cords can be dangerous for them and you obviously don't want a chewed cord. Get cardboard boxes, wicker and wood toys for them to chew and play.
Also, don't give seeds or milk treats even if they're sold *for rabbits.*
>> Anonymous
Carrots and fruits should be given as treats, because they have too much sugar and will upset his stomach. Corn, potato, should be avoided as well as iceberg lettuce, Wheat products are also not recommended. Veggies like parsley, dandelion, basil, cilantro and others are great, see what he likes but introduce them one at a time.
And enjoy your adorable bunny!
>> Anonymous
>>301606
>>301607

Thanks alot :3
>> Anonymous
>>301612
If you have more questions I can try to answer.
>> Anonymous
>>301614

Hm, well I bought the rabbit a wood chew ball thing as a toy from the pet shop but it doesn't seem to pay much attention to it. It seems REALLY happy when I take it out. I don't mind dealing with an animal I have to be patient with and let come to me if I want to pet it... (Although it's so hard to resist wanting to touch it cause it's so soft and cute!) However, what are ways to make the rabbit more comfortable with me. I'm reading here and it says that some rabbits can be pretty friendly too and nudge you to be pet and lay with you...

also how much to get a rabbit neutered or spayed?
>> Anonymous
>>301623
I'd recommend just lay down and wait. Curiosity tends to get the best of them. No sudden movements or loud noises also help. It depends a lot on the rabbit. One of mine took weeks to come around, the other one got used to me and to the resident bunny in a matter or hours. The thing is let him take the initiative.
As for the price of neuter/spay depends on where you live. Find a vet who has experience with rabbits. They need a different anesthesia than they use for cats and dogs and since they don't vomit, they don't have to be fasted, they need to eat before and after the surgery. You should ask your vet about this.
>> Anonymous
You can offer your hand for the rabbit to smell and then pet him in the head. Rabbits purr, grind their teeth when they're happy. A different grinding can mean pain. Also, if the rabbit stops eating or pooping, that him immediately to the vet. Rabbits don't need vaccines, if you live in the US.
Keep the temperature around 70 degrees max. Don't let him around cats, dogs, ferrets or other predators.
>> Anonymous
>>301633
>>301627

Thanks so much, guys! I'll continue to research and try and do my best so that the bunny doesn't become uncomfortable. I'm okay with being patient. Thanks for all the tips and info. I'll heed your advice and warnings and hopefully be really happy with my new pet.
>> Anonymous
I really want a pet bunny myself when I get my own place, and will take all this info into account.

However, instead of making a different thread, I'd like to ask a bunny care related question here:

My girlfriend owns some unhealthily large bunnies. They live in a cat and hawk infested area, so they don't get too many chances to be out of their cage. Much less than they really should. The best they can do is let them roam in their caged off porch area, but there's nothing there for them to play or nibble on. They are also fed treats once a day, whether a slice of apple or half a banana. I didn't have to read up on bunny care to know that they're being neglected and abused, and I just want to do everything I can to make their quality of life a little better.
>> Anonymous
>>301672
I live in an apartment, and as long as they have full run of the house, they don't really need to go outside. Of course, the space has to be rabbit proofed for their safety and for the integrity of your stuff. Good thing that your gf's rabbits are protected from predators, at least.
Fruits are ok, but shouldn't be given every day. Probably that and an imbalanced diet is making them fat. Rabbits have a very peculiar digestive system and too much sugar is not good for them. They need lots of hay. My vet just reinforced the idea, lots of hay, a cup of veggies and a few pellets. Bread, crackers things like that will make them fat. They digestive system won't process seeds, corn and starchy foods. One of the worst things for a rabbit is intestinal blockade, and that kind of food will lead to it. Hay will keep things moving.
>> Anonymous
>>301679

The thing is, they have a hay diet of 0%. They get a cup of pellets and a snack per day.
>> Anonymous
>>301680
They need to start eating hay ASAP. As I told you. I took my new bunny to the vet to be neutered. The vet wanted to do a check up before the operation and asked me what did I feed them. I told him that they have a cement mix tray sized litterbox full of hay besides veggies and pellets. He insisted on telling me that they need lots of hay even after what I told him.
>> Anonymous
It is really important to know that rabbits are social animals, so if you want to keep rabbits you have to get at least TWO of them. Please get a second one if you do not want your pet to be unhappy and to get mental problems
>> Anonymous
>>301692
Very true, but they must be fixed, otherwise you will have a real rabbit society at home.
Best thing, adopt your next bunny from a Rabbit Rescue. You save a life and they already come neutered/spayed.
>> Anonymous
Who's Timothy Hay?
>> Anonymous
>>301727
It's not a who, it's a type of grass.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PHPR3