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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE A few questions

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    • LoveThemBunnies
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        Hi all,

        So I have a few question seeing as how I’m very new to bunnies as house pets. My introduction is here if you haven’t read it yet.:

        https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx 

        1) Piper is about 1.5 years old and is not spayed. I read that the 2 main reasons to do this is a) because an altered bunny is usually friendlier and b) you have better luck litter box training them. She is a super sweet bunny but I’m leaning towards having it done in hopes of litter box training her. Any thoughts/ideas regarding this? Searching the forum on this as well.

        2) Should I or should I not consider getting a second bunny? She has been an only bunny since she was purchased but I work full time, does she need the company of another bunny? I’m reading about it in other threads on the forum but figured I would ask anyway.

        3) How often and how much do I feed her? Some say have hay available at all times and a small amount of pellets once a day. What about other things? What kind of other things? Again, I’m reading all I can find.

        Thank you in advance for all your help.

        Kim


      • Monkeybun
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          For female rabbits, the #1 reason to spay is females have an 80 to 85% chance of getting uterine cancer at a VERY early age. It’s in her best interest to get it done as soon as possible.

          She doesn’t necessarily need a companion, but if you do decide to get another bun, make sure both are fixed first.


        • peppypoo
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            Welcome!

            Monkeybun brings up a very important point about spaying female rabbits: the high probability of developing cancer. Single buns can be perfectly happy, but if you decide to adopt another one make sure it is because you want another bunny, not because you think Piper needs one. Also, spaying/neutering are a must for both!

            Here’s a great place to start in terms of basic information like feeding schedules: https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/Default.aspx


          • bunnyfriend
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              Ditto with Monkeybun and peppypoo, the most important reason to spay is that huge risk factor of cancer. Spaying also eliminates risk of ovarian and mammary cancer. Here’s a link to a great page from the House Rabbit Society on spaying: FAQ: Spaying and Neutering . It is SO important to make sure your vet is rabbit savvy. Do you have one already? 

              She doesn’t need another rabbit, single rabbits can be very happy too. However, I decided to adopt two rabbits because I’m super busy. Personally I feel comforted knowing that they always have each other and are never lonely, they really seem to be happy together. Definitely wait until she’s spayed and recovered (at least a month after the spay). Unspayed rabbits who around other rabbits can go though false pregnancies which are not healthy or can be aggressive. It’s also important that both rabbits have been altered, not just one. Otherwise the “bond” would never be a true bond. A great way a finding a companion for your rabbit is to go to a local shelter/rescue and do “bunny dating”, where they introduce your rabbit to several others. That way your rabbit can choose her companion, some rabbits do not get along. Peppypoo brings up a great point, only adopt another if you would like another rabbit as well. Another rabbit adds more time and money!

              As for the diet she needs at least 2 cups of fresh veggies (mostly greens) every day. Under the “Bunny Info” section here on Binky Bunny there’s a great least of rabbit safe vegetables. Always have hay available 24/7, timothy is a common choice. Most people here give their rabbits pellets daily. Many people (including myself) feed Oxbow’s adult rabbit pellets, another good one is American Pet Diner. I normally give my rabbits about 3 or 4 tablespoons of pellets each day, I usually split that amount up and give half in the morning and half at night. How much does your rabbit weigh? The best thing to do would be to take her to the vet for a check up, the vet can give you a diet plan that is customized for your rabbit and give you a baseline on her health. 


            • Monkeybun
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                And as I just saw from your into post, you’re in my area So if you need an exotic vet, I can point you to a few depending on what part of town you are in


              • LoveThemBunnies
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                  Thank you very much for your replies. She will be spayed ASAP. And if I do get a second one he will be neutered ASAP. Thank you bunnyfriend for the link. I have their website open in another tab and have done quite a bit of reading there. And no, I don’t have a vet yet.

                  Thank you peppypoo for the link. I’ll read it sometime today. Doing lots of reading right now. But feeding seems pretty basic. I just want to make sure I’m not over, or under, feeding her. And that she’s getting all that she needs nutritionally. Bunnyfriend, you asked how much Piper weighs. Well they said about 3 lbs, but I’ll find out for sure when I take her to the vet.

                  Monkeybun ~ Hi neighbor! I live in [Edited for privacy. Please send a message if you want to share location info. with each other. thnx. FL]. But I drive a Tri Met lift bus so I’m in your neck of the woods often. I took Xandir, my African Grey Parrot (RIP), to a vet out in Troutdale. They do exotics and I’ve emailed them asking if they alter bunnies but haven’t heard back yet.

                  As far as getting a second bunny goes I’m going to start a new thread in the Bonding room, since that’s what it’s for. 

                  Kim


                • LoveChaCha
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                    LoveThemBunnies, if you wish for your bunny to have a friend, why not take her to the local shelter? There are some in Oregon that offer rabbit dating. Choosing a friend for her might not go the right way and you may have to end up keeping them in separate living quarters! That is why bunny dating is so fun, your girl can choose a person that she is compatible with.


                  • LoveThemBunnies
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                      LoveChaCha, that is an option but I really would love a Netherland Dwarf.

                      Kim


                    • Monkeybun
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                        There is a vet in troutdale that is a rabbit savvy vet, so it could be the same vet you went to


                      • Sam and Lady's Human
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                          Posted By LoveThemBunnies on 09/18/2012 03:32 PM

                          LoveChaCha, that is an option but I really would love a Netherland Dwarf.

                          Kim

                          Welcome!

                           Like Chacha said, if possible, you should let your bun pick her mate. I didn’t, and not only was the bonding horribly stressful and extremely time consuming, its *almost* didn’t work. I love love love my pair but like I’ve said here before, I will never do that again.  Months of keeping the girls completely separate was awful, and any litter habits went out the door in a territorial marking spree. There are exceptions to the rule, always, but you should count on being the rule, and having to live with 2 completely separate bunnies. And I believe you got the rest of your answers


                        • LoveThemBunnies
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                            Monkeybun, it’s a clinic that has 3(?) vets and the one listed as treating bunnies is the owner. 

                            Lady’s Human, it sounds like you have 2 females, yes? The ND I want is a male so that alone might make it easier. 

                            Kim

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                        Forum DIET & CARE A few questions