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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.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A A picky eater?

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    • MelBell
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        I just adopted my first bunny ever from a local shelter. I am very new to all this so please, do not bash me!

        I bought plenty of timothy hay, thinking he would gobble it down and want to nest in it. Well he loves the nesting part, but hasn’t even gone so far as to nibble the hay. In the shelter I know he had a large bed of straw hay, so perhaps that’s what he ate as well? Should I switch to straw hay?

        Also, he has been confined to my room when I let him out to romp and bounce around, since I have dogs and they have not yet been acquainted. The first day I let him out of his cage, he hopped around my room and investigated, but went back in his cage regularly if he was frightened or I led him in with food. But today (second day of him being here) he has found that under my bed is a great hiding spot and goes all the way to the headboard against the wall and will not come out unless I bribe him with food, and grab him by the scruff to get him back in his cage. It made me very upset that he was so upset! Also when I offered him food when he was under my bed, he would charge at me very fast and thump the floor.

        Help?
         


      • Monkeybun
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          Don’t give straw, straw has no real nutrients that a bun would benefit from. Also, don’t grab him by the scruff of the neck, they have thin skin there that can easily tear.

          He’s new to the home, so things are still scary. I would limit his space, and keep him from under the bed until he is more at home.

          What other food are you feeding him? You may need to alter his diet a bit to get him more interested in his hay. You may also want to try other varieties of hay as well


        • KatnipCrzy
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            You will probably have to block access to under the bed to avoid having it be difficult to get him out.

            It takes time for bunnies to settle in- so I would think that he would seem get used to the Timothy hay.  If not luck after a few days you could always try offering oat hay or any other grass hay. 


          • BinkyBunny
            Moderator
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              Welcome MelBel! Congratulations on your new bunny! 

              Just to add to the good advice already — Just give him time. This is all so new to him. Instead of fully engaging with him, just hang out on the floor and let him come and investigate you. Body language is very important and many times bunnies will convey that they are not going to harm the other by just ignoring each other and going about their business. They just slowly work their way over to investigate.

              I also agree blocking under the bed is a good idea but give him a hidey box or something that he can feel safe to go to if he wants. (a plain ol cardboard box with a couple of exits/entrances will do.) I think the fact that you have to reach out for him and then get him out from under the bed is scary for him and so he feels threatened hence why he is reacting the way he does. Especially since this is all so new — he hasn’t known you long enough to trust fully, and some bunnies really need that time to get used to you. 

               He actually sounds like he is just trying to adjust. So for the next week, I advise that when you let him out of his pen/cage, block under the bed, and then just grab a pillow and hang out n the floor — listen to your ipod (or whatever), read, use a laptop, whatever that will help distract you from wanting to reach out to him right away.

              Then when he comes over, just ignore him, but have a healthy treat ready –(you don’t want to give too many treats, so use pellets or some greens that he is already used to, or use some of those “matchstick size carrots and just cut them in halves). Then when he comes over to where your hand is,give him a treat. If he runs away when you move, then next few times don’t reach out, and try again later.

              Also, make sure your dogs scents are not on your hands right now. That could make him more cautious of you.

              With a little patience, he will begin to trust you.

              Keep us updated!


            • TaraMichele
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                My bunny loved sneaking under the bed too! I went to lowes and bought the wire type fencing you would use in your yard to keep rabbits out, cut it and shaped it around my bed. So far it works great and the bed skirt hides it pretty well, plus it was inexpensive and is safe for him!


              • brittbritt
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                  Congratulations on your newly adopted bun. I can’t wait to see him/her after the settling in time. As the others have said it just takes time with buns. Some more than others.


                • MelBell
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                    Thanks for all the replies!

                    On the hay, I ran out of the first bag I was using for his bedding. The new bag I opened is much different. The hay is longer and thicker, think like a wicker basket. It seems more for eating than bedding. But he enjoys eating the fluffy bits on the end that look like cattails.

                    I’m going to try the chicken wire or perhaps just wood as well. Thanks for all the advice BB, and everyone else!

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                Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A A picky eater?