Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

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.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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 BEHAVIOR My bun is broken :C

Viewing 27 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • chromashadows
      Participant
      39 posts Send Private Message

        I got him when he was about 4 weeks old and he’s close to maybe 8 months now? He seems to still fear me, won’t come out of his cage at all unless I push him out and shut the cage so he can’t get back in; then he just goes to a corner by his cage and sits there, white eyeballing me.

        Occasionally he’ll stick his head out of his cage and nose my hand and I’ll feed him a yogurt drop and pet him, but 9 times out of 10 he stays far away from me. When he was a baby, he’d always be binkying, and hopping by me and once he was big enough, he’d hop onto my bed and hang out with me. One day it just stopped. He got in his cage and hasn’t moved since.

        I was able to coax him out about 2 months ago for a week. He’d go in and out of his cage – no binkying though and just staying close to the cage hopping here and there – and then I had to take him to the vet for the first time to get his nails cut. Since then, 2 months ago, he’s not left his cage for anything. Period. Door is always open too. I don’t get what’s wrong and I don’t want to put him out into the wild as he’s only known me: he was going to be eaten with his other siblings if I hadn’t have taken him. 

         

        I don’t know what to do. He eats fine, drinks constantly like he should. He’s just not active period and is basically a cage potato; our version of a couch potato. I’m so scared his muscles will atrophe. The cage is wire with newspaper on the bottom for his feet. It’s about 2 feet high and 2.5 feet long I’m guessing. Litter box is on one end so he’s only got like 1 foot and maybe 10 inches of room IF that. why won’t he come out? Should I just move his litter box outside of the cage, with the food and water out too, push him out and lock the cage for good? He has to binky at some point, right? 


      • Monkeybun
        Participant
        10479 posts Send Private Message

          First off: never ever ever put your bunny out intot eh wild. They will NOT survive. hey aren’t wild rabbits, they are pets.

          Second: What kind of floor is there outside his cage? He may not like the feel of the floor under his paws.

          You said the floor of his cage is wire, can you put down a solid surface? Like wood or cardboard or anything that would protect his feet better. Wire is not good for little bunny feet.

          Yogurt drops are also a no-no. Adult bunnies are not made to eat dairy, it isn’t good for them what so ever. For treats try small bits of fruit, like apple or banana, or raisins. SMALL pieces.

          If it’s a sudden change, take him to a rabbit savvy vet, there might be something wrong with him. Bunnies are good at hiding illnesses and injuries.


        • chromashadows
          Participant
          39 posts Send Private Message

            Ah I had no idea he was an adult bun. I figured they were youngsters til about a year, year and a half.

            I have a 10X 7 area rug in my room but the rest of the floor is tile. I put a towel down by his cage leading to the rug where he used to binky his hearts content.

            I’ll definitely put some cardboard on top of the floor of his cage. As of right now after posting the OP, I took him out of his cage and moved his food, water and litter box outside. Hopefully that will help him realize he’s got a whole room as his cage instead. Poor thing. :C

            And no, not a sudden change. He’s been like this since about 2 or 2.5 months. He’s now 8 months. He just may prefer his cage to running around. I know all buns have their own temperament.


          • Monkeybun
            Participant
            10479 posts Send Private Message

              yeah, the only dairy they should ever get is milk from mama. Thats it.

              The towle down will probably help. He likely doesn’t like the slippery tile.


            • Elrohwen
              Participant
              7318 posts Send Private Message

                Poor little guy! His cage is very very small – I would just take the cage away and give him a pen to live in. At least then if he refuses to come out he will have more room and not be living on a wire bottom.

                What is the room like that he is in? Is it noisy with people and other pets? Is it quiet? It might not be the ideal environment for a sensitive guy like him and changing his location could help.

                Has he ever been to the vet for a check up? Even though this behavior isn’t new it is concerning that he was happy and active and now won’t leave his cage. I think something in his environment needs to change, but make sure to still give him space to hide (like a cardboard box where he can hang out if he’s uncomfortable).

                Finally, like MB said, never EVER put him out in the wild. He’s not a wild rabbit and he absolutely won’t survive. Even if he never comes out of his cage again he’ll be better off with you than out in the wild.


              • Sam and Lady's Human
                Participant
                2001 posts Send Private Message

                  Oh wow, that cage is super small, rabbits need at *least* 4x4sq feet of living space. What kind of rabbit is he?

                  I wonder if he has vision problems? Maybe he doesn’t want to move because he cant see anything? The fact that he wasn’t always like this is concerning.


                • bunnyfriend
                  Participant
                  2368 posts Send Private Message

                     Sounds like first off this little guy needs to go to the vet. Rabbits go through personality changes as they mature but usually not this drastic. He could be sick or blind as Sam and Lady’s Human suggested. Is he neutered? If not, I highly recommend having him neutered, it will make for a happier and healthier (and more well behaved) bunny. 

                    Second thing would be a little change of scenery  That cage is just way too small and the wire bottom is hurting his little bunny feetsies. The wire bottom is also probably a big reason why he doesn’t want to move around. I agree with Elrohwen, a dog exercise pen is a great home for a bunny. A rabbit needs at least 8 square feet and to be able to stand up completely, and then 4 hours of exercise outside of the cage at minimum. You could place the xpen directly onto the rug. A lot of rabbits have trouble with wood or tile flooring, it can be a little slippery. Always make sure he has a hidey house or “home base” type thing where he can feel safe and secure in.
                     
                    Does he chew things or play with toys? Is he interested in food?
                     
                    Please don’t put him into the wild. Domesticated rabbits like him are considered a different species than the cottontails you see outside. He would become some other animal’s snack :/
                     
                    What type of rabbit is he and how big is he?
                     
                    Don’t give up on him!!


                  • chromashadows
                    Participant
                    39 posts Send Private Message

                      Thanks for all of the advice, everyone <3

                      I’ve spent since I last wrote “dismantling’ his cage (it was perfect when he was a lil bun) and the bottom part is fully gone so it’s just a plastic tray with newspaper down. I took off the side so it’s fully open now; he has any time access to the room

                      The room he’s in is my bedroom where it’s quiet, just me. My son stays in his room or living room when home (He’s almost 18). I’m in the room most of the time as I do computer work from there and I talk to him (bun) as much as possible.

                      I’ve been sitting on the floor (on a memory foam pillow – I”m not getting much younger and getting up from the floor tends to make me grunt some, haha) since posting above and bringing him out, and he seems a LOT happier. Raising up on his hinds and nosing around. Perhaps it WAS the cage floor and the ‘exit ramp’ of before. The new set up (Which I didn’t know it could do) is a LOT more bun friendly. If that was the case I simultaneously feel both relieved and awful – awful that I didn’t figure it out ages ago.

                      This place I’m living at is almost too small for something as big as an 8 foot cage/barrier/pen. But I think now that he’ll have the full run of my room now that I fixed his cage (which isn’t a cage any more really), he SHOULD be happier. I hope.

                      Unsure what breed he is. I know he’s not a lop ear. He started out almost light light grey and has gotten to an almost dark grey – probably for winter. I’d say he’s about 8 inches tall and maybe 10 inches long front to back? Hard to tell. That’s eyeballing him. The vet said he’s very healthy and is perfect all around, no issues what so ever and he was just there about 6 to 7 weeks ago. Unsure how often to bring him back so I”ll call her in a few more months.

                      He loves timothy hay and I always keep his bowl full of pellets so he’s eating nicely. I get an 8lb bag of pellets and it lasts about 3 months, maybe a little longer. Toys he’s not in to at all and he’s chewed a few safe for rabbit wood chews.


                    • chromashadows
                      Participant
                      39 posts Send Private Message

                        Oh my GOD he’s flopped in his cage. I have NOT seen him do that in AGES. That is a very happy bun! <3


                      • bunnyfriend
                        Participant
                        2368 posts Send Private Message

                          Sounds like the cage was likely the issue then. Don’t beat yourself up about it – you obviously care about him and you didn’t know A flopping bun is a happy bun!! If he’s getting in and out of his cage just fine then the new alterations to the cage sound good. If he still has trouble you can take away the cage completely, keeping a hidey house, and just have him roaming around in your room (my rabbits have that set up and they really love it, they have their maze havens and cottontail cottage as thier fortresses heehee).


                        • Beka27
                          Participant
                          16016 posts Send Private Message

                            Welcome here. You’ve gotten great advice (AND ACTED ON IT!) so I will just say… DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP OVER THE PAST. He has had good food, a clean and warm environment, and a kind, well-meaning owner. This is more than many rabbits get. We have all come from having misconceptions about rabbits, but as bunny owners (and humans) we are always learning and we do the best with what we have. Tomorrow is a new day. Stick around, read some threads, contribute where you can. We’re happy to help you build a bond with him.


                          • chromashadows
                            Participant
                            39 posts Send Private Message

                              Thank you all so so much <3
                              He’s much more active though still not leaving the cage. I may have to do away with it. But I have planted myself on the floor and he’s been coming half out of the cage, moving back, coming out, moving back, etc. So he’s ready to go, just building up his Bunny Confidence.


                            • Beka27
                              Participant
                              16016 posts Send Private Message

                                Give him time. Cages/pens are supposed to be the bunny “zone”, so it’s good if he feels safe there. Buns like a den-like home, so a hidey house might help his comfort level.


                              • mlg4491
                                Participant
                                15 posts Send Private Message

                                  First off, yay! How exciting that he’s getting happier! That first flop after such a long time must be a great feeling! I was thinking, perhaps if he feels the need to be cozy in his cage, maybe you could encourage him to come out by providing other hidey hole places around the room, starting close to his cage? That way, he could hop about the room from one hiding space to the next. I don’t know if it would work for such a shy bun, but maybe worth a try.


                                • Elrohwen
                                  Participant
                                  7318 posts Send Private Message

                                    Yay! I’m so glad you figured out how to make him more comfortable. Beka is right – no sense beating yourself up for something you didn’t know. The important part is that you love him and are trying your best and he’ll be a happy guy.


                                  • Rei
                                    Participant
                                    375 posts Send Private Message

                                      So happy for you and your bun!!! Its such a relief when you find something that works!!


                                    • Sam and Lady's Human
                                      Participant
                                      2001 posts Send Private Message

                                        Yay I’m glad he has more space to run now. I agree with others, get a cardboard box for him to hide in/ destroy, and just a question, but how much pellets is he getting daily? You mentioned that you keep his bowl full, which since I don’t know the size of the bowl might be ok, but its likely too much. Does he eat salads at all? We need photos!


                                      • chromashadows
                                        Participant
                                        39 posts Send Private Message

                                          I use the top of a lemonade plastic pitcher, so it’s about 4.5 inches across and maybe 1.5 inches deep?

                                          For salads? Nah. I read online a lot of stuff is very deadly so I rarely give him a few bites of carrot maybe once a month or so so he won’t get diabetes. I keep him on pellets all the time and a handful of hay once a day which he loves. And always water.


                                        • Monkeybun
                                          Participant
                                          10479 posts Send Private Message

                                            Wow. Alot of veggies at the grocery store are totally bunny safe. Romaine lettuce, greenleaf, cilantro, parsley, dill, kale, endive, carrot, all make it into my daily rotation for my bunnies. A good bunny diet is 90% hay, 8% veggies, 2% pellets pretty much. My buns get 1/8 cup pellets daily, thats it. A diet high in pellets can cause more issues than one high in veggies.


                                          • chromashadows
                                            Participant
                                            39 posts Send Private Message

                                              Oh no! I had NO idea!
                                              Okay, I”ll write down those greens and get some tomorrow.

                                              Also for everyone: I’m pleased to report that Bun – and don’t laugh but his full name is Bunnehhhh (yes, 4 H’s, gotta draw em out) Bean – has been out of his cage all day, I sat on the floor yesterday and today with him just talking and petting when he wanted it. I took a break, came back on the floor a few hours later and petted him – he jumped over my legs, got on the big carpet AND BINKIED! now he just flopped down next to me and is happily lying here.

                                              <3

                                              he’s breathing fast though. I suppose that is normal for a little wee bun to do?


                                            • Monkeybun
                                              Participant
                                              10479 posts Send Private Message

                                                Only try 1 new veggies at a time, about once a week. You don’t want to overwhelm his tummy and make it upset. Small bits to start

                                                Bunnies will definitely breathe fast after binkies


                                              • chromashadows
                                                Participant
                                                39 posts Send Private Message

                                                  ^_^ he’s just running around and binkying left and right. It HAD to have been the cage. WOW! night and day bunny right now. I’m beaming and have you all to thank for it.

                                                  Okay. One new veggie at a time, small amounts. Iceburg lettuce is the bad one then, right? For the Romaine, do we give the whole thing or just the leafy parts? I guess it’d be a stem, is that safe?


                                                • Monkeybun
                                                  Participant
                                                  10479 posts Send Private Message

                                                    i think it is, buy buns only like the leafy green parts And yes, iceberg is the one to not feed. try a veggie htat is easy on the tummy first, liek romaine or greenleaf lettuce romaine lasts longer int he fridge, so maybe that one.


                                                  • Beka27
                                                    Participant
                                                    16016 posts Send Private Message

                                                      Posted By chromashadows on 02/01/2012 01:13 AM
                                                      ^_^ he’s just running around and binkying left and right. It HAD to have been the cage. WOW! night and day bunny right now. I’m beaming and have you all to thank for it.

                                                      Okay. One new veggie at a time, small amounts. Iceburg lettuce is the bad one then, right? For the Romaine, do we give the whole thing or just the leafy parts? I guess it’d be a stem, is that safe?

                                                      This is fantastic!  

                                                      Romaine is a great veggie.  It does last a long time in the fridge and it rarely causes any issues in bunnies.  He can have the entire head of romaine, core and all.  The core is a special delicacy in my house.  


                                                    • bunnyfriend
                                                      Participant
                                                      2368 posts Send Private Message

                                                        Posted By chromashadows on 02/01/2012 01:13 AM
                                                        ^_^ he’s just running around and binkying left and right. It HAD to have been the cage. WOW! night and day bunny right now. I’m beaming and have you all to thank for it.

                                                        Okay. One new veggie at a time, small amounts. Iceburg lettuce is the bad one then, right? For the Romaine, do we give the whole thing or just the leafy parts? I guess it’d be a stem, is that safe?

                                                        Awhhhh what a happy bunny!! I good treat veggie I like to start out with is a small bit of carrot, that’s how I got Wilbur to actually try something at least, but you’ve already given him carrot  

                                                        The fast breathing is totally normal unless he is showing signs of distress.


                                                      • Danceteach
                                                        Participant
                                                        11 posts Send Private Message

                                                          Its good that hes breathing. I just discovered this site. Great news that you are learning. I have three buns and love them dearly. Last May 24th I found and Easter Bunny in my yard one morning. He was helping himself to some of my plants. When I opened the door he came right in and changed my life forever. Dec. 5th I adopted a bro and sister from NSPCA. They did 110 Binkys the first 2 hours of being at home. They have the run of the whole house and backyard. I have a cage but its only if they are very bad. I hope to never use it again. Try the Cilantro the greens guy at the shelter said it was the favorite and he was right. They like Romaine and eat every bit of it the leafy part is the favorite. Timothy Hay in a litter pan just as they had at the shelter get a bail at the feed store. Mine keep my backyard mowed also. Looks like you got some great advice here. Mine do great without a cage. Trusting you is the most important factor, and lots of love.


                                                        • Danceteach
                                                          Participant
                                                          11 posts Send Private Message

                                                            Its good that hes breathing. I just discovered this site. Great news that you are learning. I have three buns and love them dearly. Last May 24th I found and Easter Bunny in my yard one morning. He was helping himself to some of my plants. When I opened the door he came right in and changed my life forever. Dec. 5th I adopted a bro and sister from NSPCA. They did 110 Binkys the first 2 hours of being at home. They have the run of the whole house and backyard. I have a cage but its only if they are very bad. I hope to never use it again. Try the Cilantro the greens guy at the shelter said it was the favorite and he was right. They like Romaine and eat every bit of it the leafy part is the favorite. Timothy Hay in a litter pan just as they had at the shelter get a bail at the feed store. Mine keep my backyard mowed also. Looks like you got some great advice here. Mine do great without a cage. Trusting you is the most important factor, and lots of love.


                                                          • flopsydobinkies
                                                            Participant
                                                            53 posts Send Private Message

                                                              Since I don’t think anyone’s posted this link yet– https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=144
                                                              That’s BinkyBunny’s list of bun-safe veggies. I have the page bookmarked on my smartphone and use it every time Hubby and I go to the store!

                                                          Viewing 27 reply threads
                                                          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                          Forum BEHAVIOR My bun is broken :C