the vet can show you how to do maintenance things, or you can take your bunny back when it’s time for nail trims/anal gland cleaning, etc.

I would take him to the vet right away just to get a clean bill of health and a baseline established with a new vet. He’s not going to like it much anyway, so may as well know everything is OK, nails are trimmed, etc. Then if he’s fine you won’t have to think about it for a few weeks.

Establishing trust can happen well if you put yourself on their level. Things coming down on them from above look like predators and can be scary. Lying on the floor quietly and sort of ignoring them can cause them to be curious about you, and come over to you to sniff and explore. You can stick little treats for them to find next to you, or in your open hand. The bunny will soon associate you with food as you give out meals, so let your smell and shape be associated with loving care. Talk to them in a soothing voice and repeat their name, praising a response. Bunnies are sociable, so they want attention and someone to play with.

trust is very important, but so is proper care. they don’t always like nail trims, grooming, rationed pellets, limited runtime… but as the bunny mommy it is up to you to do the “less than fun” things sometimes. their health is of the utmost importance. a healthy bunny, is a happy bunny and he will forgive you. offer a treat after an icky chore, and it will be forgotten soon. as you gain experience you will learn easier ways to complete maintenance, or if you’re still unsure, you can ask your vet for pointers, or post the questions on here.

please be confident with yourself. you are going to do an excellent job, try not to worry so much. (((hugs!)))

It’s good to establish trust first,, but I too wouldn’t forgo needed care first if nails were too long etc.,  and whereever you get your rabbits from, you should ask them to show you how to trim their nails and clean their anal glands. That way, it’s all done prior and you can do all the bonding/gain trust stuff for the next month.

I also think it is a good idea to get a check-up right away with a rabbit-savvy vet (very important!) anyway, and they can also show you how to do these things.

I want to address your concerns about anal gland cleaning – I am thinking you are thinking you need to clean their anus, as you said how far up do you have to go. What you are actually doing is cleaning the glands ONLY. Which are little slits on either side of the genitalia mound. The slits are like little pockets, that are somewhat shallow – no “far up” stuff. Inside, it collects this waxy stuff that can get hard, uncomfortable and can even cause infection. Some bunnies produce more waxy stuff than others, and so with regular maintenance of just “checking” you will be able to find out how often you should actually clean them.

Two weeks!! Whats the official countdown? (D H M S)