Background:

I have 2 Netherland dwarf bunnies, a little older than 2 months. We got them at 5 & 6 weeks old respectively (they were born mid-Jan). One is my daughter’s (she’s 8) and one is my sister’s (she’s 33). Of course, I call them “mine” because they live in my room, I feed them, take care of them, let them out to run for a couple hours when I get home, clean the litter, etc. Point is, I spend the most time with them and am “The Bunny Caretaker”. I really love these bunnies.

At first, I could pick them up and could hold them for a few minutes and pet them and they seemed like they liked it and were getting used to it. They will crawl all over me, accept food from my hand all the time. But lately, they don’t want pets on the head, or anywhere for that matter. I thought I was making progress with them, but a few weeks ago, they started fighting me very hard if I went to pick them up (so I limit it to when I *have to*) and they also won’t let me pet them anymore.

I don’t understand what happened. Occasionally, they will allow a quick pet one time (maybe) but they pretty much run if my hand goes anywhere near them. They like to eat food off of me, play in my hair sometimes, the one thinks she’s a bird and loves to perch on me.

When they get older, or get spayed, will they be more docile? I love them regardless (even though they aren’t “mine”) but it’d be nice if occasionally I could pet them. Also, when should I have them spayed? I know it’s somewhere between 4-6 months, but how do you know if they are sexually mature and need it done? Should it be done on both at the same time? When they are spayed, should I take time off work so that I can be there to monitor them and take care of them?

I have them (mostly?) litter trained. They only urinate in their litter box. They poop in it too, but they also poop on the bottom level as well. No idea why. They don’t poop in the penthouse. They seem to know to poop in the litterbox, so I’m not sure why they don’t always use it like they do to pee. Thoughts?

Oh, and here is a pic of the cage I built them since they were outgrowing their first one. It’s actually fully carpeted now and the litter box resides in the back left corner. Cutie is the tan & white broken. Maya is the gray one.