1st time bun owner, went oveboard

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 18sd replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 9 months ago by VDubBunny.

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- 07/12/2013 at 2:41 PM
  VDubBunny
  Participant
  7 posts
  i need help, or an opinion. we are getting our baby bunny this weekend, i thought i had everything planned. but maybe i went too far. i built a large condo(56″ tall 56″ wide 28″ deep) 4 levels. 1st floor is all linoleum with areas of carpet and aceramic tile(for cooling) next 2 levels are full carpet, the on top floor(most space of the 4) its fleese wrapped memory foam with a carpet on top.
  
  so, i just read that at first you should have only solid floors, no carpets, beds etc. so im thinking of getting a bunch of ceramic tiles to put on top of all the soft surfaces for now if need be.. it would be difficult to take it all out then out back. any help would be great.
- 07/12/2013 at 3:08 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I think the carpeted floors are fine. It sounds like a great condo. Your bunny may just start out on the first floor initially so make sure food, litterbox, etc…are located on the bottom floor – it may take him/her awhile to discover the additional levels.
- 07/12/2013 at 3:09 PM
  Stickerbunny
  Participant
  4128 posts
  When you first get them the soft surfaces confuse their litter training, that is why you shouldn’t put soft absorbent surfaces down at first. Some buns do well with the litter training anyways, some don’t. You could just put a cheap layer of linoleum over the top of the absorbent surfaces and make sure edges are non-chewable, then when bun is litter trained take the top linoleum off (if it’s an issue, can wait an dsee if accidents are too common on them).
- 07/12/2013 at 3:19 PM
  VDubBunny
  Participant
  7 posts
  should i just take the top level stairway out for now? and block it off? i planned for the “bathroom” to be on the first floor anyway. hope that works out.. lol i have a problem with planning things too much. i never thought, oh maybe he wont want the litterbox there. ha.
- 07/12/2013 at 3:22 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I think that would probably be a good idea since he’s so small and you want to start out in a smaller area so he can be litter trained a bit better. It’s true, don’t expect a perfectly trained baby bunny especially the first week – he will be in sensory overload.
  
  I love that you are planning and are enthusiastic to make sure everything is ready – you can never be too prepared :~)
- 07/12/2013 at 3:24 PM
  VDubBunny
  Participant
  7 posts
  heres the unfinished setup. no pics of it done yet..
- 07/12/2013 at 4:32 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Since your bun is extremely small I would suggest allowing him time on the first level for now. Or at least allow him access to the other floors while you are home and are able to watch him while playing.
  
  I would definitely block his way to the other floors during the night time. I’m just suggesting this because when I first introduced the cage to my bun when she was a baby she had actually gotten stuck on her top level and freaked out because she could not figure out how to get down. So I would make sure your bun is completely familiar with all the levels before allowing him access to all of them at night.
- 07/12/2013 at 4:32 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Beautiful cage by the way!
- 07/12/2013 at 5:11 PM
  Julezypie
  Participant
  122 posts
  Wow, super awesome cage!
- 07/12/2013 at 9:15 PM
  tanlover14
  Participant
  3617 posts
  Your condo is awesome! I think you will have one very happy bun bun! =D
- 07/12/2013 at 9:55 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Great condo VDubBunny!
  
  I think this will work out great. I agree about only allowing it the bottom level for now. Start small.
  But you’re all set to go for when the bun is bigger and more confident.
  
  ETA: on bottom left corner it looks like a section partitioned off. Is this where you planned to place litterbox? If so, placing the hay rack so it’s over the litterbox will really help in litter training.
- 07/13/2013 at 8:41 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  That looks very nice. I agree with the advice to block some of the top off at first.
  
  As your bun gets bigger, those levels will not allow enough space for him to stand upright at his full height. You will either want to build up another grid high and space the levels out, or remove one of the middle levels and space the 3 levels out. The minimum height for each level should be the height of the grids (~ 14 inches) and at least one level should be a full grid and a half (~ 20-24 inches). The nice thing about NIC condos is that they are endlessly customizable and you’ll figure out what works and what needs revision.
- 07/13/2013 at 9:34 AM
  VDubBunny
  Participant
  7 posts
  ok so here are some more recent pics. and different angle to see the litter box setup. hay rack above. we actually plan to go wider and taller when he grows a bit but while he is so small, seems like a waste right now. he is a holland lop/lionhead mix, should stay fairly little.
  
  btw, that cord in the second pic wont be there when i finish the back wall.. and the tv will be set to animal planet
- 07/13/2013 at 11:10 AM
  tanlover14
  Participant
  3617 posts
  This is really an awesome home, VDub. I’m so happy you took the time to research and create such a great home for your new rabbit! It’s very impressive. I can’t wait to see the new little guy.
  
  My Lionheads are both around 3 lbs, Nora is actually 2.6 so I wouldn’t expect him to get very big either. I can’t remember how big Hollands get but I don’t believe it’s much more than 3-4 either.
- 07/13/2013 at 11:33 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Ah now I see what the partitions are for. Storage boxes. Clever! They create a little nook behind them that rabbits would like also.
- 07/14/2013 at 9:59 AM
  kcomstoc
  Participant
  625 posts
  that’s awesome that you went to such lengths for your bunny especially since you are a first time owner I still have to build my bunny condo. holland lops don’t get too much bigger I think the most they can weigh is 5 and I think that is pushing it. My guy is about 10 months now getting so big and I think he’s not going to get too much bigger (I think he actually might be done growing) and he is at 3 lbs right now. I would love to see pictures of your bunny and congrats on your new furry playmate
- 07/14/2013 at 10:34 AM
  VDubBunny
  Participant
  7 posts
  Thanks everyone for the compliments and ideas. I’m trying to make it as nice as possible for the bun but also wanted to have it look nice on our living room. we are picking him up today so we’ll see how it turns out. Excited. And a little nervous.
- 07/14/2013 at 11:37 AM
  tanlover14
  Participant
  3617 posts
  I’m so excited for you! We need lots of pictures!
  
  Do you have a name picked out for him yet? Are we sure it’s a boy or am I making that up??
  
  New pets are so exciting! I’ve been like a little kid every time I’ve brought a new bun bun home! Congrats!!!
- 07/15/2013 at 11:24 AM
  VDubBunny
  Participant
  7 posts
  Not sure if boy or girl yet. We call it bunny. Or I like turbo cuz how fast he goes. Lol. He’s doing great in the house. Zooming around exploring. He leaves gifts around but I put them in his box. Or some he eats. Must have eaten a bunch last night or used the box, there weren’t alot around the cage.
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