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- This topic has 4sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by
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BB has gone through a tough life. My mom bought a pair of rabbits mid April 2015. BB, current male buuny & a white hotot rabbit, which was female. They were in a tiny cage when she bought them, and the bunnies were younger than 3 months because they were small.
Well then, two days after she brought them home, SHE LET THEM GO IN THE BACKYARD. They stayed there for 3 months, before escaping to the front yard.
Living outside is all BB has known. He would run around four of my neighbors houses & sleep under cars. ( He wasn’t alone. The hotot, “mamas” was with him) I would always put food and water outside for them because I was never able to catch them. On the 7th month of them living outside, (yes they survived through rain storms and predators), the white hotot disappeared.
BB was so upset, he would stay in my front yard with his ears pinned back… So a week later, I went to buy him a 5 month old female rabbit named Gigi. (White/Black mini rex) This is how I caught BB. Basically, he saw the rabbit, was curious, came right over, and I was able to get him.
They had babies 2 months later, but the babies died due to the cold! (they were in garage) Gigi then got sick 3 weeks later, I took her to the vet, and I think she had GI Stasis, the vet only recommended putting her to sleep forever.
It’s been 7 days since Gigi died. For the past 7 days. Ever since her death, I’ve been keeping BB locked ina pen, then taking him inside at night. I know he doesn’t like it, he’s never been inside or locked in an area… But it’s for his best. He can’t be all alone outside! He always had a female companion with him his whole life.
Gigi^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^last week
Before he could turn 1 year old, he lost 2 female bestfriends, and his 2 babies.
I feel so bad for him, I dont like keeping him locked in the pen, but I NEED to keep him safe, to avoid what happened to my past female rabbits.
How can I keep him happy? I will eventually get him a spayed female rabbit friend. but that will take a long while.
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Hi, BabyBoy,
Your bunny has been through quite a traumatic time, and it’s really great that you were able to bring him in finally to care for him. A clever but sad way to catch him, and now he’s sad from his losses. Excellent plan to eventually get him a spayed femaie to bond with again later on.What to do for now? First, you’ve come a long way by bringing him in and asking for ways to keep him happy. Bunnies are very social animals, and believe it or not, you are a great substitute for another bunny in the TLC department. A bunny will respond favorably to daily pets, head rubs, even just your company. You don’t have to hold him, just be near him and let him play around you in a protected part of the house so he can get his free time exercise. Talk sweetly to him, and get him into a daily routine of food, exercise and company that he can count on regularly. It doesn’t have to be different from your usual daily routine, as long as it’s the same for him regularly. He will settle inside when he feels safe and loved.
They really know when you love them, so don’t worry that he doesn’t.
My best other suggestion is to have you read the Bunny Info. sections on this website thoroughly. Just go through all the info. and see what would help you in setting up a comfortable habitat for him, the best foods, water and treats, what to buy that he needs and likes, etc. It will go a long way to making his indoor life a LOT better than being outside. They live in fear from predators and the elements out there, so being inside will feel good to him, not imprisoned.
As he gets to know and bond with you, you will be able to let him meet a spayed female, maybe on a “date” at a local rescue, and you can find a great new mate for him. We’re looking for Happily Ever After in your castle, bunny-style!
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