Posted By Dface on 6/22/2017 3:55 PM

You should really be checking on your rabbits feet and nails etc semi -regularly. I’m not being rude-but it is a part of caring for them.
Regardless of bedding some rabbits can suffer from sore hocks- lack of fur cover in some species can cause, joint stiffness such as arthritis, from the nails being too long and even postural issues can cause it.
My rabbit lived on carpet overlayed with fleece or foam mats- she still developed sore hocks . My other rabbit lived on the same and did not.
Some rabbits live out their lives on hard tile flooring and don’t develop any issues.

i completely understand, actually. i know that it’s important to check up on them every month or so – i’m working on trying to get sienna used to being handled. she probably won’t ever enjoy it (like almost all rabbits don’t) but maybe someday i won’t be so afraid to scoop her up and she won’t be nearly afraid of being lifted off the ground. i bring her to the vet when her nails start getting long and i’ll continue to do so until i know i can do it myself. until then i can hopefully have the vet check her over as well. i also heard about that last part; it really just depends on your specific rabbit i suppose.

Posted By Slush on 6/22/2017 5:13 PM

I’ve had my Slush nearly a month now and he let’s me pick him up momentarily but after that he is jumping from me, I cannot hold him, the way I check his bottom, feet and ears is by waiting til he is relaxed or wants to be petted, which is quite often now, and I just feel him. I feel his tummy as well in case of bloating, just as I pet him …and you can check paws this way too, although he’s not fond of me touching his paws I can get close enough to feel and see if there is anything there that shouldn’t be. As running /jumping/hopping is a big part of a bun’s life, you really need to find a comfortable way for yourself, and your bun to have these checks done.
As for carpets/rugs etc. I too have read/seen/heard different things and I was informed that carpets should be fine if they are soft, I didn’t like my bun sleeping in the compressed sawdust that is commonly sold as bedding so I’ve actually started collecting small blankets/fleecy materials and using those for his cages. he seems a lot happier, and there is no sign of any problems with his paws. He has some sawdusty stuff in his hidey bit in his cage and then fleece everywhere else.The room he is in is full carpets with blankets down. I don’t know a lot about bunnies but I would say this, keep researching, keep asking questions and go with what you feel is best for your bun – if you notice any problems, change it. But change it quickly, and don’t do anything that can’t be easily changed in case it does cause a problem. And keep posting here.

thanks for all the input! i have thought about just feeling around my bun’s legs and feet before (i’ve easily managed to feel her tummy, back, head, and face, as well as use a flashlight to check her ears and nose) but it seems i’m still too chicken to even do that, lol. i’m gonna try it out later because i think there’s a chance that she’ll allow it. 

i’ll try to keep all of that information in mind. i’ll check out some different types of flooring and maybe buy a few to see what my rabbit does best on. i’m definitely not gonna leave the forum anytime soon – i’ve already learned tons more and been encouraged to learn more from other sources and i’ve only been here a week or so. everyone here seems very helpful and kind, too. i’ll also never stop researching. i swear it’s my favorite thing to do!