In need of surprise bunny assistance

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 19sd replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by Cypher.

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- 07/31/2017 at 12:09 AM
  Cypher
  Participant
  4 posts
  As the subject says, I’m in need of an extremely quick lesson on bunny care. This evening, I was over at my parent’s place, and while we hung out in the backyard I saw a beautiful small black and white bunny come out from under my mother’s shed. While none of us know a whole lot about bunnies, we immediately assumed it must be a domestic since it came out while we were in the area. I was able to get the poor little thing to come to me, and we now have him/her housed in a large shelter with what little we could get at a Wal-Mart at 8PM.
  
  Unfortunately, after talking with the immediate neighbor, we’re thinking a family that recently moved may have left the bunny behind. Either that or someone saw my parents’ place and assumed it would be a good place to abandon one. Which, I guess they weren’t really wrong in a horrible way, but I digress…
  
  If someone can recommend food, books, videos, toys, pretty much anything that will help us get the bun anything he/she might need, I’d appreciate it. A visit to the vet will be in the works as soon as they open, so I’ll know more then, but if there’s anything we can do before then, we’d like to know how to help as much as possible.
  
  Thanks!
- 07/31/2017 at 1:59 AM
  Gina.Jenny
  Participant
  2244 posts
  Thank you for taking this poor bun in
  
  Hay, water and somewhere to hide, preferably with 2 exits are the main essentials, a cardboard box with 2 holes in is ideal, buns like to hide to feel safe, and like to know there is more than one way out. Hay is essential for buns, as their guts need constant food going through to prevent serious tummy issues. A non-selective rabbit pellet, usually fed in small amounts is good, I use Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Rabbit Food, all six of my buns love the stuff, and its nice and high in fibre. Veg should be introduced slowly, as buns tums can be easily upset. Herbs can be worth trying, mine all love parsley. If you have dandelions growing, they are great, buns can eat the leaves, stalk and flower.
- 07/31/2017 at 3:27 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  Thank you for taking is this bun! I once was a surprise bunny owner just like you =)
  
  Gina.Jenny has explained the basics. Hay, water; a good plain type pellets (not the bunny muesli that has lots of unhealthy seeds and dried fruit in it). A place to hide, an overturned cardboard box with two doors on either side cut in it is ideal. A cat litter box with wood stove pellets or paper litter or carefresh.
  
  Please stick around on the forums and ask all the questions that I’m sure will pop up as you go along!
- 07/31/2017 at 5:18 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Wow, how wonderful that you’re taking this little guy in! Nothing more to add really apart from toy suggestions…try baby toys, plastic stacking cups, bowling pins, giant legos etc.
- 07/31/2017 at 5:51 AM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  How wonderful that you took in this bunny, I’m so glad you’re taking the time to find out more about how to care for him/her. Have you picked a name yet?
  
  I use oxbow pellets, but depending where you live there are a number of good brands. Just a plain pellet on it’s own, and you want it to be grass hay based (such as timothy) not alfalfa or lucerne hay based. Some great suggestions for toys so far too, cardboard boxes, toilet paper tubes stuffed with hay, plastic baby keys, wodden barrel rollers, wooden bendy bridges, cat tunnel, all are often loved by buns. Litter training is a great thing to do, you’ll want a box with plenty of room that has decent height to the sides as many buns are known for peeing over the edge.
  
  Depending on how you plan to keep your bun (indoor vs outdoor) there is a book called The House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit that is recommended. Also check through the Binky Bunny site itself for housing ideas, info on diet etc. https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/Default.aspx
- 07/31/2017 at 8:37 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  How wonderful! I ditto everyone here. My only other input is to make sure it is an exotics vet with knowledge of bunnies. Bunnies are much different than cats and dogs, so a normal vet won’t do.
- 07/31/2017 at 11:10 PM
  Cypher
  Participant
  4 posts
  I apologize for the delay in response, but I wanted to extend a hearty thank you to everyone here. I was able to check the forum before I left for work this morning, and all of your advice helped out amazingly. The little bun is now in a permanent habitat, with plenty of toys, an enclosure, a litter pan (with the appropriate bunny safe litter), and food/water. The room decided upon for the habitat was already pretty animal safe, so only one cord had to be dealt with to ensure a safe zone when he’s out and about, so he has plenty of play space, and someone is almost always home to ensure he get’s plenty of social interaction and exercise.
  
  I’m still not sure whether or not it’s a boy or girl, but the little one has an appointment with the vet coming up, so we’ll know more for sure then. We are guessing that it looks like he was an “easter bunny”, and from what we’ve read we are thinking he’s about 4 to 5 months old. I personally keep referring to him as a he, which is slightly amusing, because my mother does the opposite.
  
  We are also more convinced the family that recently moved out are the ones that left him behind after talking with another neighbor today, but I guess there’s not much to be done about it. It looks like he was on his own for a couple of days, and it’s a minor miracle he survived. It’s been hot (90s), and the area has plenty of predators.
  
  Regardless, the bunny is much happier today, and while I spent some time with him after work while his new habitat was being located and purchased, he started exploring before settling into groom. Once we moved all of his new stuff into his new home, he went in on his own, and after exploring, decided it was time to play. Now he’s settled in for the night, and I think I’ll do the same.
  
  Once again, thank you.
- 07/31/2017 at 11:50 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Thank you for taking this bunny in and doing research on how to properly care for him/her!
  
  My girl Bertha was a rescue from a similar situation… she was found wandering in an empty house, either escaped from somewhere or abandoned by the people who had moved out. She is the sweetest, most people-loving bunny ever, so I don’t know how either of those things could have happened, but boy am I happy she wandered into my life.
  
  Anyway, congrats on your new addition, and can’t wait to see pics!
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 08/01/2017 at 12:33 AM
  Gina.Jenny
  Participant
  2244 posts
  3 of my 5 rescues, Gina, Jenny and Podge, were caught as stray young buns at this time of year, I assume they were all ‘unwanted’ Easter buns too
  
  I’m sure he/she is now all set for a great life in his/her new home
- 08/01/2017 at 8:12 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Thank your for saving this little bun!!!! They will be much happier now! Only thing that I would add to what the others have said is to look into spaying/neutering if you have an experienced vet in the area. Even if you don’t plan on getting another bun, it’s a good idea to have your bun altered. Females have a very high risk of developing reproductive cancers. And if he is male then you can reduce his urges to mark territory and want to mate. Ultimately, altering leads to happier buns and happier owners!
- 08/01/2017 at 8:20 AM
  tobyluv
  Participant
  3312 posts
  I wanted to add my thanks to you for rescuing this bunny and saving his or her life! It’s wonderful that you are giving the bunny a home and that you want to learn all about rabbit care.
- 08/01/2017 at 10:29 AM
  GeorgieTheBunny
  Participant
  212 posts
  +10 karma points to Cypher
  
  Now that you have the basics:
  
  Your baby bunny will become a teen soon (months). BunNoob is right, spay/neuter is important for health & behaviour; especially during teenaged claiming independence behaviour.
  
  You’re doing the right things by asking questions and seeking answers. BinkyBunny has excellent articles on care under ‘BUNNY INFO’ across the top menu, more in ‘RESOURCES’.
  
  On YouTube: HowCast has an excellent series with Mary Cotter on rabbit care. The videos are short and well produced, easy to watch while being a great source of information.
  
  The forums here are an excellent community. Super inclusive, welcoming, informative…. and the forum leaders are always close by with advice and support (plus keeping out trolls)
  
  Welcome!
- 08/02/2017 at 5:26 AM
  Theodorusrex
  Participant
  336 posts
  What a lovely story! Thank you for taking the little one in.. he/she sounds super sweet.
  
  Do you have any pics?
  
  Bunnies have a real way of stealing people’s hearts unexpectedly!!
- 08/03/2017 at 2:12 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  How wonderful!!!!
  
  And shame on those awful people who left him… I really hope Karma is real for people like this.
- 08/04/2017 at 5:43 PM
  Bianca
  Participant
  375 posts
  How wonderful of you to take this bunny in and provide such a loving home!
  
  I second the question about pics – this thread isn’t right without them!
- 08/04/2017 at 7:20 PM
  BasilsPops
  Participant
  5 posts
  The sad thing is that you hear about this all over the place. People get Easter bunnies for their kids and a month later the kids got bored of it, or they didn’t realize how much work it is to have a rabbit. So they put the rabbit out the back door and that’s the last time they think about it.
  Sadly rabbits who didn’t come from the wild that go to the wild don’t become free, they become food.
  We took Basil in because the people that had him originally didn’t want him, the kicker is that he is the most friendly and outgoing, attention craving rabbit I have ever seen. He literally goes out of his way to get you to pet him or to chin you and just about everything else he can do to make you notice he’s there. Kinda befuddled me as to why they didn’t want him anymore, but oh well. It’s their loss.
  Good luck with your new baby!
- 08/04/2017 at 9:31 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  That is so sweet of you, I guess one of the thing I can share is give your pet a comfortable place and bring him/her in vet and of course ask a good food for them.
- 08/04/2017 at 9:31 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  That is so sweet of you, I guess one of the thing I can share is give your pet a comfortable place and bring him/her in vet and of course ask a good food for them.
- 08/06/2017 at 9:13 PM
  Cypher
  Participant
  4 posts
  Once again, I apologize for the delay in response, but between being a busy bunny family, and poor internet recently…
  
  Thankfully, our normal vet is experienced with rabbits, but she’s been on vacation, so the tech gave him a check up until we can get him neutered. Oh, and it is a boy! We’ve been in touch with several of the rescue groups in our area to make sure he get’s the best possible care, and after a lot of research and time bonding with the little guy, we are looking into the possibility of adopting a spayed female around his age. He’s been an absolute treat, and seems much happier after we first found him, but we think this will give him a chance to really bond. That and she was surrendered by another family that at least had the decency not to just throw her out into the wild.
  
  Anyway, long story short, he has an appointment on Thursday with the vet, and hopefully if all goes well, a bond-mate to spend some time getting to know.
- 08/06/2017 at 9:23 PM
  Cypher
  Participant
  4 posts
  I do indeed, but they aren’t all the best quality because I was afraid the flash might scare him. Now that he’s feeling safe and secure, he likes to dance around my feet, so half my photos seem to be pants leg and his cute little tail blurring about, but I’ll post some of the better ones ASAP.
  
  Edit: I think I need to resize some photos, because the ones I tried to post keep showing up rotated, but it might be an issue on my end. My internet has been awful lately, and doing all sorts of weird things.
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