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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bonding with buns

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    • bunnylover2k17
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        I am a fairly new bunny owner. two months ago my mom got a bunny from a friend, and we weren’t at all prepared for the responsibility. Since that time, we’ve gotten another bunny (so the first wont be lonely) and made them a larger indoor and outdoor cage. To take them outside, we have to hold them, which they don’t fancy all that much. I despise both there indoor and outdoor cage, but i can’t do anything about it, expect try and make the best of it. We have three dogs, two of which are aggressive towards little animals, so we can’t let them roam around the house.

        I’m mostly worried about my bunnies getting bored, I try and make toys out of paper-towel tubes, and boxes, but i’m worried that its not enough.. My mom doesn’t want to spend any money on them, so it’s a pain to try and get her to buy a toy from the store. Once she does, she goes for the most pathetic one, that the bunnies take no interest in. I want to get them little hidey-holes and such, but they are apparently to expensive. 

        We also need to find a good flooring for bunnies, I read somewhere that if the floor is to slippery, it could lead to back damage, and I don’t really want that. For a while we had some of those foam play-mats as a floor, but we didn’t have a litter-box at the time so the bunnies peed on it, so we threw it out. Now that they have a litter-box, I’m not sure if its worth trying the play-mat stuff again. They are very good at using it, and almost never have an accident elsewhere, or if we should just try and find an entirely different floor.

        Now, as mentioned earlier we have two bunnies, both girls. They bonded quickly, and I’m pretty sure they’re friends now. The problem is, is that I’m not bonded with them. I have a ton of school, siblings, and other pets that I have to deal with, and it’s so hard to find the time to hang out with my bunny pals. I’m a night-owl, and I could  sit with them for a hour at night, but I’m not sure if they’re as active as night. The first month I had them as well, I didn’t know they didn’t like to be held. I would pick them up and show them to my friends and such. I feel dumb for my mistake, and I think they are a little bit scared of me now. I need them to be more comfortable with me.

        I’m not sure how much of this makes sense. As I write this, I am really tired, and not in the mood to read over anything. I apologize in advance if this was a confusing read.


      • Wick & Fable
        Moderator
        5842 posts Send Private Message

          Lots of items to comment on, but just for everyone’s information, are they both spayed?

          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.


        • Ellie from The Netherlands
          Participant
          2512 posts Send Private Message

            All I’m thinking is: did you do your homework at all before you got rabbits? Because these conditions don’t sound good. Rabbits are NOT low-maintenance pets and they need special care to live a proper life. Properly cared for they can become 8-12 years old. They need about as much attention as a dog, except that they don’t need to be walked. They do need several hours of supevised out-of-cage exercise a day, in a safe environment. They are a massive responsibility.

            Rabbits are easily frightened and can literally die of a heart attack if approached by a predator. Even cats and dogs are predators to them, and you mentioned that your dogs aren’t safe for them. This is an accident waiting to happen.

            Rabbits are fragile and expensive pets who need regular health care by a specialised exotic vet: yearly check-ups and vaccinations, dental checks etc. They also need to be neutered or spayed: unspayed females have a very high chance of developing uterine cancer at a young age. If your mother won’t even draw her wallet for a toy, this is animal cruelty waiting to happen. If you can’t pay the vet, don’t get the pet.

            I’d advice you to take a good look at your rabbits’ well-being in your household. Reconsider ownership with their best interests in mind. It’s not a shame to admit that you have underestimated the responsibility, as long as you find them a good home which is prepared for the financial side of pet ownership as well. A rabbit can cost at least $500 dollars a year and needs special care in a calm household.


          • 12345ABCDE
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            5584 posts Send Private Message

              Why on earth did your mum get a rabbit if she doesn’t want to spend money on providing for it??

              Sorry but it really sounds like your rabbits are not being properly cared for. I’d go as far as saying they are actually being neglected – inadequate cages with poor flooring, no proper toys for stimulation, little human interaction.

              Your mum needs to either take responsibility for them and ensure all their basic needs are met OR they should be rehomed to somebody that actually cares and can provide for them.


            • Mikey
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                I am sorry but I have to echo the others in agreeing that your home is not at all safe for owning rabbits. They should honestly be rehomed as its very unlikely (and not fair) to change your household completely overnight to fit that of the bunnys needs.

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            FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bonding with buns