Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that rabbits are easy, low maintenance pets. Pet stores and the like go to any measures to make it seem as though they are content to live cooped in a cage and only pet pet occasionally and fed a carrot every now and then. The reality is that they make very great companions, but they do take a lot of time. I work full time and I am a full time student. So I know that it can be very hard to fit in time for your rabbit. I think that if you could make him free range of the room 24/7, you would feel a lot less guilt and see him happier. They do still require you to be social with them, for as much time as you can afford per day.

Have you tried to litter box train him? A lot of people don’t realize that rabbits can learn to use a litter box. My rabbit has two large litter boxes around my apartment and she never has any accidents.

Have you looked into purchasing hay in bulk? It can be tricky to store because you want to make sure it is somewhere cool and dry, as hot and humid will cause it to mold. But I purchase hay on small pet select, a 20lb box is $45 and that lasts me about 3 months. (I had two rabbits up until a month ago though, so you might be able to stretch it a little longer).

Is there a way you can take all the furniture out of the room? Also, you can purchase bitter sprays online to rub on the baseboards as a detterant, but I found that rubbing a lime wedge on the wood kept my chewer bunny from doing it. Perhaps he didn’t like the bitter, sour taste of lime and that was enough to stop him.

If you can get him litter box trained, he won’t need bedding for the cage which will save you money. I’m assuming you use bedding? And bunnies can use equine pellets (for horses) as litter in their litter box. Equine pellets are quite cheap, and you can find them for about $6 for a 40lb bag at local tractor supply stores.

I think it’s great that you acknowledge your missteps and would like to correct it. We can give you lots of advice and try to make the situation better for you both. The fact is that his next owner might not care as much, so if you can find it in you to try to remedy the situation, I think that would be in buns best interest.

Also, since you don’t plan on getting a second rabbit, it isn’t *completely* necessary to neuter him.

In female rabbits, they have a very high risk of reproductive cancers, so you really should try to get them spayed if you are able.

Male rabbits can live happy lives without being neutered, the procedure can help some with hormonal issues and spraying.

Although late, its good that you researched after getting him and was willing to do what he needed. Many people dont even research, and the few that do often toss that new knowledge aside because it doesnt fit what they wanted. Its great that youve gotten him the right diet and let him free roam his room. Its also great you understand that although youve done what you can, it might not be enough. You sound like a really great person, honestly

Rabbits tend to poop 300 poops a day. Hormonal rabbits also have smelly poop and pee. The stray pee spots you are seeing is most likely marking, not him accidentally peeing around the room. The smell you cannot get rid of is likely the hormones that come out through his toileting. You can try white vinegar and lemon, as well as changing his litter every day, but until he is neutered, there isnt much you can do about the smell and marking.

Chewing is part of being a rabbit. Dont have anything around him that you are not comfortable with being destroyed. To help protect carpets, you can use rugs or layer fleece blankets. To protect wood on walls (and walls in general), consider lining the room with large xpens so he cannot reach the wood easily. Same process for shelves: pen them off or put them out of his reach/in a different room.

If you really feel like you cannot care for him properly, do not be afraid to rehome him to someone you can trust. Rehoming a pet for its well being is not a shameful act. It is much better to rehome an animal than not care for it the way it needs to be cared for to have a happy and healthy life. If you are going to rehome him, consider finding a friend or family member that has the time, space, and money to care for him. If you cannot find a family member or friend, you can google a few no kill rabbit shelters and take him to one of them.

If you cannot provide for him, rehome him. It’s really that simple. I don’t understand why anyone thinks a rabbit should live the majority of it’s life in a cage. I get that you found out that isn’t the case but how can someone think that to begin with? I’m not sure why they are portrayed as such. It’s baffling. I don’t know. Anyway, re homing him to someone who cares about rabbits and really understands them is the only option. I mean, you’ve not had long and the novelty has already worn off. Not to mention you sound like everything is a chore (“I have to let him out his cage”, “I have to clean him out twice a week” which is really not a lot) It’s unfair to subject him to a life of solitude too despite knowing how social they are (“no way am I getting another rabbit…”, not being able to devote much time to one on one interaction etc)

I think it’s great that you are acknowledging that this poor rabbit deserves a good quality life. It’s just a shame that, like many, it was realised after you’d already bought him home.

I think this is a typical case that highlights just how important it is to thoroughly research any animal that you plan to bring home as a family member. Even if you think you know the basics, there’s always something to learn. A lot of people end up giving up their rabbits because, like you, they thought they were getting an easy low maintenance pet and it couldn’t be further from the truth! Of course pet shops don’t help. They further perpetuate the ‘myth’ that rabbits are easy and caring for them takes minimal effort. 

Inky’s mom, where are you located (country or state)?

Many cities and towns have house rabbit rescue societies, which can help re-home rabbits, without fear of euthanasia. Depending on where you are located, that would be my first place to look to re-home. I would google search your home town or state + “house rabbit rescue” and see what you get.

The next step would depend on where you are. Online community boards can work, if you are willing to do the work to find a good owner (and make sure someone isn’t looking for snake food…).

Also, neuter doesn’t always cost that much… not sure where you got the “hundreds” of dollars number, but again it varies by location!

That said, I think there are things you could do, as BN suggested, that could improve your and his quality of life if you choose to keep him… Building a NIC condo would be better than a cage, and can be done for about $60. Neutering should help with marking, but often providing a litter box vs. a cage lined with bedding helps too. When the whole cage has bedding in it, they see the whole thing as their toilet, so they don’t get as “organized” with things.

For toys, my buns honestly like the free stuff just as much as expensive stuff. Phone books for shredding, card board box hidey houses, toilet paper tubes stuffed with hay, brown paper bags for hiding in and chewing up. My destructive buns have all loved shredding phone books and cardboard cat scratchers, which takes a lot of pressure off the carpets, etc.

I do think rabbits are much less work than dogs, but quite a bit more than cats, so you were partially right. I think it’s probably the most like having a tiny horse in your home. :p

He can be your friend. If only you can take the time and effort to learn about and get to know him, he could be the bestest friend you ever had.

Animals can fill a void like no human can, if only we have the time and patience to let them in. Once you’ve been accepted by *another species* it’s a feeling that can’t be described.

Maybe watch Lennon the bunny (or something like that) on YouTube. Find one of her old vids titled “Lennons story” or something… because you really sound like Lennons mum… (which is a great thing).