I adopted Pebbles, a 5.5 lb 2 year old female Dutch Agouti rabbit 2 weeks ago. She had been in the shelter for almost 3 months, but she had time out of her ex-pen everyday.  She had 2 prior owners who kept her in a cage all the time,never litter box trained her, brought her to a vet, or had he spayed.  At this point, she has been spayed and is about 90% litter box trained.   She won’t let me brush her and tolerates minimal petting.

         She is much, much more of a chewer than my previous 2 rabbits.  They were a male neutered Australian Giant and a Flemish Giant.  I left the cage open all the time. Amazingly neither chewed on the wicker couch!  I lived in a single level apartment at the time. Basically it was safe to let the rabbits move around the house on their own.

          I don’t think it’s safe for Pebbles to go where ever she pleases in my current house.  The wood trim has a bunny irresistible texture, but also lead paint under latex paint.  The stairs are very steep with small wooden treads and widely spaced banister spindles.  Then there’s children’s toys, a flat screen TV, the furnace, hot water heater, asbestos tiles in the basement, and appliances.

        So far Pebbles has only been in one room on the third floor.  When I’m not with her is is in a 4ft by 6ft ex-pen. Next week I’m connecting a 2 level bunny condo to the pen.   Is it realistic to bring Pebbles downstairs in a carrier then use a large pen or gates to block access to dangerous areas?  How quickly should I expose her to new parts of the house?

           Pebbles is a big change from the Giant rabbits. Tim was 17.5lbs and close to 4ft when he stretched out.  I walked him on a leash in public parks without him being stared by the dogs.

      Jen