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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 12sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 10 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 03/12/2021 at 7:50 AM
  Teambenji543
  Participant
  31 posts
  Hello! I’m fostering this rabbit named Penelope, her past owner was neglecting her, leaving her out in a tiny cage in below freezing temperatures, so somebody called animal control. That’s how she came to the shelter. I’ve been trying to get her used to humans, but she growls and lunges with her claws. Is there anyway to fix this?
- 03/12/2021 at 7:55 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Awwww Penelope, she’s so cute and angry!
  
  My recent foster-fail Bonnie was the same way. She was very cage aggressive after being in the shelter for 3 years, poor thing.
  
  What I did with her was I made sure she had her own space (a pen) that I didn’t mess with. For the first week or so, I only feed her, but didn’t try to pet her or anything. I cleaned her box a bit less that normal just so she could settle in.
  
  Once she was comfortable enough to come out into the room to exercise (this took a couple weeks), I was sure to do her pen and box cleaning while she was not in the pen. I still didn’t try to pet her or anything, I just hung out in the same room with her and ignored her.
  
  After a few more weeks, she would relax on the ground outside her pen near me, and then prob a week later she accepted some nose rubs. Every bunny has a different timeline, so I would say for Penelope, just give her space and don’t mess with her for now. Try not to do anything in her space while she’s in it if you can, or keep it minimal. She has gone through some trauma, but the more she realizes you aren’t going to grab her or hurt her, the more comfortable she will get.
  
  Once she is more comfortable in general, you can also add some hand feeding of greens. Doing this through the fence bars can also help them feel safer and start to build some trust (because they feel protected by the barrier).
  
  . . . 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.
- 03/12/2021 at 8:16 AM
  Teambenji543
  Participant
  31 posts
  Thank You! I’ve been trying to just, quietly, sit outside of her play pen so that she gets used to my presence.
- 03/12/2021 at 8:19 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  That sounds like a good plan, as long as it’s not too close to her pen. How long have you had her?
  
  . . . 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.
- 03/12/2021 at 8:29 AM
  Teambenji543
  Participant
  31 posts
  About a week
- 03/12/2021 at 8:38 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Ooh yeah, that’s no time at all, especially considering her history. I’m sure she’ll come around.
  
  . . . 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.
- 03/12/2021 at 8:44 AM
  Teambenji543
  Participant
  31 posts
  Yeah, I’ll let her get settled in, and maybe adopted 🙂
- 03/12/2021 at 12:05 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  I’m sure the progress you make with her will really help her become more adoptable! Be careful though, that was my goal with Bonnie and we just fell in love with her. 🙂
  
  . . . 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.
- 03/12/2021 at 7:08 PM
  Teambenji543
  Participant
  31 posts
  Oh and I forgot to mention, she just had surgery and we need to give her medicine twice a day. I hate to force her to do anything, but the vet at the shelter said that she needed it. We’ve been wrapping her in a towel, but do you have any suggestions on how to make it less stressful for her?
- 03/14/2021 at 8:50 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  It’s kind of odd, but sometimes I’ve experienced a closer bond with bunnies after having to give them medicine or syringe feed. If she doesn’t struggle in the towel, I would go with that option. Some bunnies seem calmer without the towel, but others it seems to work better. Giving a treat after her meds will help too.
  
  . . . 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.
- 03/14/2021 at 10:51 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5831 posts
  For syringe feeding/medication adherence, I think it is personal to the rabbit, in terms of the best method. Some people have had success in using their chest to hold the rabbit in place against the ground while the rabbit is against their leg area so it cannot back up.
  
  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.
- 03/14/2021 at 2:47 PM
  Teambenji543
  Participant
  31 posts
  Thank you! Usually one person has to hold her, while I squeeze in the medicine. After a few times of doing this, she seems to be getting better.
- 03/14/2021 at 3:13 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  That’s great 🙂 I think sometimes after a few times they realize it’s not so bad.
  
  . . . 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.
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