Rabbits and Gender Pronouns

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Hi all,

I recently posted about getting a new male bunny I had expected to be female. For those who have not seen that post, here is some short background info. Less than a week ago, I drove 3 hours from my city to get a bunny from a family who did not want to care for him anymore. He is six months old. The thing is, I was told that “he” is a “she.” When I noticed later that evening that he is indeed male, I was undoubtably disappointed to ends I can’t even explain. I had really wanted a girl because I had already picked out a list of feminine names, I had a purple cage, pinks toys, etc. I was excited about having “girls nights” I suppose, maybe putting a bow in her fur for a picture at some point, being able to call her my daughter. When I found out he is a male, all of that was crushed. I was going to rehome him and try to keep on looking for a female, but after posting about this situation and responses from you all, I have decided to keep him. He is a super sweet fella and I don’t think I’ll ever find somebunny quite like him. I think maybe in the future, when both him and I are ready, I may get him a sister (and make sure she is a she before driving off this time).

Anyway, for this post, I had another question: What do you think about me referring to my bunny as a girl? I know itmay be kind of weird, but I think it could solve the issue I am having. I figured I can tell people he is a girl. Give him a gender neutral name. Refer to him as a she/her. Allow him to be my daughter, essentially, and continue with the pink-a-poolooza I had planned on. Since animals don’t really have a perception of gender, I don’t figure this would be a problem for him..? The breeder the previous family got him from thought he was a girl; and that family I got him from thought he was a girl. So, since he’s always been treated as a girl his whole life, wouldn’t it ge okay to keep referring to him as such? Of course, I know he is stil a male, so when he goes to the vet he will need to be treated as such. Otherwise, I don’t think referring to him as a her makes any difference. What do you all think of this? Too weird? A good solution? Different suggestions?

[LBJ10]

I’m glad to hear you have decided to keep him.

To be honest, he isn’t going to know the difference if you call him a her. Give him a gender neutral name? Why not? Some people might think it is a little weird, but it doesn’t matter what other people think. Just as long as you are happy and your bunny is happy.

I think I mentioned in the other thread that my boys have pink and purple things. They don’t care. And other people mentioned various bunnies on the forum who have kept their names even after their human found out their bunny wasn’t what they thought it was.

[sarahthegemini]

Your rabbit doesn’t care what you call him, nor will he care if he has pink toys, ‘girlie nights’ or what have you.

If you love your rabbit unconditionally and provide him with everything he needs, he’ll be happy. You could even call him Princess

[ThorBunny]

Thor was supposed to be a boy, but she is a girl and we kept the name

The bun won’t care, or even notice. Congrats on your new fluff <3

[BbyButtercup]

I was i the same situation, when I bought my bunny I was told he was a girl, took “her” to the vet and she ended up being a “he!”

Haha, I was still excited anyway though. I had to shorten his name from “Princess Buttercup” to “Butters”
Butters is now almost 2 years ago and despite having a pink cage, he’s adapted very well into a rambuncious (see what I did there) teenage boy!

Also, unspayed females have more health problems so you’re probably better off with a boy anyways! Make sure to get him neutered this prevents them from developing testicular cancer, and dying sooner. Long live the buns!

[Bam]

I’m delighted you’ve decided to keep him! I’m so excited for you, I hope we’ll get to see pictures =)

This is a picture of my bridge boy Bam. He let me tie a pink ribbon around his ear on my birthday one year. (He only wore it for a few minutes, but he didn’t seem to mind at all). 

[Nutmeg]

I was going to comment on your other post, but just saw this. I’m so glad you decided to keep him.
I’ve had 3 bunnies – 2 girls and 1 boy and the two girls are way bigger diva demanding but heads then the boy ever has been lol.

I had a hamster once that I was told was a girl…. nope, just a late bloomer and ended up being a boy lol… Just make sure to tell the vet its a boy so they don’t think they have to “Break it to you” when you bring “her” in LOL.

[PJ'n'Me]

My boy bunny is not neutered and he’s definitely male.  I still call him my little princess.. well, because I treat him like a little princess.I even bought him a castle. lol  He has flowery blankets, pink and purple combs… it doesn’t matter. as long as you love him like a little princess bunny. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind being pampered. 

[Tony's Mum]

My Tony is the prettiest princess and I tell him every day. I do his hair and I’ve pictures somewhere of him with little bow clips pinning back his mane. My girl isn’t like that at all, she’s much less of a diva. Gender shouldn’t define how you act towards anyone, bun or otherwise.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So glad you decided to keep him!!!!

Bunny won’t know or care. And people around you won’t know he’s a boy (except the vet) so enjoy your bunny.

[Q8bunny]

He is a boy. You can give him any name you like, and he won’t care, as long as he’s safe and loved. There’s also no need to justify anything to those around you. He’s YOUR bunny. And if a boy bunny has pink things, so what? Have you SEEN the easter bunny? LOL Plus we live in a society where more parents try to not designate certain colours strictly to a particular gender. Not to mention all the handsome GQ professional men, rocking bespoke suits with pink shirts and purple ties.

Summary: don’t worry, be happy (with your little bun)

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