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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.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A 4 month old bunny

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    • raiderlover9690
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        I just bought a 4 month old male bunny and i don’t know what im doing wrong. Its been a week since i bought him and hes only bit and scratced me. He has an big enclosure where he can run and play hes got hay and chew toyes. He gets feed romaine lettuce, pellets and carrots; im not sure what other vegs i can feed him. Every website i go to bout bunnys says different things. I try to pet him and he just goes after my hand. This is my first bunny i don’t know what to do im trying my best but im lost please help me. Thank you ❤?


      • Bun-bun mom
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          Whoa!
          I know you want to give him the best, but please slow down.
          Domestic rabbits should not be eating veggies until 6 months old, and they should be introduced slowly. Too much, too soon, can result in deadly diarrhea. Carrots are high in sugar and should not be given often (carrot tops, however, are fine, once he’s 6 months old).
          He will thrive on a simple diet of unlimited hay, water, and some high-quality pellets.
          It sounds like he has a lovely environment, and now all you have to work on is bonding.
          There are many articles on bonding on this site, and I highly recommend them.

          First, you have to earn his trust. Spend time next to his enclosure, reading, playing soothing music, watching tv…all things which are non-threatening to him. He will become curious and come near to check you out. Encourage this by speaking gently to him when he does. You may try to slowly approach his face with your hand from a sidewise (rabbits’ eyes are on the sides of their heads, and they don’t see well from the front) direction, but if he jumps away, have patience and remove the hand. Eventually you will be able to stroke him…

          Please watch the house rabbit videos on bonding and other useful topics.
          Congratulations and enjoy your new baby.


        • Sirius&Luna
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            A week is a very short time for a bunny to get used to a big scary human. You must give him more time – if he bites and scratches you its because he’s scared. Please avoid picking him up unless it’s absolutely necessary (eg, to remove him from danger). Instead, sit on the floor with him and let him come to you. Don’t try and touch him at first, since he’s obviously scared.

            I see you don’t mention hay? Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet, and they should always have access to high quality hay. It’s essential for a healthy gut and teeth.

            I don’t agree that veggies need to wait until 6 months – you can start introducing them at 3 months, but fruits (carrot counts as fruit because its so sugarry) should be introduced at 6 months, and in very small pieces. There is a list of safe bunny vegetables in the BUNNY INFO section of this site – lots of bunnies like cilantro, kale, parsley, mint, basil, celery, spring greens, rocket, watercress etc. Make sure to introduce new veggies one by one, and slowly over a week or so.


          • Ivana
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              Please don’t give up on your bunny just yet, you have only had him for a week!

              I got my two bunnies as siblings more than a year ago. The smaller one, Myo, was very sweet and friendly from the beginning, but his brother Timbit was very aloof and wild rabbit like (ie nervous, running away when you approach him, etc). He even bit me once during the first month. However, about two or three months in he started to get much more comfortable with his surroundings and with me and the other animals in the house. Now (1 year later) he will come up to my dogs easily and let them sniff him and even just sit beside them. He will come up to me himself and circle around my feet and eat veggies/treats straight out of my hand. He doesn’t get spooked anymore when I or any of the other animals come up to him like he did before. He lets me pet him with no issues and will lay his head down and close his eyes. And he would never bite me again – of this I’m certain one hundred percent. But he still doesn’t like being picked up that much –  I think most rabbits don’t – and he will always be a bit uptight and somewhat reserved – that’s just his personality. Each rabbit is its own rabbit, just like people. Some are more challenging than others. But the challenging ones also have their advantages. For example, Timbit’s brother, Myo, may be much more laid back and easygoing, but Timbit is the one with the looks – he looks like a stuffed toy rabbit – literally lol 

              I think your rabbit is just getting used to you and his surroundings. Imagine how nervous and scared he must be feeling right now in a new unfamiliar home. Just give him time. Time and love and attention. And as others have said, let him come up to you. Take care of him and love him and talk to him, but if you notice that he doesn’t like being picked up or runs away from you, just let him be. I’m certain that with time, your bunny will learn to trust and love you in his own way. And he will seek you out himself. Especially when he notices that you’re the one cleaning up after him and providing him with his hay, veggies, pellets, treats, toys, etc. Rabbits are very peculiar creatures, they don’t show their feelings like other pets do, it can take a lot of time for them to get used to you. Especially when you consider that they’re prey animals and are used to looking after themselves and not showing their vulnerable side. But once you gain their trust they will soon reveal their true personality and claim their spot and be just like any other pet or member of your family!


            • raiderlover9690
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                I do feed him hay i forgot to mention it hes got a huge stack of hay


              • raiderlover9690
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                  Im doing my best i haven’t given up on him not in the slightest i just feel like im doing something wrong with him


                • Ivana
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                    Sorry lol. I didn’t mean it like that. I know that you wouldn’t give up on your rabbit. I just meant that some bunnies can be challenging at first, so it’s best to give them some time to get used to their surroundings and grow into themselves and their new family members. I think that almost all rabbits are somewhat reserved when they first arrive in an unfamiliar home. And depending on the rabbit’s personality, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months or even more for the bunny to get truly settled in and comfortable with his surroundings and new family.

                    I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong with your rabbit. I think you’re just concerned and that’s a good thing. All you can really do is just love him and take care of him to the best of your ability. And if not sure, then ask for advice on forums such as these. Anyway, good luck and best wishes for you and your new bunny!


                  • Bunny House
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                      I agree with the above posts. I’m pretty sure you feed alfalfa hay and pellets unt they are about 6 months old and to hold off any any veggies until around 6 months but since you already introduced veggies, just give a little each day such as green leaf, romaine, baby spring mix, the herbs mentioned above, celery and any low sugar veggies. Then around 6 months give him Timothy hay and then reduce the amount of pellets given by directions on the bag( you can do oxbow/ or any other brand but can’t have seeds or anything horrible like you buy at Walmart, only the pellets- for young and then slowly switch to the adult but follow directions on the bag on how to transition him as it can be deadly if done wrong). He needs to go to a rabbit savvy vet only to be seen and they will give you the proper diet to feed him and make sure he is in good health and signs to look for if he gets sick.


                    • Cas
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                        I got a 4 month old male bunny a few weeks ago. He’s not a bitter, but he does scratch like crazy when I do have to pick him up. One thing I do is lay on the floor and talk quietly to him. He comes over and sniffs me. Sometimes he puts his front paws on me. He’s getting to where he loves when we pet him. He even stamped his foot last night when I ignored him. I think they just need time and reassurance.

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                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A 4 month old bunny