Already Freaking out!

[Sonn]

I have had my first rabbit for around 7-8 hours and I have a question. He has ate some pellets fine but I don’t think he knows what hay is. He goes up to it sniffs it like licks his mouth a couple of times and hops off. Is this normal? How do you teach a rabbit that hay is to eat?

[jerseygirl]

They always eat their favourite things first! How old is your bunny? Are you feeding unlimited pelllets? Mine only ever really eats hay while in the litter box so I put it up one end and litter at the other. Guess while they’re in there they just can’t resist the smell of hay and have a munch. A really good tip I learnt here was to put out small amounts several times a day. It is fresher and more fragrant. What kind of hay are you feeding it?
Congratulations on you new bunny by the way! Try relax and enjoy!

[Sonn]

He is 7 weeks old. Yes he is getting unlimited pellets.. And he has alfalfa hay I put about a handful in the litterbox and inside the box he hides in. He is eating the pellets and drinking water fine he doesn’t seem to understand what the hay is for lol.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi Sonn, how old is your rabbit? It is possible he has never even seen hay before. I’ve added dried flowers like organic chamomile to tempt my rabbits to eat hay they rejected before. Some have also taken a few strands and lightly sprayed them with diluted apple juice or tickle your rabbits nose/whiskers with it and they will eat it, although out of annoyance but perhaps this will get him to start nibbling on it. I know I don’t have to tell you how important fiber is in the rabbit diet.  Oh, also what kind of hay are you giving him? He could have been spoiled with alfalfa and now he is getting the timothy or orchard grass, which is a bit of a change for them.

[jerseygirl]

Ok, I just read your post in the lounge so I know a bit more now. What a lovely story! He looks very sweet in the video. The name Bam Bam suits him!

The alfalfa should be pretty enticing. As Scarlet said, he may not have been offered it before. He’s probably still just adjusting to his new environment.

I would try get him in to see a vet just for a general health check. They can check his teeth to see there are no issues. At 7 weeks I’m not sure it would have too many probs unless it was born with dental probs. I seem to remember lionheads can be prone to dental issues so you have to keep an eye on their teeth (as with all rabbits). I’m betting the former owner hasn’t taken him to a vet or even had the sex determined properly. I’m unsure if he is too young for shots etc – I wouldn’t think so but if anyone else knows…. All the same, it’s good to establish a relationship with a good vet now and get a clean bill of health for your bun.

[Sonn]

I think he may a spoiled little rabbit lol. The hay was all over the floor so I put it in a little makeshift hay rack and put it beside the litter box and he started eating it. I am making an appointment in the morning with the only rabbit vet around me so we’ll see if they are good or not. If not I will have to find another. He is definitely a boy his manly parts can be seen when you flip him over my mom thought they were something stuck to him! LOL

[Scarlet_Rose]

LOL! Oh funny. I’m glad he is going into the vet for a check-up.

[MooBunnay]

awww how cute When I got my first rabbit I was freaking out for probably the first week – I was afraid to leave her alone because I thought she would get lonely, and I came up with all kinds of insane things that I thought would happen if I left her alone It does sound like he’s on his way to being a nicely spoiled lil bunny, I’m glad he started eating his hay.

[bunnytowne]

He may be a little nervous and thats why he didn’t eat  the hay yet. Busy exploring and checking out new sounds smells and things.

[Beka27]

great advice so far. def. keep some hay in the litterbox b/c that will go far to help him get littertrained. even at only 7 weeks, it is possible to get them using the box doing the hay trick. i’m so happy you’re going to be getting him into the vet. that’s very important, esp. since he was raised by hand.

i really don’t think you need to worry… i know you’ve done your research, and if you have questions, we’re always here and ready to help.

[Sonn]

Thanks for all the advice. Everyone is so helpful here!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hehehe so you have a well endowed little man! LOL Too cute!!

Glad he’s eating hay now and that’s awesome you are getting him to a vet already-thats a great way for you to check the vet out and get some peace of mind!

[Sonn]

Yep he has an appointment for 2:30 this afternoon. Think I got lucky with him. I brought him out last night with my dogs being leashed and all of them ignored him or cuddled with him except one my newest puppy he wanted to play but calmed down when he realized the new ‘puppy’ didn’t want to play with him lol.

[Scarlet_Rose]

That’s cute and you do sound very lucky to have a fur family that gets along so well.

[Sonn]

Just got back from the vet with a clean bill of health. He even clipped his nails for me and showed me how. Then the vet got peed on which was fun for me lol. And he is a boy and will be neutered at 5 months old.

[Lightchick]

That’s great! Wow, are you a prepared new-bunny owner!

[Author]

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