Bunny advice?

[SecretCheri]

Hi!, sorry, I’m hoping ya’ll might have some good advice?

I have gotten a 8 week old bunny (lionhead) about two days ago, my first rabbit in about 20 years  (I names her Mary Lou).

We made a nicely sized indoor pen for her (it meets the requirements and then some for a rabbit her size, we did a lot of research on how to make it and are pretty proud of the result, the house rabbit society has been a great recourse.)

Now I know it’s only been two days but she seems so nervous, She hides until we are out of the room and then she darts to her food bowl.

I feel terrible because she seemed to be getting used to the place but I realized I was supposed to put her hay around the litter box so she can eat hay and poo at the same time comfortably, so I moved things around a bit this morning and it seemed to have shaken her up. I should have had it in this arrangement in the first place.

I think I’ll give up trying to potty train her like the books and videos say (sweeping the poo into the box) and let her go where she likes to she can mark and feel more at home.

Did I irreversibly scare her? Can I not potty train her? Will I have to wait a month or more before I can brush her? Sorry, Not I’m fretting a lot but I want her to have the most comfortable life possible.

 

[LBJ10]

I doubt you did any that would permanently scare her. 😉  Give her a week or two to settle in. She’s shy, so it will take some time for her to feel comfortable. Try not to make sudden loud sounds, but don’t tiptoe around her either. You want to get her used to the normal sounds of the household. Once she seems settled, you can work on building a bond with her. You can do things like sitting in the room with her and ignoring her, offering her treats (she’s young, so pellets) by hand, etc. Eventually she will become curious. Resist the urge to pick her up and cuddle her right now. I know it’s hard because they are so stinking cute. You don’t want to do anything that would make her wary of you right now.

She is only 8 weeks old, so you have plenty of time to work on litter habits. Just remember, she’s going to have to get used to you going into her pen to clean eventually. 🙂

[SecretCheri]

Thank you! This is great advice! I appreciate your valuable input! 😀 🙂

[Author]

Messages