Cage/Room advice for first time bun mom

[nikiway]

Hi, I’m niki and I came across this forum while searching for information on how to care for a rabbit.
I’m a new mother of a 5 year old Mini Rex, Atticus FInch (I’ve read they don’t live very long, which made me sad)
I’m told he was a breeding rabbit, he even has HP2 in his ear.  I want to give him the best rest of his life that I can.

Atticus’ main cage is 3-by-4 with a toilet, hide away room, along with his food, water, and hay.
During the day I keep his cage open where he has a section of my bedroom blocked off just for him, but at night he goes back into the cage.   Today I increased the area he’s allowed to run/play safely. 

I’m concerned with a few things…
1.  The floor of the cage is plastic, and he couldn’t get enough traction with the bedding which I believe was called care-fresh.   So now I have two towels over the floor.    Is this okay for his feet?  He doesn’t have any trouble walking on it, but is there something else I should use instead?
2.  The area he roams in during the day is carpeted.  I’ve read that Rexes can get Sore Hocks very easily because of their fine fur and I would think the carpet causes a lot of friction.  Is there something I should put down over the carpet to ensure his feet are alright?
3.   Since he’s already 5, is it too late to neuter him?
4.   He’s currently eating Kaytee Fiesta food, Kaytee Timothy Hay, and some rabbit stick things covered in something (my mom bought it for him and I cannot remember what they’re called).   He also has  salt and mineral wheels.   He doesn’t chew on his sticks/wood but loves to chew toilet paper rolls.   Also, he doesn’t eat his hay during the day.  It’s mostly at night so when I wake up it’s all gone.  should I get a larger bowl for his hay to avoid it being empty or is it alright?
I forgot to add that Atti doesn’t eat any of the fresh vegetables that I offer him. So far the only thing he’s liked is blueberries.  I don’t know if this is because he was never given them or if he just doesn’t like what I have.  Should I keep giving them to him even though I must throw them out each day?

Thanks for any advice!

 

niki way

[carrie]

1.about the bedding i have a dwarf rabbit and her cage bottom is plastic and i got her some bedding called “soft-sorbent” i think kaytee makes it and it is really absorbent its a little dusty though. in pet stores they also have cage liners that are for rabbit cages and for her litter box i get her “yesterdays news”
2. i would also get him a larger bowl for his hay because they love it. they are nocturnal animals anyway so they do a lot at night and they sleep during the day,
3. you could get a straw mat(they make ones that are for rabbit they have them on this website) that would help for friction,
4. keep trying diff. veggies for him i dont know how much they like veggies because they are not as sweet as fruit.
I hope this helps i am not very experienced with buns but this is just for information.

[nikiway]

Thanks a lot sweetie’s! I’m going to look into the cage liners and straw mats and larger bowl! I’m not sure what the litter I use is called, but it’s working nicely and Atticus uses it regularly.

[carrie]

ok well good luck and u should def. get a pic of your hun bun on here

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Niki. Atticus Finch – GREAT name!! (great character too!) I’ll attempt to answer some of you qu’s from what I know (it’s limited!)

1. Towels should be fine. In fact, keeping carefresh only in the litter box will help Atti go to toilet in just one area instead of all over the cage. Less confusion.
2. Carpet also is fine. The rabbits here are house rabbits and MANY spend time on carpet. The sore hocks you read about may have been due to bunnies being kept in cages with wire flooring. They have nowhere to rest their feet and this can cause problems.
3. 98% sure sure neutering still ok and beneficial.
4. I think the Fiesta food is a pellet and grain mix right? This is not really a good food for buns as it’s too high in calories. If you like the Kaytee brand, they have one called Timothy Complete which has high fibre and lower protein levels. It’s great you give him tim hay and he seems to like it!
5. With the vegetables, try just one type at a time, like romaine lettuce. He may be filling up on the fiesta food so doesn’t go for anything else. You’ll need to limit his pellets allowance and you’ll prob find he’ll go for more hay and veggies then.
There’s some tips in diet section on this site on how much pellets you should give them.

Hope this has helped some. Sounds like Atti is going to get a good life with you – well done!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!

Good advice all around, a few things:

The stick covered in seeds-needs to go in the garbage. I know they market them for rabbits, but they are not OK. Don’t worry we’ve all made the same mistake, but they are not healthy of natural; can cause blockages and gut imbalances. You can put it outside for the birds so it doesn’t go to waste but it should be removed now.

Food with all the bits in it looks great and is marketed as complete or gormet but is anything but. Same thing, we’ve all thought that it looks healthy and yummy but it’s akin to having chocolate bars in your salad, as well as some ingredients are toxic and can cause blockages and imbalances-seeds, corn, nuts etc. Next time buy the plainest looking food that’s timothy hay based

Always offer unlimited hay like they’ve said. Rabbits are ‘di-urnal’ and are awake late at night and early morning for the most part. That’s great he’s eating lots of hay. Is it timothy your offering? If it’s alfalfa that can be offered as a treat, but is pretty high in calcium and calories-so only a treat. Timothy, orchard, brome etc etc are all good to give all the time

Veggies can be offered still. Try a small amount one at a time. It’s likely he’s never had them before, and usually they take a while to try something new. Try offerering a few sprigs of parsley a few nights in a row and see if he tastes it.

Check with your vet about neutering. It’s less invasive then spaying and good for health so it may still be OK to do it. Do you have a rabbit vet yet? If you can tell us what state/prov/country you liive in, we could help find a vet for you!

Heallthy rabbits can live 8-12 years on average, so he’s not an old man yet-don’t despair!! Congrats on your new bunny!

[Ana]

Hi! Your bunny can still live a prosperous life. Bunnies can live to be 8+. Sore hocks are caused from cages with wire floors, not carpet. Veggies are very important, so keep trying. Maybe get a bag of “mixed greens” (make sure he can eat all the ones in the mix) so he can try different ones and you don’t waste as much. Also, try limiting his pellets (never limit hay) so he might be a little curious to try the veggies. Of course, make sure he’s always eating. Not sure about the neutering. It sounds like you’re doing everything right with his cage/play time. Maybe consider upgrading him to a pen or condo, instead of the cage.

[Sarita]

Do you already have a rabbit experienced vet? If not, if you will let us know where you are located we can find some for you or direct you to a rabbit rescue that can help you find a vet in your area with experience.

[nikiway]

Thanks for all the great advice!

jerseygirl , I actually got the name from the clothing line, Atticus, but they got the name from the book. lol.
the carefresh wasn’t absorbing his urine, so now I’m trying the soft-sorbent. It’s a little harder for quick pooper scooping, but it doesn’t let the pee soak at the bottom. The brands don’t matter to me. The stores around here mostly sell Kaytee which is why I have so much of it. I don’t really know much about the grain pellet ratios in the foods. I took a picture of the food/hay/litter so if it doesn’t look like I should use it, I’ll be sure to replace it!

kokaneeandkahlua , the stick is out of his cage now. Although he pretty much already devoured one, thanks for the warning. Are there any good treats that I can get him at the store, or should I stick with blue berries? (they’re the only thing so far he’ll eat)
Each morning I throw out the food he doesn’t eat. He usually picks out the pellets and leaves the seeds. Is there a super good food that I can purchase and be confident knowing it’s not going to hurt him? I found the Fiesta on a rabbit site, and they said it was good so that’s why I chose it. It is only Timothy hay that I feed him.
My cat/dog vet says that the hospital does rabbits, so I need to call to make sure they’ll be able to handle all my questions.

furbaby , Thanks for the info on the carpet! Last night I bught some mats, I should not have been so hasty! hah, oh well, I’m sure we’ll find something to do with them!

My camera’s uploading now. But When it’s done, I’ll post a pic of the food and everything.

Thanks again!

[nikiway]

The mineral/salt thing is by All Living Things.  I read somewhere (not sure how accurate the information i read is) that the minerals/salt is very important.

Atticus and I also were wondering if Bubble Wrap is a safe toy for him to throw around.  I wasn’t sure if him chewing could cause problems.

[kimberleyanddarren]

yeah i think if he swallowed the plastic it could cause a blockage so i wouldnt suggest this, also i believe if he is being fed a good quality food salt and mineral licks are necessary as they get enough stuff from their food and hay but someone correct me if im wrong.

[kimberleyanddarren]

GAH is there any chance this could be the site not my comp cuz i dont see why i keep double posting?

[nikiway]

Alright, I took the bubble wrap away.
Thanks for the help!

[Ana]

Straw mats can still be used. My bun likes shredding them apart.

As for food, there are much better quality foods than Kaytee– and I highly suggest you look into a better brand. Your bun is adorable.

[nikiway]

Posted By furbaby on 08/19/2008 3:54 PM
Straw mats can still be used. My bun likes shredding them apart.

As for food, there are much better quality foods than Kaytee– and I highly suggest you look into a better brand. Your bun is adorable.

I’m planning on putting the mats in the larger area for him when they get here (says it’ll be like 2 weeks).  
BUT I did just buy Oxbow Bunny Basic/T from PetSmart for Atti and I ordered some Hay from BinkyBunny.  Hopefully he’ll like this hay better than the storebought stuff. 
Thanks for all your help!  I think Atti will be a little happier knowing I know a little more about him!

 

[carrie]

very cute bun bun

[nikiway]

Thanks Sweetie’smom! I don’t think my camera does him justice. It seems to bring out his eyes and i get him in weird positions lol.

[carrie]

my camera makes my buns eyes red she looks like bunnicula

[jerseygirl]

Hello Again. What a lovely fellow!! Thanks for the piccy’s. The Oxbow Bunny Basics T is probably the best brand actually. If you can get it readily, then you’re all set. Lucky you, it’s hard to get in Australia – and expensive. The pellets are timothy based which is what you’re after. Is Atticus eating them? The pellets in the fiesta food could have been alfalfa based so he may take time to go for the new ones. My concern with the fiesta was that it had grains in it. That’s what adds all the calories. It’s confusing isn’t it? All the “healthy” products they market to bunny owners. Never fear, you’ll get great advice at BB – I certainly have!

Treats! It’s so hard to resist the begging!!!!!!!!!! Some buns like fresh herbs like mint as a treat, some like willow. You could try papaya or pineapple because they have beneficial enzymes that help break down hair in the gut. BB store has papaya tablets which i hear are irresitable.

No doubt the response you get to offering an alternative treat is a LOOK and a “Where’s my blueberry!“

LOL Your avatar and Sweetie’smommy are so similar I nearly forgot who I was responding too!

Edit: Sorry for repeating info! Just read your other post in diet section.  Sounds like you’re all sorted with pellets. 

[nikiway]

I don’t mind hearing the same information more than once.
I will look at the ingredients on the fiesta bag and see what’s up.

Why do they sell “rabbit” food if it’s not good for rabbits!!! it urks me! But

Atticus ate the Oxbow AANNDD he ate some Romain!!! He nibbled on a little carrot, but I had to throw them out this morning.
I’m so glad he’s finally eating a good food and new vegetables!!
lol Sweetie’smom’s bun is adorable so Atti and I will take that as a compliment!

[carrie]

they like to make that moola on whatever they can, and thank you on for the complement on my hunny bunny she likes romaine too!!!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I know how you feel-they market it to you because you are the purchaser-so that’s why it can not be good for them but sold. Also old info, like thinking yogurt is good for everyone-well that’s my theory on yogurt drops…AND has anyone seen that brand of rabbit pellet that has Omega-3 fatty acids??? Do they even KNOW if those are good for bunnies? I think that’s a ridiculous marketing ploy-its good for us-so must be for bunnies too!!

Good rabbit pellets are ANYTHING that is plain and timothy hay based. I know of Oxbow and Martins that are excellent choices, Oxbow being by far the best though-sometimes harder to get depending on where you live, but now sold in some petsmarts

Glad you got rid of the bubble wrap-I bet your rabbit would love a phonebook to chew or take a brown paper bag, fill it with hay and give it to him to shred

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Gorgeous bunny!

I don’t think anybody answered about the salt and mineral wheels– they are completely unnecessary. Atti can get all his health needs from a variety of veggies and hay.

[nikiway]

I bought Atti the Oxbow, and I swear he loves me a little more now! lol. He actually eats it and I can hide it around the area and watch him go hunting for it! Another exciting tidbit, Atticus actually runs up to me for lovings! He’s never done that! He’s lived with me for 4 weeks now (i went on vacation last week though[he got to spend the week with my mom]) and the day after I bought Oxbow he was like “HEY WHY DON’T YOU PET ME!? LET ME EAT OUT OF YOUR POCKET! GIVE ME SALAD WITH BOOBERRIES!!” I have everyone here to say thank you to because I had no idea I was feeding him garbage!!!!THANKS!!!!!!

On another note, so far the only vegetable in my house (mind you I haven’t gone grocery shopping in over a week) that he likes is Romaine! I give him a couple blueberries with his salad, but he picks out anything else. Will he be missing important vitamins with just Romaine and a couple blue berries?
He’s tried a little carrots, green pepper, cucumber skin, broccolli, and cellery.

[Author]

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