Can a new bun create bad habits for my bun?

[Deleted User]

Hello all,

I am new to buns and proper bun care.

As a child, I had pet rabbits but I was never instructed on proper care. We fed them all kinds of fruits and veggies and tried to hold them constantly. I feel terrible now, because after researching proper care I realize that we REALLY neglected those rabbits. As a child that didn’t know any better, I thought these cute cuddly friends wanted to be held and eat carrots all day like bugs bunny.

As a young adult, I really wanted a pet. Something I could care for and bond with. I am a clean freak and I live in an apartment, so a cat or dog was not an option I was even WILLING to consider. Then, I was reminded of the childhood joy of having rabbits! I began researching TONS of info on proper rabbit care because I wanted to do it right this time.

My husband and I chose to purchase a female dutch rabbit from a local breeder rather than adopt. We wanted to have a fresh start, a strong bond and form good habits with our new little bun. Needless to say, we absolutely LOVE her. She is amazing. We brought her home at 9 weeks and she instantly caught on to using her litter box and since she was so good with it, we took everything out of one room and let her have free range in her own room. After 2 months of STELLAR behavior, we have decided to let her have free range of the entire apartment (besides the bathroom). We are a week into free range and we are convinced she is the most well-behaved bun EVER. She has no accidents, no destructive chewing habits (unless you leave your shoes lying around) and we have not observed any scratching/digging.

She is now 17 weeks and we plan to get her spayed in the next two weeks, depending on when we can get an appointment because our local exotic animal vet only does operations on Tuesdays and Fridays. Since we both work 9-5 full time jobs, I wanted to get her a friend to spend time with while we are away. I am concerned that this new rabbit will not be as well-behaved as our precious Duchess Ophelia (current bun). I am, however, considering a rescue as a friend since they would already come spayed/neutered. I am concerned that if this new bun has bad habits that they may “rub off” on her, leaving me with two problem buns. Can one buns behavior affect another bun? 

[Azerane]

The short answer to your question is yes, a new bun can create bad habits for a currently well behaved one. In addition, having owned single rabbits and a pair of rabbits, a pair of rabbits is naturally messier than a single rabbit. More stray poops, more hay pulled everywhere, more fur etc. If you get a new rabbit, you’ll also need to keep them both contained in separate areas as well until they are fully bonded. Bonding sessions would need to be done in your bathroom as it’s the only neutral ground in the apartment. Introducing a new rabbit will also cause more mess at first with probably lots of territorial poops on your girl’s behalf, this will improve as they bond, but may not go away entirely.

Honestly, the thought of rabbits being tidier than cats just makes me laugh, my pair create so much mess

[DanaNM]

Second what Azerane said, the short answer is yes, and even if she doesn’t catch on, the new bunny may have different habits. 

Also, she is still quite young, and many buns don’t get mischievous until they reach their teenage years! So just be a mentally prepared for possible behavior changes as she matures. 

And yes… lol at rabbits being neat and tidy…   

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[sarahthegemini]

Yes they can definitely learn bad habits from one another! I also have to second (or third?) the concept of rabbits being tidy being laughable  They’re so messy! Totally worth it tho.

[Deleted User]

I don’t understand why it’s laughable that she is tidy? I have heard people say they can be very clean animals if trained properly and looked after. She doesn’t even stray poop around the place she always goes in the box. Sometimes she gets a little hay outside of the box because she digs around in it. Perhaps she’s so small and young still and that will change. I was worried about her being lonely because I didn’t think just having me would be enough for her. I will probably opt not to have the second rabbit, as I don’t want to affect her behavior now and she seems to want to be very social with me; following me around, jumping up on the couch and sitting and let me pet her for a while. She has two litter boxes throughout the apartment and she usually spends a lot of time in our bedroom. I hope she stays this good until she is older, I always thought that rabbits became less troubled or mischevious after they were fixed. Do you think just having attention from us is enough for her? I just want her to be happy!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 6/01/2017 2:06 PM

I don’t understand why it’s laughable that she is tidy? I have heard people say they can be very clean animals if trained properly and looked after. She doesn’t even stray poop around the place she always goes in the box. Sometimes she gets a little hay outside of the box because she digs around in it. Perhaps she’s so small and young still and that will change. I was worried about her being lonely because I didn’t think just having me would be enough for her. I will probably opt not to have the second rabbit, as I don’t want to affect her behavior now and she seems to want to be very social with me; following me around, jumping up on the couch and sitting and let me pet her for a while. She has two litter boxes throughout the apartment and she usually spends a lot of time in our bedroom. I hope she stays this good until she is older, I always thought that rabbits became less troubled or mischevious after they were fixed. Do you think just having attention from us is enough for her? I just want her to be happy!

I hope you don’t feel like my ‘laughable’ comment was a sarcky one, it wasn’t meant to be rude. I just thought it was funny because I know how messy bunnies can be. I mean, the buns themselves are tidy but hay gets everywhere! That’s more what I meant. Sorry if it came across any other way?

In regards to another rabbit and behavioural change – as I said before they can certainly influence each other but I think that’s just natural. I don’t think having a second rabbit will make your current one less likely to be social with you. I have two litter mates but they were seperated at puberty and then re bonded after surgeries and I think if anything, they are both more affectionate with me since being bonded. Buttercup has always been affectionate and bonding her to Peanut just made her moreso. Peanut became more affectionate as his confidence grew. 

I do personally believe that however much attention a human can give, a bun still needs a bun companion. 

Oh and I definitely wouldn’t say buns necessarily become less mischievous after being neutered or spayed but I suppose it depends on the individual. Neither of mine were particularly destructive or anything prior to surgeries so for me there was no notable behaviour change. 

[Deleted User]

I didn’t mean to seem defensive, I realize it came across that way. I just wondered why every person replying was saying that it was laughable because I honestly thought that my bun is pretty tidy! Now I see what everyone meant. I was referring more to the fact that she’s so good with her litter boxes and I don’t find stray poops around. But she definitely tosses hay out of the box and I am constantly picking up strands off of the floor! I have carpet and I broke down and bought cat litter box mats to put down so I can just shake them out at the end of the day instead of picking up the individual strands lol. (And sometimes she gets spooked when we are doing the dishes or something and she darts out of the box sending her fresh paper litter flying around!!). I think I will hold out on rabbit #2. I did not anticipate wanting to have two, but I have grown to lover her so much that I was considering a second to make sure that she wasn’t lonely. I try to spend 1-2 hours with her on the weekdays when I get home and I hope that is enough interaction for her. Since I live in a 1 bedroom apartment currently and I bought her a GIANT cage, I think that adding another bun may be a bit much for the space we currently occupy. I have decided to volunteer at my local rabbit rescue, maybe when we have more space I will come across a bun that would be a great fit with my little Ophelia! Thanks for your input!  

[vanessa]

One of my pairs is quite tidy. Morgana and Avalon – they dont’ scatter hay anywhere. Avalon tends to kick up a storm in the litterbox and he gets poops scattered out of it – but neither are messy with their hay. Guin on the other hand – what a messy little (big) bunny! Lancelot – very tidy (while he was still in good health. So it depends on the bunny. Guin’s mess is enough to make up for it all! Avalon and Morgana do shed like beasts, and since there are loose birds in the room, the birds pick up and scatter the hay. So it still gets quite messy in there…
It sounds like you are on the right track. I’v seen my bunnies learn from eachother. They can learn both good – and bad habits – and you will be left to figure it out 🙂 I also agree that bunny companions are best. Since your rabbit is still fairly new, it wouldn’t hurt to work on your bond with her first, especially while she is recovering from her surgery, and then pick out a companion for her. Bonding is stressful for both rabbits and humans. So if she has a good bond with you, it will help make the bonding process that less stressful on everyone.
I don’t believe that being fixed will make her less mischievous. Young healthy bunnies are playful and often mischievous. Avalon and Morgana are bonded – 3 and 4 years old, fixed, and still destructive. Guin was never really destructive, but after separating her and Lancelot (due to his health), she became bored and chews things I don’t want her to chew. A pal for your bunny could have 2 possible outcomes: One – she is so smitten with him that she forgets to be mischievous. Two – he learns from her. You just don’t know. There are ways of dealing with bunny-proofing a space. Is she happy? Some bunnies are happy as singles. So while I do still feel bunnies should have companions, I have seen happy singles. Lancelot is single now. Before I bonded him with Guin, he was a supremely happy single. Buzzed around my feet, played, flopped, very happy. Then him and Guin became a snuggly pair. He is older now – single again, and has his stuffy to groom and get comfort from. And he is still happy. So it depends a lot on the bunny. I would have kept him with Guin if he were more healthy.

[Deleted User]

 Thanks for your input!! I know she is still young and I will take your advice on fostering a strong bond with her before introducing another stranger to her. In my opinion, she seems happy- but you can never know! We have a little morning routine she has fallen into, and when I wake up she runs to me and binkies all the way to her cage in anticipation of her morning tablespoon of yummy yummy pellets. I have a sectional sofa that is rounded rather than “L” shaped and sometimes she will just speed off and run laps around the couch! It seems like she is happy and has fun, but I don’t know much about buns and it may just be that she’s very energetic because she’s so little still. I hope she does not become destructive. Right now I am surprised that the only thing she chews are shoes and anything rubber that she can get a hold of. She’s never chewed the baseboards or any of my wood furniture so I really hope she doesn’t start! What are some good toys I can get her to keep her pre occupied? She is not interested in any wood chew toys from the pet store, she loves to munch up anything rubber. I have to be very careful because even leaving my phone case on the couch for a minute to use the restroom, when I come back she has come out of nowhere and tore it up!! I found this rubber chew toy for dogs and she has obviously spent a good bit of time chewing it but is now bored of it. (Don’t worry, it was a really weird shape and I checked it every say and she has not been able to bite any chunks off due to the shape). And did you say your bun has a stuffed animal to play with cause I may get her one if its something that will occupy her.

[vanessa]

My rabbits don’t like store bought toys either – except for the skewer type thing with aple sticks etc, but they ignore those and chew on the lava rock that I added to it, and Guin likes to toss it around because it has a bell and makes a noise! They like rearranging and tossing towels around/dishcloths. And cardboard – they like playing in cardboard boxes. I cut one doorway for them, and they chew open their second door in the box. Guin and Lancleot each have a stuffy – they dont’ play with it – they cuddle and groom it. It is essentially a comfort to them while I’m not there. I think it is a good idea for single bunnies.

[sarahthegemini]

For toys try baby toys! Mine didn’t really care for rabbit specific toys aside from things they can chew/destroy. But plastic stacking cups, bowling pins, giant legos etc are a big hit.

[Deleted User]

I tried the “cardboard” castles out and she doesn’t do anything with them! Sometimes if she was scared she would hide in it but for two months she never chewed them!! I just bought some plastic cups from amazon and a little ball treat dispenser, we will see how those go. I also got a starter logic toy to see if it is something she’s interested in and then maybe we can incorporate a game into our routine! What do you do with the dishcloths? Just let them have at it or are you rolling them up and tying it so its kinda like a “log” they can toss around?

[sarahthegemini]

Oooo logic toys are fun! I got one for mine but they got a bit too bolshy with one another trying to get to the treats. I’d love for them to take it in turns but alas that would never happen lol.

[Deleted User]

I can’t imagine two trying to get to the same treat!!  I just have the one and when I have a treat in my hand bun comes for me relentlessly

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Your topic really brought a smile to my face! It’s so good to read that someone has been preparing for their rabbit properly, and that as a result of this there’s another happy rabbit hopping around somewhere ^_^

As you mentioned yourself: most people have no idea about how rabbits really are except for what they saw in cartoons, advertisements and the media. As we all know these are all highly reputable sources of true facts, so the public image of buns is a “bit skewed” so to speak. Don’t beat yourself up over the rabbits you had when you were a kid, because you simply didn’t have the knowledge you have now. I’m sure you’d do everything to save a rabbit from accidental neglect. What you can do to improve matters for bunnykind is to use that knowledge to be some sort of ambassador for proper rabbit care. It doesn’t have to be large scale, but if you can show friends and family how rabbits really are and how they should be cared for, you may change some minds for the better.

I know exactly how you feel because I have the same experience, at times I still cringe when I think about how my mother treated my flemish pet rabbit. Back then I was way too young to care for it properly, and it probably led a lonely life of neglect It can be so hard to change peoples’ minds about rabbits, trying to overwrite all those years of misinformation. When I talk about our house rabbit with my family some of them think I’m barking mad, because according to them rabbits are childrens’ pets who belong in a small cage in the backyard. My dad even refuses to believe that they need drinking water! Seriously… 0_0 My paternal grandparents had a small farm, and they used to breed flemish rabbits as meat rabbits to scrape a small income together after my grandpa got lung disease from working in the mines. They fed the rabbits on the family’s vegetable scraps, including potato peels and cabbage leaves (you may recognise these as: what NOT to feed to rabbits 101). My father won’t realise that they were fed with all the wrong things and keeps claiming loudly: “If you give a rabbit water, they’ll get diarrhea!” *facepalm, double facepalm* Of course they get diarrhea if they’re fed wrongly: they’ll get many gut problems. Not giving them water may dehydrate them so the diarrhea goes away, but it still isn’t healthy! Even after this explanation the answer I got was: “You think you’d have won that discussion if you were speaking with your grandma right now?”. “Yup, because she may have been uneducated about rabbits, but I’ve never known her to be cruel on purpose!” Some people are really beyond saving, luckily some bunnies are not!

It’s great to hear that Ophelia is settling in so well and bonding so well to you Rabbits are quite clean, if you take a certain definition of clean. They certainly are hygienic pets who’re constantly grooming themselves and almost instinctively know how to use their litter box properly. I think the use of the word clean caused a bit of a chuckle on the forum, because rabbits love making a mess with toys, torn paper and chewed cardboard. That’s usually nothing that can be swept away with a quick stroke of the broom, and not very unhygienic either.

About getting her a friend: I think that’s an excellent plan because rabbits need a lot of social interaction. It’s best to adopt a rabbit from a shelter when you’re bonding because bonding is all about matching personalities, and you won’t see that personality until they’ve matured. Shelter buns are also spayed/neutered, so hormones shouldn’t be a problem anymore. Many shelters have speed dates where rabbits can pick their own friend.
While I’m not experienced at bonding I’ve seen on the forum that it can be quite a lengthy and an occasionally dirty process. Rabbits can be very territorial even after spay/neuter and you can definitely expect some territorial poops or even pee in the first couple of weeks. We have many people here with experience in bonding, so feel free to ask away and prepare yourself.

[Deleted User]

Ellie,

Exactly my thoughts on going with an adoption from a shelter! I figured, if I get another baby bun I will have to A) separate them once the new bun reaches maturity until I can get them fixed and B) I will have no clue about the temperament of the rabbit and they may not like each other at all!! At least with a shelter rabbit I could ask about the temperament and they are already fixed.

And I completely understand trying to explain to people a rabbit’s needs…Honestly people call me insane when I tell them I have my rabbit free range in my apartment. But they just don’t get it! Too bad for them though, because I have a little friend that I love so much. I have tried giving her those messy toys such as shredded paper to dig through and DIY cardboard toys,but she isn’t interested in any of that. She will go check it out and then be bored of it instantly. BUT she is not destructive, at least not yet, and that is what I try to get people to understand. Everyone I talk to thinks they are just monsters that chew everything, pee everywhere, bite you and run away. Of course, then you find out that these people had a rabbit for their children and it was confined to a cage all of its life and picked up and paraded around as a cute little fur ball by the children…..and lived solely off of carrots and lettuce -__- The BIGGEST misconception about rabbits is that they aren’t good pets and they can’t be trained to behave well. (My opinion, as a “new” owner)

I am actually quite traumatized from my experience as a child. I feel SO bad now that I know how you are supposed to care for them. I have had Ophelia for 3 months now and I have only picked her up twice, both times were emergency situations where she finally found a loophole to get behind the TV and I didn’t want an electrocuted bun!! When I come home from work, she is excited to see me, she binkies around and waits for what I call her “after school snack” which is just basil or parsley, or a few thin slices of banana on a cheat day I absolutely adore her and I am so glad I made the choice to get a bun again and that I took the time to UNDERSTAND proper care and how to bond with them. To be honest, I was a little discouraged in the first two weeks because I would sit on the floor in her room for literally hours but she would not come near me unless I had food. After a few weeks she would let me pet her some before she ran away. But you just have to be patient. I have never chased her down or forced her to let me pet her, if she started to hop away I just let her go and she would come back on her own time. Now if I make kissy noises or say “here bun” she comes running as if she’s responding, “yes mom?” SO CUTE. You literally cannot fathom how much you love these little guys until you’ve treated them right!

That said, I am currently in the process of volunteering at my local rescue, Gainesville Rabbit Rescue. They use volunteers to transport bunnies to and from adoptions, do produce runs and deliver fresh produce to buns in need, write letters to organizations to solicit sponsorship or donations, etc. Also, by spending time feeding and loving on the rabbits I may find one that I bond exceptionally well with who could be a friend for my little Ophelia! I really just want to help educate people about rabbits because it breaks my heart to think of how many people adopt a rabbit thinking that just because it is cute it will be a perfect cuddly friend, only to find out that they take a LOT more effort than just tossing a carrot every now and then and petting through the top of a cage. But it is SO worth it!!

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Haha, yes they definitely ARE worth all the effort, the patience and the care. They’re such social, sensitive and clever animals. All this does mean that you’ll have to let them take the initiative while bonding to them. That can be a bit frustrating because rabbits have to warm up to you, and that can take several weeks to several months. Lovely to see that she’s happy to greet you, and those binkies mean that she’s the happiest a bun could ever be

Once your bond improves even further you can also train them. Our NL dwarf bun Breintje has been trained with voice commands: he’ll jump into his cage on command so I won’t have to stress him out by chasing him or picking him up. It’s great to see that you can keep the picking up to a minimum, because rabbits really hate it. As a prey species it sets off all alarms with them: “Oh $#!7 oh $#!7 oh $#!7 I’m going to DIIIEEEE!”

BTW: if you think you’re studying their behaviour… they’re also closely observing yours. I’m home all day because of a rheumatic illness, and Breintje has studied my habits and patterns as well. He knows when I’m upset or having a bad painful day, and he’ll actively seek me out to cheer me up. When I come home from a treatment I’m totally spent and in pain, and he’ll often come to me to check on me and cheer me up like this:

Truly, they make the best pets you could wish for. It is an investment of time, costs and effort, but it pays itself back a hundredfold. Best of luck on finding her a friend in the coming months!

[Deleted User]

Sorry to hear about your illness

But happy that you have a loving little friend to cheer you up!

And yes……… I got so mad at my sister who came to see her a month after I got her. She immediately tried to pick her up and bun grunted and ran!! I was like nooooooooooooooo don’t you dare pick her up! I hate that people assume they want to be handled. Even aside from the fact that they have prey instincts, why would they want to be handled by giants anyway?!

[Author]

Messages