First Bunny

[RambotheBunny]

Hey guys. I’m a new forum member and bunny owner haha. I was just hoping for some tips on taking care of my little Rambo (male new zealand white). 

Rambo is about 3 months old, and he’s been at home for about a week. I’ve gotten really attached to him, but I’m afraid that he doesn’t feel the same way. He eats out of my hand and wiggles his nose when I get close (sign of interest I’ve heard) but really doesn’t do much else with me. 

Speaking of not doing anything else, all he really does is eat his hay and pellets, drink water, and lounge around in his cage. And poop. There’s so much poop my god. I’m trying to litter box train him, and he actually has the peeing part down, but the poop is a disaster. Should he be showing any progress by now? Also, I was wondering if there’s any way I could get him to come out of his cage. He really just lies there all day, and doesn’t do much else. I feel really bad for him and I’m wondering how I can help. 

I’m a little cautious of giving him free roam since he isn’t potty trained, so I’m trying to introduce room by room at a time. The first room has been the kitchen, and, well, is still the kitchen. He does not come out of his hutch at all. It’s decent sized I think, about 4-5 feet long, 3 deep, and about 2 bunnies on their hind feet tall. 2 rooms even. It is elevated, so the main exit involves a little ramp. I’ve tried baiting him out with treats, but the ramp freaks him out. He gets close, and just kinda shakes and turns around. I’ve tried leaving his hay out there for a while (like 30 minutes not a whole night lol), his pellets, and several toys and treats. Just no interest whatsoever.

Finally, I’ve been trying to cut his nails and get him on a leash, both of which seem to involve me picking him up. He gets so freaked out when I try to pick him up (tried twice so far) and I have to spend a whole hour petting him so he’ll love me again afterwards. Is there a certain technique to doing it right? I heard that since he’s young, picking him up by the scruff of his neck and then supporting his booty is the way to do it, but I’m not sure. Some feedback here would be appreciated as well.

So all in all, I’m a new bunny owner. I’m trying to shower him with love but he’s not really giving any back at all. I would appreciate some litterbox tips, how to get him out of his cage, tips for socializing with him, and how to pick him up and especially put him on a leash. This is my first post so sorry if I like posted in the wrong section or whatever. Thanks a lot guys!

[RorysMom]

Hi, there!

I’m a new bunny owner too, and it sounds like my Rory is about the same age as your Rambo.  

If he’s peeing in the litter box, that’s definitely a start. Rory pees and poops in his box but, occasionally, he does leave little poops here and there in the living room where he is permitted to roam when we’re around. When he does leave droppings outside the box, I simply sweep them up and put them and him in the litter box to remind him that that’s where he’s supposed to go. (My problem is that we have a litter box inside his cage and one in the living room… the two are identical… and he refuses to use the one in his cage! He will only use the litter box in the living room. He literally holds his pee all day or all night until we let him out… and when we do, he goes straight for the box. It’s crazy. )  Do you put hay in your bun’s litter box? Bunnies like to munch hay and poop at the same time.

As for getting him to socialize with you… have you tried leaving the hutch door open and just letting him come out on his own? The only thing I can think of is that he really is just afraid of the ramp. Is there any way to lower the hutch to the floor until he gets comfortable going in and out? Also, I’ve read that bunnies tend to be more active in the early morning/late evening hours… and that seems to hold true with my Rory. He’s typically most active from about 8am-10am and then from about 9pm-midnight.  So, if your schedule allows, those might be good times to try and coax Rambo out. 

I’d love some suggestions on nail clipping too, as we’ve been having a similar experience. Like most bunnies, Rory is not a fan of being picked up, or restrained. Most of the research I have done on my own says NOT to pick them up by the scruff… but the breeder I got him from did it to her buns, so I dunno.

Anyways, it’s nice to meet you! 

P.S. I’d love to see a photo of your bunny! 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Big Welcome to you!

Your bunny sounds perfectly normal. A week is a very small amount of time in a new home. He needs time to adjust and get comfortable. Be patient and let him come to you when he’s ready.

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