getting a teenager??

[Meg]

Hi all!  I was wondering if you could give me some advice about this:  I went to a rabbit rescue and kind of fell in love with this one bunny (a Dutch/Lionhead mix!)… and then found out she’s 9 months old.  She’s so cute and I feel like I should be up to just 3 more months or so of bunny adolescence, which may not feel so important in the long run… but then, of course, I’ve heard everywhere that it’s this crazy ordeal.  Is it really that bad?  Should I think seriously about not getting this bunny because of it?  Here’s some more background:

– This will be my first bunny, so I’m very inexperienced.  (This is why I had been planning on getting an adult.)

– On the other hand, I have done a *lot* of homework on rabbit care, scouring rabbit.org and this site and all the books they recommend, and I’ll be home all summer (as well as a lot of the time thereafter) so I’ll have plenty of time and energy to devote to the bunny. 

– My other option is a 2-year-old Netherland Dwarf.  I’ll meet her on Saturday and then decide.  On the plus side she’s older, but I’d be worried about teeth problems in that breed. 

I guess that’s my other question: all though most sources seem to agree that adolescence ends at about 12 months, I’ve also heard that it’s better to get a bunny who’s at least 2 so that you’re more sure of their personality.  Is that true?  Should that also be a concern for Bunny #1?

Thank you so much for your thoughts!

Meg

[flippersmom]

Hi Meg – I am by all means no expert here (only been a bun mom for about 9 months), but I can share my experiences!! We currently have 4 buns, 2 adopted as adults (1 1/2 and 2 1/2 yrs), 1 as a baby (7 wks), and 1 as a teenager (8 months). I can honestly say, my most obnoxious has been the baby – and that was at about 5 months old until we had her spayed, so maybe a month in all. The teen came to us spayed and has probably been the best of the group!!!! I think it really has more to do with the buns personality and previous experiences (how well they have been treated) and hormones (I guess that sounds like people too!!!).

[KatnipCrzy]

Is the Dutch/Lionhead mix already spayed?  That is what will have a huge impact on bahavior.  My female was spayed at 6 months old- and she slowly settled after that- so by 10-12 months old she had mellowed.  So I would not consider 9 months old “too young”.  I think some of the worst behavior is when you get a wee little bunny and you see it grow up into a growling, lunging, biting and stomping teenager at 5 months old and you are counting down to days to get her spayed!  The fact that the bunny is 9 months old means if she is not spayed already- she could be anytime now.

 

[Sarita]

Yes, is the younger bunny spayed? That could make a difference. She will still have some age related behavior issues though. Chewing and digging. Even if they are spayed at a young age once they reach adolescence they may still have these behaviors. Honestly though I have a spayed female who is about 7 years old and she still digs and chews on carpet so there you go.

I don’t think you necessarily have to worry about dental problems either with a netherland – sure it can be an issue but this can be an issue with any rabbit, any breed, at any age…there’s unfortunately no guarantee’s about this. Some netherlands may never have a dental issue their whole life.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I agree-I’d take whichever was spay/neutered (never going through that again!)-if the nine month old is fixed there likely won’t be any teenage drama (aside from occaisionally borrowing your car without asking, breaking curphew and having boys in the house ) and if you fell in love with her-I’d say go for it. Also, if she’s not spayed and you want her-she’s old enough to get it done!

[Sarita]

Let us know your thoughts on the netherland too when you meet her. She sounds like a cutie too.

[riibu]

I don’t think you’re any better off with a 2-year-old than a 1-year-old in terms of personality and behavior.  And like the others have said, if the younger bunny is spayed, she probably won’t be too terrible.  No matter what their age, you’re both going to have to go through an adjustment-to-each-other period, which is guaranteed to have its ups and downs.
 

[Meg]

Thank you so much, you all! I really appreciate it. Yes, the teen bunny was spayed in February. (The other one has been spayed, too.) Your feedback is so helpful, because it sounds like I don’t have to rule out either bun based on age or breed, so I’ll just listen to my heart once I meet Bunny #2. Bunny #1 seemed great – there was no penned area for us to interact on the floor, but she let me pet her in her cage, and then I got to have her on my lap for a while. She was a little tense at first, but within a minute or two (of stroking between her ears) she seemed more herself: ears straight up and forward, and she turned around a few times to look at me, and then started rearranging the towel on my lap. She’s got a little mane from her Lionhead relatives and she’s made her own interpretation of the Dutch pattern in the form of zigzagging white stripes down her right shoulder – so cool! (; I had to put her down after a few minutes before I gave in to the urge to bunnynap her. (; But that was only my second shelter visit, and I don’t have that much experience with what bunny dating is like, so I’ll see how it goes with #2 on Saturday. Thank you so much again for all your help!!

[Beka27]

She sounds adorable! Like the others said, there are never any guarantees with buns, and there is no “perfect bunny”. I’m sure both will present some type of challenge, but I’m also sure you would love either one to pieces. Those are also stereotypically “opinionated” breeds… dutch and netherland dwarf… so I bet you’ll have fun with either one. The age should not matter as much since they’re both altered…

[bunnytowne]

OH wow how exciting…  let us know who you get and send us some pics…

your previous questions were answered so I won’t repeat

[Meg]

I got the Dutch/Lionhead mix today!!  I’m so thrilled.  I met the Netherland and she was cute, but I just felt that my heart had already been stolen by the other one.  So we drove right back to the other shelter and got her!  She’s the 9-month-old, and I’m so glad that I got her — emboldened by your advice!  Thank you so much!!  She’s just so beautiful and wonderful and perfect.    Here she is!

 

I’m sooo thrilled, I can’t express it: my first bunny, and what a cutie!!  I think I’m going to name her Athena Alea (an Arcadian epithet of Athena), in honor of the lightning pattern on her shoulder (Athena was the one female wielder of thunderbolts) and her Lionhead heritage (Athena’s helmet is sometimes pictured with a lioness on it, and Alea reminds me of Leo).  She’s so beautiful and brave, I wanted a properly majestic name for her. 

Thank you so much for all your help!!!  I might otherwise have been scared off by her age, but I really do feel she is the perfect bunny for me (and she seems quite grown-up, too).  Thank you!! 

— Meg and Athena

[Beka27]

SHE IS GORGEOUS! Congrats! What a sweetie pie!

Also, that’s a great idea NIC gridding up your books on the bottom shelf! Unattended bookshelves tend to be bunny playgrounds… lots of chewables at their level! Good job!

[Meg]

Thank you so much!! I couldn’t be happier with her. Thanks a million for your help and encouragement!!

[jerseygirl]

Oh congrats! What a fab and fitting name for her – she certainly has a unique look and v cute! Look at the setup that was already there waiting for her!!!! Man, were you ready!

[RabbitPam]

I read this thread and can’t believe I didn’t respond yet, because I was hoping that you would go with her – your “first” love. It’s wonderful that you got her, and her name is lovely. I like your condo – she is brave, up there on the top shelf!
She’s a lucky bunny.

[MooBunnay]

I agree with Rabbitpam – what a lucky bunny she is! She has a fantastic cage and a knowledgeable bunny owner – I wish every bunny could be that lucky

I think you will be very happy with your choice – I have always heard great things about Dutch bunnies, that they are very smart and have a lot of personality. I do have two netherland dwarf mixes myself, and I love them, but they are a bit more skittish than the rest of my bunnies, which I think is pretty understandable considering how tiny they are.

I’m looking forward to hearing more about your bun and seeing more photos! Oh, and good point Rabbitpam – look at her up there on the top shelf! She’s already surveying HER new territory.

[Meg]

Thank you so much, both of you!! I really appreciate it. I’m thoroughly thrilled and kinda scared too (being a new bunny servant, and knowing how complex they are and how much I have to learn, what a big responsibility it is), and your support means so much. Thank you!!

[Sarita]

She’s beautiful. Congratulations!

[MimzMum]

What a gorgeous bun! 0_0 Congratulations on becoming her mum! She does look lovely and isn’t it great how something like this just ‘clicks?’ ^_^ How wonderful for both of you!
*ahem* Now of course you DO know that a primary requirement of posting here is that MANY pix of your bunny must be posted as well, yes? (I’m sure it’s in the rules somewhere.)

Okay, I’ll stop being smart aleck-y and just say we’d love to see more of Athena when you have time. She is a most unique bunny!

[BinkyBunny]

Congratulations!! I ditto moobunnay, I wish all first-time owners researched and prepared as much as you did. What a great job! And congratulations to her for getting such a great human! I can’t wait to hear more about her as you get to know her more.

[Meg]

Aw, thank you so much!!  Athena is settling in well.  She’s still easily scared especially if I have something in my arms (changing my appearance to her), but she’s fun and playful and is getting bossier as well as more affectionate during our evening playtimes.    And she uses her litter box impeccably!  (Well, she does like to move her litter box out of the way and just pee right onto the wall (lol), but as long as I can keep it fastened into her chosen corner, we’re fine. 

I don’t have too many pictures yet, as I don’t want to weird her out by using the camera too much early on, but here’s one of her after remodeling her own condo:

Sorry it’s not very close up.  I’ll post more once I have better ones. 

[jerseygirl]

SHe’s very well looked after. You’ll have to post some close ups of her in the Lounge when she & you are ready!

[Meg]

Hi all!  I know this is a super old thread, but it’s the one that convinced me to get my most amazing bunny girl all those years ago, and I just wanted to say thank you.  She lived a long and healthy, happy life right up until this morning, and her adorableness and sweetness and affection made me tear up with joy on a daily basis.  I remember how incredulous I felt when I first brought her home: there’s a REAL LIVE BUNNY RABBIT in here!!?!?!?!  and that feeling never went away! 

I adopted her single thinking I couldn’t afford two bunnies while in grad school (which may have been accurate, but oh well ;9), and that I’d get her a friend once I finished school 3 years later.  But 3 *months* later, I broke down and we got Teddy, her BFF, with whom she had an instant bond.  He is still with us, and they celebrated their 9th bunniversary last month.  Their sweet, peaceful, steadfast, generous love for each other are truly a lesson to me.  

Teddy is an adorable and hilarious little flufflet and I love them both with all my heart.  But Athena and I have a special connection — I always felt we just “got” each other.  I don’t know how I will go through life without being able to pet her.  But I am so grateful for the long and very happy years we had together.  

And so grateful to you all for helping me to adopt her!! 

[Author]

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