Hello all

[brittsplosions]

New to the forum and to the bunny world. I live in Misawa, Japan on an air force base with my husband and two boys. We just adopted a 3 year old lion head rabbit from a Japanese family that could no longer care for him. He is incredibly sweet and well behaved. I have a couple of questions that I can’t seem to find straight answers for. I know that these questions are probably overly asked, but if you could take the time I’d appreciate it.

1. Felix refuses to eat Timothy hay, we bought some orchard grass but I rarely see him snack on that as well. We give him fresh greens, pellets, and vegetables daily. Very few “snacks” or fruit. What are some tips on getting him to eat more?

2. His nose is currently wet and he has been sneezing quite a bit. It is clear liquid, kind of like a runny nose but no colored discharge anywhere else. I am concerned that he might have the snuffles, even though I could just be paranoid. We don’t have many vet options around here other than cat and dog vets..What’s your best advice on what to do?

3. The first couple of days he was in our new house, he was litter trained quite well. We keep him out almost all day most days because I stay at home with my children and can keep an eye on him. His litter habits have deteriorated over the past week and he uses the house as his litter box. We don’t put our hands in his cage and only clean out the cage when he is present and watching. When we catch him in the act, we place him in his cage and show him his poop, then put it in his litter box. I’m not sure if we have the right approach, if you could give me some tips it would help. :]

Thanks so much for taking the time to read all of this. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and your buns :]
feel free to add me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brittsplosions or search Brittany Kantack.

[Sarita]

Welcome. Is that your little guy in your avatar – he’s adorable!

1. For the hay – what is the amount of pellets you are giving him? Maybe reducing this could help. Orchard grass is perfectly fine too.

2. Snuffles is really just a catch all term for an URI. I think I wouldn’t be too concerned anyway as long as he is eating and otherwise doing well.

3. I would say continue confining him in a small space and then slowly allow him more room – it sounds like he is marking and this is normal really….it may be that once he marks his territory he will go back to the litter box – you can even try putting an extra box out for him while he is out and about.

[brittsplosions]

Thank you for the helpful answers!

[Author]

Messages