Hello everybody!

[Willow_Bunny]

Hi! My name is Kelsey and I just recently became a first time rabbit owner to my beautiful Willow. Being so new to this I wanted to plug into a community as early as possible so that I could get all the possible advice. I have been wanting a Rabbit for quite some time and have been spending a few months researching and planning. I have the Rabbits for Dummies book and adore it. I’ve hardly set it down for a minute, but I know nothing can beat actual experience.

Here is a little bit about Willow. I’m speculating that she is close to a year old, though not quite due to her size, and is some kind of Rex. I’m not sure if she’s a mini or not. It was truly love at first sight and from the first moment I held her I just new that she was the bun for me. She has everything she needs and, because I have spent so much time reading and researching, I think she has a great setup (I will try to post pictures later).

But I’m a little concerned. Call it first week jitters, or whatever but I have no idea what to expect. So far she has hidden herself under her second story ‘safely’ out of sight. I haven’t tried to force her out and she has peeked her head out at me once. Right now she is secluded in my quiet bedroom away from our dogs and the craziness of our main living space and I have walked in on her, though she was quick to scurry back to her hiding spot. But I can’t be sure how much she has eaten and drank.

What should I expect for the first 24 hours? When should I start establishing trust between us?

Thanks for everything.

Kelsey & Willow

[LongEaredLions]

Welcome! How exciting, a new bunny! How wonderful you are doing tons of research-Good Job!
First-week (or even a few week) jitters are normal! She has just been brought to a new environment, and is very nervous (rightly so!) I would let her settle in for a few days, and after that, begin talking to her when you are nearby, and sit by the cage quietly, offering some healthy treats. Eventually, you can coax her out of the cage, and let her explore you while you lay on the floor. Once again, treats are the best bonding tool!
For today, just kind of leave her alone, but just go about your normal routine in the room, so she will get used to it. I know it will be hard, but try to resist the temptation to touch or pet her. Just make sure she has plenty of food. While she may not be pooping now, if you see no poop in 12+ hours you may want to ring the vet. In a week or so, it would be a good idea to take her to the vets for a well-bunny check up.
Willow sounds like a darling. I would love to see pictures of her. Here is a link to a forum explaining how to upload pictures: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx
Welcome again!

[Willow_Bunny]

I definitely have plans to take her to a vet to get her properly sexed and checked over. But I do want to give her time to settle in. I want to limit what traumatizes her. Though, I don’t think I’ll be the one struggling to leave her alone. Lol, my family already adores her (especially my 12 year old brother), which will be great later down the road when I’m away at work. But I have set down some ground rules (he can look but not touch) while I’m away.

But, I did hear her rustling around this morning and woke up to see some pee-pee in her litter box (yay). I do have her hay set up near and in the box so I feel good at least knowing that she may have eaten something.

Until the weekend she’ll be left alone and given time to relax. I did try and take a picture of her but I ended up busting up laughing at how terrified she was. Once I figure out how to post it I will (but the link you posted is broken).

Also, one more quick question. Should I introduce veggies? I want to see how she does with romaine but I don’t want to shock her system, especially since she hasn’t eaten anything other than a few nibbles of hay. She has her pellets set out but, I guess what I’m really eluding to is, would fresh veggies encourage her to eat? I read that she needs about a half of a cup right now daily and I want to start this as soon as possible.

Thanks again, so much.

Kelsey & Willow

[Willow_Bunny]

Just a quick update. I came home to a completely different Willow today. She was perked up, eating, drinking, and investigating her surroundings. She even poo’d (yay!!). Needless to say I am a very happy mama.

[Nora]

Welcome! Glad to hear that Willow is settling into her new home.

I would recommend just hanging out on the floor near her and letting her investigate you. I used to play games on my phone to let Pippin come check me out (nowadays he just ignores me unless he wants pets!) or even read a book. Hand-feeding could also be a good way to bond, although it may take her a while to be comfortable to do that.

Sounds like you are well-researched and a very loving bunny momma!

[SpottyBunny]

Congrats on your first bun! Glad she’s perked up and seems to be more active. I had a mini rex as a kid and I remember the ridiculously soft fur.

[Willow_Bunny]

Thanks for the advice! Right now I’m trying to figure out which veggies she likes. She seems fond of carrots (but I only give them to her as a treat) and enjoys chewing on one over the course of the day but hasn’t taken any from my hands. Right now I’m trying out romaine to see how she likes that, it’s hard to tell if she’s taken to it or not. But otherwise, she is excellent! She’s surprisingly bold and, when my hand is in the cage (refilling pellets, checking her hay, etc) she always comes over to investigate my hand. She’ll even bop it with her little head! As I’m typing I’m trying to coax her out of her cage and she has ventured out a little but never far enough to fully explore the room. She just hops out, stands on her hind legs for a bit and hops right back in. It’s quite cute. Anyway she is doing quite well for only being her such a short while and already I’m sooo in love with her! And yes, her fur is incredibly soft.

[Author]

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