How I got my bunny.

[tech]

How I got my bunny..

 A couple of weeks ago I got two rabbits and they have been living outdoor in my garden, they don’t seem to like me as I have to run around for hours trying to catch them using lethal force (broomsticks, boxes, etc). after i catch them i bring them inside they’re still shaking and even scared to eat or poo, so i decided to get over them >.>.

Meanwhile, i went to buy another rabbit but i wanted it for indoor, So i found a nice white helicopter ear rabbit, it was white but his eyes were red and scary.. but i said why not let’s try liking them, as i turn i see another brown rabbit with a descending color to white till it reaches his tummy, he stands and he looks at me and he licks the cage, as i try to go near him he licks my hands and my whole arms, he puts his hands on top of my arm and he starts licking them, so i was happy, therefore i did not know what that meant.. (this is all today btw) so i take him home with a nice cage and food and vitamins, he starts licking me whenever he sees my hands. i started googling it and it says that he likes me, is that true?

+ he is not afraid of me but he will not come outside the cage i do not know why im trying to bond with him. im feeling some love for him though 😮

I’m still wondering on how many times i should feed him in a day and how much? he is small to medium-sized so between a scale from 1-10 i’d say 5. His ears are long and he is cute.

Paid $38 for the bunny, $30 for the cage, its like 6 times the rabbits size, $10 for the vitmains, and $10 for hay.

Thanks guys

[Sarita]

Why didn’t you bring your outdoor rabbits in? What do you mean you decided to get over the outdoor rabbits?

[tech]

I caught them after a long run in my back yard, and i brought them in, they weren’t playful at all their hearts were racing and they were shaking, so i decided to get a new one and just leave those two rabbits playing in the backyard

[Sarita]

Well are you going to continue to care for them?

[tech]

Just food and water cause they have unlimited access to grass. they should be fine and even happier than they were around me.

[MissGabbster]

I’m a bit confused about this situation. How did the rabbits get into your backyard? Are they spayed/neutered?

Here are some links that should help you out with feeding.

Diet FAQ by the House Rabbit Society.
Suggested Vegetables List by the HRS.
My personal safe foods list. (Based on the HRS suggested fruit and veg list among others.)

[tech]

A friend of my moms gave them to us, so we put them in the backyard, and i have no idea if they’re spay/neutered.

[LongEaredLions]

You do need to get those bunnies out of your backyard. They are domesticated, have no idea how to care for themselves, and could easily fall prey to a predator. Bring them inside, it’s not that they don’t like you, they just are very nervous. They will have a better life inside.

[Bam]

It takes time for rabbits to start to trust you. Until they do, they are very afraid. Afraid animals (and people) are not playful or affectionate, they try to run and hide. Please be compassionate, try to imagine yourself in their places. You are big and they are small. Caring for a rabbit and having it learn to trust you is very rewarding. It can help make you a better person (we can all need to become better persons.)

I hope you’ll bring the 2 first rabbits indoors and begin the slow and patience-demanding but ever so gratifying task of getting to know them and letting them get to know you. Please report back about them.

[MoveDiagonally]

I agree with everyone else.

I think you should bring all your bunnies inside and get them vet care. If the two that are living together aren’t spayed/neutered and are of opposite gender you’re going to have even more rabbits on your hands. Left uncheck a breeding pair can produce A LOT of babies… And then the babies will begin to breed and you can be looking at potentially 100’s of rabbits.

I suggest checking out our bunny info pages:
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/Default.aspx

[tech]

I want to deal with my indoor rabbit that I got first, I’m having trouble making him trust me, can you please help me make it easier, where do i place him, i am currently keeping him on my desk and i just chill with my laptop there but he only just takes a look outside he won’t come outside, i placed him on the ground he went for a nice run inside my room but i had difficulties trying to catch him seeing as he didn’t like me anymore.. how long will it take (in days) for him to finally let me touch him etc without him being afraid?

[MissGabbster]

I’m with everyone else.

As for getting your indoor rabbit to like you…well it just takes time and a whole lot of patience on your part. It might be tempting to grab your rabbit and give him loves but if he doesn’t trust you these actions are just fueling that distrust. Most rabbits dislike being held, as well, because in the wild the only time they’re picked up is when they’re about to become food. Petting also has to be on their terms. Rabbits don’t like to feel trapped or restrained in any way.

What do you have set up for him? A lot of members on here have X-Pens or NIC Condos set up for their rabbits as store bought cages tend to be much smaller then required. I’d try getting him his own space where he can feel safe. Once you have a nice set up for him you can sit outside his area and just talk to him or read him a book. You could even sit on your laptop and just talk about what you’re doing on there.

I don’t think it can be said enough times, but seriously, let that rabbit have some space! He’s just been brought into a new environment, which is scary enough without being constantly grabbed and manhandled.

I’d get them all into the vets ASAP. MD’s already said it but a breeding pair can produce a lot of babies. If you cannot adequately care for all your rabbits financially and emotionally then I’d suggest taking them (I’m mainly talking about the outdoor pair here) to a no kill shelter. And please, please do your research before bringing any new pets into your home.

[MoveDiagonally]

It can take weeks to months for a rabbit to start trusting you. Longer to build a good relationship with them. Some, probably most, rabbits aren’t snuggly and usually like affection on their own terms. They are prey animals and like to be on the floor. The best way to bond with your rabbit will be to get down on their level. How is your indoor bunny currently housed? It’s best for them to have a good sized (4′ X 2′ minimum enclosure) on the floor so they can go in and out without you having to pick them up. It’s okay if they don’t come out a lot on their own at first because they are likely still getting comfortable.

You really do need to address the outdoor bunny issue ASAP. If they are not spayed/neutered and are male/female you’re going to have a very bad situation on your hands in terms of breeding. They are also not safe outdoors and even less safe without a proper enclosure. Keeping rabbits loose in a yard is really irresponsible. They are likely scared when you bring them indoors because it’s a new situation and again rabbits are prey animals. They need time to adjust to being housed indoors.

Feeding recommendations are based on weight and age. I would really suggest you take some time and read the links that I and other members have provided you. They explain diet, habitat, ect… And will answer a lot of your questions.

[Tessie]

The other have all said it perfectly.

They won’t like you instantly, it takes a few weeks to build trust. Rabbits never like to be chased, and hardly ever like to be held. MissGabbster said it well, just sit near them, let them get used to you.

The ones outside haven’t done anything wrong, and they can’t survive on their own! Give them another chance, bring them into the house and try and let them get to know you. If you really don’t want them anymore you need to take them to a shelter.

[MissD]

You can’t just “get over” the other two rabbits in your backyard and leave them to fend for themselves. They’re domesticated, they can’t survive on their own. If you don’t want them, take them to a shelter. Give them a chance to find a good home, they’ve done nothing wrong. I’m sorry but giving up on pets because they’re not playful and scared sounds a bit immature to me. So what will you do with the new one if you don’t bond with him to your satisfaction? Did you actually research rabbits before you got them, you’ve got three now and you are responsible for all of them.

I’ve had my boy Buddy for almost 18 months and my girl Hannah for 6. Bud still won’t let me stroke him unless he feels like it, and Hannah is afraid of me most of the time because she wasn’t around people much before I adopted her. That’s the way they are. It takes time to gain their trust. The only time Bud let me pick him up was when he was ill almost a year ago, I haven’t picked him up since. They are happy with each other and play together all the time and I love watching them do that without getting involved. Just give your buns as much time as they need and enjoy them. It is totally worth it. My favourite thing to do is laying on the floor watching my rabbits hopping around me without touching them. Try it, your new bunny is probably scared and needs to get used to you and the new surroundings. You need to get the other two indoors asap too.

[Freckle's Mom]

The fact that you used lethal force in the first place would have terrified them. They would not have been able to calm down right after they were caught! They need time.
Your new bunny, however, I agree with what the others said. You need a lot of time and patients to begin the process of him trusting you. Get down on his level and let him come to you on his terms, not your terms.

[BrunosMama]

To be honest, when I first read this post, I thought it was just a joke or someone trolling.

Since all of the common sense advice has been given out quite well, all that’s left to say is – wow, really?

Seriously, learn some responsibility and do some homework before taking on another life to care for. Situations like this are exactly why animal shelters are overrun.

[Author]

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