I’m new!

[OwnedbyStanley]

So I recently got a bunny that I love to bits and am constantly researching how to have a happy bunny- which seems to be working so far! I decided to join here because everytime I googled a question about rabbits, it would lead me to this place for good advice. 

There is a lot of mixed information about there and I was wondering if anyone knew any myths or tips that would be useful for me? 

[Serenity]

Hello Stanley! It’s great to have you! There are lots of conflicting views on here but personally I think it’s the best bunny site out there. Every time I’ve had a health problem/behaviour question etc. I’ve always gotten quick, precise answers. I’ve cured an ear infection, rabbit aggression, two eye infections and bonded bunnies using this site, so its definitely great. As for tips and myths?
You probably already knew this but just to confirm, rabbits should eat MOSTLY hay. An adult rabbit (depending on breed) only needs about a quarter cup of pellets a day, maybe less if he/she is a dwarf or smaller breed. Other foods such as carrots, raising, grapes etc. should be strictly limited and treated like candy for them. There’s also the fact that most people don’t think they need a lot of food. Again, a myth as wild rabbits usually have large meadows so give them as much room as possible.
A tip I’ve found useful is rabbits are MUCH easier to train than most people think. Most are eager to learn when there are treats around so I’ve taught mine to jump on command, spin in circles, stand up, lay down etc. with only a few weeks of practice and a couple small bags of raisins. If you’ve got questions or just wanna talk rabbits this is the place to do it!

[Bunny]

Hi Stanley, I’m new here too, it looks like a great community of knowledgeable bunny owners…

[OwnedbyStanley]

Thanks, and that’s an impressive set of tricks! I’m planning to teach Stanley tricks soon, I’ve had to wait because I had to introduce veg and fruit first but he has managed to litter train himself from day one! Have you got any tips or videos for training?

[OwnedbyStanley]

Your bunny is so cute! What breed is he/she?

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Welcome to the forum! Your fluff is very cute ^_^

One of the most stubborn myths is that rabbits are very tame, low-maintenance, and excellent starter pets for little children. This leads to many a nasty surprise, because rabbits are neither of the three.

Rabbit owners know that rabbits each have their personality and that they’re very outspoken. A rabbit has strong opinions about what it wants and doesn’t want. It may bite, scratch and struggle fiercely if held tightly against its wish.

Also, rabbits need yearly vet care from a specialised rabbit vet. Vet visits can be extremely costly, especially if the rabbit has a medical condition.
Plus, rabbits need at least 3 hours of supervised out-of-cage play time. All in all, they need more care than a cat, and about as much care as a dog. (Except that you don’t need to walk them.)

Rabbits thrive in a calm household because they’re a prey species and easily startled. Little children often want to play with a pet, or hold it tightly and cuddle it to bits. Rabbits don’t go in for that and may fight back when not handled properly.

All these incorrect expectations lead to a lot of rabbit neglect and disappointed owners. This is why we applaud people who do their best to inform themselves about rabbits. They are wonderful pets in the right household and with the right owners.

[Luna]

Hi! Stanley looks like a sweetheart . One tip that literally saved Luna’s life is to know the signs (and causes) of gastrointestinal stasis. Recovery from stasis is more likely when it is caught early, so it’s important to recognize the signs. Another tip is that even though a food/treat may be sold in the pet store, it doesn’t mean it is ok for your bun (ie. yogurt drops and the trail-mix-looking stuff are bad).

[Serenity]

Oh yes! Actually, MOST of the stuff sold in pet stores or stores in general are BAD if they’re sold as bunny treats/food. If you’re gonna feed him something that’s labeled for rabbits, I would stick to just pellets and hay. For one thing, rabbit treats are extremely expensive and very bad for your bunny. Instead things like fresh fruits (strawberries, grapes, carrots, papya etc.) are much better and frankly, less pricey. Also, store-bought hutches are often advertised as being able to hold more than one rabbit but most really are too small for just one. The long and short of it is, I guess, don’t buy rabbit stuff from general stores such as walmart, vons, 99 cent store, they’re mostly just bad news. Stick to the stuff at Ranch stores or pet supply stores.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Another harmful myth: rabbits are always pictured with whole carrots. Carrots are healthy veggies, so that’s good for them, right?
Of course rabbits find them very tasty, but they contain quite a lot of sugar. A rabbit’s guts and gut flora are made to digest grass and leafy greens, and eating too much sugar, starch or grain can easily lead to severe illness.

A small slice of carrot is an excellent treat, but giving a whole carrot is like giving a toddler a whole bar of chocolate. Best case scenario is a massive case of the runs. Worst case scenario is that their gut flora goes wild, causing stasis or extremely painful gas episodes. These are medical emergencies: when a rabbit’s gut stops completely, it usually doesn’t start up again.

So about carrots: they’ll love the carrot tops, but go very easy on the carrot itself.

As you can see: there are many harmful myths about rabbits. It’s getting a bit better over time, but most people have no idea about how to properly handle, feed or house a rabbit.

[Serenity]

Oooh, yes, that’s an important one, Ellie, thanks for mentioning! Another myth (one you likely already know) is that rabbits usually do NOT like to be picked up, or held or cuddled. Of course, there are some exceptions to this. I have one rabbit, Hermione, who will not leave me alone until I pick her up for cuddles and kisses. She’ll lay her head on my shoulder and fall asleep there if I pet her long enough. But her mate, Fred, is her polar opposite. He MUCH prefers to be left on the ground with maybe a stroke or two and is content to lay next to you as long as there is limited contact. All rabbits are different. Since you’ve only had your bun for a few weeks by now it’s probably best that you not try to pick him up unless absolutely necessary. Let him get used to you, acquainted with your smell and presence then gradually you can start holding him more and cuddling him. He might never be comfortable with it, as some rabbits are, but if you’re patient enough he will likely come to love you and cuddles.

[OwnedbyStanley]

No problems there: He doesn’t like carrots! ?

[Katie]

Whaaaaat!?   A bun who doesn’t like carrots?  Strange!  Lol, anyhow.  Welcome!  I also ended up here due to Googling; everything I looked up led me here.  I am also rather new here (a few months on here) and a new, first time bun owner!  Best of luck to both of us, lol.  Look forward to seeing you more around the forum!

[Author]

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