Introduction and Questions

[FuegaNetsah]

Hello! My name is Donna and the black fuzzy who stampedes the camera each time I try to take a picture of him is Oren de Zomer *aka Oren*. He is a 7 month old Holland Lop. I got him from a local rabbitry here because he could not be in the rabbit shows because his nose is too long. I tell him his nose looks just fine. I moved from Ohio to Oregon a little over a year ago and my elderly cat decided to stay at my parents farm. My housemate is allergic to cats and I wanted an animal companion. So I thought, hey a rabbit is kind of like a cat *pauses so everyone can chuckle at me*. Yup, I was very wrong. I have had him for 5 months now. I still have loads of questions and I am hoping that you all can give me some answers.

1. How much do they actually sleep? I never see him sleep. Do they do it more during the day?

2. Do they shed more in the winter? When it started to get colder here, he started shedding like crasy. Tip, never kiss bun while wearing lip gloss. Could it be something else?

3. How much do they play with their toys? I have gotten him loads of toys and he doesn’t seem to be overly interested in them.

4. How can you tell when it is good to introduce a second bun? I come home from work on breaks, pet and talk to him. I swear though, when I start to go out the door he gives me this "where are you going" look. So I have been thinking of getting him a companion.

5. He has been a terror about the litter box training. After he got fixed he is doing a little better, he has two boxes one in his cage and one big one behind the cage. He uses them but he also spots everywhere around his cage. Luckily, we never had a problem with him spraying outside his box. Even during puperty he was good about it, my elbow however still feels violated but that is another story. Any advise? 

6. He has other little oddities, wondering if they are normal or just quirks. He likes to sit in front of the fan, the loud noisy fan. I put the box fan on the floor and he lays in front of it. Also, when I give him his dinner he will either wait until I come into my room on the computer to start eating or if I am in the living room he starts bringing his lettuce over to the doorway to watch me and eat. Normal? No?

[FuegaNetsah]

Sorry, first post is so long. Can you all see the photo?

[Lucy]

bunnies are odd creatures.

no, I don’t see a photo.

oh, and WELCOME TO BINKYBUNNY!!! I have learned a lot on this site.

So I’ll answer just a few of your questions..

1. I can’t tell you how much they sleep, but I’ve only seen my bunny sleep a few times since I’ve gotten him. Some bunnies wil sleep during the day- in a “flop” posistion. They look like the are dead. Fujoe sometimes does that but then he’ll remember it’s daylight and get right back up. I suggest getting a cardboard box and cutting a hole in it so your bunny has a dark place to go.

2. Bunnies have molting sessions- though I don’t know when they are, I think it depends per bunny. Most of us on this site experienced a molt near the begining of winter. All within a few weeks of of eachother. I had a really bad molt in November and freaked out. He had some long patches of fur and some sort- it was odd, but normal. Fujoe is shedding all of the time though. It’s good to groom them a lot, that and to feed them papaya tablets. Binky Bunny sells them on this site, I got some chewable ones at GNC- they aid in moving the fur along.

3. Bunnies are picky toy players. They sometimes do and sometimes don’t play. GO to the Toy Test forum and look around there. You’ll find lots of suggestions. Your bunny might be a digger, or a chewer, or a noise maker. I find that I might get Fujoe a toy and he’ll play with it at the beginning, and then totally leave it alone for weeks at a time before discovering it again. Cardboard is always a good toy.

4. I don’t know when is a good time to introduce another bunny. I’m working on that one right now. You’ll have to bunny date at a shelter and have your bunny pick a friend… there’s a bonding section on this site, and I’m sure one of the many people on this site who work at shelters can help you out there.

hope i could be of a little assistance. enjoy binkybunny!

[dmh426]

Posted By FuegaNetsah on 02/03/2007 9:09 AM

1. How much do they actually sleep? I never see him sleep. Do they do it more during the day?

Ok, I’ve NEVER seen Sophie sleep. Never Sometimes she closes her eyes and does the bunny drool thing on my arm or a pillow, but she moves around so I know she’s awake.

2. Do they shed more in the winter? When it started to get colder here, he started shedding like crasy. Tip, never kiss bun while wearing lip gloss. Could it be something else?

Bunnies shed a few times a year. I live in Upstate New York, let me remind you that the Chevy Chase movie "Snow Day" took place in my hometown of Syracuse if that tells you anything about our weather. I have noticed that she seems to have a big shed right around the time the snow starts to fall, and then another big shed in the spring when the snow stops.

3. How much do they play with their toys? I have gotten him loads of toys and he doesn’t seem to be overly interested in them.

Some bunnies don’t do toys. Sophie is one of those bunnies. But, she loves her Critter Cottage, has a fetish for cardboard, and loves rearrnanging and bunching up an old towel that is her blankie. Also, she loves chewing on Mommy’s Pottery Barn baskets and I finally got her some apple tree branches which she loves, and it’s good for her teeth.

4. How can you tell when it is good to introduce a second bun? I come home from work on breaks, pet and talk to him. I swear though, when I start to go out the door he gives me this "where are you going" look. So I have been thinking of getting him a companion.

I’m going through the same problem! Sophie has been a solo bunny since her birth practically and am considering taking her on a few "dates" at Spring Farm Bunny Sanctuary to see if she finds a boyfriend. I feel bad everytime I leave her and think she’d be happier with a companion, but I don’t want it to change our bond because she and I have this amazing thing going on between us.

5. He has been a terror about the litter box training. After he got fixed he is doing a little better, he has two boxes one in his cage and one big one behind the cage. He uses them but he also spots everywhere around his cage. Luckily, we never had a problem with him spraying outside his box. Even during puperty he was good about it, my elbow however still feels violated but that is another story. Any advise? 

The marking outside the cage could be a territorial thing. I’ve got a little girl bunny, so I didn’t really have this issue, but when she goes someplace new the first thing she does is spread her poops around! Make the litterbox a fun place for Oren. Put in some hay in one corner of the litterbox and I’ll bet he starting munching (and pooping) away.

6. He has other little oddities, wondering if they are normal or just quirks. He likes to sit in front of the fan, the loud noisy fan. I put the box fan on the floor and he lays in front of it. Also, when I give him his dinner he will either wait until I come into my room on the computer to start eating or if I am in the living room he starts bringing his lettuce over to the doorway to watch me and eat. Normal? No?

Sophie waits until I get on the phone until she wants some attention. Reading a book is like running a race in the Olympics. She’s like a kid. Doesn’t want Mommy’s attention until mommy’s attention is not on her! She likes the fan too! I think a lot of bunnies like the vibration. I read that somewhere…

Hope this helps a little!

[FuegaNetsah]

Molting! Well that explains that. I was starting to get worried, pet him in one place and there is a big pile of him left on the floor once he hoped away.

Have been trying some different things as far as toys, he is a chewer and a shredder.
The answers have been a big help. I did forget a question that I have been seeing different answers on in different resources. When I am holding him *which he doesn’t like so much* or rubbing his cheeks, it feels like he is grinding his teeth. Is this a bad thing and upset “stop doing this I hate it” gesture?

[osprey]

The gentle tooth grinding or "purring" indicates that you bun is enjoying you petting him.  It kind of feels like a low buzz when your hands are on a purring bun.  If he were unhappy, he’d either squirm away or nip to indicate that he wants to go down.

[dmh426]

If it was a “I hate this- stop it”thing, you would know. Tooth grinding is a way they show contentment. Most buns love their cheeks being rubbed. To get him used to you, and being held, spend some time on the floor playing on his level. he will be more comfortable and definitely appreciate it. Lay next to him and pet him. Eventually, this should make it easier when he’s being held. It’s a trust thing.

[Gravehearted]

welcome to binky bunny FuegaNetsah! we’re delighted your here. it looks like you’ve already gotten a lot of helpful answers already 🙂

rabbits are really social – so he likely wants to eat with you 🙂 i notice that whenever we eat, our bunnies get munchie too.

As far as litterbox training goes – you might try limiting his area until he gets the hang of it. It’s often good to add more litter boxes and then over time as his litterbox habits improve you can expand his running space.

most bunnies are happier with a friend. It’s good that Oren is already neutered, since it’s best to try and introduce a second bunny if both are spayed / neutered. The important thing to keep in mind, is that pairings usually go better if your bunny picks out his new friend. I really hope you’ll consider visiting a rescue when you’re ready to consider a new friend. A rescue will help you with bunny dating and generally have a lot of helpful advice on bonding.

some Oregon rescue groups:
http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/oregon/
http://www.adoptarabbit.com/

[BinkyBunny]

Looks like everyone has given you great information.  Here’s some more info!

EDITED TO MAKE MY THIS READABLE – What a mess. I’m need more sleep.

SLEEP STUFF: As far as how many hours a rabbit gets of sleep per day…that’s a good question, so I asked that on etherbun, and will ask my vet next at Rucy’s next visit. I’ll keep you updated.

Most sleep and rest during the midday and sometime in the middle of the night.  Though rabbits are  crepuscular (active dusk & dawn), ,  they can actually become accustomed to your own schedule.   I think the reason for that is because the whole reason they are crepuscular is because that is when they are the safest, and what their vision is best suited for.  So it’s the best time to get up and do bunny things, like eat, play, mate etc etc.   But in our homes they can feel safe, and depending on the home, inside is a bit darker then being exposed to the big bright sunlight.  So, though they will remain dusk and dawn active, they can adjust that.

Bunnies can sleep with their eyes open, as well as while they are sitting up.   "Looking" like they’re alert, and being ready to run, even when  they’re asleep, is important for a prey animal.   However, my Jack, sleeps with his eyes closed and usually is fully flopped.  Bailey is more of an "alert" sleeper (since she’s queen and feels she must gaurd her palace from "evil" Rucy (her nemisis).  But even Bailey is beginning to sleep in a more relaxed position.

LITTER TRAINING:  It can take over a month for a bunny’s hormones to die down.   Also, do you have any other animals?  If not, then he is still making this place his home.  If what you are saying is he poop the piles in the box, and pees in his box, but just leaves random poops everywhere in his pen, then he is still establishing that it is his, and has nothing to do with not being littertrained.

There are things that can help you reinforce that his pen is HIS place.  (you may already do these things).  

• Let him come and go on his own.  If he is not willing to go back on his own then you can put him back right in front of the entrance and not allow him to escape anywhere except for into his cage.
• FOR NOW, try to resist reaching into his cage while he’s in there.  Clean and refill hay and food when he’s out.   One he feels he’s gotten the message to everyone that this is "his" place, his territorial poops should lessen
• Again, as his hormones die down, this should also get better in time.

If he is doing this around your house, you may need to do what others suggested and confine him more for now – if he has just a cage, you may want to get an xpen to allow him limited running space.

BRINGING IN A COMPANION:   How long has it been since the surgery?   (everyone has really offered good advice here too) 

 MOLTING:  This actually happens four times a year, two light, two heavy, however the first year of a bunny’s life you may see some extreme molting – usually the first is the heaviest.  Some bunnies have explosion molts where the hair can just easily be pulled out, and it happens over just a few days, while others gradually do it, and it can take weeks.

Other Oddities: Now we get into our bunnies” individual personalities. That’s the fun part!  The fan though makes sense  – Bunnies cool off by dilating the veins in their ears, and when wind passes over it, it cools the blood in their ears which then in turn helps cool off their body.  So i bet he is enjoying the cool breeze (especially if he’s molting – he may have some extra fur that is keeping him warm) Be sure to cover the electric cord. Many bunnies will chew on cords which can obviously hurt them if it’s higher in voltage (even if it’s alternating current like most homes)

Someone mentioned tooth grinding somewhere, and like everyone said, a soft tooth grind is like a purr. If it’s very loud, then it means aggitation and/or pain. But it really is very loud in comparison to the softer tooth grind (they also have sort of a blissful look on their face while purring)

I know I’ve posted here sort of late in the game and things may have improved already – How are things going now with litter training.

 

[poopy]

BB is right, they can come accustomed to your schedule. Mine go to sleep right when I do, usually around midnight when I turn the lights off they will settle down in their corner…they know they are going into a deep sleep. They know I am going to sleep because they see me in my bed and see that I’m not getting up. They wake up around 6am and jump on my bed to wake me up.

[poopy]

Oh Donna, I love your profile pic. Looks like a plushie!

[Author]

Messages