Just introducing myself and my bunny!

[MagpieBunnies]

Hey everybody,

Just introducing myself and my new bunny, Hemi. I adopted/rescued him (not really sure which to call it) from a local family earlier this week. I absolutely love him to pieces. The poor little guy definitely needed to be spoiled more though, I got him with the cage, bedding (which was cedar, I had a minor panic attack), a food dish, and water bottle. First thing I did was run to the pet store and bought new litter, some Timothy Hay, a rolling hay ball, a grass cave/den, and a litter box. He’s still a bit shy, but I’ve narrowed that down to him just needing time to adjust. First day I had him my heart broke, all his did was cower in the back of his cage. He’d get all excited when people came into the room and then when we’d go up to the cage he’d remember that he’s supposed to be scared and hide in his den.

The family told me that he’s six months old, but didn’t know the breed. From what I can see and eliminate he’s definitely part Lionhead. He’s not aggressive at all, no growling or headbutting. He’ll let you pet him and give him a massage but if you move the wrong way or too quickly he’s out of reach in the blink of an eye. He comes up to my roommate and I and will nose our legs or arms, he’s crawled onto my lap once, but as soon as we move to look at him or pet him he’s off like a rocket. I’m really hoping that he’ll let me pick him up by this weekend because his nails haven’t been trimmed in forever. I can already tell that he’s not going to make that very easy. If anybody has any pointers let me know.

Other than being really shy and his nails, the little guy is an angel. He ventured out of his cage on the second day and was runnin and climbing on everything. He definitely falls under the curious rabbit category. Though, now he thinks HE rules to roost and gets to decide when it’s time for bed and when it’s time for me to wake up in the morning and let him out for his morning adventures.  The little bugger.

My roommate and I are still trying to figure out what toys and treats he likes. He’s not very helpful to say the least, but we think its cute when we find his toilet paper roll and his apple wood stick in his den but the new toys we give him are push in a corner into a pile all by themselves.

Also, if anybody has litterbox training tips, they would be much appreciated. I’ve removed the bedding from the cage and only have litter in the litterbox to avoid confusion. Yet, Hemi still decides that the litterbox is only to pee in and will poop on the floor of his cage. And not in his usual “spots”, he does it right in the middle. Not quite sure what to do about that.

We can already tell though that we’re going to have a blast with this little guy. He provides us with much entertainment during the hours we don’t have class.

Tootles!

 

[Sarita]

Welcome! He sounds cute. As for litterbox training – is he neutered yet?

[MagpieBunnies]

I’m not sure. One of my friends is in his last two years of vet school for small animals and he said he might be able to tell, otherwise I’ll have to just take him to the vet. Which I have no problem doing, the family didn’t tell me much. I’m assuming they got him from a pet store.  Not sure if they automatically alter the bunnies that go to the pet store though.

[Monkeybun]

It is very very rare that pet store bunnies are altered.

[Huckleberry]

He sounds adorable. He will probably grow less shy as time goes by. Try laying still and quiet on the floor and just let him explore you. As for litter training, toss his poops into the box as often as possible. He will get the idea soon. I have heard that being neutered helps. When you take him to the vet, they may clip his nails for you. That way the first time its done isn’t during the time when he is learning to trust you.

[LoveChaCha]

What a fluffy ball!
Yes, he is old enough to be neutered
A good food brand is Oxbow, or any other foods without the additives.

[cactuspancake]

wow he’s adorable

[brittbritt]

We just brought home our first family bunny about two weeks ago and I just started slowly with Gabby as to not overwhelm her. I would lay on my stomach in the laundry room she is in and she would come up to sniff my face and hands. I would slowly massage her back and face. She started liking it and would come up to my ankles when I would walk in the room and allow me to pet her while I was standing over her. Now she stands at the gate and looks pitifully to come out and play with us in the living room.

She is not spayed yet so we’re still having problems always using the litter box. I spot clean it daily and get the area she pees in and get most of the poops out. Then I sprinkle fresh hay on top as an incentive to sit in it and use it.

I can’t wait to see pictures of your new bun.

[jerseygirl]

Welcome : ) Hemi looks like a cutey from your avi picture! It’s such a great thing seeing these prey animals coming to trust you and be more relaxed in the home. It can take some time but it’s worth it.

With litter training, all pee in the box is really good. Pooping out of the box can die down a bit after they feel they’ve marked the territory. Where have you placed him timothy hay? Rabbits poop where they eat their hay, so by putting in the litter box or positioned in a rack over the litter box helps keep those poop piles contained.

[lashkay]

Welcome! Hemi is adorable! Congratulations! That’s great that he’s wetting in the litterbox, a big hurdle overcome. Like the others say, keep placing his poops in the litterbox as well and he’ll probably begin to catch on. More pictures when you have a chance!

[MagpieBunnies]

Here’s the pictures everyone wanted to see!  Hemi has been doing great, he’s finally started relaxing a bit. Yesterday, my roommate had him out of his cage and was letting him play and I came back from class and he was sprawled out on his side on the fuzzy carpet napping, that is until he realized I was home and it was dinner time. The second picture is him next to my laptop, not a very good reference but that sort of gives you an idea on how big his is.

 

  

 

Those are just a few, I’m sure there will be plenty more to come

[Beka27]

Watch him with cords!!!

All it takes is for you to look away for a second and that cord is snipped it two!!!!!

[MagpieBunnies]

Yup. its just the ethernet cord to my laptop. All the cords were bunny proofed last night once my roommate and I found that he’s a curious little bun.

[CarlieL]

Oh my goodness he is so stinkin cute!!! He sounds like a fun bun too. Congratulations!

[MagpieBunnies]

Just giving a quick update and a few more pics of Hemi!  He’s adjusting nicely. Got his wellness check from the vet yesterday and he’s in tip-top shape. He wasn’t “speaking” to me for a couple days after the whole broken nail incident, and I don’t think he was too happy about going to the vet. But he’s been up and running around today and getting into mischief.

He plays this new game with me where he’ll dig into the carpet and I’ll scratch my fingers on the carpet near him and he’s nose my hand away and dig where I was scratching. When I stop he just looks up at me with this face that’s just so adorable.  Though, he’s actually acquired this new habit of “if i nudge mom hard enough she’ll stop doing her homework and pet me”… Such a stinker but we’re bonding well!

His new favorite toy, other than his fleece rug that he loves to nap on is bowls.  No idea why, but he likes to climb into them, push them around, flip them over, etc etc.

  

Sorry for the blurry one! He was hunting bits of baby carrots in this little adventure.

[lashkay]

If Hemi likes a bunch of empty bowls to flip over, investigate….and occasionally, some FILLED ones LOL, more power to you. Looks like you’ve found a good toy for him. He’s adorable, as you know, just affirming it! He does look part lionhead, my favorite breed. (I have 2 lionheads).lol

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