Lots Of Questions

[BunnyLiz]

Hi everyone im a new member and bunny owner. His name is Hammer because when he hops around my room his little feet are like tiny hammers. He is about 9  weeks old and adorable. Here’s the questions:

1. I give him lots of toys and things to chew on but im not sure about magazines. he doesnt eat them he just nibbles and tears out pages one at a time.  i tear out perfume adds but im unsure about the ink and gloss. are they okay?

2. Sometimes when we hold him we turn him on his belly. He doesnt seem to mind but i thought maybe he would be uncomfortable with this. Does anyones bunny like to be held and petted like this?

3. We just started introducing veggies, we have done carrots and sweet peppers so far. i know which ones are good and bad but are some better to start with then others? and about how much should he get a day to start with? thanks for the help.

[MarkBun]

Hi there!

1) There isn’t a consensus on what effect the gloss on magazine pages may do to a bun. Those of us who are a bit more protective though just give them old phone books. They’re definitely safe for buns and it takes them a while to go through them.

2) Buns have a self defense mechanism when they’re turned upside down. It is called ‘trancing’. Most people do this to put the rabbit into a calm state so that they can inspect their feet and so on. A few of us though believe that buns don’t like it – as trancing is what they do when a predator turns them over and is about to eat them. They go to their ‘happy place’. I have, however, seen some buns who remain alert when cradled like in your pic and in those cases, I feel that they don’t mind it. My two would rather tear my hand apart than let me turn them upside down.

3) Treats that are high in sugar (such as carrots and sweet peppers) should be given very sparingly. I personally feel that a baby carrot a day is okey but the experts will tell you that one or two a week is better for them. If you get them leafy greens though (such as parsley, basil, etc.) they can have a couple of cups worth of that – along with all of that timothy hay.

[osprey]

Hi Bunnyliz, and welcome to Binky Bunny. And a quick noserub to Hammer too!

Personally, I do not give my guys magazines. I do give them a phone book and an occasional news paper or a paper grocery sack. I just don’t trust the glossy paper of the magazines, and I know that my bunnies will actually eat such things, so I avoid them.

Some bunnies like to be held this way and some don’t. If he is not obviously distressed and trying to get away, it should be fine. Just be sure that he is well supported and calm when you hold him this way.

When starting out with veggies, it is best to go slowly. Introduce a new veggie for a couple of days, just a small amount, and watch for loose poops. Good things to try are Italian parsley, red leaf or romaine lettuce and dandelion greens. You should probably not encourage him to eat lots of carrots. Despite the Bugs Bunny stereotype, carrots are actually not that healthy for bunnies. They have lots of starch and sugar and can cause him to gain weight or to get sick.

[BunnyLiz]

Thanks guys, i removed his magazines and got him some greens! i still have so much to learn

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!!

Ditto the phonebooks. Some bunnies love to be held upside down-you’re lucky if you have one!! It makes it easy to clip their nails
Parsley and romaine are very good green veggies that most seem to stomach them well!

[Author]

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