Meet Charlie

[Somebunny78]

I brought my first rabbit, a 2 month old broken orange Holland Lop named Charlie, home only a week ago and already have fallen in love with him! I wish I could show you pictures, but it’s hard to get one where he is sitting still- I’m not sure if it is because he is so young or just his personality but he is constantly on the move. 

From the very first night, he seemed really comfortable around people, coming right up to me when I opened his cage door before darting away. Now, he spontaneously hops right into my lap and lets me cuddle him for a minute before darting away again (although I suspect he is trying to climb over me more than actually show affection haha). He has already proven to be quite the little explorer, always trying to get to new parts of the room. I was worried he would be very scared and timid at first and prepared myself to take things very slow with him, but he really just wants to play and run (and eat) all day. He also has shown he’s got quite the attitude, ignoring me whenever I do something that he doesn’t like (like block him from getting to underneath my bed), but he usually gets over that really quickly. This is my first experience with rabbits and it’s great seeing for myself the big personalities they have. 

Unfortunately, I live in a dorm room with a roommate so the room is not completely bunny-proofed and I can’t let Charlie free roam for his own sake. However, using a combo of NIC cubes and cardboard I can section off a relatively large square area for his play time. The tile in his play space is a little slippery so it’s hard to tell, but I think he has already tried to binky a bunch of times! My favorite is watching him run in circles really fast and then just collapse into a flop- he is such a funny little guy! I’m hoping this means he is already very comfortable around me. 

Though as I said, I often can’t tell when he comes up to me if he is showing affection or just trying to get past me to continue his explorations, Charlie follows me around his cage and comes up to me when he hears my voice (he has mastered the ‘bunny-eyes’ begging me to let him out for more play time and I usually cave haha). I try to spend at least an hour or two each day sitting on the floor with him during play time so he gets used to me more, but do you have any tips for how to bond with him further? Also, I am hoping to teach him tricks such as coming when called but not sure what to use as treats since I think he is still a little young for vegetables. Any recommendations?

The other concern I have is that I have tried grooming him and no hair comes out. Is this normal for Holland Lops, or perhaps because he is so young? I have tried just plucking for loose hairs, too, and nothing comes out so I’m hoping it’s fine, but I don’t want to be missing hairs that he then ingests when he grooms itself. If someone could assure me I’m just being paranoid or tell me how I should groom better I would appreciate it!

Thank you so much for your advice! I hope to have photos of this adorable little fluffball for you soon (if he ever sits still). It’s only been a week but already Charlie has become a major part of my life

[Crashley]

Welcome Charlie! and Charlies bun parent! Seems like your doing great bonding with Charlie, all I did was sit on the floor with Winnie and Pepito and they will love me forever. I would sit for a couple hours every night. When your bunny gets older, and is limited on pellets, you can then train im by shaking his pellets and he should come running from wherever,,at least my buns do. But charlie still needs unlimited pellets till he is about 5 mnths old. Charlie is still to young to molt or really shed. Winnie didnt start shedding until she was about 5-8 mnths old. So you dont need to do any plucking. when its time to pluck, you will know, the fur to pluck will look like its kind of hanging off.

Welcome to Binky Bunny

[Luna]

Hi! Sounds like Charlie is settling in well. For bonding just keep doing what you have been, sitting and talking and petting him, and do it as much as possible. Can’t wait to see pics .

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