My new rabbit doesn’t like being picked up

[naminegirl21]

u/naminegirl21
But I dont know its gender. I dont want to “trance” the bunny either, so I dont know what to do. I had to weigh the bunny so I could figure out how much to feed it without overfeeding or starving it, but even after I finished weighing, the poor thing was so scared.

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(This part is long, its just how I got the bunny, feel free to skip) I just got this bunny about 3 weeks ago. It was a stray running around my neighborhood since December (I have no idea how it survived the ice storm we had!). My neighbors kids are the ones who actually caught it, but their parents didnt want a bunny. So the kids asked my mom to keep it. My mom wanted to keep it for Easter photos only and then put it back outside after the holiday, so she kept it in a small cardboard box. But I wanted to keep it comfy. After watching a lot of youtube videos and learning so much about bunnies I never knew, now I’ve built a big NIC cage and it stays in my room.

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I give the bunny lots of space and try to move carefully around it. I let it come to me instead of the other way around. It was pretty shy for a while but has started to lick and nip me, so i guess it likes me a little. It doesnt mind being petted, but picking up just makes it hop away. Should I wait longer and gain more trust before trying to pick it up again?

Also, i really want to know the gender so I can stop saying “it” or “bunny”. It needs a name!

(Edit) Oh, and it barely eats hay or drinks water. It only eats a string or two while pooping. I’ve reduced the amount of pellets i feed (I accidentally gave it double the amount for its size!) and I have both a water dispenser & water bowl. Should I be worried?

[sarahthegemini]

Okay, firstly your mum wanted to keep it for a prop and then wanting to discard it? Absolutely dispicable.

Secondly, bunnies don’t like being picked up. It’s nothing to do with trusting their family members, they just don’t like it. It frightens them.

Thirdly, it needs a trip to the vet. To determine gender but also to make sure he/she is okay after being abandoned since December.

Finally, if he/she barely eats hay or drinks water, of course you should be worried. Another reason to take him to a vet.

[Wick & Fable]

*rabbit vet. Not a normal vet. An exotic vet.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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