Never settling bunny

[LittleJuniper]

Hi, I got a 8 week old rabbit on Saturday 30th of September this year.

Unfortunately, they are outside but in a big hutch. We bought two girls and since they’re sisters they get on great. We get them out and take them inside everyday on a blanket and sit next to them. My little bunny Juniper already accepts apple from my hand, doesn’t shy away from stroking and nudges my arm regularly but not in an agitated context. 

What I’m confused about though is how although she is taken to the same place each day, she continuingly  sniffs everywhere, the cupboards, blanket, me…..  The other rabbit gets bored and lays down but she’ all only sit still to clean herself or for a grew minutes. 

Is this normal? And could she be more tame?  She hasn’t binkied or purred yet but nor has she grunted, growled or thumped.

[tobyluv]

Hello and welcome to Binky Bunny. Even though your bunnies are sisters, you are going to have to separate them soon. When rabbits begin puberty, which can happen as early as 12 weeks, they can become aggressive and territorial. This can lead to fighting and severe injuries. Their gender doesn’t matter, not does the fact that they are littermates. They will need to be separated until they have been spayed, and at least a month has elapsed since their surgeries. Then you can go through a proper bonding procedure. They are not really bonded now, that can only happen after spays and neuters and bonding sessions. They get along fine now because they are so young and not dealing with hormones yet. But that can change very quickly.

Here are two good articles on bonding:

http://rabbit.org/faq-bonding-multiple-rabbits/

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

It’s advised not to start giving any veggies or fruits until a rabbit is 12 weeks old. Then you start slowly, with one veggie at a time, trying a new one every few days. Otherwise, you can have stomach upsets. Fruit should be given very sparingly. The same with carrots. They have a lot of sugar and that can cause gas or other GI problems.

Rabbits are curious, so it’s natural that your one rabbits likes to sniff the same things every day. There could be new scents on them from day to day anyway. No two rabbits are alike. Some are more people oriented. Some are more active and some are more laid back.

[sarahthegemini]

Sniffing around doesn’t mean she isn’t tame :-/ Rabbits are curious creatures. They sniff because that’s how they investigate and how they familiarise themselves with their environment.

[Deleted User]

You haven’t had your bunnies for a very long time and they are still getting used to their new environment. The fact that they are brought outdoors then indoors and then back out again might also hinder your bonding and them becoming comfortable in their surroundings. Regardless of the debate about indoors vs outdoors I can’t help but think trying to do both would be very stressful for your bunnies. Considering they are also being carried in on a blanket and not making their way in themselves. They are unable to establish any routes back to their living area which may put them on edge whilst they are indoors. I know people do have bunnies who live outdoors but have access to indoors but I have seen this be free access so they can come and go as they please. Personally I would try and bond more with them in their outdoor area by getting a pen/run once they are more settled and you might see their behaviour change in the area they are more comfortable in

[LittleJuniper]

I will be having her on my lap outside soon but we need to buy a new run because it broke and we had to get rid of it.

I would love to have an indoor bunny but my dad is very strict on having no animals inside, hopefully she’ll be alive when I get my own place ( I’m 18 this year, just need to save)

[LittleJuniper]

Okay, I’m really worried about spaying them because my parents might say no or we might not find a capable vet, I will tell them about the hormonal separation thing too. They only have occasional veg and fruit at the moment anyway.

[LittleJuniper]

Okay, I’m really worried about spaying them because my parents might say no or we might not find a capable vet, I will tell them about the hormonal separation thing too. They only have occasional veg and fruit at the moment anyway.

Do you know a vet near Uxbridge, UK that spays rabbits? And what does it cost?

[Sirius&Luna]

Hi LittleJuniper

You can use this website to find good rabbit vets:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

I had a look for Uxbridge, and there’s none within 10 miles, but if you widen it to 25 then 3 vets come up. The first one that comes up is the Beaumont Sainsbury in Camden, London which is actually where I take my rabbits, and is a very good vet.

As far as I can remember, it cost just over £100 for a spay there, and that included all the medicines, them being looked after by a nurse for one night, and two follow up appointments.

[Author]

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