New bunny owner

[Paradigm]

Hi everyone, my wife and I adopted a 3-year-old lionhead 2 days ago. He’s a real cutie and very affectionate, although he seems to laid off that now. 

When I opened his cage the first time, he jumped directly onto our bed. He seemed fairly content to be stroked up there but didn’t like being picked up and put down much (I didn’t want any injuries).

At the moment he spends most of day his day in his cage (with the door open) and I worry that he’s getting lonely or bored but I guess he’s probably just adjusting to a new environment. I think my wife is a little disappointed that he’s on his own schedule as far as affection goes (mainly, I think, because she was out until 9pm and missed his peak moments).

Aside from a few instances with a chest of mine (until I moved it away) he hasn’t demonstrated a penchant for chewing our belongings but it’s early days! He also seems to be toilet trained and hasn’t even dropped pellets around the room (although he chin bumps anything and everything).

I’ve been avoiding stroking him in his cage to give him space, except for one time when I was sitting near and he started head bumping my hand until he got the strokes he was after. He’s also sought out strokes two other times, so off to a good start.  

A video of Roger

[drwil]

We have a lionhead the same age. When she is let out of the cage she hops around exploring for about one hour.
After that she lies down stretched out. This is when she is ready to be petted. We can pet her for as long as we want then. She gently grind her teeth meaning she enjoys this.
Her “husband” (also lionhead) is the same way. He runs around me repeatedly until lying down. Then he is ready to be loved on.
This just seems to be the rabbit way.

[drwil]

By the way most rabbits do not like being picked up. If you hold them securely they will relax. As a prey species they associate being picked up with being eaten.
They do enjoy lying beside you. Offer freeze dried fruit pieces as a reward for sitting next to you.

[JPetrucci84]

Welcome to the Forums!

[tophdade]

Welcome!! My three girls make it very well known that they’re not interested in any loving until they’ve relaxed after playing or they have a full belly. I’m sure you guys will work out a great schedule with your new bunny. They can be so difficult, yet so rewarding. Thank you for bringing him into a good forever home.

[Paradigm]

Yeah, I wasn’t really expecting him to like being picked up but our bed is pretty high up and I didn’t want him injuring himself getting down.

He did leap into my wife’s arms at the vets though and scramble into them a few more times. I think this has got her over her worries that he doesn’t like her! The vet seemed to think it was sweet as he refused to be out of touching distance for most of the visit.

He’s been off his treats today – we think the visit to the vets upset him. But he’s still pooping and eating hay/pellets so I think he’s okay.

He’s gaining confidence now which is lovely as he’s out more. Still quite shy but we’re definitely seeing more of his personality. My wife got a beautiful picture of him but she hasn’t uploaded it yet. 

[Paradigm]

Also – sorry I’m not a great replier; we only have one ethernet connection and 3g can be a bit temperamental where we live. Plus my wife thinks I’m ‘getting obsessed’ with rabbits, lol. (After 6 weeks of slogging for back-to-back essay deadlines, I think I deserve a break!)

Thanks for welcoming me here.

[LongEaredLions]

Late welcome from me.
Roger is adorable. I love lionheads!

[Little Lion Head]

Sounds like the opposite of most of us Paradigm–our husbands worry we are obsessed with rabbits. Welcome!

[Paradigm]

Haha, well we’re lesbians so it’s not a complete gender stereotype swap.

Thanks for welcoming me.

[Little Lion Head]

I think no matter what gender, we all need to make fun of our significant others and give them crap in some way shape or form! HAHA. Can’t wait to see some pics of your little lion head!

[Paradigm]

Yep, I’m pretty sure that’s just the way it is.

I’m just waiting to find out whether putting up my wife’s images with her watermark on is allowed and for her to get around to editing the images. She’s doing a photography evening course and has become even more picky about which images she considers acceptable.

I’ve taken a post-neuter one myself and I can hear what she’d be saying – too noisy, overexposed and focus in the wrong place, lol. Hopefully I’ll be able to snap one of him eating some of the new treats but he’s still a bit grumpy whenever I come near him. Sorry, little man!

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/YS0PTKU.jpg&quot; width="500

[Little Lion Head]

Awwww I love him and his coloring! He certainly disapproves of picture already. Just the reason to take even more. Tell your wife, we’re not picky here on BB, we just like cute pics!

[LongEaredLions]

What a cutie!
Like LLH said-we are not picky! If you love bunnies we will adore you!

[beebun]

Aw, welcome, paradigm! Roger is so cute. I worry my partner too with my obsession toward Chito (she had jokingly said that ‘You must be dying to leave because you want to see chito’ in one of our dates!) but yeah we bought her together and she’s Chito’s second mum

[LittlePuffyTail]

Big Welcome to you and your adorable bunny!

[Author]

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