New bunny owner please help!

[Benji-Bunny]

New bunny owner please help!

I’ve wanted house bunny for so long and finally adopted a lovely 11 month old 5 days ago. I did read up on what they need beforehand (and still am) but I’m so worried that I’m doing things wrong! He has an area in the lounge that he stays in at night and when I’m out. After the first 24 hours I let him into the whole lounge/kitchen area and he has been running about happily even doing a few binkies. He will come up to me when I go to his “cage” and he will come and sniff me when he’s out, but he seems to think that my fingers are food and will bite. I have squealed when he has done this but I’m worried that I’m scaring him. It doesn’t seem to be an affectionate nibble as he doesn’t know me well enough and he doesn’t much like being stroked but I don’t think it’s aggression either, he just seems to think I’m food and it scares me a bit as bunnies have sharp teeth!

He will run up to me if I leave the room and come back but I think that’s more of a territory thing as he will honk and circle me. He likes to be let out but he goes to the toilet on my rug, so I move his litter tray to the place he likes to go but it’s hit and miss. I have been encouraging him when he uses it by praising him and giving him treats when he sits in it but he seems to have worked this out as he’ll run out of it to get his treat when I move! I have read that I should leave him in his cage until he’s litter trained but also that he must have play time so I’m not sure if I should let him out or not! He seems to always use his litter tray in his cage but when he’s out he always goes on my rug.

I try to give him treats so he knows I’m nice but given that he then seems to think my fingers are food this worries me that I’m teaching him the wrong thing. He has let me stroke his nose a couple of times but only if he’s distracted by food or chewing therefore it’s more that he’s tolerating it because he has to. I read up on how to pick up bunnies and have tried it but he panics which scares me too as I don’t want him to be scared of me either. Should I get in his cage to get him used to me or just let him come to me when he’s out? If it’s the latter he worries me by nibbling my fingers, he will nudge me too but its not for pets because he doesn’t like them!

Sorry for the ramble, just really worried that I’m doing everything wrong! I understand that some bunnies will never like being picked up because it’s not their nature and that’s fine but surely if he doesn’t like being petted and he eats my fingers I’m doing something wrong as bunnies are social creatures?

Any advice appreciated!

[Three Little Bunnies]

If he is not already neutered, you will want to get that done. Make sure that you go to a rabbit-savvy vet for this procedure and that their rabbit survival rate is at least 95%. My rabbits were pretty good about litter training before being fixed, but one of them is fixed and is still not good about litter training. Of course, they also mark their territory with poop, but that is not hard to clean up. You can use vinegar to clean up if he pees, and put any solid waste in his litter box to encourage him to go in it. He might be biting you because your hands smelll like food. My rabbits (the first two) bit me often at first, and I have now had them for 22 and 9 months and one only nips, and the other only bites when he is scared or uncomfortable. The third has never bitten me, he nipped me once and I’ve had him for 3 months. All rabbits have different personalities (bunnynalities?) though. Getting your rabbit fixed should also help with that issue. He might also have eyesight problems so he can’t see you and thinks that there is still food in your hands. Make sure he gets plenty of hay and water, but limit pellets to 1/4 cup pellets per 5 pounds of rabbit every day. They seem to like Kaytee pellets. He can also have some fruit and veggie scraps (no tomatoes or potatoes) but make sure you check to see if they are safe for rabbits, have no mold, don’t smell, and limit fruit and carrots. Once he is fixed, he may also enjoy the company of another bunny, so research bonding rabbits. Good luck with your bunny!

[Meg]

Welcome to bunnyland! I’m sure you will do a great job. I agree that neutering should help with aggression. The best book I know of is this: https://rabbit.org/house-rabbit-handbook/

Good luck and welcome to you and your bunny!

[LBJ10]

I agree. If he isn’t neutered, then having that done should help A LOT. The peeing outside of the cage part is very much a territorial behavior. He does it because he is trying to claim that area. He uses his litter box inside his cage because he is confident that the cage is his. There is no need to mark it. The circling and honking is hormonal behavior. And the biting? It could be hormonal or it could be that he cannot see well. Does he have long fur? If he does, you can cut the fur above his eyes so he can see. If not, then try approaching from the side to see if that makes a difference. When it comes to getting him used to you, let him come to you. Bunnies are curious creatures and they will eventually come to investigate.

It’s important to remember that bunnies are all different. Some are very affectionate and love to be petted and cuddled on the floor. Others are very no touch! And then, of course, you have everything in between. Affection can also evolve as they age. My boys are both 9 years old this year. They ask for pets a lot more now than they did when they were younger. I could still pet them before, but it was usually me approaching them.

[FlemishDad]

This sounds pretty normal for a poorly socialized bunny. He just needs time and experience to deal with people.

He probably does not know your fingers are not food. Bunnies don’t get courses in human anatomy! Squealing is good and he will learn. My bun is very aware of fingers and nibbles carefully to make sure he has food and not finger. In the meantime try treating with long stemmed greens like cilatro and parsley.

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