New Bunny Parent

[NuggetBuns]

Hi everyone!

I just became a bunny owner and honestly, I knew nothing about them! My boyfriend surprised me one night with a bunny in his arms as I walked into our apartment. I know, it’s really irresponsible to get a pet without doing any research on how to take care of one. I mean, that’s what happens when you pick one up from a pet store, sigh. Fortunately, we had the means to take care of our sweet bunny and I did a lot of research on bunnies after that night. This website and forum has been wonderful and I’ve learned a lot about bunny behavior, diet, toys, living arrangements, health issues… etc. So now I’d like to help contribute by sharing my bunny experiences/stories and hope to help others. 

Here is Nugget, a mix female, probably about 4 months old (the vet couldn’t tell me too much about her). If anyone could tell me what rabbit breed she might be, that would be great! 

This was a few weeks ago, before we removed an abscess from her forehead. 

Toodles,

Celina

[Deleted User]

Welcome to BB! I hope you enjoy it here. If I may ask what was the abscess? Did the vet say what may have caused it?

[NuggetBuns]

Posted By Skipper’s Mama on 02/27/2013 01:41 PM

Welcome to BB! I hope you enjoy it here. If I may ask what was the abscess? Did the vet say what may have caused it?

Thank you! When we first got her, she already it, but it was a small bump (the infection probably had just started) so we didn’t think anything of it. My bf did show me a spot under her eye on the right side that looked like a wound or scab, it healed a week later. We assumed she got into a fight with another bunny at the pet store (or hay might have poked her under the skin). Whatever caused that small wound under her eye started the abscess on her head. I did read some sad stories on a couple rabbit forums (including BB) where the abscess came back and bunnies had to be on treatment with different doctors for a long time… Got me so worried! Luckily for us, the vet said Nugget’s head is healing properly and the antibiotic/probiotic that we’re still giving her is keeping it from coming back. 

If you want to see how big the abscess grew, I posted it pictures on her Tumblr. It’s crazy how big it got and I feel bad that we didn’t take her to the vet earlier before she started having problems with her nose. I couldn’t even believe the amount of pus that came out when the vet showed me… it was disgusting! http://nuggetbuns.tumblr.com/post/44108795650/an-abscess-for-a-forehead

[LittlePuffyTail]

Nugget is beautiful. Welcome to you both.

How long have you had her?

[NuggetBuns]

Thank you! It is so nice to be able to talk about pet rabbits with other bunny owners and share stories, give advice… etc. I don’t know anyone else that currently owns a pet rabbit so I had to learn everything I could online. Thank god for the internet! And for BB!

We got her Super Bowl Sunday  so it’s been one month. I’m already thinking about adopting another bunny friend, eeeeek!

[NikitaSue20]

Welcome =) Same here. I don’t know anyone that has rabbits (and takes care of them correctly) so i come on here

[NuggetBuns]

Thank you! Yeah I know some people that used to have pet rabbits as a kid or just YEARS ago, but not anymore. I think years ago people thought bunnies were just cage animals and since they’re not as popular (like dogs or cats), they didn’t know anyone else that owned a bunny to get advice from.  

You know people STILL think they’re boring, stinky, low maintenance pets! My family and friends were surprised to hear that she can be litter trained and runs freely in my living room. And it’s hilarious trying to describe a binky b/c they’ve never seen anything like it before.  

[tanlover14]

Nugget – No worries! The same thing here. Everyone is always like “rabbits…really?” LOL.

Welcome to BB!

[DUSTBUNNY-CLYDE]

she’s beautiful!! welcome!!!

[jerseygirl]

What a gorgeous little thing! So glad to hear the abscess has been cleared up. : ) Thanks for link to the tumblr post. You got a good result by the looks.

If I can suggest just holding off a little while longer before you get another rabbit? Only because you might find Nugget could become challenging in the next few months as she enters the dreaded puberty. :p

[tanlover14]

I agree with Jerseygirl. Get your little girl spayed and THEN begin to consider getting her a friend after all her hormones have died down and she’s not in the bratty bunny stage. I made the mistake of getting my 2-month old a baby friend and then ANOTHER baby friend (all from the same litter) and lets just say…. BUNNY TEENAGE ATTITUDES EVERYWHERE. Literally, I felt like yanking my hair out sometimes. Baby bunnies can be very…. challenging is the PERFECT word.

Also, once she is spayed you can take her to go “bunny dating” with you and let her help pick out a friend – which can help make bonding the two bunnies easier since you can see firsthand how their personalities seem to fit before making the decision to adopt!

[Deleted User]

I totally second Tanlover and Jersey. Wait until after your little girl is spayed. You can take her bunny speed dating and let her choose out her friend. =] That way the new bun you’re going to get is already fixed and you won’t have to add to that cost. Not to mention I’m a total worry wort that hates waiting and the wait to make sure my little girl was okay after her spay killed me. She’s totally fine but I was just a drama mama about it. xD Any way, my point is I didn’t want to have to go through the stress of waiting again. So adopting from a rescue and letting my little girl pick out her men was a lot more rewarding for me. =]

[NuggetBuns]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I definitely don’t want to get another one until Nugget is spayed and I’ll be sure to adopt a 1 year old that’s fixed if I can. I’ll hold off adopting for a while until our bunny is older, one bunny is already a handful lol. 

Tanlover14, I can’t even imagine how stressful it must have been to have two teenage brats running around your house… I’ve already gotten a taste of how much of a rebel Nugget is. I almost cried one night because she kept trying to go behind the couch when I specifically tell her not to and she knows when I get mad. I blocked off the area with some boxes and even stood in front of the boxes to watch her. I would push her away and say NO! BAD GIRL! every time she came around. It got so frustrating that I started yelling almost in tears and she would dig/scratch at my legs to tell me to move . I realize now that she’s just a bunny and doesn’t understand what I’m saying to her. I’ve learned to be very patient with her b/c she’s growing up, is more curious, and I need to give her more toys to keep her entertained so she doesn’t get bored and start causing mischief. 

I’ll be more active in the “Behavior” section when I have time to post more bunny mischief stories. Skipper’s Mama, I totally relate to being a worry wart! Since discovering the abscess, any time I notice something off, I freak out and “google” it. Or search through BB.

The picture in my original post was taken on Feb. 11 with her short stubby legs. ^This picture was taken yesterday. She’s got legs for days and she knows how to use them.

She’s awfully cute when she’s not being bad.

[tanlover14]

Not two babies – THREEE. Hahah! Lets just say, I was insane when I made that decision. I would have to be. And I know the feeling of just wanting to cry. Our whole house is carpet and the three brats were always trying to tear and yank on the carpet. I swear they would taunt me! One would yank in one corner and I would go to scootch them away and say no and then one started yanking on the other side of the room. It was terrible!

Nugget is ADORABLEEEE. Those ears and feet! GOOD LORD. Both go on for days. I love it!

[LoveChaCha]

What a beauty! And welcome

I have a single gal and she has been with me since she was 8 weeks of age. Their personalities change and are really fun to be around!! I have bonded with my bun quite a bit, and you will also!

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