New here and new rabbit owner.

[EriBear]

Hi! I’m Erica and I have a 10-month old pink-eyed Netherland Dwarf buck. His name is Gumdrop. I adopted Gum about two months ago from a breeder so we’re still getting used to each other. Gumdrop is not neutered, mostly because I don’t want to pay for it and he’s my only rabbit (at least for now ). Gum’s personality is definitely feisty and he could probably be classified as naughty. Gumdrop is also very loving (when he’s in the mood) and loves treats. His current favorites are dried apple slices and yogurt drops. He’s picky so we don’t try new snacks or food. He doesn’t like bananas, strawberries, or grapes. 

I’m a new rabbit owner. I’ve had hamsters and guinea pigs all my live but Gumdrop is a completely new experience. My biggest problem right now with the rabbit is that I buy him toys and he refuses to play with any of them. We have a baby gate blocking him in the living room so he can run freely in that room. Despite all of his toys he continues to chew on the table, the baby gate, and anything else he can find. 

I’m open to any advice or anything anyone wants to tell me. I pretty much have no idea what I’m doing. Thanks! 

Sincerely, 

Gumdrop and Erica

[MeketatenBun]

Gumdrop looks like a handsome little man already!

Unfortunately, bunnies can be a ball of terror, especially at the age you’ve got here in Gumdrop. You have an angsty teenage bun on your hands. I know that neutering can be expensive, and sometimes the travel costs to a nearest vet that’s 100 miles away can seem like it isn’t worth it, but I would recommend getting him neutered. Males especially, since he may start spraying on anything and everything fairly soon. Besides the spraying, his naughty behavior will mellow out with a spay.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you for a neuter, though. Cons are money, recovery can be scary with some buns, and finding a vet that actually does rabbit surgery instead of a regular vet who says they do for the sake of getting money (it happened to me). Pros are: he’s less naughty, not peeing on everything you love, and male bunnies become much more cuddly when they’re neutered, too.

Some bunnies have no interest in toys and it’s ANNOYING for us humans! I assume you’re getting him woodchew blocks? Because I know my bunny won’t even bother touching those. I’ve had good luck with untreated, new-growth apple tree branches (they’re springy and “fresh” looking) and willow baskets, balls, etc. Even just weaving together your own basket (over and under and over and under) with some hay woven into it to make it smell tasty and fun could work for him. Luckily, my Meki has a wooden hutch she stays in at night…. but the frame of it is chewed all to heck. Leave a bunny with wooden furniture, and it becomes the best thing in the world. I don’t know of any brands off the top of my head, but they sell some icky-flavored stuff to spray on your furniture so bunnies won’t want to chew it.

Good luck with your new bunny!

[bestmom]

hi welcome i’m new here too. We’ve had Pepper for 2 months also. We’re not sure of his age, but guessing around a year. We just got Pepper neutered, for the reasons MeketatenBun listed above. you’re right they are expensive! I’ve heard of some people finding low cost spay/neuter clinics that will fix rabbits. But there are none around me. Fortunately we scheduled his neuter right after we received our tax refund.

Pepper doesn’t like toys either. The only thing we can get him to chew on is those willow balls. We bought a willow hide-away, thinking he’d like that, and he won’t go near it! So that was a waste of $9. We’ve also tried apple sticks, because i heard rabbits love them. My rabbit hates them, but my dog loves them LOL!

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