Newbie Questions

[Sonn]

I am completely new to rabbits. I have never owned one. But I know someone who has some that breeds them and she is giving me first pick of the litter for free but I will probably donate some money to her since she is also a rescuer. I have been researching rabbits for a little while and have decided that I will either get a bonded pair or a single male (American Fuzzy Lop, or  Holland Lop) depending on how many people are on the waiting list. But I still have a few questions.

The cage is already built it stands 1 foot off of the ground and has a barrier built around it so my dogs cannot get to it (not sure if that was necessary as they have been trained) it is 5 feet long and 5 feet tall with 2 levels. Would this be better for a single rabbit or would it accommodate a pair?

I will not be getting him/them until they are 5 months old so she can have him/them neutered/spayed. At this age what kind of pellets are best (I have read conflicting things) Alfalfa based or Timothy hay based?

 

Is Oxbow a good brand of food?

Do rabbits take better to a water bottle or a bowl? Or both?

I will be trying to litter train him/them does it matter the type of litter box? Like does it matter if it is a high back corner littler box or a cat litter box?

What is the best litter to use?

That’s all for now lol

Thanks,

Sonn

[Beka27]

welcome here! can i suggest that you copy and paste your post and start a new thread in the house rabbit q & a section… that way more people will see it and will be able to help you. i think if given the choice, i would get a pair. it’s note asy to bond rabbits. you would save yourself a good amount of grief starting out with two… unless you were not sure rabbtis are right for you… in which case i would not get any. i would consider fostering a rabbit to see if it suits you. it’s hard to picture your cage… can you post a pic so we can understand how it’s set-up?

[Sonn]

Posted By Beka27 on 06/07/2008 8:32 PM
welcome here! can i suggest that you copy and paste your post and start a new thread in the house rabbit q & a section… that way more people will see it and will be able to help you. i think if given the choice, i would get a pair. it’s note asy to bond rabbits. you would save yourself a good amount of grief starting out with two… unless you were not sure rabbtis are right for you… in which case i would not get any. i would consider fostering a rabbit to see if it suits you. it’s hard to picture your cage… can you post a pic so we can understand how it’s set-up?

 

oops sorry I thought I did post that there lol

 

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi Sonn! I hope you’re sitll around here in our neck of the woods! You’ve got some great questions and I would suggest you start by looking under BUNNY INFO listed above in the green banner. It’s gots all the start-up and info you need.

My personal preference as far as water goes is the crock, my two drink more out of it than the bottle. Bottles can leak go defective etc. and while a bowl can get a little dirtier because the water is open, you just clean it a bot more and swish it out. I have some called twist & lock bowls and I love them.

Most of us do use Oxbow but there are a few other good rabbit pellets out there like American Pet Diner and I *think* Zupreem is good too.

[Sonn]

Posted By Scarlet_Rose on 06/20/2008 6:00 PM
Hi Sonn! I hope you’re sitll around here in our neck of the woods! You’ve got some great questions and I would suggest you start by looking under BUNNY INFO listed above in the green banner. It’s gots all the start-up and info you need.

My personal preference as far as water goes is the crock, my two drink more out of it than the bottle. Bottles can leak go defective etc. and while a bowl can get a little dirtier because the water is open, you just clean it a bot more and swish it out. I have some called twist & lock bowls and I love them.

Most of us do use Oxbow but there are a few other good rabbit pellets out there like American Pet Diner and I *think* Zupreem is good too.

 

Yep definitely still around… Lol I have read the things in Bunny Info over and over and over . I have already gotten a few things ready for when I go pick up the rabbit(s). I have two hang and lock crocks one for food and one for water, a water bottle just in case, litter boxes, a few cat toys that my sisters cat wouldn’t use, and started an herb/veggie garden with the list of suggested veggies list lol. Little things like that.

I will probably use Oxbow since I can get it locally and all the other foods sold near me are seed mixes.

ETA: This and rabbit.org are the best sites I have found about keeping a rabbit. A lot of other sites I have been to have suggested the seed mixes, saying spaying/neutering rabbits is more harmful than helpful, they should live outdoors and if indoors should be confined to their cages for most of the day.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome! I agree, this and rabbit.org are the best sites on the web! Can’t wait to see pictures when you get your bunny!!

[Lisa_43]

Twist and lock bowls, can you upload a pic Scarlet? Or a website link of someone that sells them.

[skunklionshow]

Are twist n loc’s different that the ones that have the screw & wingnut to hold in place?  Sorry Sonn, we often digrese when good suggestions are posted.

Not to speak harshly of your friend, but I’ve personally found that breeding & rescuing can be an oxymoron.

Anyway, I ditto the bonded pair for the reasons posted.  Your cage sounds like it’s very big & s/b fine for a bonded pair.  However, since you state that it is about 1 foot off the floor, you may want to add a ramp or box so they can have a half way point.  Unfortunately some bunns can be clutzy or “shy” to jump from/to high places…so just a thought.  I also suggest all the great willow products on the Binky store.  Plus Binky has the best hay anywhere.  I want to get the maze, but I’m trying to figure out where to set it up so the cats won’t squish it or attempt to use it as a bed.

I would also recommend a cat size litterbox.  You can actually buy them in varying sizes (small to jumbo).  You might want to start w/ a small, so you can get an idea if your bunnies are diggers or tippers…others find that covered boxes most meet their bunny’s needs.  I think one too many of us have gotten the wrong litterbox for their bunny’s individual personality and regretted it later when it becomes a bunny mess!  I have a med cat box and large corner box.  Originally I had a corner box and placed it on the prefered potty spot (PPS).  When my bond was successful and I increased the cage size, I upgraded to a bigger box, but had to adjust the PPS to what would be more accommodating for the new cage size.  Needless to say, Jessica did not like that, so as not to crowd their new space…I got a corner box for the PPS & kept the newly placed cat litterbox.

 

[skunklionshow]

PS  Feel free to harass us anytime…we like it!!!  Also we are photo hounds.

[Sonn]

Posted By skunklionshow on 06/23/2008 5:13 PM

Are twist n loc’s different that the ones that have the screw & wingnut to hold in place?  Sorry Sonn, we often digrese when good suggestions are posted.

Not to speak harshly of your friend, but I’ve personally found that breeding & rescuing can be an oxymoron.

Anyway, I ditto the bonded pair for the reasons posted.  Your cage sounds like it’s very big & s/b fine for a bonded pair.  However, since you state that it is about 1 foot off the floor, you may want to add a ramp or box so they can have a half way point.  Unfortunately some bunns can be clutzy or “shy” to jump from/to high places…so just a thought.  I also suggest all the great willow products on the Binky store.  Plus Binky has the best hay anywhere.  I want to get the maze, but I’m trying to figure out where to set it up so the cats won’t squish it or attempt to use it as a bed.

I would also recommend a cat size litterbox.  You can actually buy them in varying sizes (small to jumbo).  You might want to start w/ a small, so you can get an idea if your bunnies are diggers or tippers…others find that covered boxes most meet their bunny’s needs.  I think one too many of us have gotten the wrong litterbox for their bunny’s individual personality and regretted it later when it becomes a bunny mess!  I have a med cat box and large corner box.  Originally I had a corner box and placed it on the prefered potty spot (PPS).  When my bond was successful and I increased the cage size, I upgraded to a bigger box, but had to adjust the PPS to what would be more accommodating for the new cage size.  Needless to say, Jessica did not like that, so as not to crowd their new space…I got a corner box for the PPS & kept the newly placed cat litterbox.

 

I have decided to get my rabbit(s) from a shelter as posted in this thread binkybunny.com/Default.aspx lol

The cage is already done and it has a detachable ramp that hooks on to the bottom of the cage so he/she/they can easily get in and out when the doors are open.  I would have done a NIC cage or an x-pen but there are 11 dogs that live here my dogs are pretty well used to other animals and are highly trained with leave-it, down-stay, “don’t touch it” among other things to keep other animals safe lol but my sisters dogs are crazy insane and have never been trained to do anything but bit your feet on command ugh! So I want to make absolutely sure no dog mine or hers is able to get within 5 feet of the rabbit(s) while they adjust

As for litterboxes I went out and bought two of each size LOL! And my dad has a few that he bought for his ferrets (corner cat littler boxes)  that they didn’t use so when I go to his house to pick up the rabbit(s) I will have a few corner boxes as well.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh great news about adopting from a shelter!! It’s so great!! When do you get your bunny??

[Beka27]

i remember the other thread! when are you going to get the buns again? have you been in contact with the shelter any more?

[Sonn]

I will be going to my dads for a visit in about a month or so and will be picking the rabbit(s) up then. I really like the shelter I will be getting them from it is where my dad gets all of his animals from. They have already started the one’s I have on hold on Oxbow and litter training them so they won’t have too much of a rough transition from traveling 5 hours with me. Plus if I click with another rabbit or pair these 4 (I have two different pairs on hold) will still get homes with my dad and grandma.

[babybunsmum]

hey sonn!  a belated welcome   so have you gotten a bun?   ETA… you posted while i was composing this

i’d personally recommend one bun to start… bonding buns can def be a handful!  unless you’re adopting mature already-bonded buns that is.  if the buns are wee & get along it’s def not a guarantee that they’ll stay bonded thru reaching sexual maturity & being spayed / neutered.  but if you’re upto the challenge and are prepared to house the buns separately / allow for separate time for them to get out of their enclosures to roam then you should be fine. 

for me the biggest thing about having rabbits as pets is the clean up & care.  i pretty much clean enclosures daily and vacuum every other day tho i could easily do it daily.  also always having greens & serving them daily is an extra chore to keep up with.  it works great for me because i like having lots of greens around for myself… and aside from that it’s how to best take care of them, i love love love hearing my buns munching on them so it’s totally worth the effort!

having buns is a complete joy.  i love how they play & frolic & shred things & how they look when they’re grooming.  they’re also perfectly suited for me because they like to be in the same room as i am (well they follow the dog around anyways   ) and i enjoy the company.

my buns both seem to drink more water from crocks tho i do also have bottles which i use as a back-up if i’m going away over night.  i use yesterdays news litter pellets and am very happy with them.  they’re a bit expensive so i’d like to find wood stove pellets which i’ve heard are also good litter and way cheaper but i can’t find any right now (off season).  i use 10″x10″ dollar store plastic containers for litter which are only maybe 2″ deep.  sometimes the girls over-shoot & hang their bums over the edge when they pee   but the advantage is that they are small & easy to dump out daily & wash out. 

 

[COOKIE'N FLUFF MOMMA]

SO HAPPY YOUR ADOPTING FROM A SHELTER. YOUR SET UP SOUNDS GOOD AND I APPLUAD YOU FOR RESEARCHING ALL THIS INFO BEFORE YOU GET YOUR BUNNIES. WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE THAT. KEEP US UPDATED!

[Sonn]

Hehe I am pretty used to a cleanup routine I have to do so either daily or every other day for rats (not mine but I clean up after them), turtles both land and water, my yard when I let all the dogs out to do their business and all of my fish tanks have different cleaning days (there are 14 of them lol). Ah and grooming all 11 dogs that are here. Plus I live with my mom since she is disabled (not severly just enough that she can’t work or do major things around the house) so if I am at work there is always someone here to cleanup accidents give play time and all that good stuff if I have to work late or go in early.

 

The pairs I have on hold are all over a year old and the two holland lops have been bonded since they were spay/neutered at 3 months old and the two American Fuzzy lops they are still working on bonding but so far there haven’t been any fights with them. If they don’t bond and I click with one of them I will be taking one and my grandma the other one if they just don’t like me she will be taking both and housing them together if they bond if not then seperately. And my dad if I don’t take the hollands he will be taking them if I do take them he will be taking another pair or single they have. If that paragraph made any sense at all lol.

[Beka27]

i would try to take a solidly bonded pair, they will be able to play together and keep each other company since it sounds like you might not be able to spend a lot of time with them… geez… that’s quite a zoo you have!

[Sonn]

No no I will have plenty of time to spend with the rabbit or rabbits lol I mostly work at home but on occassion I have to go into work. I would never ever get an animal if I didn’t think I had time for it.

 

As for the bonded pair my plan is to get a strongly bonded pair but if I end up with two that seem bonded but start fighting I have plenty of room for two seperate rabbits.

[skunklionshow]

Sonn:  I’m moving in w/ you b/c I love a zoo!!!!!

Sounds like you have been planning well.  That’s really great that you are actually going to be able to give 4 shelter rabbits a new home even if it’s in different homes.  I agree that the bunny maintenance is pretty high.  I do my litterboxes every other day, but the feedings, veggies, and activity times need to be prioritized in my schedule.  My cats & lizards are not as high mainenance…except now that the cats are getting old & having to take lots of medications.

Where are you adopting them from?  Where is the shelter?  When can we get our first pictures?  This weekend I bought wood pellets.  I got them from the bird section at the Petco and it was way cheaper than the yesterday’s news or other bunny safe litters.  I usually use a bottom layer of newspaper, shavings, then carefresh.  I don’t know if anyone has any experience w/ the wood pellets, but I plan on using them as replacement for the shavings.  I’ll keep you posted.  They sold it in bags up to 25 lbs, which I suspect could last me some time!

[Sonn]

Posted By skunklionshow on 06/25/2008 11:52 AM

Sonn:  I’m moving in w/ you b/c I love a zoo!!!!!

Sounds like you have been planning well.  That’s really great that you are actually going to be able to give 4 shelter rabbits a new home even if it’s in different homes.  I agree that the bunny maintenance is pretty high.  I do my litterboxes every other day, but the feedings, veggies, and activity times need to be prioritized in my schedule.  My cats & lizards are not as high mainenance…except now that the cats are getting old & having to take lots of medications.

Where are you adopting them from?  Where is the shelter?  When can we get our first pictures?  This weekend I bought wood pellets.  I got them from the bird section at the Petco and it was way cheaper than the yesterday’s news or other bunny safe litters.  I usually use a bottom layer of newspaper, shavings, then carefresh.  I don’t know if anyone has any experience w/ the wood pellets, but I plan on using them as replacement for the shavings.  I’ll keep you posted.  They sold it in bags up to 25 lbs, which I suspect could last me some time!

 

Lol I love my zoo I am the only person besides my dad in my family that is an animal person everyone else doesn’t really love them they tolerate them.

I am pretty used to high maintenance animals I have to chop veggies, fruit, and earthworms for my land turtles twice a day and 4 of my dogs are on a raw diet so I have to spend about 20 minutes each day preparing food lol. And the out time is no big deal to me my entire house is animal proof due to the rats and puppies can’t have anything on the floor or within reach that an animal can get ahold of. But I will have to keep a careful eye out for my Brother in law he thinks it is funny to see an animal in pain so when he is home the rabbit will be allowed in the rabbit room, my room the hallway and the kitchen.

I do not remember the name of the Shelter I have it written down but don’t feel like looking for it lol. It is a little unlisted unknown shelter right beside of my dad’s house I lived there for 2 years and had no idea it was there lol I just thought it was another building in West Alexandria, ohio. The pictures will come either in July or  August depending on when I make the trip to my dads house.

And for litter there is always either Yesterdays News or Carefresh around for the rats litterboxes (lol they might as well be mine I take care of them) so no worries there. There are no pet stores within 2 hours of me and the vets only sell supplies for cats and dogs they treat all animals but don’t supply food or bedding of sorts for them. A local feed store orders and food or bedding needs I have. If not I travel to the pet store of have someone do it for me lol

 

[Scarlet_Rose]

sonn this is so exciting!   I am so happy for you and even gladder that you chose to adopt from a shelter.  Wow 2 pairs, you have your work cut out for you!

As for the twist & lock bowls I am talking about, here is a picture:

<a id="lnkFamilyImage200x200" href="javascriptpenWindow(‘http://www.petco.com/Shop/AlternateImages.aspx?FamilyID=105767&sku=&#8217;, 420, 510, ‘AlternateImages’, 2);” cmimpressionsent=”1″>

 

It is offically called a “twist & lock crock” and I got it from my local majot pet store chain and you find the larger ones in the bird section.  They have smaller ones in the “small animal” section.

These are neat because the bowl twists & releases from the part connected to the side of the cage for easy cleaning.  There is a wing nut that secures it.  There are other kinds that you attache bowl and all to the side of the cage and you have to un-do the screw knob to get it out.  I found it a pain so I switched to this type.

 

 

[Sonn]

Lol I know the twist and lock crocks well. My dad has went through a ton of them his two ferrets have actually figured out how to get them off the side of the cage and drag them into their tents.

 

I always get super excited when learning about an animal I will care for and make part of my family.

[skunklionshow]

Posted By Scarlet_Rose on 06/25/2008 4:14 PM

sonn this is so exciting!   I am so happy for you and even gladder that you chose to adopt from a shelter.  Wow 2 pairs, you have your work cut out for you!

As for the twist & lock bowls I am talking about, here is a picture:

<a id="lnkFamilyImage200x200" cmimpressionsent="1" href="javascriptpenWindow(‘http://www.petco.com/Shop/AlternateImages.aspx?FamilyID=105767&sku=&#8217;, 420, 510, ‘AlternateImages’, 2);”>

 

It is offically called a “twist & lock crock” and I got it from my local majot pet store chain and you find the larger ones in the bird section.  They have smaller ones in the “small animal” section.

These are neat because the bowl twists & releases from the part connected to the side of the cage for easy cleaning.  There is a wing nut that secures it.  There are other kinds that you attache bowl and all to the side of the cage and you have to un-do the screw knob to get it out.  I found it a pain so I switched to this type.

Scarlett:  I’m such an idiot!  This is exactly the same bowl I use and had no idea that it came off of the arm part.  I read your description and thought “hmmmm what’s she talking about…how does this twist….oooh, I’m su dumb!”  I’ve been unscrewing the wing nut for over a year!!!!  That’s definately way better than undoing the screw.  Wow, wait until I tell the hubby this.

My H2O bottle is similar w/ a twist & lock.  Definately the most convenient for the NIC condos & bunnies that like to throw their bowls around!

 

 

 

[Author]

Messages