Our bun has taken to regularly dipping his paws

[Lemonsoup]

Teddy has always put his front paws into his pellet bowl from the moment we got him at 8 weeks of age. Just this week (now aged 14 weeks) he’s started doing the same with his water bowl 

Nothing has changed by way of bowls or placement – we just now literally find him with both his front paws submerged in his water bowl. Is this normal? I’m concerned that as he’s an Angora, he’ll get his wool too wet. I’ve taken to wiping him down after his ‘dips’ but am now wondering if he’s liking the rub downs and therefore getting into his bowl even more regularly?? He gets played with a lot (I work from home so he’s with me all day) and he’s brushed morning and night – so it’s not like he’s not getting attention and the water thing is attention seeking (although I guess it could be). Any thoughts as to why he would have started doing this?

It’s certainly not hot in his environment – so it’s not a case of him needing to cool down. In fact, I would usually have the heating on in my office at this time of year but I now sit at my desk draped in a blanket with a blanket over my legs like a nana (and with a cup of tea) because I don’t want him to be overheated (the things we do for our buns).

Maybe he was a dog (or a fish) in a previous life and likes having his paws wet (he certainly seems to like licking them clean afterwards). As for using a water bottle – he’s never been fabulous at this, but I’m going to try it again and see how he goes.

[Shadow13]

I don’t know what to say for the dipping his paws in his dish because my bun has only done it once by accident. But I definitely don’t recommend using a water bottle because they don’t get enough water out and they get very frustrated so I would stick to using a bowl. Maybe someone else can help you with the dipping thing.

[DanaNM]

weird! Maybe you could try a crock that clips onto the side of the cage, so that it’s off the floor a bit? That way he would still be able to drink easily, but it would be harder for him to put his paws in? 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Lemonsoup]

I agree on the bottle front. In his outdoor hutch, he has both – but primarily uses his bowl. Inside with me, it’s just a bowl. He does drink quite a lot of water too (for his size – which I’ve talked to the vet about), so I know that a water bottle only would be tricky for him.

I used to have a cat that dipped a paw in his bowl and then lay down and licked it. Teddy is doing he exact same thing. Last night he was eating out of his food bowl (pellets) and he usually puts both paws into that whilst he eats but last night he decided to then extend his right paw and pop it into the food bowl. When I saw what he was doing I said “Teddy, stop it” and it was like he knew it was wrong since he pulled his right paw out and popped it straight back into the food bowl.

Strange little character. I’m just concerned he’s getting himself fairly wet and then might get cold. However he seems pretty darn pleased with himself most of the time. 

[Jellie]

My bun does this as well. Sometimes he’ll do it and then wash his face, like using his paws as a wet wash cloth. I imagine he’s just washing his bunny hands. He’s a very clean bun, most are.

I’m not sure if it would be more concerning for an angora. Has your bun been doing it multiple times a day, like every time they drink water, or just occasionally?

[Lemonsoup]

I like the idea that it’s simply something he does to clean himself. Like your bun, Teddy doesn’t do it every time he drinks – but it certainly seems to be a daily occurrence. Maybe he’s simply discovered it’s an extra good way of keeping clean. Or he likes it because he gets to lie down afterwards and suck on his paws. 

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