Picky Bunny

[Dobby]

Not sure if this belongs under behaviour or diet, but here goes…

I’ve been trying to clicker train Dobby.  We’ve had limited success with a very basic trick but aren’t making much progress. 

I think this is because he is really not that into food.  He eats his allotted pellets and salad every day but he does it slowly throughout the day.  I give him 2 tablespoons of pellets in the morning, which he usually ignores for about a half hour or so, and when I come home from work there are still some left that are eaten by the end of the night.  So food is just not that exciting to him. 

Same with treats.  He never eats fresh fruit unless it’s been left for him for quite awhile.  He will eat pieces of dry fruit from my hand but after a bite or two looses interest.  I’ve given him a variety of veggies, fruits, flowers, etc and it’s all the same.  He may eventually eat what is offered to him but isn’t that excited about it.  I’ve read posts on here about rabbits responding to the sound of the fridge opening or a package rustling.  Dobby doesn’t respond to these things in the slightest.

So do you think there is any hope for clicker training with such a picky little guy?  Does anyone know of any alternate techniques I could try?  Or maybe a special treat that your bunny loves that was unexpected?

[CheriB603]

I’m of no help. My bun will chew my arm off if given the chance! She even follows my 2 yr old twin niece & nephew around the house in case they drop crumbs! I heard somewhere that some buns only like cold, frozen berries … Maybe try that? I’ve also heard those Papaya treats work well.
Trial and error til you find what your bun likes! So, yeah, I’m no help.

[Dobby]

I have a slightly related follow up question for all of the bunny bonding experts out there to my original picky bunny question.

I am still toying with the idea of getting Dobby a friend. Would his slow eating habits be a problem if we got a roommate with a more voracious appetite?

[LBJ10]

I don’t know if this has been discussed before, but have you had his teeth checked?

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

I have 2 buns. Originally baby Boo who is less motivated by foods was not interested in Tricks for Treat time – but as time went on, he really enjoys it, and Baxter my foodie is losing interest.

With Boo, I tried lots of treats/veggies – and he’d just walk away. But he loves these Timothy Hay and Apple Biscuits! So I cut them into little bite size pieces and that’s what we use for our training sessions.

You just have to find what works.

[Dobby]

I think his teeth our fine. He eats all his pellets and veggies and is a very good hay eater, munching on it throughout the day. He isn’t loosing weight and his pooping is good He just eats small amounts all day. He’s been like this since i got him in January and has been to the vet in that time. I’d hate to think it is his teeth and I just don’t know any better. Is there anything else I should be looking for?

I haven’t tried any biscuits or cookies yet but I’ll see about getting some the next time I stock up on bunny supplies. I thought I had success with dried willow leaves last night but after a few pieces, he was done. Thanks for the suggestion.

[LBJ10]

It depends on what the problem is. Buns with teeth problems can exhibit different symptoms. Slower eating, drooling, pawing at their mouth, eye problems, weight loss, etc.

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