Questions – Flemish Giant Care

[StefC]

Hello everyone! My name is Stefanie – I’m a married mother of two young girls (ages 3 and 5) and 2 large dogs (German Shepherds). I previously had a rabbit (an English Spot) who unfortunately, passed away last summer at the age of 9. He and my dogs did very well together.

I’m in a position now where I may be adopting a Flemish Giant. He is 4 years old, well-socialized, litterbox trained, and harness trained, and needs a home to live out his golden years. He is associated with a park and has spent a good part of his life thus far as an educational bunny to teach children about rabbits, and does very well around them, but I do not think he has spent much time in a home situation, if that makes sense (although he lives indoors). 

Anyhow, I have never had the pleasure of cohabitating with a Flemish Giant, although I hear they are very docile. Ideally I would like to have him be a complete house bunny and not have to bother with a cage or other such enclosure. Given that he’s 4 years old, I am thinking he won’t be too destructive, but I realize that is largely dependent on personality. I suppose I’m mainly looking for advice from all of you experienced bunny owners on how to handle this. Should I have a cage or enclosure ready in case giving him free reign of the house doesn’t work out? My house has two levels – should I have a litterbox on each level for him?  Anyone with Flemish Giant experience able to give me an overview of their behavior? Again, I realize this would be a generalization and would vary from individual to individual, but I’m mainly just looking for someplace to start.

Thank you all in advance!

 Stefanie

 

[Mocha]

Hi, welcome! I don’t have flemish giants but maybe I can help you a little. When you first get him, I would not let him have the run of your house. I’d start by giving him a large x-pen. I have a very mellow rabbit and a very wild rabbit. I don’t know who did it (maybe both), but they managed to chew up the base crown molding last night.
Have him live in the x-pen for about 1-2 weeks. Wait until he settles in and then you can see his temperament. Based on this you can decide whether or not you want him to have free range of your house.
You need to bunny proof your entire house if you want him to be free range. This includes covering spots he can get stuck in, covering wires, etc. This will take a lot of time and effort. Yes, you should have a litterbox on each floor, if not a few. Rabbits go to the bathroom a lot, also, don’t be surprised if you find poops around your house.
Will your dogs be having the same free range as your rabbit? He might be really scared of them and one playful move from your pups can hurt your rabbit badly. I brought my friends teeny maltese puppy (less than a pound!) into my rabbits room and they got so scared!

[LongEaredLions]

I find flemmies do tend to have good litter habits, and are generally well behaved free-ranging, but if not, you need a larger enclosure. 2 x-pens typically does the trick. You should have a litter box on every level of your home, maybe a few extras too. I have never had a flemmie but I know quite a few personally and most are rather docile and a bit slower. Cute lil (big!) things!

[CheriB603]

My flemmie is your typical mellow fellow. Yours will probably be fine living without a cage – EVENTUALLY. But at first you’ll want to keep him confined to the room you want his litter box in. After a few days of 100% litter usage, expand his area and make sure he is going back to use the litter box. Now, if your house smells like the other bun or your dogs, he may want to mark your house to make it “his”. That doesn’t mean he’s not litter trained, just that he’s adding his own homey touches.

Keep a close eye, learn his habits, bunny proof accordingly and soon both of you will be comfortable.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree to keep him confined in a large area at first for the reasons mentioned by the others but also this will make him feel safer in a new environment to have his own little area.

[Troller]

I own two bonded Flemish. I’d love to go cageless, and probably could for a time, but eventually too much freedom leads to the start of bad habits so they need a refresher course on being behaved bunnies. For this reason I believe a bunny should have their own little dedicated space with plenty of free time.

Though like others have mentioned when you first get a bunny limit its space and gradually open it up. I kept my rabbits caged for a week then slowly but surely opened up the apartment to them.

[Author]

Messages