Soon to be first-timer

[Katie779]

New member here! 

I found this forum while religiously researching holland lops and it’s already been extremely helpful in easing my mind. I’ve been wanting a bunny my whole life and am finally financially able to make the leap. I had intended to wait after the new year, but a breeder an hour or so away from me just had a litter of the cutest broken holland lops and I couldn’t resist making a deposit. I’ll attach a few pictures of him/her (gender unknown as of yet).Mine is the broken tort. I’ll be picking up my new bun at the beginning of February after the 8 weeks mark. I’ve decided on a NIC condo with attached play pen for now, and will branch out into a bigger area once he/she is spayed/neutered and I have sufficiently bunny proofed. 

Does anyone else get extremely nervous before actually picking up their new family member? I’m completely new to bunnies so I’m just praying I don’t make any mistakes!  I currently have a few other pets, all requiring their own specific care and needs, but I feel like my new lop is a HUGE undertaking. Any advice for a soon to be new owner that you wish someone had told you? lol

Anyway, glad to be here and looking forward to posting here to brag about my new baby and I’m sure to ask plenty of questions as I go.

[Katie779]

The pictures I didn’t attach properly in my post. lol

[Deleted User]

How adorable. It reminds me of when I had a litter of baby bunnies. You will enjoy him/her

[Deleted User]

Oh my – how precious!!!!!! Luck you! Gee, I can’t think what to tell you? I bought Henry home not knowing a thing, and found this site a few weeks later, and just learned by reading the forums, the info that BB offers as part of this site and anything that was going on and I wanted a quick answer/advice on, I simply asked at that time through a forum. The fact that you are doing your research pre-bunny, sounds like your on your way to being a fantastic bunny mum!
Waiting till February….. how can you do it???? Lol…. very exciting!
Bunny bragging is what we do best here – you’ll have lots of fun! What names do you have picked out?

[Katie779]

I decided to think more about a name once I know the gender. Until then there are WAY too many possibilities. I usually like to name my pets names from books. lol Waiting is definitely hard, but in a way I’m glad for it because I did kind of choose him/her spur of the moment because I couldn’t resist, so now I have a good month at least to prepare. When he/she comes how long should I let them settle in before any kind of interaction? And should I limit the space my bun has until he/she is more settled? And one thing I’m confused about is bedding. I wanted to begin litter trained right away and have some kind of solid flooring everywhere else, but is it better to start with litter at the bottom level first? I know to expect big messes, especially before being spayed/neutered, but I’d still like to attempt to minimize it. lol

*Edit- I’m also a little nervous I opted for a baby bun. I know most people advise adopting an older one from a shelter, which I had initially intended, but after seeing my soon-to-be’s picture I fell in love.  Now I’m pretty nervous about it. haha 

[Deleted User]

I had Henry picked out for a girl, and I ended up with a boy bunny – cause, like you we had to wait for his arrival, we started saying Henry instead of ‘the bunny’ as we were eagerly awaiting his arrival and it just stuck, so Henry it was! I had to get Henry as a baby, bunnies are illegal in my state and had to cross the border to get him. I sooo get your falling in love with your bunny pic (I have as well, lol).
Even though we had notice of Henry’s arrival, I was in no way prepared (so I found out) and I’m probably the worst to give advice. All I can say is that we adored him then it turned into true love, (even though he’s the worst, naughtiest bunny ever!) and we worked it out and finally got it right. My only advice – if it’s a boy, get him neutered asap! Same with a girl, but for different reasons.
I interacted with Henry from the minute he was walked through the door (I couldn’t help myself) and the same with the dogs that arvo. And yes, keep the litter on the bottom floor, and work from there if it is required on the upper levels. Is your bub going to be free range? Yes, limit the space – it’s a big scary world! Then your bub will move on at it’s own pace. Anyhow – that was me with my Henry, I’m sure after you read up you’ll be reassured and pick up other tips on what’s best for your bub, and may even find what/how I did it was a no no? Most important, Henry is happy, spoilt, and whatever I got wrong he has forgiven – what a great life he has now! Good luck Katie779 – let us know everything when your bub comes home, I can’t wait!

[tanlover14]

Welcome to BB! And to being a new soon-to-be bunny parent!

First off, regarding interaction…I would give your bun the rest of the night to really settle in but feel free to stay in his area and get to know him a bit. Buns HATE being ignored typically so sometimes you can get them really curious in you by just laying in their area with a book and waiting for them to come up to you. One of my buns was too scared to come out the first night while another was bouncing off my walls within the few minute. You won’t know what your buns going to do until you bring her/him home! So I’d just play it by ear depending on how it goes. Just don’t be too pushy about touching as typically buns like to get to know you on their own terms. (Although I definitely know how hard it can be not to pick them up and snuggle them close within the first minute of meeting them!)

Limiting space can definitely help with litter training habits. Mine usually were fine until they hit three-four months when their hormones began settling in and then they’d lose their litter box habits so you may get lucky and get an easy one in the beginning (but be careful because when those hormones hit… gross! =P – one of my buns liked to spray ME which I later found out meant he loved me… and wanted to mate, LOL!) Definitely give enough space to run and do some zoomies though when he first gets home, I wouldn’t worry about confining him only to his cage. I’ve always just opened the pen door and let them explore what will be their area if they’re interested while I can supervise. They are notorious for finding ways to escape so I usually only let them have supervised play time for the first day or two to see just how much trouble they can get into and give me time to see if there’s anything they can knock down, squeeze through, etc. For litter training, it’s easiest to start out with a smaller area and slowly making it bigger – adding litter boxes for each larger-ish space. As they get better, you can slowly take them away. Just remember, this quite easily MAY or MAY NOT work since he/she will be unaltered.

The easiest thing is to stick with litter, not bedding. I personally love CareFresh but there’s lots of different and safe options out there for you to choose from. I use CareFresh in the litter boxes with hay on top. A lot of times when you add bedding into the cage (outside litter box) they will just assume that the bedding is where they can go also – it will remind them of their litter! If you really want them to have something soft (I’m a big baby and always wanted them to have something soft to lay on) so we just gave them hand towels or a very small fleece to snuggle into that was easy to wash and switch out if they peed on it. Since spayed/neutered though, mine don’t urinate on them anymore at all. He will most likely find a few certain places he likes to go and you can use that guidance to put a litter box in those favorite places to help teach him good litter habits.

I kind of giggled at your edit as I’m definitely one of those people ALWAYS saying this. Having been through four baby bunnies, it can definitely be painful. But it can also be rewarding at the same time. You seem to be preparing yourself for those hormones though so I think you’ll be just fine =). It’s typically the people who don’t do their research and AREN’T prepared that I preach too! Hahaahha!

[tanlover14]

ALSO – ADORABLE BABY BUN <3

[Katie779]

LOL yes I’ve read all about bun hormones, and while scared, I think I’m ready for it. I’m a big “research before you bring home” type person, so I’m really glad I came across this forum! I really like care fresh for my hamster, so I’ll probably go with that. He/she won’t be free range, at least at first. I’m making a 3 level NIC condo that will have an attached pen that I plan to expand as he/she get’s a little older and spayed or neutered. Thankfully I keep a few other “exotics” so I already have an excellent vet that I trust. I think I’m most nervous that my new bun will be right in my bedroom. lol It’s where I spend the most time and I like the idea of him/her being so close by. Guess I should get ready to lose a lot of sleep! haha

[tanlover14]

We actually just moved our whole warren of six into our bedroom! Hahahaha, we actually got a fan and keep it running at night. It covers up the noises of the buns but is a constant noise so it’s incredibly easy to sleep with on! =)

I had a three level NIC cube condo also – back three less bunnies ago! They are awesome. Have you thought of a design yet?

[Katie779]

The fan is a good idea, thanks! lol I’m planning on going out this Sunday and buying the cubes and just playing around with designs to see what I like best for the space I have. I want to get this – http://www.petco.com/product/102333/Petco-Dog-Crate-Replacement-Tray.aspx in the 800 or 900 series and use it as the base. I’ll attach wheels to the bottom so it can be moved if need be, then add another flooring (like linoleum tiles) and some cheap carpet that I can easily replaced. I was also thinking of getting some coroplast and making some kind of barrier on the outside of the cubes where the litter box will be to try to avoid as much litter/bedding being thrown out as possible haha. I also figured that making it a little less open will give the bun a little more security when settling in. I’ll have to see though because I’m not sure how easily the bun could reach that and nibble on it. I also haven’t decided on what material I want to cover the ramps with. I know that ramps aren’t really necessary but he’ll be little at first so I want him/her to be able to easily get around.

Ahhh the more I talk about it the more excited I get. February really isn’t going to come fast enough! lol

[tanlover14]

We did ramps at first too. Some buns use them but mine just hopped right to the next level so we eventually took them out. However, my three last buns don’t like jumping up high so I’m sure they would have utilized the ramps to their fullest if they had ever lived in the condo!

That bottom is awesome! We had some of those small pet store cages when we first got our buns so we just used the bottom of their biggest one as the bottom level for easier cleaning and so it wouldn’t ruin our carpet.

[Katie779]

Yeah when I saw it I figured it would be perfect for keeping everything up off the floor.

[Hazel]

Welcome! What a cute baby bun, you must be so excited!

Generally I would advice you not to buy anything labeled for bunnies (with some exceptions of course). Most treats, food, cages and bedding are actually bad for them. Most new rabbit owners go through the process of buying a lot of stuff, only to find out later that it’s no good and has to be replaced. Lots of money down the drain. You have already figured the cage part out, that’s great!

As for litter, the cheapest option is wood stove pellets (without accelerant!) or horse stall pellets (same thing). 40lbs can be had for $5-$7, for any pet store litter you would pay about 4x as much. You can find the wood stove pellets at places like Home Depot, the horse stall pellets at feed stores. We get ours at Tractor Supply.

Don’t get one of those small triangle rabbit litter boxes, they are much too small. You want one that has room for the bunny to lay down in, as well as hay and food. They like to go to the bathroom while eating, so putting their food in the box will greatly help with litter training. A medium sized rectangle cat litter box should be fine.

I would also stay away from water bottles. They are impossible to keep clean and the water comes out very slowly, causing the bunny to swallow lots of air. It’s much more natural and easier for them to drink out of a water bowl. Get a bowl that’s heavy enough so he can’t dump it over (they love to do that). We just got ours a 5″ stoneware bowl, it’s working out nicely.

For food you want a plain pellet food, no mixed stuff with seeds and colorful pieces in it, that’s junk food. Until the bun is 6-7 months old he should get an alfalfa based pellet (unlimited), after that they are considered adults and should have a timothy based pellet. A lot of people feed Oxbow, but there are other brands that are good too.

[Katie779]

Thank you! I was actually going to get a water bottle, but now I won’t. I plan on feeding Oxbow “young rabbit” to start. I work at a pet boutique that carries Oxbow, so I get a pretty decent discount on it. I’ll try to find the wood stove pellets. Unfortunately, I live in a big city and there are no feed stores anywhere near me. It might be worth it to make a trip though if it’ll save some money.

I hope I can figure out all the monthly maintenance stuff. I’ve been reading through threads of people having so much trouble trimming nails and cleaning glands, it’s kind of making me nervous. I’d like to not have to go to the vet for that kind of stuff. lol

[Rachel Anne]

Hi Katie!

Just wanted to say I’m in the same boat as you! Live in a big city, put a deposit down for a baby holland lop (we’ve been waiting about seven weeks now–the wait is so hard!!) and we’re getting him next week. I know what it’s like to one minute be excited and the next minute wonder if maybe you’re in over your head and get really nervous! All I can say is, I had a bunny about ten years ago and the good just outweighs the bad! Especially when you’ve been longing for a bunny as long as you have Good luck and welcome!

[tanlover14]

Katie, with a new healthy young baby rabbit you most likely will not need to do anal gland cleanings. It’s typically something you have to do more for disabled or old bunnies who can’t clean it out themselves. All of my young rabbits (and my 6 year old) did it just fine themselves. When you take him/her for their first wellness check by the vet, they will be able to check for you and make sure they are doing it themselves. You can also ask your vet a good way to hold them to check for yourself if you ever need to do so or clean them. The nail trimmings are a must though. Much easier if you have a 2nd person to help you do them. The sooner you begin doing them, the easier it will become. Your vet can help show you a way also, my vet showed me at the first check up as she did them.

Petco also has some GREAT online deals with CareFresh if you decide to stick with that. They have a great online discount that has been constantly running since I’ve gotten my rascals (two years) and they offer free shipping on purchases over $60 we just always bought in bulk. If you buy the deal that is over $60 you get more off on the CareFresh anyways!

[tanlover14]

I used all water bottles for my guys in the beginning but went to the bowl eventually. I love the bowl much more. I actually just got my buns one of those larger sized dog water bowls like this –

http://www.petco.com/product/120936/Petmate-Blue-Le-Bistro-Gravity-Pet-Waterer.aspx?CoreCat=MM_DogSupplies_BowlsFeedersWaterers

My bun always just flipped the water dish all over the place. So this was a great option as none of them can throw the darn bowl. Haha! Way too heavy for their little paws and I”m not constantly worrying about them being out of water.

[Katie779]

I love that water dispenser! I’ll probably get one of those, too. I love all the great ideas I’m getting.
Rachel- I know how it feels! I go from being SO excited one minute to really nervous the next. lol I think that’s a good mindset though because it shows how seriously we take the commitment.

[Katie779]

How soon after bringing home a new baby bun should you go for a check up at the vet? I like to bring my animals in early-ish just to set a baseline for their health before there’s actually an issue, but I don’t want to stress out the little guy/girl too soon either.

[Dobby]

I feel like with both my bunnies I went to the vet almost too soon, before they had a chance to settle in. With both of them, I noticed things after they settled in a bit that warranted either a call to the vet or another visit. One makes a little clicking sound when he walks, which turned out to be nothing. The other was actually sick but I hadn’t noticed the symptoms when I first took him in and neither did the vet. I think if I ever got another bunny (from a trusted source) I would probably wait at least a week or two before taking them to the vet. That way you get to know a little more about them and can raise any concerns with the vet.

Two caveats: 1. This doesn’t apply to an obviously sick bunny (not eating, drinking, pooping, etc.) 2. I am still a fairly inexperienced bunny owner so more experienced owners might have different advice.

[tanlover14]

I waited about a month before taking my little newbies to the vet. A lot of this stemmed from trying to sort through and find a reputable vet. I do think it’s very important though and would encourage you to do it in the first couple of weeks. So you know he’s healthy. Waiting a good week or two though like Dobby said can really help you figure out your bunny so you will be able to know when something is not quite right also. Also, so if there are any problems or concerns you can take them in then rather than having to call back. The closer they are to three months though, the more likely you will know the actual sex of the rabbit. The younger they are, the harder they are to tell! Even very experienced rabbit vets and breeders get them wrong when they are only 8-12 weeks old.

I really don’t think there’s much need for “settling in” when you take them to the vet though. No matter if you do it the first day OR the second month, they will not be happy campers. And will probably give you the bunny butt in protest for a bit.

[Katie779]

Thank you! That actually makes me feel better. I didn’t want to have to wait too long. lol I like to get any new pets in asap to get checked out so if there are any issues they can be handled before they get worse.

[Hazel]

We didn’t take Oscar to the vet right away. We did give him a dose of Revolution the minute we got him home though, just in case he had any parasites. He was a tiny thing so we gave him only one half of the puppy/kitten Revolution. Does this rabbitry house their bunnies outside? If so I would definitely treat him. If you want to go that route, just be aware that Revolution is harder to come by than other treatments, because it gets rid of not only fleas but mites and some internal parasites. So you will have to have a vet prescribe it to you. They might not do that without seeing the bun first. I called around a few local vets and asked them for a sample dose since we only needed one.

Also, since you are building a NIC condo, don’t bother getting a hay rack. You can just take one of the grids and bend it into a “V” shape and mount it over the litter box as a hay rack. Make sure you don’t bend it where the weld is though, or it will break. I also cut some card board to size and zip tied it on both sides to keep the hay from falling out. Or you could just put the hay straight into the litter box of course. I prefer the hay rack because it makes less mess and the buns don’t pee on their hay.

Speaking of the NIC grids, there are different kinds, make sure you get the ones with 9 spaces, some only have 5 and the holes are big enough for a bun to get its head stuck.

[Starah]

Congratulations on your soon-to-be new addition!
Waiting to bring bunny home seems like forever and then when they’re finally here the weeks fly by!

I bought Patsy and Pascal home late September, just past the 8 week mark.
I’ve had bunnies previously but as the bun before these two was a rescue it had been around 13 years since I had a baby bunny so it was all quite an adjustment from our previous, elderly bun!

When I bought my two home we cuddled them for a little while and let them get a good smell of us before letting them settle in their home.
Those first few days I tried to establish a routine with them in terms of feeding etc so that they could relax a bit more and they settled really well.
Mine went to the vet around three weeks after I bought them home – too many car journeys can be a bit stressful on them, and since they came from a breeder like yours is I had a good picture of their health up to that point as well as parents health, so there was no need to rush it.

Just spend time getting to know your bunny, though the first few weeks mine seemed to change within hours-it was hard to keep up! I found just talking to mine and laying on the floor with them broke down barriers pretty quickly, I think laying down meant I wasn’t towering over them since they were so tiny and so they were comfortable jumping on me pretty soon.

As far as bedding goes, I made the mistake of assuming mine would want/need it everywhere as this is what bunny before had liked. Once Pascal was neutered I removed all bedding so it couldn’t stick to him and their sloppy litter skills were changed to almost perfect instantly! As tanlover said, towels and fleece work nicely, mine have one in their hideaway house and another in the corner they boh seem to har decided is a good place to snuggle in. This works perfectly and they enjoy digging and re-arranging their blankets and I’m saving a ton in bedding (and instantly spending my savings on toys for them-thy own me!)
I think they’ve only had an accident on their towel once but I have about five to rotate if something needs washing!

Enjoy your new arrival, they change so fast in the first few months, but there are always plenty of people on Standby here with tonnes of advice if you need it!

[tanlover14]

I’m actually going to go out on a limb and disagree with Hazel (sorry Hazel!) regarding the Revolution. Although it’s very common for incoming animals to get doses of Revolution whether they have fleas or not, I prefer only giving meds if my vet prescribes them first. All three of my Tans came from an outside housing and all were perfectly fine. Again, this probably depends on whether you’re getting from a reputable breeder. Some breeders could care less about their rabbits welfare while others are right on top of making sure they’re all healthy and tip top shape. If you’re getting him into the vet within the first week or two, I would just wait and discuss it with your vet unless you notice actual problems with him scratching. I would admit though, I’ve never used the flea medication (I’ve never had a reason too) and it does make me nervous. If you decide to give him a dose, others can tell you the brand (Hazel do you know??) that is actually very fatal for rabbits. A few people on BB have watched their buns die horrible deaths because the label said it was rabbit safe when it’s not. I think it’s Advantage? Someone else with comment in I’m sure. I think that one brand though DOES affect my feelings on flea treatment though, I will be honest. It’s probably way over protective of me but I figured I’d comment my personal feelings and it’s something you can decide for yourself! =)

Getting down to their level is great advice. I have to agree that I think it took away the scary effect. My bun was quickly jumping all over my back when I laid down on the floor next to him.

Definitely be careful of those NIC cubes, like Hazel said. We bought a TON we couldn’t use. The ones that we got from Target had both in them so we had to buy extra boxes to make up for that. And the hay rack idea was pure genius on Hazel’s part, haha!

[Starah]

I also meant to say about how my two have water as I saw you guys were discussing it!
When I bought mine home they were tiny tiny things that were barely bigger than my hand and they seemed to explore Thor world by sitting on or in it…including the water bowl! Two tiny cold, wet bunnies was not good! They couldn’t seem to get the hang of drinking from the bowl (though I bet if I offered them a bowl now they’d figure I out!)
I replaced their bowl with the standard bottle but again they weren’t drinking any, I mean they tried but I think they were too small to actually get any water out.
A quick trip to the pet store and I found this;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001MZWSDE
I swear by it now, it’s really easy for them to drink from with measurements down the side so I can have a good idea how much thy are drinking, it fills from the top too (why has no one thought of this before?!) so really quick and easy to fill.
AND my favourite part; the whole thing, including every part of the nozzle, unscrews with the help of a little tool provided so you can clean the whole thing (I always hated the idea of not being able to fully clean bottles!)

Anyway, you may find your bun is quicker on the uptake with bowls than mine were, but thought I’d share that early on in case it was of any help!

[Katie779]

I think I read that the brand of flea meds that are dangerous are Frontline (not 100% though). Either way I’ll wait to check with the vet first. The breeder I’m purchasing from cares a lot about her bunnies so I doubt they’ll be an issue. And I’ll find out how the bunnies are drinking next time I speak to the breeder and decide what I’ll use after that. They’ll be using bowls, but I’d get that bottle you recommended to start with if that’s what they’re used to.

[Hazel]

Posted By tanlover14 on 12/29/2013 01:26 PM

I’m actually going to go out on a limb and disagree with Hazel (sorry Hazel!) regarding the Revolution.

*gasp* How COULD you?!

I’m kidding, tanlover is totally right, it’s always best to check with your vet first before giving any medications. Looks like I made a boo-boo…

I guess it also depends on where you live, we’re in the south and at certain times of the year your pet would be invested after going outside for 10 minutes. So flea treatment for our pets is more or less a must. Rabbitries in this kind of climate would need treatment for any outdoor bunnies too.

Frontline is the bad one, Advantage is actually safe, just stick with the kitten dose. We’ve given our previous bunny half a kitten dose each time, he weighed 5lbs. But like tanlover said, consult your vet first!

We got our grids from Bed, Bath&Beyond, they were the right ones and all the same.

tanlover: How odd that Target had different ones in the same package, that’s annoying!

[Katie779]

I checked Target today and they were the the two different ones in the same package. So annoying! I was about to order two boxes from Walmart online when I saw your post Hazel and you totally saved me. Bed Bath and Beyond has them for $10 cheaper in store! So thank you for helping me save money. haha

I was also able to find that dog crate replacement bottom at Petco, even though the website said they were online only.

[Hazel]

Nice! I’m glad you caught that in time.

[Katie779]

Got an update from the breeder today! Here’s some updated pictures of my bun bun!

[Deleted User]

Are you sure that’s a bunny? Where’s his ears? Lol! Way to cute! Lucky you!

[Katie779]

LOL they’re so small, right? I’m in love with his/her wittle face!

[Hazel]

That’s too cute! You are so lucky to have these baby pictures! The earliest I have of mine are at 8 weeks. Still better than nothing though. Have you seen pictures of the parents?

[Katie779]

Yes I have! The sire is a solid chestnut and the dam is a broken. The whole litter is adorable. Theres an orange, 2 broken oranges, and my broken tort.

[Sindri]

Those pictures are adorable!

[brianamonster]

Oh, what a cute little boy/girl!
When I got my two, almost 7 years ago now (geeze, where has time gone!?) they were my first and I definitely felt the same way you did. I also did much research before jumping in and I applaud you for doing so. Too many people just buy a pet without any idea of how to properly care for it! I am no bunny expert, but all the advice you have gotten in wonderful and this is a great site for any questions you will have in the future.
Just to share some of my experiences….I was lucky enough to have hardly any trouble with litter training. My two picked a corner to potty and I stuck the litter box there and they got it. Yes, we do have accidents from time to time (mainly from Pongo, who was ill), but the good thing about rabbit pee is that it doesn’t seem to absorb quickly into carpet..or maybe we have special carpet point being, nothing a pat down and carpet cleaning couldn’t fix. I use the cat litter called Yesterdays New. It is literally recycled newspaper and it has worked well for me.
I do think they are much more comfortable when you are on their level. Lay down on the floor and have a conversation. Mine love to come up and bop my face and if I’m lucky they’ll hop up on my back or tummy lol!
I used water bottles for both up until this last year. This was a mistake on my part…but I discovered one day while refilling that there was mildew on the inside of the caps! So, nothing against bottles, but never forget to clean those darn things! I have switched to bowls and I prefer it much more now. *bad bunmom moment*
I’m not sure if there is a chapter near you, but the House Rabbit Society has always been a great place for me. The one near me boards and it is the only place I trust if I must board them. They also have a little shop with reasonably priced toys. Of course, you can buy some great things here but I have also found some great wooden hand made toys on etsy and an online shop called Happy Rabbit Toys (I hope I am allowed to recommend this! LOL) But, truth be told, most bunnies are amused with simple toys like a paper towel roll with hay inside LOL get creative!
Hope this helped a little! I am excited to see more pictures of your new baby!

[Katie779]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me! I’ll find out if there is a chapter near me, but for some reason I’m doubting it as I live in a big city where those kinds of things aren’t usually located (along with feed stores :/ ). I’m still deciding between Yesterday’s News and Carefresh, but I’ll probably go with Carefresh because I already keep it in the house for my hamster. lol I’ll be sure to post new pictures here as I get them! The breeder usually takes updated pictures every week or so, which is so nice because I’ll have a chronicle of my baby’s growth from 3 weeks up.

[Katie779]

We have ears!!! Got another update from the breeder today. I also now know the gender. She’s a girl! Time to think of some names.

 

 

[Deleted User]

Ha ha ha hah Katie779 – now that’s a ‘bunny’! His/her ears are adorable (finally lol), it was worth the wait! Your sooooo lucky! Just a warning – I can see a twinkle of naughtiness/cheekiness in it’s eye’s or is it the grin? (the bottom photo). Too cute – Cheers Katie779.

[Katie779]

LOL she definitely seems to be getting some personality in her eyes (and ears!)! I’m thinking of naming her Hazelnut, but I haven’t decided yet. She’s really growing into an adorable bunny, though!

[meekobunny]

Aw!! How sweet! Hazelnut is such a perfect name! haha. I’m also a new bunny owner of a 9 week old baby boy holland. He’s a broken chestnut. My breeder also sent me photos from the baby stages. So precious! Good luck with your new bunny! They’re such sweethearts.

[Deleted User]

Sorry Katie779 – I was soooo distracted by her ‘ears’ (& was just showing hubby your earlier pic’s and my previous post – are you sure that’s a bunny? where’s her ears? – yes, he had a chuckle too!) And when showing him your new pic’s and post “she has ear’s!” I just noticed (silly me) you said “”It’s a GIRL””!
Congratulations! I bet ‘she’s’ gonna be a spoilt princess! Ha hah…. (I knew I saw something in that twinkle, lol!). Again, congratulations on your baby girl – she is adorable!

[Katie779]

Thank you so much! Seeing her new pictures made me even more excited to bring her home (if that was possible lol).

[tanlover14]

To piggyback on the earlier post about litter training –

Vinegar has been a GOD-SEND to me when it comes to accidents. We have white carpet (go figure) and when the buns were having accidents we were trying to get it out with the stuff (at the pet store) made for rabbit urine. Yah right. Left stains anyways. Then someone told me to try vinegar. We now keep a spray bottle of vinegar around in case of accidents. Just pour or spray some vinegar on the carpet where they peed (or anything really) and it’s like magic – literally disappears so quickly! Just give it a nice rub and it’s gone!

WHAT AN ADORABLE GIRL. !!! Congrats! Better pick a name thats neutral gender – Hahahaahaha – You have NO idea how many people I’ve seen on here think they have the rabbit sexed correctly and then they take them for the spay/neuter and they get a little surprise! LOLOL

Also, I vote her name be Sophie or Bella.

[Katie779]

LOL picking a gender neutral name isn’t a bad idea. I hope she remains a girl, though! lol That’s what I had initially wanted, but either way it doesn’t really matter. haha

Thanks for the vinegar tip! I’ll definitely keep some around in a spray bottle.

[Deleted User]

Cute! She’s getting a GREAT home by the looks of it

[Katie779]

Received what’s probably the last update before bringing her home! I also asked about her temperament out of curiosity (I know it will most likely change after her “puberty”) and was told she’s very nice, is accustomed to both adults and children and really enjoys her free time running around outside of her cage. I hope she stays that way! lol 

Here are the pictures from yesterday. Does she look like she’s growing well?

[Diamond]

How precious! Maybe it’s because bunnies don’t stay as tiny babies for very long, but I can’t get enough of them <3 I think Hazelnut is a lovely name for a girl, and would probably also work alright for a boy.

[Katie779]

She’s still so small! There’s a picture of her next to the breeders hand that really puts her in perspective. I’m excited to see her grow!

I’m still not 100% on the name. My boyfriend really likes “Holly” so I’m considering that, too. I think I’ll probably wait until I meet her to decide for sure. lol

[manic_muncher]

omg she’s so adorable! I WANT HER!

[Katie779]

haha I’m SO excited (and nervous!) to bring her home!!

[Deleted User]

Ditto Manic_Muncher! And her EAR’S! Perfect! Who could ask for more, ha ha ha hah……

[Katie779]

LOL who could have imagined she’d end up with those ears from her first couple pictures! haha

[JPetrucci84]

Awww! Welcome!

[gk]

She is a very cute bun! I love her markings!

[Sindri]

Awww she sure has grown what a cute bunny!

[Katie779]

She’s coming home today!!! Will post her official introduction thread later after we pick her up.

[manic_muncher]

WITH PICS!!

[Author]

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