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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 21sd replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by Cheddar33.

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- 04/12/2011 at 4:32 PM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Hey guys!
  
  I’m Emmie and I’ve recently aquired a gorgeous baby dwarf rabbit named Zelda! This is my first ever rabbit, and I have to admit.. I’m nervous about having her!
  
  Zelda’s been with me for two days now, and seems to be getting along fine. She’s a very energetic bunny and loves climbing on everything. I was surprised how quickly she let me pick her up, no problems at all! So far, so good!
  
  And me? Well, I’m Emmie. I’m very new to this rabbit thing, so wish me luck! I’m a computing student part-time and I spend alot of my time playing xbox games and studying.
  
  I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!
- 04/12/2011 at 4:44 PM
  peppypoo
  Participant
  1945 posts
  Welcome to the forums! We are very fond of pictures here, just sayin’
  
  I like your bunny’s name! My Peppy is named after a video game character too.
- 04/12/2011 at 4:54 PM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Well, that’s her! Yeah, originally I wanted to name her Samus, but Princess Zelda suits so much better!
  
  Thanks for the welcome, I’m nervous about having her, so I’m happy I found this place!
- 04/12/2011 at 5:44 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Welcome to BB
  
  First, a couple of things. In her cage area, get rid of the shavings on the floor of the cage. Having bedding or litter in the cage makes it harder to litter train bunnies. Plus, if it is pine or cedar it can affect your bunny’s health!
  
  Also, I see a hanging treat of some kind… most store bought treats are actually really bad for bunnies. Alot of them have seeds, nuts, or even yogurt which can be very bad for their digestive system. Treats like a bit of dried papaya or a raisin are much better. Fresh fruits, strawberries, blueberries, or even herbs like cilantro are much better.
  
  Feel free to ask any questions you can think of
- 04/12/2011 at 5:44 PM
  MagpieBunnies
  Participant
  37 posts
  Welcome!
  
  Zelda is absolutely adorable! Being new to owning a bun myself, I can promise you that you will find advice, help, suggestions, and everything else under the sun here about rabbits.
- 04/12/2011 at 5:54 PM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Ah, okay. So, I should only have the area I want her to use for going to the bathroom with shavings? I kinda thought as much, but wasn’t sure if she needs something to sleep on or will she be alright on the hard plastic?
  
  She seems to kinda have the idea already. She’s been running about like a lunatic and hops back in her cage every now and again.
  
  The treat was recommended by the guy in the pet shop. She has no interest in it at all! Tbh, rabbits over in Ireland aren’t really seen as house pets, but I want mine to be able to wander about my living room as much as she wants.
  
  Thanks for the very warm welcome guys! Guaranteed there will be many stupid questions on the way! I really appreciate everyone’s help so much.
- 04/12/2011 at 6:09 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  It’s only stupid if you don’t ask them.
  
  Welcome Emmie and Zelda! She looks very sweet. This site is a great resource for learning about their care. We’re always learning. Also House Rabbit Society http://www.rabbit.org
  
  Pretty much most things they’ll try sell you in the pet shop is a waste of money and generally not good for rabbits. Rabbits will naturally toilet in one spot so just providing a litter box (rectangular cat box works well), safe litter and some hay on top and she’ll probably be halfway there. Much easier then having to clean entire cage of bedding when needed!
  Many rabbits like a bare floor to lie on. You can try a blanket, towel on the cage floor but some will just pee on absorbant surfaces. Instead, maybe put a small towel in the wooden hidey house or on top of the green thing.
- 04/12/2011 at 6:16 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Unless it is aspen shavings, I wouldn’t use shavings at all. i use a paper litter for my 3, it works well for absorbency and odor.
  
  And yes, hay! I forgot about that. Does Zelda have 24/7 access to a good grass hay? If not, she does need it
- 04/12/2011 at 6:32 PM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Ah okay, that’s good to know! Thanks! Really great advice I’m getting!
  
  She has access to hay at all times. I got her some organic stuff, I asked for the best considering it’s 80% of her diet I was told? I make sure she has the best food.
  
  She keeps doing these mad dashes around the sitting room, and I can’t tell if she’s happy or annoyed…
- 04/12/2011 at 6:33 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Look at that face.. I spot a diva in training
  
  A small cat potty box would be good while she is still a baby, but when she gets a little bigger, a large sized one will be good. Sometimes a bunny might sleep in their potty box, so that is just a warning ; )
  
  Yes, hay is essential! Timothy, alfalfa (for babies), orchard… beware, some people are allergic to timothy hay. Orchard is a good alternative
- 04/12/2011 at 6:36 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Mad dashes.. like running? She is.. very happy she might do some weird twists and jumps! That is a binky!!!
  Billy, the famous binky bunny.. he is a dwarf:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_XJss15fj0&feature=channel_video_title
- 04/12/2011 at 6:52 PM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Really? Good to know I’m doing a good job so far then! Haha, brilliant!
  
  And thanks for the hay advice… I just checked there, she’s on Burgess timothy actually. – http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/products/rabbit/burgess-excel-herbage.html
  
  How will I know if she’s allergic? She’s also on food for baby and dwarf rabbits which she loves!
- 04/12/2011 at 7:18 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Sneezing is one indicator .. hehe. Some people think it is the rabbit, but most of the time it is the hay.
  How is her pellets? Are there any colorful additives to the pellets? The pellet should be a plain one, no colorful stuff or seeds
- 04/12/2011 at 7:30 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Usually the allergies are what the humans experience with hay, not the bunnies
- 04/13/2011 at 4:21 AM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Oh! Wow I feel stupid! Haha, nah the hay seems to be fine and Zelda seems to really like it, so no issues here. I cleaned out her cage and discovered there is a corner she likes to pee in most, and it’s hidden away too, so I’ve only put litter in that area. I’ve also enquired about getting pet insurance for her and hopefully will have that all set up within the week.
  
  Guys, your advice has been invaluable. Thanks again!
- 04/13/2011 at 7:07 AM
  peppypoo
  Participant
  1945 posts
  No problem, we love giving advice to receptive people . I’m sure you and Zelda can figure things out in no time!
- 04/13/2011 at 12:21 PM
  Helenor
  Participant
  291 posts
  I saw your other thread on litter training and I just wanted to say hello and welcome! Zelda looks very cute. To start off, you should probably find a good vet for Zelda so if she gets sick, she has a vet to go to. (Also, if he/she is experienced with spays, that would be nice too).
- 04/13/2011 at 2:03 PM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Well, I’ve sorted her with pet insurance already, and I need to call my local vet and ask how they are with neutering a rabbit. It’s actually not that common over this side of the pond to do that! Thanks for the welcome, everyone’s so friendly! ^_^
- 04/14/2011 at 12:15 AM
  MarkBun
  Participant
  2842 posts
  Remember the trick question to find out if they’ve done rabbits before. Ask them how long you should fasat the rabbit before surgery. The answer is, you shouldn’t.
- 04/14/2011 at 5:31 AM
  Emmie
  Participant
  461 posts
  Oh? That is really good to know, thank you very much!
- 04/14/2011 at 8:08 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Yes Rabbits do not need to fast before surgery. Also asking how many rabbits they see, and if they give pain medication, how many spays or neuters they do Important stuff.
- 04/19/2011 at 12:25 PM
  Cheddar33
  Participant
  359 posts
  Welcome to you and Zelda. Adorable bun.
  
  ChaCha, good reminder about the binkies. I freaked out when I saw Cheddar first binky. I thought he was having leg spasms and was injured.
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