new rabbit...lots of questions (care)

[jasonbunny]

Hi there,

I have just taken my first rabbit home, fostered for a few weeks, with a view to permenant, as i havent owned one before, and though i have many small animals, and my husband has had rabbits as a child, he is quite rusty!

He is going to be an indoor rabbit for the most, outside in our garden for digging etc, and we have made sure all wires cant be reached. I am wondering if there is anything else we should be wary off in regards to his safety whilst out and about in the lounge?

Also he is very very timid, apparently only becoming so since the last time he was fostered and he was returned within a week. He has been in the rescue centre from being a very young rabbit whom had been beaten badly by him mum. I am wondering what things i can do to help him feel more secure?

I am sure i will have heaps more questions, but i will have a read to see if they are already answered :D

[ecudc]

wire are the main one but you might have to keep an eye on carpet and wallpaper munching. The best way to stop this is to provide distractions such as lots of hay, a digging box, carboard house and so on.

[Kay]

Give him lots of places to hide around the living room so he feels safe where ever he is.

Hopefully he won't be totally destructive, just the normal really keeping cables away and making sure shoes, bags etc aren't left on the floor.

Good luck :D

[vanessa]

Blocking wires is the main thing, also make sure bunny can't knock anything over onto him and when he is used to you more that you are careful where you tread cos they follow you everywhere without you noticing! To get bunny used to you try sitting on the floor and letting him come to you in his own time, they usually prefer to be on ground level rather than being picked up. Somewhere to hide eg, a box or tunnel in the room where you let them out is a good idea too, somewhere for them to go if they feel a bit scared.

[uniqueanneek]

I'm a new rabbit owner too, and the best and most effective advice i was given was to increase the bunny's space and freedom slowly. Starting in the room where his cage is and slowly adding on an extra room once he's used to his surroundings.

I found that when he became comfortable with his environment he was more willing to investigate me and be curious about me instead of just the room.

Also, if he's quite nervous it might be good to sit in the room with him whilst he does this, but let him come to you when he's ready, ie sit doing something else and let him investigate you in his own time, so he can build up his trust in you.

Good luck with it all :)

Ax

[jasonbunny]

thanks everyone. He has become quite active in the last hour, eating some food, and scrabbling about his cage! I am moving some furniture around tomorrow which should block most wires and the few remaining i will get tubing for. We will also get him a new cage tomorrow as the one he is in now, came from the rescue centre, it opens on top, and i would like a side one. I also gave him some apple on my lap which he eyed for a while then had half. I hope he likes it with us, as i like having him here!

[luvabun]

:wave: It's very rewarding to see a sad bunny blossom in your care so good luck :) . Furniture is no deterrent for a bun so I'd still put cable tidies on the wires there.... my buns head for the tiny space behind the chair when I let them loose in the lounge.. the chair is pushed right to the wall but they still manage :roll:

Loking forward to reading of his development.

[jasonbunny]

thank you, he has had a good night i think! all his food was gone in the morning and half his water. He has had a bit of apple this morning too, and i have removed the top half of the cage so he pops out and has a sniff about. He seems to be very interested in the cat, and had a good sniff a minute ago, however my cat hissed a bit and backed off, so i think thats a relationship that will take some time to develop!

My toddlers are being very good and are looking but not trying to touch. I have moved my furniture around so almost all wires cant be reached, and hubby is brining home some tubing to protect the few remaining

He has just come out again, and is thinking about getting out of his cage!

[ecudc]

oooh I forgot, HOUSEPLANTS.......most are toxic to buns so put them up really high or switch to marigolds, roses, herbs and lavender and let them have a munch.

[maisydaisystar]

have you thought about using a dog crate as a home for him, lots of people use them and add a second level. Good luck