Tried to get my bans to like syringes by using baby food...

It was very unsuccessful... They both seemed scared of the syringe!
I hated having to force feed Smokey after her spay, since she wouldn't eat, and I thought if I taught them that it was not a horrible thing, it would help if I ever have to do it again (I sure hope not!)

It didnt work at all, since Smokey just ran away, and robin wouldn't lick it at all!
I think I got frustrated, which did not help at all, and will proably just give up! I just though it would be much more sress free if they willingly took things... Maybe I should have tried with the tiny syringe... Maybe tomorrow if they have forgiven me!

Has anyone had any succsess with giving food by syringes? I know a few people on here have bunnies that like it as long as it tastes good, that's why I tried too...

What food did you use? And did you do it before they were fed? Mine happily took ellas kitchen carrot and apple(?) and a fruity pudding one

The problem with that is although you might get them used to it, if you did have to give them some meds more than once then they'd just learn that syringe = nasty tasting medicine, so it's only really useful if you're planning on giving them nice tasting medicine (or critical care or something) or just have to give them it as a one off

I know the feeling, bunny didnt like it one bit!

Both my buns will willingly take apple juice or carrot juice from a syringe. Barney will also take meds from one as long as it is mixed with juice - Barney is on twice-daily meds so it is a godsend.

I don't force them or hold them whilst doing it or anything, I just acted like it is a treat and made some dribble out when they are sniffing it - once they realised it was yummmy they licked the syringe. Over time they got more confident with it and now Barney puts it completely in his mouth and sucks on it. Annabella doesns't get much practice so some still goes on the floor, but if time comes that she needs to be given daily meds she'll soon get into practice. She is nervous of me so is better at taking it through the mesh of the run - she gets nervous one-on-one and thinks I'm going to try picking her up/brushing her.

Both think it is a treat and will chase the syringe for it - once the syringe is empty Barney tries to snatch it off me :roll: I've never had to force feed them but have had to give them yucky-tasting meds on several occasions, but they won't take them willingly so nowadays I mix them with juice.

Thanks guys, I used Ella's kitchen carrot and apple. I think I just have to be more patient, as they seem absolutely terrified though so I guess it will take ages. They are both rescues, so I have no clue what sort of history they have had with syringes. Oh well! Smokey didn't seem to bad at taking water when she was ill, maybe I will try apple juice, then make it slowly thicker?

Hopefully I will never have to give them anything too disgusting, but its just that they are so scared of the thing, I wanted to show them that its not always bad. I will go and buy some organic apple juice tomorrow, and then try again in a couple of days

Thanks for all the advice!

My bunnies are all fine with being syringe fed. None of them actually need it but it was awful when my bridge bunny completely out of the blue had a stroke and needed syringe feeding, and really struggling with something new with such a poorly bunny was just awful, and I then decided that all my future buns would be syringe fed every now and then so as to get use to it, just in case they did need on going syringe feeding for a while.

Not sure what size syringe you were using, but if it was quite big they might not have liked it knocking their mouths. I only ever use a 1ml syringe so as no risk of aspirating, and as that slides so easily into that gap at the side of the mouth, bunnies don't seem bothered by it.

Personally I would only ever syringe feed Recovery or Critical Care, as although I did use to sometimes give Roger baby food, when I told my rabbit specialist vet, he told me it wasn't a good idea, as all baby food contains sugar, and in bunnies it tends to just sit in the abdomen and can cause bloat, so I never did again.

Both of my buns LOVE the syringe. I have only ever used tiny amounts of Organix vegetable medley but they take it very enthusiastically.

Time and patience I guess. For the same reasons as above, I've always got the animals used to the syringe from an early age - makes it so much easier if they're ever taken ill.

Persevere - I'm sure they'll get to accept it eventually