Bellabunny10
New Kit
Hi all, am new on here and hoping someone will have advice to dispense ...
Having very fond memories of a rex rabbit i had as a child i recently decided to purchase (after much thought) a 8 week old lively rex rabbit for myself and 9 year old son with the intention of her being a "partial" house rabbit - in with us when at home but out in a large chicken coop type hutch when not.
When she first arrived (we have had her about 6 weeks) i acclimatised her to the house within a part of the kicthen where she was happy to interact with us (providing we didn't try to pick her up) and would use her litter tray.
Unfortunately after an incident where she mistook my son's finger for a yoghurt drop he is undertandably wary and is lacking in interest but i have persisted and now when in she has free run of the house - she is happy hopping around and sniffing us if i place her in the front room but ignores her litter tray despite there being one in the original place in kitchen and the one out of her hutch in the front room - she tends to poop where she stops and has recently taken to "messing" on the sofa. After being in the room for about half an hour she retires to the kitchen to hide round the back of the sofa and will stay there until i take her outside - which strikes me as she is unhappy being in with us ... She loves having the run of the garden but this can be limited due to the weather or the fact that we can't watch over her all the time (and am worried that the neighbour's cat will get her)
My questions being:
Is she retiring to a quiet corner because she is uncomfortable with our company or does she feel insecure? Is it just a case of time and patience?
Can i stop her from pooping all over my front room carpet and sofa?
Would it be better just to get her a female friend so that human interaction is not required as much and there is less need to bring her in with us? Really don't want to go for this option if i can help it as wanted her to be part of the family but at this rate she is going to be alone for the majority of the time.
I know she hasn't been with us for long but would really appreciate advice on how we can make her happy ...
I was hoping it would just be a case of time but have been out to her tonight for feeding and fuss (as she didn't come in with us last night) and whilst she didn't bite me did make an aggresive move towards me, which makes me think that she is still not comfortable around me. I hate to think that she is an unhappy or lonely bunny, what can i do to help?
Having very fond memories of a rex rabbit i had as a child i recently decided to purchase (after much thought) a 8 week old lively rex rabbit for myself and 9 year old son with the intention of her being a "partial" house rabbit - in with us when at home but out in a large chicken coop type hutch when not.
When she first arrived (we have had her about 6 weeks) i acclimatised her to the house within a part of the kicthen where she was happy to interact with us (providing we didn't try to pick her up) and would use her litter tray.
Unfortunately after an incident where she mistook my son's finger for a yoghurt drop he is undertandably wary and is lacking in interest but i have persisted and now when in she has free run of the house - she is happy hopping around and sniffing us if i place her in the front room but ignores her litter tray despite there being one in the original place in kitchen and the one out of her hutch in the front room - she tends to poop where she stops and has recently taken to "messing" on the sofa. After being in the room for about half an hour she retires to the kitchen to hide round the back of the sofa and will stay there until i take her outside - which strikes me as she is unhappy being in with us ... She loves having the run of the garden but this can be limited due to the weather or the fact that we can't watch over her all the time (and am worried that the neighbour's cat will get her)
My questions being:
Is she retiring to a quiet corner because she is uncomfortable with our company or does she feel insecure? Is it just a case of time and patience?
Can i stop her from pooping all over my front room carpet and sofa?
Would it be better just to get her a female friend so that human interaction is not required as much and there is less need to bring her in with us? Really don't want to go for this option if i can help it as wanted her to be part of the family but at this rate she is going to be alone for the majority of the time.
I know she hasn't been with us for long but would really appreciate advice on how we can make her happy ...
I was hoping it would just be a case of time but have been out to her tonight for feeding and fuss (as she didn't come in with us last night) and whilst she didn't bite me did make an aggresive move towards me, which makes me think that she is still not comfortable around me. I hate to think that she is an unhappy or lonely bunny, what can i do to help?
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