Single rabbits (& help with hutch repair post 119)

[Aly&Poppy<3]

:lol:

I do like the sound of having an indoor rabbit, but I wouldn't want my mum to think she has wasted all her time and effort no getting me the rabbit run :?

You can still use it in the summer I have 3 metal runs (although they are being used now for the indoor 2 I will only need the one when they are bonded. So that leaves me 2 metal runs, and when Lola and Donny are bonded I will have a spare 6 x 4 wooden run :lol: You can never have too many runs :thumb: :lol:

 

[vergo97]

I suppose we could do that... It might actually be good to have the rabbit inside, because one of our cats is a house cat (because of FIV), but has always been an outdoor cat so we want to get him a a run/pen thing to go outside in so he can get some fresh air. The only problem we have is that there is hardly and room in the garden. If Freddy is an indoor rabbit then we could use the space where is hutch is to put the cat run. I haven't asked my mum yet, I worry that she will just say no.

When we were trying to work out where to put the cat run she was saying that we might end up putting Freddy back were he was and that would mean he wouldn't have room for his run to be attached to his hutch

 

[vergo97]

Also, do house rabbits chew everything? I know that I would have to keep all the wires out of the way, but to they chew other things, like desks and skirting boards?

 

[Carol and Gregory]

Also, do house rabbits chew everything? I know that I would have to keep all the wires out of the way, but to they chew other things, like desks and skirting boards?

Yes! I'll never forget moving my sofa out to hoover underneath it and finding a big chunk of skirting board missing! Gregory once went to stay with a friend while I was on holiday and he chewed her wooden stairs! You have to make sure you have plenty of things available which they can chew!

 

[vergo97]

I'm not allowed to have him as a house rabbit My mum said that it wouldn't be fair on him because he is used to being outside and o have a house rabbit they have to have been a house rabbit thier whole lives. She said it would stress him out too much. She also said that she doesn't agree with house rabbits and that they prefer to be outside :roll:

I have just spend two hours "tidying up my room" (i.e trying to make it as rabbit friendly as possible) and now he isn't allowed inside :evil:

 

[Evangeline]

Also, do house rabbits chew everything? I know that I would have to keep all the wires out of the way, but to they chew other things, like desks and skirting boards?

I have a single house bunnyand yes he chews everything. He doesn't chew furniture except my wicker chairs. He does attempt the corners on walls as well so I've bubble wrapped them. You do have to make sure everything is hidden and hide it well as they will find things. :lol:

 

[vergo97]

I have a single house bunnyand yes he chews everything. He doesn't chew furniture except my wicker chairs. He does attempt the corners on walls as well so I've bubble wrapped them. You do have to make sure everything is hidden and hide it well as they will find things. :lol:

I'm not allowed to have him inside anyway, my mum thinks he won't like it and she doesn't agree with rabbits being inside

 

[Jenova]

I'm not allowed to have him inside anyway, my mum thinks he won't like it and she doesn't agree with rabbits being inside

You can still do a lot with him outside. In the summer you can make him a box maze with old cardboard boxes. And you could make toys for him to chuck around with toilet rolls and things like that. Try getting him more used to you with treats.

My mum was the same when I was younger. I had a single, male, unneutered rabbit outside. But I spent lots of time with him and he grew to love me (sometimes a bit too much because he'd hump my arm ) and we did a lot together outside.

 

[Evangeline]

I'm not allowed to have him inside anyway, my mum thinks he won't like it and she doesn't agree with rabbits being inside

Aww thats not a problem there are so many toys he can have outside and he will love hearing the animals

 

[vergo97]

It's just I thought it would be a really good idea to have him as a house rabbit Is it even true that is a rabbit has been outside their whole lives that they will get stressed inside?

I'll give him some more toys but there isn't much room in his run so I don't want to overcrowd it.

 

[Jenova]

It's just I thought it would be a really good idea to have him as a house rabbit Is it even true that is a rabbit has been outside their whole lives that they will get stressed inside?

I'll give him some more toys but there isn't much room in his run so I don't want to overcrowd it.

Every rabbit is different. But you can also make toys for him to play with when he's out of the hutch/run. And he only gets them when he's with you in the garden.

 

[vergo97]

I could take the tunnel out of his run to make room for some toys and get it out in the garden when he is free ranging...

 

[vergo97]

I'm at my dads today and I was telling him about the idea of Freddy becoming ah house rabbit and he also thinks it would not be fair on Freddy. He offered to have Freddy at his house while Casper (the cat who would be having the run in the garden) is still around (the garden is quite big) to prevent the possibility of Freddy having to be without his run to make room for the cat, but said that I am not to get any ideas about getting him huge runs and giving him loads of space.

 

[nessar]

I'm at my dads today and I was telling him about the idea of Freddy becoming ah house rabbit and he also thinks it would not be fair on Freddy. He offered to have Freddy at his house while Casper (the cat who would be having the run in the garden) is still around (the garden is quite big) to prevent the possibility of Freddy having to be without his run to make room for the cat, but said that I am not to get any ideas about getting him huge runs and giving him loads of space.

There is nothing cruel about keeping a rabbit inside, but unfortunately many people have the perception that they 'should' be outdoors. In actual fact house rabbits are likely to live longer. It may not be 'natural', but it is just as natural as keeping a dog or cat indoors.

Maybe I'm not understanding this right, but does your mum intend to get the cat a bigger run than Freddy has? If she is, when she is showing you runs for the cat, you could ask casually and nicely why the cat needs more space when Freddy is about the same size. A lot of people think of rabbits as not needing as much space as other animals, but pointing out and questioning this automatic thinking can help people realise that rabbits need space too. Ask someone if they would keep a cat or small dog in a hutch all the time and I doubt any will say they would, its just the misconceptions people have about rabbits. Your mum putting the cat's needs above the rabbit's by removing the rabbit's run to make room for the cats is a classic example of this.

Why does the cat need more space than the rabbit, why is the cat more important? This is the key to getting someone to understand where you are coming from. Its a conversation I often have with my father about vets bills. He would take the cat to the vet if he was ill, so why shouldnt I take my rabbits? It is a question that not many people have a proper answer to, and can make them think, although it may not change their mind. Likening a rabbit to a cat or dog is not a line of thinking people are used to, or comfortable with.

Dont get into a battle with your mum or dad, as they will probably resort to 'because I said so' or 'whilst you're under my roof you follow my rules', instead work on improving their view of rabbits in general. Help them see that Freddy is intelligent and needs just as much stimulation as a cat or dog. It's not going to happen overnight, but over time you can improve his life, and you can always ask for things like bigger runs or vaccinations for birthday or christmas presents, and they will probably respect that you want such an unselfish gift.

 

[nessar]

As for Freddy, dont worry that he isnt being that social with you at the moment, some rabbits just arent that human orientated. After all, some humans arent that fond of animals either. The thing is, a rabbit is a prey animal and humans are predators, so it can take some work to gain their trust. I have a rabbit called Annabelle, and when I first got her she ran away at the sight of me, I couldnt even get near her, and if I did she hated and was terrified of being touched. I've had her for around 10 months now, and although she is never going to be a cuddly rabbit, she will come when called, she is confident around me and when she's in a good mood she'll let me give her noserubs. It took a long time and a lot of work but she trusts me now. She still wont go near anyone else, you cant really 'tame' a nervy rabbit as such, but you can gain their trust, and it is so rewarding when you have.

Just start by being there with Freddy. Just sit there, reading a book or something, so he gets used to your presence. At the moment you just appear for a few minutes a day and then go again, so he doesnt really know you. You can sit in his run and talk to him as well, and when you come to visit him talk to him then too, it can be about anything, you'll be socialising with him. If he comes up to you you can let him sniff your hand or just let him explore you or even tempt him with a treat, but dont stroke him or pick him up unnessessarily if he doesnt seem to like it. When he is more confident around you, you could then start to stroke his nose, most rabbits like this. Just build up slowly, building trust and you'll build your friendship too. I'm sure in a few months he'll come to the front of the hutch and say hi when he hears you coming.

Some other things to try would be hand-feeding all his pellets and treats, as he'll soon associate you with food and bunnies are greedy things! You can also try teaching him his name, say it to him when you give him food and when he knows it a bit more call him before you give him food, he'll soon learn to come running. You could even teach him a trick, my two will periscope for treats, bunnies can pick up things quickly, as long as they can see whats in it for them! And just some basic bunny language: if he nudges you, it means 'hi', but a stronger nudge can mean 'will you give me nose rubs' and an even stronger one can mean 'move, you're in my way' :lol: you'll soon learn what he means and he'll learn that you are not a threat.

 

[vergo97]

I think my mum thinks Freddy is happier outside where he "can hear the wildlife and feel the fresh air" :roll: and that it is better for him.

yep, my mum want's to get Casper a bigger run than Freddy has got. When we were looking at some I was thinking some of them would be amazing for Freddy. I think I will ask her why Casper deserves to get a bigger run, as he is only slightly bigger than Freddy and he will only be in it for a few hours whereas Freddy is in his hutch/run all day.

I don't really like having to ask for things for Freddy as I know that my mum gets annoyed with it all. For my birthday I will ask for some things for Freddy, but it's quite a while away (august).

My friend wanted to see Freddy today because she was saying how "cute and fluffy" he is so we walked to my mums house. She insisted on getting him out for a cuddle which was a challenge in itself because he kept going to the lower hutch area which is impossible to get to. Once he was out she held him for a while and when I put him back in the hutch his heart was racing and he thumped and ran off I probably shouldn't of agreed to going to see him because he probably isn't ready for that yet.

How long would I have to spend with him a day? He seems to be very head shy because when I touch his face he flinches away :?

I could try hand feeding him his pellets if I start feeding him in the evenings rather than the mornings. We don't have any rabbit treats, but he gets a carrot every day which I could cut up and hand feed him.

It would be great if he knew his name, I will try to teach him it!

 

[snaisby]

I actually think getting the cat run would be great for Freddy - you could maybe link up his hutch to it, and let him have free use of the run most of the time - then when the cat is going out for a few hours you can just close off his hutch with him in it even if you can't attach them permanently he could be out in the larger run for several hours a day when it's not being used for Casper. As long as he isn't too freaked out by the cat's smell I would have thought that's a good compromise so you should persuade your mum to get the biggest cat run possible!

 

[vergo97]

I'll definitely try to get Casper the biggest on possible. Would something like the run around tunnel work, because can't you close the tunnel off when you don't want it to be used?

 

[snaisby]

I think so, better ask people who actually have runaround though. Or you could put the hutch and current run up against the new run and have a cat flap/home made lockable flap

 

[vergo97]

having a cat flap is a good idea, and cheaper too!