Fellie
Warren Veteran
Morning everyone. Sorry I've not been on for a while but we have swapped computers.
So... Dusty and Whisper!
When we first got them Dusty was cheeky mischievous and curious. Whisper was very timid and shy. Now it seems its reversed. Dusty will only come out very gradually where as Whisper is behind the sofa, looking up the stairs.... you really have to see where she is, as she's still only small!
We separated them a while ago, as Dusty was trying things with Whisper and it looked like Whisper was getting annoyed and nipping at his legs. My dad built a divide in their run so they can still see/smell/hear each other. But when we came back Dusty was in Whispers side! So we put him back and went to school.... came back and they were together. My dad bought a pet camera and set it up.... we watched it and laughed as Dusty scaled the divide in a crazy scrabble to get with Whisper. We now have a complete lid that goes over his side, which works.
So onto litter training.... Whisper is amazing and does 1&2's in her tray 99% of the time, the odd occasional poo pops out but she's very good. Dusty on the other hand is good with 1's but poo's everywhere! and soon much!!! How can a rabbit produce so much. We took it in turns to clean up before school but in the end my dad bought a small vacuum so we just suck them all up now! he he.
Something my mum and dad is curious about that i kind of understand, but would Dusty (the male rabbit) leave scent marks? small patches off wee? for Whisper to smell? He seems to wee in his tray, but all along the divide there are small stains, smaller than his wee's but there are quite a lot and look stronger in colour. Is this him weeing again or scent leaving like a dog does on a tree?
Overall they are settling in well and causing trouble with my dads OCD.... there is hay/straw everywhere, even in my bed! He has adapted/changed/fixed/made to try sort it, but its impossible.
They were born on October 26th so we are having both done on April 26th. We will keep them next to each other, make the runs smaller, but do you think I should take the stairs out as this is where Whisper goes to sleep. Will this hurt her stitches as she sometimes jumps up, or will this disturb her pattern and scare her.
Many thanks, Milla.
What very lucky bunnies you have to have such lovely caring owners !!!
And yes - some male bunnies will 'spray' and mark their territory with wee. Cats do this as well. Once he has been seen by the vets in April he will stop doing this - but it will take a few weeks though. And he will become better at using his litter box too. Boys can have their operation before girls though - Dusty is 4 months old now and he may be ready now or within the next 4 weeks. Maybe you can take him to your vets to check. The earlier you have his operation done - the quicker he will stop leaving the wee wee marks. It's better to get the bunnies operations done as soon as they are ready.
Your poor Dad - bunnies are just messy animals I've afraid - all of us bunny owners laugh about how hay ends up EVERYWHERE!
It may be better to remove the stairs for Whisper - she could hurt her stitches. You can probably remove the stairs before April so she gets used to not having them before her operation.
Your rabbits are very lovely - and they have a wonderful home which is so good to see.xxx