Weirdo bunnyQuestion:Hi y'all...so I've got this bunny, for about a week now, and I think he's a freak-so I have to ask some questions: 1. He seems to groom himself really frequently, is that normal? 2. How old should he be when I start litter box training him (any info on this is SUPER welcomed, I want him to be trained) 3. Is it okay to keep him out of his cage for long playtimes, several times a day-like 2 hours twice or three times a day? 4. Is a regular cheerio a suitable snack? If so, how many would be okay per day? 5. Do you have any treat suggestions? 6. Is timothy hay okay for him? 7. How much pellets should I give him? I've been free-feeding, and he eats alot. Sorry for bombarding y'all Answer: Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:55 pm Post subject: Weirdo bunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi y'all...so I've got this bunny, for about a week now, and I think he's a freak-so I have to ask some questions: 1. He seems to groom himself really frequently, is that normal? yes completly normal bunnies are clean animals. 2. How old should he be when I start litter box training him (any info on this is SUPER welcomed, I want him to be trained) Start now , if you dont he wont get it. Basically I take a litter box big enough for them to get in and turn around put some of there droppings there and continue to do it, none of my bunnies are litter trained OUT of cage they do seem to hold pee but occasionally drop a few poos while out playing 3. Is it okay to keep him out of his cage for long playtimes, several times a day-like 2 hours twice or three times a day? OH yes you can have him out all day if you want. My first bunny only was in his cage at night and when we went out of the house, then again we use to take him outside on leashes and let him swim with the the kids in the summer lol. 4. Is a regular cheerio a suitable snack? If so, how many would be okay per day? I personally dont feed snacks but I wouldnt go more than two or three a day if it were me 5. Do you have any treat suggestions? I prefer fresh veggies used as treats myself 6. Is timothy hay okay for him? how old is he? I think (dont quote me) its usually recommened alfalfa till they are 4 to 6 months old then timothy hay, but mine always had timothy hay 7. How much pellets should I give him? I've been free-feeding, and he eats alot. I have always free feed my bunnies never had an overweight one yet, theres a guideline somewhere I can look for you tomorrow Oh the feed we were talking about several people I talked to didnt like Purina rabbit pellet, but one or two said it was good, Show Rite (i think thats what it was called) Kent, and Tradition rabbit pellets is what Ive been reccomeneded when asked. Answer: He's 9 weeks now. And he's still on the Purina pellets, I bought enough so I can switch him slowly, but I'm probably going to change him. Thanks Christy Answer: I'm not a rabbit expert, but I have had 9 of them in the past so I'll tell you what I know from my experience. 1. They do like to groom themselves frequently and it is normal. If he licks at one particular spot and it starts to go bald, then something is wrong there. 2. You can start litter box training right away. All you have to do is just put the droppings in the box until he learns to go there. If you use litter, its proably best to use yesterday's news and not the gravel stuff. My bunny just used newspapers in a box lined with a garbage bag. Its good to have high sides on it because bunnies usually overshoot and miss. 3. Its alright to keep him out for long periods I would think, because some rabbits have free run of the house and they never go back in the cage. My rabbit would play until she was tired and then she would go back to her cage by herself. 4. I would think a cheerio would be an ok treat if the bunny likes them.. the amount depends on the size of the bunny so I'm not sure how many. Just give one or two at a time for positive reinforcement training. 5. My bunny really really loved bananas and banana chips, and also marshmallows. We only gave her bananas on rare occasions and when she did a really good trick. My rabbit ate an entire bag of marshmallows when we weren't looking and it didn't seem to hurt her, but I wouldn't recommend it unless it was a very special occasion (like his birthday). Another thing that they like is plain whole grain oats. 6. I fed one of my rex bunnies timothy hay and she lived 9 years, so it seems to be harmless. Just as long as the hay isn't mildewy or mouldy its fine. 7. You should free feed the pellets. In the wild rabbits have access to food all day and they are constantly chewing and grazing. As long as the rabbit gets out often for exercise he won't get too fat. Answer: 1. He seems to groom himself really frequently, is that normal? yup very norma, use a brush on him a few times a week so he doesn't ingest too much hair.......and use petromalt a few times a week when they shed and once a week when they don't 2. How old should he be when I start litter box training him (any info on this is SUPER welcomed, I want him to be trained) my lucy is totally litter box trained and it was easy to do. Get a cat litter box and place some shavings in there(same as you use in his cage)...take some of his wet peed on shavings and place in there as well (fresh stuff) and some poops too. Everytime he pees or poops outside his box when he is out, place him and the poops in the box........he will soon catch on....lucy got better at it after she was fixed at 5 months old. In her cage she doesn't have a litterbox but uses the same corner always. Lucy pees and poops in her litter box when she is out roaming in the house...sometimes there is a few loose poops but never any pee....it will take time and as he gets older he will soon catch on 3. Is it okay to keep him out of his cage for long playtimes, several times a day-like 2 hours twice or three times a day? the more the better. It is good for his muscles and his bowel to get lots of exercise...lucy is out about 6-8 hours a day...sometimes nore and sometimes less. 4. Is a regular cheerio a suitable snack? If so, how many would be okay per day? starchy foods should be avoided in bunnies....i give lucy yogurt drops(2 a day) as a treat and she loves them. I place them in her cage after she has been out........she loves them 5. Do you have any treat suggestions? see above :0) 6. Is timothy hay okay for him? yup, avoid alfalfa after the age of 4 months ........and free feed hay 7. How much pellets should I give him? I've been free-feeding, and he eats alot. lucy free feeds and does not eat more than about 1 cup a day..7 weeks to 7 months--unlimited pellets, unlimited hay Answer: 1. He seems to groom himself really frequently, is that normal? Yep. George and Binky are always grooming. They especially like to start the second I go to play with them 2. How old should he be when I start litter box training him (any info on this is SUPER welcomed, I want him to be trained) Start now. I don't think it's absolutely necessary for you to start right now (I didn't even try to litter train George until he was 4-5 months, but he's perfect!) , but it won't hurt. Just stick a litter box filled with hay in his favourite toilet area, and clean up any little messes he leaves elsewhere. 3. Is it okay to keep him out of his cage for long playtimes, several times a day-like 2 hours twice or three times a day? The more time out the merrier! He'll enjoy all the playtime. 4. Is a regular cheerio a suitable snack? If so, how many would be okay per day? I don't know about Cheerios, as we don't have them here, but George loves his yoghurt drops, and he goes crazy for raisins. 5. Do you have any treat suggestions? Yes, raisins and yohgurt drops! 6. Is timothy hay okay for him? Yes, it's perfectly fine. 7. How much pellets should I give him? I've been free-feeding, and he eats alot. I free feed. Both my bunnies seem to be perfectly fine. |
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