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Small pets

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Original poster

Rabbit help please!

11 replies

seeker · 04/05/2011 09:13

Please help - I've had so much contradictory advice about looking after our new bunny!

She's 14 weeks old, roughly, and before we got her, she was fed on Pets and Home rabbit pellets. We gave her some kale, and she developed very runny poos, and the vet said we were over feeding her on vegetable stuff, and she should only have hay and some pellets in her cage night and morning. The poos got better, but the very knowlegeble man in our pet shop told me that she should have food in her cage all the time, particularly as she's still growing. The vet said she should have plenty of grass, the pet shop man said not much. Which is right, please?

And when her poos were runny, her bottom got very dirty. We used cotton wool and warm water to clean her up, but her fur is still quite discoloured - is it OK to wash her with small animal shampoo, or will she clean herself up if we leave her? I don't want to traumatize her when she's being so lovely and tame, but I'm paranoid about fly strike.
Thank you!

OP posts:
KnickersOnOnesHead · 04/05/2011 09:22

Mine doesn't have food in his hut all the time.

I'd probably go with the advice of your vet, and not of the pet shop owner who just wants to make a quick buck--

IngridBergman · 04/05/2011 09:22

I think it's a balance, seeker - little rabbits are a bit more delicate, you could try sticking with the pellets and hay for the time being and add in a tiny amount of carrot, apple or spring greens, but only a tiny bit every day.

Make sure the food bowl isn't empty, top up twice a day, she will feed at night sometimes. Just gently gently with the fresh veg.

Ours are big solid ladies now and 3yo/2yo so they have pellets topped up as and when, hay most of the time (no grass in their enormous run, though when they just had a little run on the grass they never ate the grass anyway!)

They have either a bit of apple, or a few carrots, or some greens every evening. No problems with poo. It's just she has an immature gut I would guess.

BTW has anyone told you they are happier in a little group, or a pair? Also it's very important to have her neutered at around a year old (check the timescale, not sure on that) as they get hormonal and can be aggressive otherwise. We weren't told and found out too late but our 'babies' are now back to sweetness and light after being done. Mum was a bit older so still gets a bit stroppy even now.

Best of luck Smile

IngridBergman · 04/05/2011 09:24

Oh and regarding the bottom, you did the right thing cleaning her up, don't worry unless the poo is runny, she will be fine - do check often though.

Ours groom each other including bottoms, which is why a group is a good thing. Clean her litter tray out regularly in the summer to avoid attracting flies, too. (do you have a litter tray? Ours have a high sided cat tray from Pets at home, filled with sawdust and they only poo and wee in there. Makes cleaning out much easier)

Original poster
seeker · 04/05/2011 09:30

I know they are happier in groups, but she was a "rescue" rabbit, and has been on her won since hse was tiny (too tiny to be away from her mother really) so we were told she would be better ket alone with lots of human interaction, Is that wrong too? Blush

Didn;t know about the neutering - thank you.

In defence of our pet shop man - he's our local animal guru - peole come from miles around to ask him stuff and he never tries to sell anything. He wouldn't lwt me buy the shampoo for her yesterday, for example!

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 04/05/2011 09:37

My vet said hay and grass and occasional veggie treats. Basically, what they eat in in the wild! My 11 week old won't touch the pellets (although we've had to move the cat food Hmm) but loves dandelion leaves! Apparently lettuce gives them indigestion?

Original poster
seeker · 04/05/2011 10:15

You know, either my mother did much more of the care of our rabbits when i was a child than I thought she did, or rabbits have got a lot more delicate in the last 40 years!

OP posts:
IngridBergman · 04/05/2011 11:21

No seeker not wrong at all. My mum had a succession of single bunnies and because she was very close to them and very affectionate, they were happy as larry. She will be fine, poor wee mite! I'm glad you have given her a home.

Lettuce is bad for them. Kale should be Ok I think...greens are fine...not too much though or it can make them loose.

Lots of cuddles and she will be a happy bun.

Original poster
seeker · 04/05/2011 20:59

She's just beeninside for a hop round and she's cleaned herself up beautifully. What a clever girl she is!

Thank you everyone.

She did steal a crust of toast though - hope that doesn't upset her again!

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 04/05/2011 21:11

Meh, mine's next to me on the sofa trying to get the remains of cherry ice cream... He also has a taste for dry cat food, anything papery, and banana skins! Hmm

He prefers all those to cow parsley, strawberry tops and rabbit food Confused

PS I will not be buying rabbit flavour cat food for the forseeable future Grin

Original poster
seeker · 04/05/2011 21:14

She had a go at ds's school trousers earlier too - she;s obviously a rabbit who likes living close to the edge!

OP posts:
lurcherlover · 04/05/2011 21:34

Hay or grass should be the main part of her diet - she must have access to one or both all the time. A tiny amount of pellets each day - if she doesn't completely clear the bowl, it's too much - and some veg (brocolli, dark greens, fresh herbs and spinach are best). Carrots and apples are the bunny equivalent of chocolate and are special treats.

I would say BTW that she is still a baby at 14 weeks and would accept a friend - and if she does she would be happier. Human company is great, but buns are very social animals and you just can't compete with the love of a fellow bun! I would get her neutered (definitely do this - it will make her a much nicer bunny as she will get terrible PMT otherwise, and it also eliminates the risk of uterine cancer which is sadly very common in rabbits) then once she's recovered try to introduce another friend. The key is to make the introduction on neutral territory - anywhere she hasn't been before and won't think of as her space, as females can be protective of their own turf. The bath can often be a good meeting spot! Keep introductions short at first and don't worry if they scuffle/fight initially - they will eventually get on. Once they groom each other, that's a sign they've bonded and they can be safely left alone together and live in the same cage. I'd definitely try it - the sight of two buns cuddled up together is truly gorgeous Smile

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