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Small pets

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Original poster

House bunny help

21 replies

Elliesmall · 27/03/2023 22:24

We bought a mini lop bunny for our daughter nearly a year ago. He has a lovely set up in our utility and is free roaming most of the time.
He is very friendly, loves a cuddle and has never bitten or anything.
But recently he’s taken a bit of a dislike to the dog. I think he’s trying to dominate her. He tries to push her out of her dog bed and occasionally he seems to be hurting her somehow, not sure if it’s a bite but she’ll yelp when he’s near. The dog is a complete softy so would never do anything to the rabbit. But he’s also weeing on her bed all the time.

It’s becoming a real problem in the house and I’m trying to find the best solution.
I think the rabbit needs a rabbit companion, which I’m happy to do but really I don’t want to end up with two rabbits doing the same thing. So I’m wondering if we got another one if we moved them into the garage with a run outside.

Or am I better off sticking with them in the utility and keeping them locked up a bit more.

Is another rabbit the answer? Something needs to happen because my poor old dog is suddenly not very happy in the home!

OP posts:

AwkwardPaws27 · 27/03/2023 22:26

Is he neutered?

Whoopsmahoot · 27/03/2023 22:31

Sounds like a hormonal bunny wanting dominance. If he hasn’t been neutered then peeing in another animals bed is a sign of “ I’m the boss- take it or come fight me for who’s the boss!” Get him neutered. If you get another bunny, best a neutered doe and allow slow introduction- it can take days or even weeks. Buns are very territorial and brining a new one in will cause fisticuffs unless done right.

Original poster

Elliesmall · 28/03/2023 07:21

He was neutered about 4/5 months ago?

OP posts:

Original poster

Elliesmall · 28/03/2023 07:22

We do have a rabbit boarder near us that actually offers rabbit bonding in a neutral space. I’m thinking of doing that to make the transition easier!?

OP posts:

bunnygeek · 28/03/2023 14:32

Rabbits can have pretty bossy little natures, they can be pretty stubborn too.

A bonded pair could definitely help as they'll be more interested in each other than the dog. This probably won't stop them scent marking places the dog has been, like the dog bed though. Soft furnishings have such strong smells of anything that's been sitting it - it's in the rabbit's nature to also claim that as their own.

SG2000 · 28/03/2023 14:36

Yes I'd follow the advice above and look for help bonding him with a companion. We have a pair of brother bunnies, nearly 5 years old, who live in the garage. They are very happy there, and snug in winter. You just have to do a safety check first, obviously, for cables, toxic material, draughts, etc.. Good luck! Sending nose boofs

jays · 28/03/2023 14:42

I have nothing useful to add, Just had to say that talking about a dominant house bunny is pretty much my favourite thread I’ve ever seen on here, it’s just beyond the beyond of all cuteness for me! I do realise it’s a problem for you what’s going on but it just got too much for me there with the adorable stuff! 😍

SG2000 · 28/03/2023 14:44

jays · 28/03/2023 14:42

House Bunnies are the definite boss of any house, and they know how to communicate the fact.

peachescariad · 28/03/2023 14:55

Please can we have a photo of boss bunny?

Does garage have a lot of natural light? Bonding a pair is hard work...but it does work. Personally, I'd go for an older neutered female as companion.

jays · 28/03/2023 15:14

peachescariad · 28/03/2023 14:55

Please can we have a photo of boss bunny?

Does garage have a lot of natural light? Bonding a pair is hard work...but it does work. Personally, I'd go for an older neutered female as companion.

This is what I want! I photo of the alpha house bunny is so required right now!

Original poster

Elliesmall · 28/03/2023 20:13

here he is……

he’s actually I think a very good bunny in every other way, he loves cuddles and goes mad for the kids. It’s just the dog he has issues with! I’m just worried that if bonding doesn’t go well we then have 2 rabbits to deal with!

OP posts:

TroysMammy · 28/03/2023 20:21

I had a house dwarf lop. He was neutered but was jealous of my soft cat. He bit him once, chased him and basically terrorised him. He bit me once when I gave the cat some fuss and he also attacked the hoover. The rabbit died first and when the cat died a couple of years later I buried him in the other side of the garden because I didn't want the rabbit terrorising him in the afterlife.

LookUponMyWorks · 28/03/2023 20:33

When you wash the dog bed spray it with white vinegar whilst it's drying - this will break down bunny pee residue and might deter him from thinking it's a soft litter tray. Some bunnies just can't be trusted with soft things though so is there any way you can keep the dog bed away from bun?

Original poster

Elliesmall · 28/03/2023 21:05

The dogs bed was in the utility, but I’ve taken it out and it’s now in the kitchen living space which is open plan. So I can’t take the dog bed away else she’ll have no bed at all but I can’t keep the rabbit locked in just the utility because it’s too small all the time.
i’ve washed the bed in vinegar, I’ve also taken the bed off and just put a new mat down which the bunny quickly tried to claim (the photo)

i’ve moved the beds position, tried a new bed, mat on the floor, he also marks on the rug which must smell of the dog.

He doesn’t bother with the sofa, and we’ve got a play room that he hops in to and never wees in there but the dog also isn’t allowed in there, I would have bunny in there but there’s not the floor space for a good set up.

If it was just the wee problem I could probably deal with it but like you say it’s like he’s trying to terrorise the dog and I feel like it’s unfair on her, she just keeps moving away from him! I’m out of options 😩

OP posts:

Original poster

Elliesmall · 28/03/2023 21:09

@SG2000 do you let them out of the garage daily or do they just live in the garage all the time?

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AwkwardPaws27 · 28/03/2023 22:07

@Elliesmall if you adopt from a rescue then they can take the rabbit back or try a different one if bonding is not successful.
I've got a rescue girl here at the moment bonding with my boy - taking it very slowly but so far, so good.
Having the rescue back up is so good, their advoce has been really helpful, & she was already spayed and vaccinated too (& her adoption fee is far less than that would have cost me to have done).

purpleme12 · 28/03/2023 22:09

God he's adorable

AlwaysLatte · 28/03/2023 22:17

We do have a rabbit boarder near us that actually offers rabbit bonding in a neutral space
Ahhh that's so sweet.
I think I would go with a garage set up for two and bring the bunnies in when your dog is out of the room.

peachescariad · 29/03/2023 08:18

Adorable.....full of bunny naughtiness

HoofWankingSpangleCunt · 29/03/2023 08:22

i knew I shouldn’t have clicked on this thread. I have nothing useful to add but now I want a mini lop bunny <looking at aging cats with a calculating glance >

SG2000 · 30/03/2023 22:08

Elliesmall · 28/03/2023 21:09

@SG2000 do you let them out of the garage daily or do they just live in the garage all the time?

Apologies, only just noticed this question. Our rabbits get several opportunities to run about in the day time. Generally they go back into the garage of their own accord once they've had enough weather.

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