So, I took on a rabbit...very little knowledge here...

[blondiebee181]

So, you will typically find me in the chicken section of things on here, BUT I took on a rabbit today. I work at a Garden and Feed store here in Boise, ID and some customers came in today to get their rabbits' nails clipped. I started idly talking to them about him (Charlie) because he was so sweet and allowed his nails to be clipped very easily and seemed to love being held and cuddled. Come to find out, they were looking to re-home Charlie and all his stuff...FOR FREE. Apparently they got a dog that did NOT like the rabbit. So, I have very little experience with rabbits....I think I got the basics, she gave me his bedding which is Kaytee Clean and Cozy, his food which is a variety of things....a complete pellet feed, a bag of Timothy hay, and a bag of Kaytee Fiesta Mix as a treat I am told. He has a cage with a litter box in the corner, and I have a bag of litter pellets, I have a water bottle and several wooden chewing choices attatched within the cage for his dental health...If he is trained to use his litter box, do I need to take the box out of the cage when I take him out and let him wader around, or will he go back to his cage when he feels the need to go? Are there special treats that rabbits love? If anyone has any extra advice please chime in. He is a Dwarf Netherland btw, I'll post a picture of him tomorrow

 

[Toddrick]

Wow. I never heard of rabbits being trained to use a litter box. Are you sure the litter box isn't for having a litter of babies in? I never heard of a rabbit getting its nails trimmed either, although it seems like it would be helpful. That sounds like a rare rabbit if it likes to cuddle and such. My rabbits were more like your average chicken--they'd hold still if you held them firmly because they were scared, otherwise they'd run away.

 

[blondiebee181]

Yup, it is indeed a potty litter box, and I know many people with litter box trained rabbits. Certainly keeps the bedding much cleaner for longer...Charlie's nails were WAY long when they brought him in...I wasn't gonna say anything, but I don't think he's been receiving the attention he needs...He doesn't like being hauled out of his cage, but once he's out he is really chill and seemed to enjoy sitting in my lap while I stroked his ears...

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

well, i've raised many rabbits, but i can't give you much advice on keeping them in the house...i am currently learning how to train one to use a litter box for the first time...he is a retired breeding buck from my rabbitry, and i got attached and couldn't get rid of him so my parents let me bring him into the house as a pet. My sister is also training his last son to use a litter box as well. Anyways, for treats, all the rabbits (or most of them at least, i have a couple that prefer pellets over treats...crazy little rabbits) love fresh veggies and fruits. Lettuce, celery leaves (the stalks are stingy and can get stuck between teeth rotting and causing huge problems), grass (from non-chemically treated grass), spring mix, various herbs (we grow them, see what you'res likes...each is different), kale, cucumber, etc. Occasionally things like apples, bananas, berries, and carrots are much loved, but don't do them everyday cause they are sugary. ok, yes, carrots are actually not that good for rabbits...the tops? wonderful. The roots...well, those are full of sugar and are like rabbit cake! Who knows where the whole rabbits should eat carrots thing came from. The do love them as a treat a couple times a week though sounds like a well handled rabbit...mine is like that...he will literaly let you do anything with him. haha, you reminded me, its about time to trim all the rabbits toenail. oh joy. the one i'm bringing in...he's an angel...the ones outside are friendly rabbits, but totally not happy when it comes to nail trimming time...and there's only like 30 of them...only 30. Well, sorry, that was long. Good luck with your rabbit! they are so fun.

 

[blondiebee181]

I am enjoying him! He is starting to really settle in, I've been opening his cage and letting him come out in the house. He and Sasha are getting to know one another (my cat). She seems to want to play with him! She will stalk him, then run up to him, (or after him when he gives chase) and bat his ears with her paw...it's really funny. He even went after her flicking tail at one point,

silly guy...he likes carrots. I do know that carrots are treats, not a complete diet so I have only given him a couple. I tried parsley the other day but it was like on the 3rd day he had been with us and he didn't touch it....but might try it again and see if takes to it...which herbs do yours like? I grow my own, and I work at a garden store so it is easy for me to get ahold of things he might like....I am growing lettuces and kale and chard and beets and peas right now so maybe once they mature I will try him on a few of those.

Okay, so I know he isn't neutered but the lady who owned him previously said she has never had problems with him marking in the house....once in a while he will leave a raisin on the floor but so far he has been really good about hopping back to his litter box....I don't really feel the need to neuter him but is there a reason I should? I heard testicular cancer is unfortunately common.....should I be worried about that?

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

I am enjoying him! He is starting to really settle in, I've been opening his cage and letting him come out in the house. He and Sasha are getting to know one another (my cat). She seems to want to play with him! She will stalk him, then run up to him, (or after him when he gives chase) and bat his ears with her paw...it's really funny. He even went after her flicking tail at one point,

silly guy...he likes carrots. I do know that carrots are treats, not a complete diet so I have only given him a couple. I tried parsley the other day but it was like on the 3rd day he had been with us and he didn't touch it....but might try it again and see if takes to it...which herbs do yours like? I grow my own, and I work at a garden store so it is easy for me to get ahold of things he might like....I am growing lettuces and kale and chard and beets and peas right now so maybe once they mature I will try him on a few of those.

Okay, so I know he isn't neutered but the lady who owned him previously said she has never had problems with him marking in the house....once in a while he will leave a raisin on the floor but so far he has been really good about hopping back to his litter box....I don't really feel the need to neuter him but is there a reason I should? I heard testicular cancer is unfortunately common.....should I be worried about that?

That's good!!! That's so funny about him and your cat...that must be good entertainment. As for herbs, most seem to enjoy cilantro, basil, and dill. It all depends though, some hate all those. Some have also liked sage, rosemary, and various mints...you will just have to try what ever you can get a hold of. Also, some new rabbits i get that have not been raised with fresh greens sometimes don't like them, so i have to introduce slowly to get them to figure out that greens are good for them

I personally have never had a rabbit neutered because i breed, and well, a neutered rabbit makes it hard to get babies. I am most likely planning to neuter my retired boy bucky, for the reason he does spray and i would be worried about testicular cancer since he is older. None of my others have ever gotten it, but once they are too old to breed anymore i either sell them or eat them so maybe they haven't gotten the chance. sorry, i'm not too much help there since he is a pet it wouldn't hurt to neuter him, and will most likely keep him healthier in the long run, but that is just my opinion.