Rabbit Owners

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2025-10-10T07:12:16Z

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Can rabbits get bronchitis from dogs?

2017-01-03T21:53:37Z

My dog caught bronchitis from my friends dog. I'm worried about my bunny getting sick too. Is that a possible problem. Do I need to take him to the vet? Anything you know would help, thank you!

6 y/o Male Lagamorph Dwarf doing weird back strectches/ laying down

2015-11-05T17:47:38Z

Hello, This is my first post.

He has done this occasionally over the years, but today he jumped out of his cage fast and layed down on the floor constantly moving and adjusting his back and position. He wouldn't lay for more than 5 minutes in a single spot. When he moved he kept doing this strange back stretch, butt up in the air, rear of his body twisted and front half laying regular. But wouldn't stay still for more than 5 minutes. When he would walk to a different spot he would walk fully stretched.

Any thoughts

Hutches.

2015-03-24T22:03:34Z

Hello everyone.. (Or anyone! LJ is so quiet these days!)

Long story short I moved into my very own place 18 months ago & have been desperate to get some bunnies for at least 10 years (!) - I have 2 months off work coming up & am pretty settled where I am now, so think the time is right to get a couple of bunny housemates.

I have a few questions & have done a lot of googling & reading, but I'm finding some parts still confusing, so I've come to ask people who have been there & done it!

1) I definitely want to get two - I'm normally at work 6-11pm, so have my daytimes free but would rather have two to play together than one on it's own. Any thoughts on what's the easiest combination.. boy/boy, girl/girl, boy/girl, littermates? I'd be getting them both neutered. Also, breeds? Currently leaning towards getting two dwarf buns, any thoughts?

2) HUTCHES! I've been looking online & just getting more & more confused. What are the minimum measurements I should be looking for? A lot of them are listed as being suitable for rabbits & when I look at the measurements they're absolutely tiny. Going through amazon is throwing up a lot of hutches but the reviews aren't amazing. They would be outdoor bunnies during the summer & have the run of a large shed in the winter time. My garden is concrete with gravel and decking.. Will they be OK with grass grown in a tray for them & containers of soil to dig in? It's a sheltered city garden, with a couple of neighbourhood cats/urban foxes.. Is it even suitable for me to have bunnies?

Thankyou in advance!

Pet Portrait Commissions Open

2014-05-13T11:15:39Z

(Mods, feel free to delete if not allowed.)

Hello! It's time again that I offer up pet portrait commissions. These are ACEO/ATC sized (trading card sized, basically) and done in watercolor (though if watercolor isn't your thing or you wish for something larger, I can work in other mediums and sizes as well, just ask). They're $20 each, mailed. I will need photos taken by you for reference that I can choose from to work with, and please note that head shots are best to work with for this size.

While my examples currently are only dogs, I'm looking to expand into other species, so don't be shy if you have cats, bird, rats, rabbits, etc!

I am open for 5 slots (may change depending on various factors), and will do a waiting list if needed.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Bedding

2014-04-21T15:22:59Z

I have just recently got a bun and he has been doing great so far. Great with his litter, eating properly and enjoys his run time. My only problem is his cage liner/bedding. I'm currently using the carefresh for the bedding and Yesterday's news (the smaller version) for the litter but he doesn't seem to like the bedding. He's kicked it all out from the underneath where he sleeps as well as the one corner where he likes to lay. He also likes to lay on top of the plastic part of his sleeing area.

What type of bedding should I try? Or is it okay to just have the plastic flooring instead?(I'm not sure if that's considered mean/inhumane.) I can't remember what they were using where I got him either. I'm thinking of just using a timothy mat for the bottom? Or should I try an alternative? The bag of the other stuff is almost gone so I'd rather get something he'll enjoy.

Also, here's a picture of the hairball :3

Sore Hocks?

2014-04-13T14:20:50Z

Hello all,

My poor Dali has come up with a case of sore hocks. They're not exposed- still under a good layer of fir but fairly red and inflamed. It looks as though there was a spot that may have bled, but I have no evidence of that other than a slight scab. Sadly, it's Sunday and I'm scheduled to leave on vacation today. My mom is going to take care of my buns while I'm gone, but she works during the day and having her take him to the vet isn't really an option.

I have collasate (protective collagen covering) that I'm applying twice daily and having my mom apply while I'm gone. I'm also planning on calling my vet to see if they'll prescribe Baytril over the phone; they have a pickup box where she could retrieve the meds after hours and they just saw him last week for front paw lameness (which we found out is due to elbow arthritis).

Since he is already coping with arthritis, I'm thinking his hocks will be a lifetime battle. I want to get him to a vet, but most likely won't be able to until I get back. Is there anything else I can have my mom do to help him when I'm gone? He's already on several inches of hay in his hutch and at a good weight per the vet last week.

Thank you for any help you can give; xposted to rabbitowners and bunnyowners.

Note To Bunny

2014-04-01T14:10:35Z

Dear Whisper

If you steal your rubber brush, run around with it, then chew one of the big rubber bristles off it, you WILL get attention, but not the type you want. Because Momma WILL turn into a demon, chase you, drag you out from under furniture, stick her fingers in your mouth as far as it takes for as many times as it takes to get the rubber out.

She might snuggle you afterwards a bit. Even if you do foot-flick her.

rabbitowners @ 2014-01-16T11:38:00

2014-01-16T19:38:51Z

Any ideas for an alternative way to give your bunnies water?

I can't use a water bottle because for some reason my Bunny drinks from it super fast to wear you hear the bottle actually bubbling and then he starts coughing cause he is essentially drowning himself. I put in there a ceramic bowl but it is hard to keep it full as he goes through it pretty fast and when it is empty he throws it around the cage which makes a lot of noise plus I am afraid it will break. Right now I have one of those gravity waterers for cats but now he keeps throwing his toys in there and making a big mess.

I was looking for maybe something like those gravity feeders that you attach to the side of the cage but one for water not food. Do those exist? Or does anyone have any other ideas.

Spot baths for sick buns

2013-12-14T20:06:40Z

My Dayna is free from her ear infections, but the vet thinks E. cuniculi snuck up on her while she was sick. So she still isn't up and about...we do lots of PT and I hope to have her on her feet by the new year, at least.

Anyway, lying around on puppy pads tends to mean a bunny gets wet and dirty, and as we all know, urine burns and stinks quite quickly, especially if it stays on bunny's skin and fur. But both Dayna and I are sick and tired of sink baths where I have to spend 30-45 minutes grooming and blowdrying her angora-type fur afterward. So we came up with a spot bath treatment that even my mother, nervous as she is around Dayna, can do successfully. This should work for everyone, and I'm gonna put it down here in my abundance of ego at having actually done something on my own that works.

What You Need:
Spray bottle
White vinegar
Water
A grooming comb (we like the standard Medium Fine)
A blowdryer

Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in the spray bottle. (This is the mix that works best for us, you may find differently). Vinegar cleans bunny's things and makes them smell good, so vinegar cleans bunny just fine without soap/shampoo, which is arglebargle to get out of angora-type fur anyway.
Get bun comfy on a puppy pad or towel. Spray the dirty area with the solution and rub it in with your fingers, getting all the yuck out. (You might need extra towels and such for this.) When it is clean, spritz with the solution again to rinse the fur. Then break out the dryer, combing through bunny's fur while you blowdry.
MAKE SURE THE UNDERCOAT IS COMPLETELY DRY. Do NOT let bun go anywhere unless that undercoat is dry as a bone! He or she could get sick otherwise.
Keep moving the blowdryer around, or take breaks to run your fingers through the fur and loosen it up, making it easier to comb and dry. If your bun is anything like mine, they'll not want the heat on one spot constantly. And make sure between the hind legs is completely dry!!! It's uncomfy AND unsanitary otherwise. Bun will probably pee while you're drying their nethers. Wipe, or spritz and wipe, then keep drying.
Did I mention make sure the undercoat is totally dry? Seriously.

You should have a clean and non-smelling bunny, and it only took about ten minutes. If you're really worried, once bun is dry add some food-grade baby powder (i.e. pure cornstarch) and comb it through til it's gone. Bun will now smell amazing. :)

My decision

2013-12-12T05:55:03Z

Hi,

So, probably not many of you are going to be understanding of my choice, but I've been giving this all a lot of thought. I still feel that I cannot care for my bunny, Esmeralda. Quazi, her partner and my beloved bunny for 9.5 years, died Thanksgiving weekend. He had been there with me through a lot of really, really hard times in my life. I came home to find him gone, after being gone at my grandparents for 1.5 days. They both had food and water and I had left them for a few days with plenty of food and water before, so that was not the problem. It was just his time to go. I do miss him, but I'm glad that, if he was suffering, he's not suffering now and he's in a much, much better place. Esmeralda seems a bit more sad without him. She hardly ever goes onto the bottom level of her hutch anymore and she still needs to be bathed and medicated. She doesn't seem interested in running around the hutch anymore, either. I have called a couple of places and tried to find someone who would be willing to help me medicate her. No one is and my family will not help with that. I don't have the time to devote to her that she needs, either. I called the Humane Society around here and they called me back today. They said they cannot take her. Since we don't know whether or not her Econiculie is causing her to have a wet butt or not, they don't want to risk passing that along to their other rabbits. They will not even take her hutch and hay and other supplies that I have. I plan on giving the hay and other items to my best friends' mom, who has a bunny. The Humane Society offered me a low cost euthinasia option and that's what I'm going to do for her. They said the prognosis is pretty poor, even with the right treatment, and my vet said she had a decent one. I really don't know what else to do at this point. I'll be taking her in on Friday, to have that done.

I wanted to say thank you for all the advice, support, and guidance this community has given me over the last almost 10 years. I will remain a member of the community and will gladly help out with other people's bunny issues, when I can. Thanks to all my rabbits almost continual illnesses, I have learned much more about bunnies and the issues they could potentially have, than I otherwise may have. This, and many wonderful years with my sweet, soft, adorable Quazi, as well as the time I had with his partner, Madelyn and now Esmeralda, are what I have gotten out of all this. I have learned a lot. They've all been sweet and they all have special places in my heart. I will be sad and i am sad when I think about letting Esmeralda go, however I feel it is the best thing for her and for me.

Take care everyone and give your bunnies a hug for me.

Dawnielle

Keeping thin/frail bunny warm

2013-11-25T18:56:45Z

Hi folks!

Thanks for the suggestions about how to bathe my sickbun. She actually enjoys wet baths now, and at the vet's they have a special Bunny Butt Bucket now which is a repurposed trick-or-treat pumpkin. :)

She is on the road to recovery, officially. She's standing up and eating out of dishes these past two days. The ear infections are gone enough that we're on oral Baytril only now, we're working on her eyes, and while she still has quite a bit of torticollis, when she gains strength/weight my vet will see about chiropractic adjustments as her atlas bone is very out of alignment (and no wonder).

My question is thus: She is very thin due to all of this, and she currently has a hygiene cut around her face and bum. My mother likes to keep the energy bill down, and it's rather cold right now where we are. The thermostat says it is 62F in here. Normally I wouldn't think twice as this is a bunny who freaking LOVES snow, but again, thin (half her normal weight) and with diminished fur coat. I currently have a blanket tucked around her which she could easily wriggle free from if she got too warm (and that is not happening; she's just sleeping) and I just refilled her dish with lukewarm water, but is there anything else I should be doing to keep her comfy?

Second question: Little girl loves her some Baytril. The type my vet gave me is chocolate-flavoured and it CLEARLY meets with approval. Is there a safe chocolate-flavoured treat I could give after she's finished her medication (because no bunny was ever spoilt so rotten)? The internet is divided into two VERY opposing camps on this subject, and this sweet tooth of hers has only developed in the past year, so I never sought this type of info out.

Hard questions.

2013-11-19T02:52:41Z

Hi guys,

I am feeling rather discouraged. I guess my question to you all is, how do you know when it’s time to put a bunny/bunnies down?

I guess I’m looking for thoughts, guidance, and/or criticism, whatever you’d like to toss my way.

Thank you for your time,

Dawnielle

Challenging bath

2013-11-11T15:16:54Z

My 7 year old rabbit has bad bilateral ear infections right now. She is on oral Baytril as well as Baytril ear drops prescribed by the e-vet Saturday night, and we are following up with her usual vet tomorrow.

She cannot tell up from down currently and lies on one side or the other. When she moves she flails and flops like a fish. She IS eating (I'm feeding baby food and water-laden produce) and doing her business.

This last is the problem. She's been peeing on herself out of necessity and yoinks it stinks! She's in bed with me and constantly supervised (I can sleep when I'm dead) because you have to be touching her somehow at all times to keep her calm...and dang girl you steeeeenk.

I've never bathed her in her life, she's never needed such things. How should I go about cleaning her lower half? Waterless shampoo? Baby wipes? Just put up with it? ???

Thanks for any tips.

EDIT: She's had a bum bath which has awakened her disgust at messing herself. My mother (whom I live with) has broken out my old cloth diapers to give my towels a break! XD

Note to Bunny

2013-08-21T22:48:30Z

Dear Whisper,

I think you met your match today.

You tried to steal a Slinky toy out of the Basket Of Cat Toys.

Except that the other end of the Slinky didn’t want to come and anchored itself to the heavy basket.

Never one to give up, you planted those feet of yours and began tugging.

Until you had stretched the Slinky across the entire room.

And then… you lost your grip.

SPROING!!!

Slinky 1, Bunny-Thief 0.

Note to Bunny

2013-08-09T14:42:17Z

Whisper... if you grab a box, you must be prepared for it to chase you when you run. Until you let go of it. Even if it smells like nummy hay.

The amount of my laughter at the startled bunny racing through the room chased by the evil box (which is held prisoner by the bunny's teeth) will be proportionate to the box's size.

This one was truly spectacular.

Note to Bunny

2013-08-05T20:14:34Z

Dear Whisper,

No. Just don’t.

I don’t care how much fun it is.

You cannot steal the dividers out of my sewing chest’s drawers.

Even if they are made out of paint stirrers and are nice light-weight wood that you can run around with in your mouth like a puppy with a bone. And wave over your head in triumph. And then start chewing. Because apparently paint stirrer wood is very tasty.

Just because Momma will bribe you with apple twigs to get her divider back, does NOT mean you can keep stealing more, even if paint stirrer wood is even tastier than apple twigs.

Although watching you try to jump on top of the chest and somehow end up tangled in the cats’ toy basket that was next to it… that was kinda fun.

Trying to gain the Smidgeon-kitty’s sympathy and consoling face-licks MIGHT work, however. She appreciates a good theft.

Sore on Foot?

2013-07-22T06:00:09Z

Hi bunny lovers!

My little Elsa has a strange area on the bottom of her foot. It looks like the fur has been rubbed off and it's red. (I tried to get a picture but she wouldn't sit still long enough!) She doesn't seem to be in any pain- she's hopping around, binkying, eating and pooping, and playing with her bonded "husband". Should I take her to the vet? Or see if it heals on its own? or something in between? Thank you!!

Note to Bunny... or... God help me. Please.

2013-07-09T23:30:32Z

No, Whisper, you cannot chew the drapes.

Obviously, you didn't learn your lesson the last time, when you got stuck in one of the holes, was photographed, and Shamed publicly on Facebook and Livejournal ( http://stealthbunny.livejournal.com/126995.html )

You just learned to be sneakier.

When the water-spray seemed to have no effect, I went to look.

You had wrapped the drape COMPLETELY AROUND YOURSELF, sheltering you from the water as you chewed.

You are learning faster than I can bunny-proof.

Also, scaling the folded-and-cased camp chair so that you could reach the higher level of the cat-tree? Brilliant. Realizing that the Instruction Tag on the chair's case was on an elastic string so that you could grab it, pull it, let go and it would BOING back? Very amusing, but now there's not much tag left and that chair doesn't belong to us in the first place. (sorry, Mere).

Rabbit, snugglebun, thief, thy name is Whisper

2013-06-10T13:31:51Z

There I am. Innocently eating breakfast in my recliner. When suddenly a GIANT RABBIT LEVITATES next to me. OHAI! I rescue my spill-y type stuff while he nuzzles me. I scratch along his back as he lengthens longer under my arm…. Longer… longer… AND NABS THE CATALOG on the arm of the recliner. YEEHAW! He leaps off, lands in a run, waving the catalog over his head. CAN’TCATCHME! I race after him, trying not to spill my cereal and grab the catalog. He plants his front legs and tugs. I push against his nose, the sign to let go, and he does, with the “poopy momma” expression.

I go back to breakfast with my catalog.

A few minutes later, a GIANT RABBIT LEVITATES next to me. OHAI! Nuzzlenuzzlenuzzle. Hopeful look? I edge the catalog away. Injured expression. What? I came for loves! Nuzzlenuzzle. I rub his face and he sighs happily. Stretches out under my arm, growing longer with comfort. Longer. Reaches for the catalog. I move it out of the way. He sits straight up in outrage, ears straight up. How DARE you IMPLY such a thing, madam! I come here for LOVES. I hold my hand out at petting level and I am forgiven, his head shoving under my hand again, eyes half-closed in bliss, stretched out under my arm, leaning into the rubbing, nose under my elbow, and he’s GOT THE CATALOG! YEEHAW! T he CLEVERNESS OF THE BUN WINS AGAIN!

Achoo!

2013-06-03T14:58:10Z

I posted in bunnyowners, but I thought I would post here as well just to get more advice/opinions.

Penny, my adorable little Holland Lop bunny started sneezing last week. I got her about a month ago (she's probably 3-4 months old) and she was fine until last week. I thought maybe she could have allergies, but I was reading that it's not very common for a rabbit to have allergies. I've noticed under her nose, it looks as if maybe there was some kind of clear discharge coming out because the area under the nose looks as if it was wet, then dried, but it still looks wet under her nose anyway.

I'm thinking that it might be snuffles. As to, why, I'm not sure. I know there is Pastuerella, Bordetella, etc. I've been reading online and a lot of people have said that Pastuerella usually comes with white or thick discharge. Her paws don't look matted or wet to me. I'm sure a c&s would be the best way to go and Penny has a vet appointment on Wednesday.

I would have taken Penny to the vet earlier, but I just came back from vacation and thought I could trust my family with taking her to the vet, but that didn't happen.

At least she's acting normal, but I know all too well that acting and being fine are two separate things.

Note to Bunny

2013-05-19T16:47:02Z

Whisper, you are a spoiled brat. Not only do you want me rubbing the back of your neck, but THEN you nudge Smidgie to lick your forehead? At the same time? You hedonist rabbit, you!

Whisper's beauty treatment

2013-05-16T14:29:41Z

From Whisper's point of view.

Momma picks up blankie. RUNAWAY, heehee! Can’t catch me run into cage! I’m so clever! She can’t catch me… she caught me. This means no good thing! Wraps me in blankie! Upside DOWN! Oh noes! She has toe-nail thingie! Feets ticklish, Momma! I kick! Can’t kick! Wrapped in blankie! Oooo, she clipping toenails, feels funny, don’t LIKE! I chew blankie! Rrrr! Tug blankie, chew chew chew! That shows her, doesn’t it! HEY!! That PRIVATE AREA! YOU NO TOUCH PRIVATE AREA! GRRR! I chew BLANKET! TUGTUGTUGCHEW! HUFF. All done.

Not done? Box? She has a box. I like box? She SHOVES ME IN BOX? I DON’T LIKE THIS BOX! She closes box! I CHEW! Can’t find part to chew. I DIG! Too small to dig, can’t move. She carry me in box… no good from this! Thirteen pounds, who care this thirteen pounds. LET ME GO. Out of box, runrunrun to cage. SULK! Wash, I do better than Momma. Humph. Breathe hard, pantpantpant. Good, Momma worried. NO DON’T PICK ME UP AGAIN, oh pooey, she has me again. Tucks me up, covers eyes. Kisses. Pooey Momma. OK, maaaybe kisses nice. Sulk. OK, enough kisses. I sit next to Momma. Maybe. BLANKIE. EVIL BLANKIE next to Momma. I push it, chew it. Shoveshoveshove it off chair. TRIUMPH! All is won! Brave Whisper! Jump to floor. Smidgie, look, I beat Blankie! Love me? Smidgie, love me?

Stretch out by Tug-Mat, look regal. Won, triumph. Brave Whisper. Regal, ruler of all…hiccup…. Hic…. Hic…. Hic...Oh damn…

Whisper is now seven months old!

Bunny Shamed

2013-05-08T02:51:00Z

Note to Bunny

2013-04-29T00:16:30Z

Dear Whisper

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear on prior transgressions, but yes, if I catch you EATING things like MY HEADPHONES' CORD, I WILL turn into a demon and dive into your mouth and go fishing for the piece you are chewing on until I find it and pull it back out again.

No, you did not do a dignified retreat into your cage to sulk. You are GROUNDED. There is a difference. Get used to it.

Your temporary demon-mom.