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Making Friends With Your New Bunny

October 15 2024

Are you thinking about getting a rabbit soon? Floppy is a great little friend! Bunnies are rather shy, though. This is probably only to be expected, as they have to always be on the lookout for hawks, wolves, coyotes, wild dogs, and other animals in the wild. An Oshawa, ON vet offers advice on how to win Floppy’s heart in this article.

Get Off To A Good Start

Establishing trust begins the day you bring your super cute pet home. Don’t reach into Floppy’s cage and pull her out. Just open the door and let her come out when she’s ready. It might take a while, but your cute little pal will eventually become interested in her new home and you. Give her your hand and let her sniff it when she gets close. Giving your furball a treat won’t hurt, either!

Making your home rabbit-proof is very important and should be done before you bring Floppy home. Either take away or secure everything you don’t want your pet friend to have access to. Make sure there are no gaps under or behind beds, sofas, or chairs. Cover or protect baseboards, furniture legs, and any wires or cords that are showing. Other things that could be dangerous include small or sharp objects, personal items, plastics, drugs, and chemicals. Talk to your Oshawa, ON vet about how to keep bunnies safe when they are out and about in the house.

Learn Bunnies’ Body Language

Bunnies do talk … but without words. Reading about bunny body language will help you understand your cute pet. This isn’t just good for learning about bunny moods: it can also help you notice warning signs that something is off.

Don’t Scare Your Pet

Take care not to frighten your furry pal.  Floppy holds grudges, so if you scare her, she will remember it.

·       Do not move quickly or make loud noises.

·       Floppy probably doesn’t want to be handled. Don’t pick her up unless you need to move her or put her in her carrier or cage. The Abominable Snow Man tried to make friends with Bugs Bunny by hugging and smooshing him, but it didn’t work. The same will happen to you!

·       We probably seem like huge monsters from Floppy’s point of view. Get down to ground level: you’ll be less intimidating.

Talk To Your Rabbit

Talking to your pet is always a good way to get them used to you. Keep your voice happy and calm when you talk. Pay close attention to how Floppy moves and her cute ears.

Give Floppy Some Fun Toys

Rabbits really like to play. They need to chew, too, as otherwise they develop dental issues. You’ll need to offer lots of toys, including suitable chew toys. While you can buy some great ones, you can also make your own at home. Make sure you only use safe things. Most of the time, things made of paper, cardboard, wood, or straw work well. Stay away from things that have sharp edges, plastic parts, or threads, and other dangerous materials. Ask your Oshawa, ON vet for more information.

Don’t Skimp On The Treats

Many times, snacks are the best way to win over a pet. Just choose safe things. A lot of false beliefs and misconceptions are present here. For instance, carrots are Bugs Bunny’s favorite food, but they’re not the best choice for your pet.

Bunnies usually really, really like sweet foods. You can give her small amounts of safe foods like apples, bananas, or strawberries. Don’t offer any unsafe foods, though. Some of those include corn, currants, dates, edamame, figs, garlic, green onions, kelp, leeks, lentils, mushrooms, nuts, olives, onions, peanuts, popcorn, potatoes, quinoa, rhubarb, rice, seeds, beets, sweet potatoes, walnuts, and anything else that has xylitol, alcohol, or a lot of salt, fat, or sugar. Ask your Oshawa, ON vet for more information on bunny diets and treats.

Just Take Good Care Of Floppy

Love takes time, but at the end of the day, animals form bonds with those who look after them and are kind to them. Plain old TLC will go a long way in this case. Talk to your vet about how to take good care of your rabbit. This includes setting up the cage, typical illnesses, food suggestions, and toys.

Make an Appointment at Our Oshawa, ON Veterinary Clinic 

Do you want to know how to take care of rabbits? We are your cat hospital. Please call us whenever you need help! We are dedicated to providing top service and great care.

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