need to know more about new baby bunny

Question
hi i got my bunny about 8 months ago as a gift. I was told that it's a girl, she's 6 weeks and she's a dwarf lop. But seeing as she hasnt got floppy ears i was told she can't be a lop. Also i went to my local vet and they told me they can't tell me outright if she is a girl, but she has these little nodules all down her belly and was wondering if that could be a clue. i have never had a pet but love my bunny to bits, me and my mum are extremely devoted to taking care of her and would appreciate some advise. I have done lots of research on the web about getting a friend for her but Im still unsure about it. Also i noticed today her urine was very red I looked it up and found that the season and her diet could be factors. If you could advise me on this as well it would be helpful. sometimes she when i am petting her it feels like she is grinding her teeth, i give her lots or things to chew on but the vet said it could be indicating she is in pain, she doesnt do it that often any more but every now and then it happens. I would just like to know how to bond with her more and understand her the advice would be a great help, thanks.

Answer
Dear Paige,

Taking your questions one by one:

"she's 6 weeks and she's a dwarf lop. But seeing as she hasnt got floppy ears i was told she can't be a lop."

Lop bunnies often don't drop their ears until they're 6-11 weeks old, so there's still time.  Also be very vigilant for any sign of runny stool.  Six weeks is too young to be weaned, and babies like this are *extremely* susceptible to fatal diarrhea.  Please read this immediately:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

(the part about baby rabbits) and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

in case of emergency.  I hope you won't need it, but it's good to have.

"Also i went to my local vet and they told me they can't tell me outright if she is a girl, but she has these little nodules all down her belly and was wondering if that could be a clue."

It's often quite difficult to sex a baby rabbit.  You can get descriptions and links to pictures here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sexing.html

but until s/he's older, you might not get an accurate sexing.  MOST male rabbits don't have protruding nipples, so if she has those (females usually have eight; four on each side, running along the midline) your bunny might be a girl.  But some males have nipples, too, so that's not a 100% guarantee.

"me and my mum are extremely devoted to taking care of her and would appreciate some advice."

The very best place to get accurate information on diet, litterbox training, spay/neuter, etc. is:

www.rabbit.org/

"Also i noticed today her urine was very red I looked it up and found that the season and her diet could be factors."

Yes, many things can affect the color of urine.  Diet, emotional state, medications, etc.  Blood in the urine is usually not obvious unless there's something really serious going on (uterine cancer; bad urinary tract infection or bladder stone).

"sometimes she when i am petting her it feels like she is grinding her teeth"

She's tooth purring, which is a sign of contentment.  This soft "chirring" of the teeth is very different from pain tooth grinding, which is loud, intermittent, and usually accompanied by signs of pain such as hunching, sitting in an unsual spot, unwillingness to eat, etc.  For more information on how to know if your bunny is sick, please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

For tips on bonding and getting to know her better, please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

It's mainly about a shy rabbit, but any bunny "parent" can benefit from the information there.  Good luck with your new pal!  :)

Dana