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new dwarf rabbit

22 10:17:23

Question
bought a 10week old dwarf yesterday and she is very relaxed when we first remove her from her hutch and hold her, but when we put her down to let her explore her new environment she becomes unapproachable and skittish.can we do something to calm her or does she just need time? also, should we buy her a companion rabbit or will she be o.k. alone? thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Jay,

rabbits generally don't like being picked up.  Combine this with the fact she's in a new area and with new people, and she is showing she is stressed out.

Just give her time.  Try not to give her such a big area at first.  Get some pet exercise gates and give her a smaller portion of a room to explore, the area of the room where her cage is in.

Also, it is good if you can set things up so that she can go in and out of her cage on her own.  Only feed her meals up in her cage, it will help to get her up when you do this.

Also, make sure you are bunny-proofing the rooms she is in before letting her out.

In about a 6-12 weeks she will hit sexual maturity.  Her behaviors may change.  She will probably get more defensive about hands being in her cage when she is in the cage.  You will need to find a good rabbit vet to get her spayed.

I suggest going to the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org).  They have great articles on all aspects of rabbit care, plus you can find a recommended rabbit vet or vets in your area.

It is not critical that she have another rabbit at hte moment.  She has a lot to get used to right now.  I don't think you are prepared to deal with what if they don't get along?

Lee