3 Bunnies Rabbit Rescue - Got A Question? Ask Peegie

Dear Peegie,
    My name is Pongo and I looooove to chew things around the house. My parents offer me several plastic and wood toys to chew on, but I can't resist the temptation to gnaw on table legs, rugs and picture frames. I know I'm not supposed to and I want to be a good bunny, so I thought that you might know of a 'repellant' of some sort that can deter me from wanting to chew certain things. I heard my parents mention that in the past they have used nail polish remover on the garbage cans to deter dogs from getting in the trash...works like a charm! I know they're worried that something like that might hurt me, so they are hoping for some good advice on a safe suggestion for me. Please let me know, Thanks!
    Eric Alan Krause

Dear Pongo,
    Unfortunately we bunnies are chewers by nature. Our teeth continue to grow all our lives so we need to chew to keep them in shape. There are some deterrents sold for cats and dogs but they generally don't work for us bunnies.
    One thing your family can do is rub a bar of Ivory soap on the woodwork and table legs. We don't seem to like the smell of that. They also need to give you "good" things to chew like untreated apple or willow twigs, Timothy hay cubes, wooden bird toys, baby toys such as plastic keys on a ring. Cardboard boxes, paper bags and old phone books are great. And maybe close supervision by your family!
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Hi! My name is Ashley and I have a pet dwarf rabbit. And I was just wondering if you know what they like to play with. Because my bunny is very playful, and I am just wondering what they like to play with. Just so he has something new to play with. But I have to tell you this, if anyone els asks you this question, tell them they like to play with like, medium sized balls. Because my bunny pushed it around the living room with his nose and it is REALLY funny!
    Well, that is my question, and I hope you will have an answer for me soon! Thank You very much!
    Ashley V.

Hi Ashley,
    What a great question. Bunnies do like to play. Empty cardboard tubes from paper towel or toilet paper rolls are good for pushing or chewing. Plastic keys on a ring (usually for babies) are great for tossing. Old phone books - good for shredding. Untreated wicker or willow baskets or mats are good for chewing. Even wooden bird toys are OK.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    My name is Fatbun Moonraisin and I am a Holland Lop a bit over a year old (so we think). I was rescued from a farm store in early June with long inch+ nails, very bad hutch burn and my right eye had been scratched so bad that the wound took about a month to heal and for all the fur to grow back. We've neosporin'ed the hutch burn away, my eye is better and my nails are nice and trimmed now, but now I seem to be having digestive problems. I'm leaving cecals lying around without eating them and I need to have a butt bath ever so often. I've been eating the same hay and pellets since I came to my forever home and this hasn't been an issue before. I get the occasional nut/papaya/yoghurt treat and sometimes when there's some leftover from dinner some delicious green and red lettuce. We've been doing our research and my dad and I can't tell what's wrong. I think I'm too young to be having digestive issues and my diet has been almost entirely unchanged for some time now. My dad works from 830-530 at least five days a week so it's hard getting to a vet. I am not spayed though but we are holding off as the cheapest place is around $250, but as soon as we can find a vet who can do the surgery for under $100 (what I'm told is the appropriate price) we are going to go in for a checkup/operation. We would both really appreciate any help we can get in the meantime, Rupert and Alexandra both said you were great : )
    Thanks a lot in advance,
    Fatbun and Chris

Hi Fatbun and Chris,
    Poopy butt is not fun. What kind of hay are you eating? Timothy hay is best for us. Most of my friends and I get Oxbow brand but there are others that are just as good. And what kind of pellets? I get Oxbow Bunny Basics but lots of my friends get Blue Seal #16 or Sweet Meadow. As far as greens go the darker the better and Iceberg is not good, it has a high water content. But romaine, red and green leaf, chickory, kale, basil, dill, parsley, cilantro, swiss chard are all good.
    It sounds like you are getting excellent care and a good diet so maybe a wellness visit to a bunny savvy vet might help. It could be the problem is not on the surface. And check ups don't hurt.
    Thanks for writing and let us know what happens,
    PJ

    Hi PJ,
    I have two bunnies. one, savanna, is a female about 3 years old (we adopted her after she was rescued from an outdoor living situation with about 10 other bunnies.. no food, frozen water) and another, spaz, about 5 months old (who we rescued from a pet shop, about to be snake food). the two absolutely LOVE each other. but recently (in the past week) the little one has been going through a bout of hormones. they loved each other so much but now savanna grunts a lot and runs from spaz's attempts to hump her. we set her to get spayed this week, but it is in 4 days and savanna is getting fed up with being humped every 3 minutes. they have a large enclosure in a round corner room (like in the old old 19th century houses, which we live in) so i folded their gate in half to separate them, but allow them to see each other and touch if they lay next to each other (though the gate is still between them.. they're a bit fat and their fat would touch. they lay against the gate normally anyway). i'm not sure what else to do because they are fighting and they loved each other so much. i'm afraid that a) they are going to be depressed from being separated, b) the humping caused some damage to their friendship and c)... i don't know. i'm just nervous and worried. i could use some advice. :)
    sheesh, that was long.
    thank you!!!
    ~mysi .

    Hi,
    First can I just say what a wonderful person you are to have saved those two precious lives!
    Now, you are doing everything right by separating them but keeping them together. If Spaz is not neutered you should have that done also, it will help with certain bunny behaviors like humping, nipping and spraying. Even If Savanna is spayed he will still act out of he is not neutered. Also, when you bring her to the vet for her spay take him too. It is very important to keep them together if only one has to go the vet. So many times we have people write about how they had a bonded pair and one went to the vet and the other rejected him when he/she got home. We don't know if it is the separation or just different smells on the bunny but please keep them together.
    Thanks for writing and keep us posted!
    PJ

Hi Peegie!
    My name is Sammy and I'm a neutered young adult buck. I'm happy to say that I was adopted into my forever indoor home two weeks ago! Yippee! I love my new mommy so much. She takes extra good care of me and I even live in a nice big pen with run time. How cool is that? Our only problem is that I really hate to be picked up. Yeesh, who doesn't? Mommy and I try so hard and often. I guess the biggest problem is with mommy. I overheard her talking and learned that she has a physical disability which makes her movements and reflexes slow. Also, I weigh about 7.5 pounds, which I guess is kinda heavy for her. Poor mommy! But we do want to get over his hurdle badly. As you know, sometimes being picked up is a necessary evil. She always tries from down on the floor when I'm relaxed, but her grip is so weak and clumsy that I can't help but get extra nervous and slip away before she can even try to do a lift. Can you give us any hints? Mommy and I love each other so much, and we want to work this out before heaven forbid it becomes REALLY necessary. Thanks so much!
    Yours,
    Sammy Adams

Dear Sammy,
    I don't like to be picked up either but sometimes I put up with it. You and your new mom need time to bond and get used to each other. As this happens you will get used to being next to her on the floor and you will learn you can trust her. She could try putting a towel next to her and bribing you to come closer with a treat. Then maybe she could wrap you up, kind of like a burrito. She could also keep you in a smaller space which might be easier for her you to reach you. It may take time and patience but as you learn to trust her you may decide being held isn't so bad after all.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Hi Peegie,
    After having my rabbit spayed she now has poopy butt every day. She now hates me because I have to clean her butt daily. Sometime 3-4 times a day. Have you ever heard of this happening before? If you have why does this occur? Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening feel if it doesn't stop I may have to put her down. I have changed her diet, that did not help. I am feeling really bad for her (Aspen), she feels as if I am a predator now, I have to chase her everyday to catch her to clean her. It is just breaking my heart. Aspen used to love me and trust me, not anymore. Can you please help me?
    Thank you
    Karen

Dear Karen,
    First let me say there is NO reason to put a bunny down just because it has poopy but. And yes that is what we call it! You didn't say how old Aspen is. Sometimes in older bunnies their digestive system changes or slows down and this happens. In younger buns it is usually a diet issue. What kind of pellets and hay are you feeding her? She should get plenty of Timothy hay and a small amount of pellets (just pellets, not the kind with the treats in it) daily. Oxbow has good quality pellets. Also you could try Blue Seal #16 or Sweet Meadow. Bunnies have delicate digestive systems and new foods should be introduced gradually. Mix some of the new pellets with the old and slowly phase out the old ones. Fresh greens should be give 1-2 times a day depending on the size of bunny. As an example, PJ is about 7 pounds and gets about 2 cups of greens and 1/2 teaspoonful of pellets twice a day. Her greens consist of red and green leaf lettuce, romaine, dandelion greens, parsley etc. Iceberg lettuce is not good for them, it has a high water content.
    You can find a list of good greens on our website under "feeding." This should help or even end the poopy but if it doesn't it would be best for your vet to have a look at her, maybe there is an underlying health issue causing this.
    Thanks for writing and let us know what happens,
    Nanci (Peegie's mom)

    UPDATE: Karen took Aspen to the vet for a thorough check up. And although bunnies usually get "poopy butt" from the wrong diet there are other reasons it can happen. Sometimes anesthesia can cause the good bacteria in a bunny's gut to dissipate and often this does not correct itself on it's own. This was the case with Aspen. She is now on medication to get her back on track and her owner is happy to report no more poopy butt!

Dear Peegie,
    I have a 9 year old himalayan dwarf named Cadbury. This past Friday his mate, Chip, was euthanized. The two had been together for 3 and a half years. I have other bunnies in the room but they are all in gated off because they don't all get along. Obviously Cadbury has been a little stressed since Chip died, drinking more water and having looser stools. My question is, should I remove everything in the area that has Chip's scent on it? For instance there is a large cardboard box that Chip used to sit in, and Cadbury went through it a couple of times looking for Chip, but has since stopped. Cadbury is acting normal, perhaps wanting more attention from us and the other buns. What should I do? Could Chip's scent be stressing him out? I should add the Cadbury examined Chip after he had been PTS because I had been told it would help him to accept the death and that Chip was not coming back. I don't want Cadbury to get more upset if I removed everything.

Michelle

Dear Michelle,
    Hi. Yes start by removing everything and cleaning everything to diminish Chip's scent. Cadbury knows his mate has passed. Cadbury needs the freindly scent gone to begin starting his/her? new life. You could throw away the old box and replace it with a brand new box. Toys, dishes, cage etc. can be cleaned. Is there another bunny in your group that might be a potential new bondmate for Cadbury? Some bunnies do okay being alone after a mate dies, while others want a new mate again. It is important to keep a close eye on Cadbury now to see how she acts. Some rabbits stop eating and get depressed and that can lead to major problems. Depending how she acts, will help you decide if she needs to be bonded to a new mate or not. She might be okay just knowing other bunnies are around. It depends on her personality too. Some rabbits just always want a friend to live with. Many rabbit owners have rebonded their rabbits after a mate has passed.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    We have adopted 5 rabbits from various situations. They enjoy their own room, with each rabbit having his/her own area, two of the rabbits have bonded and share one large area. All these rabbits are litter box trained. However, our adolescent Duke has taken to moving his litter box aside and using the floor, blankets or paper instead. He is a very lively bunny but I am curious as to the sudden change of habit (he is 2 yrs old and neutered). All the bunnies are out for approximately 12 hours a day, we put them in their cages to sleep at night only. Any ideas on his sudden non use of the litter box (outside the cage) He uses his other litter box at night in the cage no problem.

Thanks,
Chris

Dear Chris,
    He could be trying to tell you he does not want his box in that space anymore. Or he discovered that by not using it he gets attention from you. Do the other rabbits use his box? Maybe he does not like that and he is marking his territory. Has anything changed in his space? Have you changed his litter? These are also things that could affect his behavior. Or it could be that he is an adolescent and bunnies do bunny things!
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I have had a holland lop for a few days. I initially tried to pick it up and hold it but after reading some things and now on the earning trust route. I let him explore my room often, but how can I get him back in the cage when I need to without losing any trust he has with me or him feeling like I'm putting him in there becuase he did something wrong. At first I would put him in the cage and pat him on the forehead before closing the door. Now I don't pick him up to do so but just nudge him in the cage and more often just wait until he's in there to close the door and often leave a treat before I close the door. He likes his cage and I don't want him to begin to feel otherwise about it. I am litter training him. Anytime he poops or pees when he's not in his cage I pick him up and put him in the litter box. He doesn't seem to mind that to much at least and a few times he has sat in the litter box himself. Any suggestion about what I am doing would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
    Jay Hilbun

Dear Jay...
    It sounds like you are doing the right things so far. Don't be afraid to pick him up. If you can pick him up and hold him, keep doing it. That is a good thing. You should establish a trust of being able to pick him up. There will be times when you need to get him back in the cage and don't have time to wait for him to do it on his own. He will need to get used to you having to pick him up for vet visits, nail clippings, emergencies, etc. Many rabbits do not like to be held or cuddled but is important to learn how and when to handle them and not be afraid. If you can catch him to pick him up and put him back in his cage do so. Sometimes they might have to be gently guided back in. After they get used to understanding when you want them in, sometimes buns will learn to go in on their own when you talk to them and coax them with a gentle push if you can't pick them up. Talking to them and telling them they are good when they go back is also helpful. You can give a treat but it is not necessary. They can learn a routine. A 2nd litter box should be provided in their out time area. This way they don't have to travel far to find a potty box. When litter training, start with a small space for out time and as he uses the litter boxes then expand to more free space. Also if he is not neutered, he should get neutered if he is old enough. This also helps with litter box training besides many other positive reasons to neuter.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

A Note From Peegie:

August 29, 2006

Dear Readers,

I had to go to the doctor this week and wanted to share my visit with you.

It was for my regular check up. My mom brought me in a room and the Dr. and her helper came in. They put a towel on the table for me to sit on so I wouldn't slide around on the metal. The helper pet me and talked to me while the Dr. asked my mom some questions. She asked things like where I lived, what I ate, what kind of litter box I had, what my daily routine was. Then she looked in my ears and said they looked good and were nice and clean. She looked in my eyes and said they looked good. She listened to my heart and lungs and said they were good. Then her helper turned me over on my back so the Dr. could check my belly and my feet. She felt all over and it tickled. She even checked the pads of my feet. Then they turned me back over and she looked in my mouth. I didn't really like that. It didn't hurt but I just didn't like that part. But when she was looking at my teeth she found something called a molar spur. Spurs are little points that can form on our teeth sometimes due to our diets or sometimes just because. If they don't get taken care of they can cause lots of problems! They can grow into the side of our mouths or our tongues and really hurt. So the Dr. wrapped me in the towel and took me to another room where she gave me something that made me really sleepy. Then she filed the spur and made it go away. She woke me up and brought me back to where my Mom was waiting and gave me some treats. And that was the end of my check up. So see? it is really important to go for a regular check up!

PJ

Dear PJ,
    Do bunnies shed all the time? and how flexible are they? also how often do there nails need to be cut?!? are they clean animals? and do they need lots of attention? how big do netherland dwarf bunnies grow and how much space do they need? well I think I've asked to many questions so bye!!
    It's been fun talking to you!!!
    Love,
    Angela

Dear Angela,
    Bunnies shed most of the time but usually only little bit at a time. They have major shedding about twice a year. They are very clean and wash themselves several time a day like cats do. A bunnies nails will probably need to be trimmed about every 2-3 months. A bunny needs to be in an area about 6 times larger than the bun. If it is in a crate or cage for a long time it will need lots of free time for exercise. A Netherland Dwarf probably won't get much bigger than 2-3 pounds but it depends on the bunny and if it is a true dwarf or a mix.
    Thanks for writing!
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Three months ago I adopted a cute bunny couple named Barney and Gracie. The woman I adopted them from told me they are about three years old and she had Barney neutered before she introduced him to Gracie. Gracie was never spayed. I've seen Gracie mount Barney before, which is normal. But this past week I've seen Barney mount Gracie twice. Why would he do this since he's been fixed for such a long time and is it anything to be worried about? Also, I would like to have Gracie spayed, but I am concerned about how safe that would be since she's over three years old. So is it okay at her age, because I'd really like to prevent her from getting uteran cancer.
    Thanks
    Tiffany

Dear Tiffany,
    Mounting by either sex can happen for some time after a bunny is neutered/spayed. It is a very deep instinct in animals and sometimes never goes away. It could also be a sign of dominance and have nothing to do with sex. Kind of like "I like you but I was here first or I am bigger than you." Gracie is not too old to be spayed, I was 3 years old myself.
    Good luck with your bunnies and thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Brown eyes is seven months old he lives in the house where he has a free reign he does not sleep in a hutch he used to sleep under our bed but since i have moved it around he stays downstairs at night he is not closed in anywhere is very attached to my 5 year old and 3 year old daughter (waits outside when they are in the bath and stays outside there bedroom door till they go to sleep at night would let him stay in there but he chewed little ones hair before he was neutred )as you can see he is a very important member of the family so my question is we let him have free run of the garden during the daywhen we are home but it is not very well fenced in as he goes to our next door neighbours which is ok with them and he does come home when you call him but he has recently started to go a wee bit further he still comes home but somtimes i do have to get him what i am worried about is would he run away we live in ireland so its only cats and dogs around really that i have to worry about he also looks like a wild rabbit so can be hard to see i hope you can help as i cant seem to find out if rabbits always return home.
    Thank you
    Alison

Dear Alison,
    WOW! My first letter form Ireland! Although you say there are only cats and dogs around it only takes a second for them to grab a bunny. They may think they are playing with it and hurt it by accident. Or he may run away in fear. Rabbits can literally die from fright. Also, birds of prey (hawks, etc., and even some crows) can snatch a bun in a second. We suggest making a safe outdoor play pen or skip the outside time altogether. It would be awful if you called him one day and he didn't come back.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Do you think it would be alright to put my dwarf bunny in my room when i get it. or do you think that it will thump and run around the cage so much it would wake me up and the people in the naxt rooms too. Please note I would be taking the rabbit out everyday and may leave the cage open when it gets use to me because i bunny proofed my room, well still are actually.
Melanie W.

Dear Melanie,
    You sound like a wonderful bunny owner! I wouldn't worry about the thumping. We bunnies usually only thump to alert others of danger (or what we perceive as danger) or if someone is being mean to us we may thump to express our displeasure. We are also what is called "crepuscular" which means we are more active at dusk and dawn. So it is our nature to be awake and want to play while everyone else is asleep. I like to toss my empty food dish around my crate during the night.
    In the beginning it might be a good idea to only let your bunny out when you can be in the room to keep an eye on it. As you get to know each other you can make sure you bunny proofed everything and see just how active a bunny you have. And maybe if you got a baby gate to put across your door you could keep an eye on the bunny while it is out and he or she could watch every one too. We are very nosy and like to see what's going on!
    Good luck with your bunny and thanks for writing.
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I was wondering if you can help me... This is kind of personal. My name is Hunny and I'm about 2 years old... Recently I started having problems with my digestion (?) I get these sticky poops, that get stuck to my fur around my behind and I think they are blocking the way out. I never had this problem before... Nothing new in my diet. I usually eat lots of carrots, parsley, cilantro and dill. Sometimes mommy gives me baby spinach (very rare) and limited amounts of Kaytee garden blend dry food. I do eat lots of hay (Oxford meadows) and get my water changed twice a day. Mommy and I thought that it could be papaya treat, that I get once a month or so... But I don't think that's what causes it. Mommy stopped giving papaya to me and I still do get this problem sometimes... Do you think I should see the doctor? Or maybe exclude Kaytee out of my diet? I really like Kaytee and Mommy thinks that I'm addicted to it and does not want to give it to mee too often...But I do not like any!
    Other brands like Oxbow. Mommy just could not make me eat that...
    I hope you can help. You talk to so many bunnies, maybe you've heard of similar problem before.
    Thanks in advance,
    Hunny

Dear Hunny,
    I checked with some of my bunny friends so I could give you the best answers. When our poops stick to us we call it "poopy butt." Sometimes as we get older our digestion slows down and things we have been eating all along may not be as easily digested. And as we age and if we are overweight we are not as able to keep ourselves as clean as we once could. Some bunny friends of mine have their moms give them butt baths.
    There are also other brands of pellets that might be better for you. Some you might try are Blue Seal #16, Blue Seal Show Hutch Deluxe or Sweet Meadow. Oxbow also makes very good pellets and that is what I get. Just ask your mom to mix some of your old pellets with the new ones so you get used to them and gradually phase out the old pellets. There is something your mom can get from the vet called Benebac which has all the good bacteria that we need.
    Our website as a good listing of greens that are good for us and feeding tips that might also help you. Please see our feeding page.

    Thanks for writing and keep in touch!
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I am considering adopting a bunny. I would like to purchase an attractive and appropriate hutch before bringing a bunny home. I have looked over the internet but have not seen a really cute hutch that would blend in with the decor of my home. Do you have any sources or suggestions? Which features should I be sure to include should I have to have one custom built?
    Thank you,
    Pam

Dear Pam,
    I am kind of confused. Will your bunny be kept inside? Sometimes people who keep bunnies out side call their homes hutches too. If you are thinking of getting an indoor bunny we suggest a large dog crate. Big enough so the bunny has room to move around and room for his litter pan. If you are handy you can make a shelf for the back or side where the bun can hop up and relax. You could also use an exercise pen. They come in different heights so depending on the size of the bun it won't be able to jump over it. Those are nice because you can have it come out from a wall or in a circle. Then you can get a cardboard box or one of those soft sided cat boxes for the bunny to hide in.
    One more suggestion is the put together cubes made of coated wire. You can get a few sets and link them together in a shape that works for you. Just cover the wire bottom with fleece or towels so it doesn't hurt their paws.
    The area should be high enough so the bunny can stand on its back paws and not hit the top.
    I hope these suggestions are helpful.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Hi,
    I just adopted a male and female rabbit, both altered. I am in the process of introducing them gradually and they are in separate cages side by side. The female is about 2 or 3 years old and the male is about 10 months old.
    I give them periods of time together to get to know each other, but the male relentlessly tries to mount the female - and he was neutered six weeks ago! The female lets him do it for the most part but when she gets tired of it I separate them. I think he knows something isn't "working" right but like the Energizer bunny....
    Do you know how long it will take for this to stop? I am not going to be comfortable putting them in one cage together while he is this relentless. I had a male bunny once before who quit mounting within 2 days of his operation, so I am stumped by this behavior.
    Thank you!
    Melissa

Dear Melissa,
    Sometimes hormones take a while to decrease. Maybe a month or two, maybe longer. You will need to be patient and when he tries to mount her gently move him and try "smoosh" them together side by side. Pet them and tell them how good they are. You can also remove him and firmly tell him "no." For some reason getting them to eat together helps too.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Hello Peegie,
    My name is Ruth and my daughter is Bryanna. We have a 6 month old lop. We are really enjoying him too. My daughter Bryanna read in a book not to kiss your rabbit. I was wondering why? Our lop named WOODY (woodies is his nickname) loves it when we rub heads with him and kiss the top of his. Is it because they could bite and scare? Or is there another reason? I was just curious and didn't want to harm Woody or ourselfs in anyway. Woody is lots of fun and is part of the family now. He is very spoiled and we enjoy every minute of it............laughing........
    thanks,
    Ruth & Bryanna,and Woody.......

Dear Ruth, Bryanna and Woody,
    If Woody loves it then keep doing it! Every bunny is different but most of the bunnies I know love kisses and face rubs. We also love to have our cheeks rubbed. The only reason I can think of why a bunny wouldn't like that is that we can't see what is right in front of our faces and if someone comes up to pet us or kiss us on the head we might get a little scared if they approach from the front. So by all means kiss, kiss, kiss!!!
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Hi Peegie,
    My name is Kim. I have two male bunnies living in the same cage. They are both 4 months old. One is neutered the other is not. Until today we thought one was a female. But surprise, surprise. They both get along very well. Too well. They are now trying to mate with one another. Is this common for two males to do this? Also I thought,once a male was neutered he would not do this anymore. I was also wondering if we should get the other bunny neutered? We just got the one bunny done yesterday.
    Thanks for answering my questions.
    Kim

Dear Kim,
    Both bunnies should be neutered. Hormones play a large part in bunny behavior. Sometimes it takes a little while for the neuter to "take effect" and but once that is done the mating attempts should stop and they should get along fine.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I am a four month old Netherland Dwarf rabbit. My name is Noah and I have a girl friend. My girl friend is four months old too and her name is Mia. For the past week she has been chasing me around everywhere. My owner let us run around in her room this morning and Mia kept chasing me. Can you tell me why she might be doing this?
    Thank you
    Noah

Dear Noah,
    I think your girlfriend really likes you. But at your ages you shouldn't play together if you aren't spayed/neutered. Even at such a young age your hormones are kicking in and she could get pregnant. Maybe your owner could let you out separately until you are both fixed.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Two of my favorite vegetables are broccoli and brussell sprouts but my Mom read that these should not be fed to me very often. Are they really bad for me and how often if at all should I actually eat them?
    Snuggles

Dear Snuggles,
    Brussel Sprouts are good? I never had them. I will have to sneak them on mom's shopping list. Anyway too many of anything is not good for our tummies. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts can build up gasses in our bellies if we have to many and that could be really uncomfortable. Your mom is right (they always are)! and if she gives them to you as a special treat or maybe a few times a week that is OK.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Hi,
    I have a 5 month old female mini rex and she has recently started taking quite a liking to my arm. She'll get pretty wound up and will run circles around me and at the first chance will grab at my arm and wrestle it a bit then proceed to hump it. She wont leave me alone for quite a while and its impossible to try petting her without her just trying to hump me while shes in one of these moods.
    I will get her spayed, but I think she's still a little young. In the meantime, should I just "let her at it" or should I try to discourage this behaviour every time she tries it. I dont want to do the wrong thing and frustrate her or encourage bad behavior.
    The funny thing is she only does this to me, not my husband!
    Thanks a lot!
    Zoe

Dear Zoe,
    Spaying your bunny should definitely stop that behavior. And no, she is not too young to have it done. You could try to discourge her when she does it but because it is an instinctive thing it might not help.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Hi Peegie,
    My name is Kim and I have a three month old male and a three month female netherland dwarf bunny.Just recently the male has been trying to mount the female and I am wondering if the female can get pregnant at this age?Should I keep them apart?They are living together in the same cage and right now I have them separated with a piece of cardboard.They seem so unhappy since we have separated them.I will get the male fixed but I am told by vets that they will not do it until the age of 4 or 5 months If she cannot get pregnant yet then we do not have a problem.Could you help me? Thanks. Kim.

Dear Kim,
    Female bunnies are sexually mature by about 6 months of age. However females mature faster than males and can possibly become pregnant by 4 months (and in some cases only 3 months). I recommend you keep them separated but next to each other so they can still interact and stay bonded until the female is spayed and you can put them together. Aproximately 80% of unspayed female rabbits die from uterine cancer, so spaying your female bun will not only prevent unwanted pregnancies but will also provide a healthier, longer life for her.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Hi, I was wondering which bunny (the girl or the boy) humps the other bunny. We had a "girl" bunny, then got a "boy" bunny, but the bunny we thought was the girl started humping the bunny we thought was the boy, now we are all really confused. Please help!! Oh, I almost forgot, the one we thought was a girl has a, well you know, thing. Thank you, nikki

Dear Nikki,
    Both male and female bunnies will hump especially if they are unneutered. A rabbit savvy veterinarian can sex them for you. And perhaps you can get the female spayed. About 80 percent of unspayed female rabbits die from uterine cancer.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    My husband recently found a domestic bunny that someone had let loose outside. We named him Snuggles and after some trips to the vet for an eye infection he is healthy and very happy. He is all white and all four of the bottom of his feet are stained grey from dirt/pavement. I have tried to wash his feet with cloths and special spray-on bunny shampoo to no avail. Snugglebun does not like his feet washed and fights me on this. Do you have any recommendations on the best way to get his feet white again without too much trauma?
    Thank you!
    Dawn

Dear Dawn,
    First let me thank you for rescuing an abandoned bunny. You can't change the world by rescuing one animal but you can change one animal's world.
    We buns like to keep our paws on the ground in case we need to make a quick escape. Unfortunately I don't think you can do much about the discoloration on his paws. Now that he is in clean environment the grey will hopefully slowly wear off.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I have a 9 year old dutch, he has never had any health problems his entire life. Over the past few years, since he was about 7, his tolerance for certain foods has slightly decreased. He can eat all of the veggies he wants, but treats such as banana and apple slices give him slightly softer stools. I had his bloodwork done 2 months ago and nothing abnormal came up, and he is otherwise healthy and active. He eats plenty of Timothy hay and is very active. Is it normal for rabbits to have a slightly more sensitive digestive track as they age?
    Amanda

Dear Amanda,
    Just like our human companions as we age our bodies go through changes. We may not be able to digest things or break down the sugars and starches in fruit like we once could. As long as your vet says everything is OK maybe try some raisins, craisins or even papaya tablets as treats. Darker green veggies would be good and lots of timothy hay.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I have a 3 year old black Netherland Dwarf rabbit which has always made barely discernible squeaking noises when handled but over the past week the noises have become so loud I was concerned she is in pain, so took her to the vet. The vet checked her heart and tummy and found no problems and concluded it is probably a soft palate deformity. I listened to the rabbit squeaking on your site and the sound is pretty much the same I have to say.
    I have a big shed sectioned off into two parts for exercise (the two pairs of bunnies go in hutches at night for warmth). On the left is Betsy and Tommy, on the right is Dippy (the squeaking one) and Winnie. About six months ago Betsy managed to jump and get into the other exercise area and killed a little grey rabbit called Flutter. This was dreadfully upsetting - I had let the straw get a fraction too high, concentrating on them being warm, and was amazed she was able to jump over. Betsy always seemed to hate Flutter - she seemed to see her as a rival for Tommy's affections. Betsy and Tommy are neutered, Flutter was not. When I have two females living together (previously Dippy and Flutter, now Dippy and Winnie) I do not have them spayed. At about �100 a time it seems excessively expensive if not necessary.
    Can you give me any advice please? thank you so much
    Karen, England

Dear Karen,
    How exciting! I never got a letter from England before!
    Let me start by saying even though it seems like a lot of money to spay a bunny about 80 % of unspayed female rabbits die from uterine cancer. So even though unwanted pregnancy might not be an issue it is still very, very important for your buns to have a healthy, long life to have them spayed.
    As far as the squeaking, it could be a problem with nasal passage tissue or congestion. Sometimes females ready to mate make sounds too. I suggest asking your vet to do a head x-ray. If that doesn't show any problems then you just have a vocal bunny and shouldn't worry about it.
    Thanks for writing and keep us updated!
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    My name is Sue and i just recently got a rabbit and ive never had one before so ive been reasearching alot on them, but I have a concern because she seems to sneeze alot and i need to know whether to take her to a vet or is this normal?.

Dear Sue,
    What a beautiful bun! Thanks for the picture. You might want to take her to the vet just to be sure she is OK. My mom opened a new bag of hay and I started sneezing every time I ate some. Must have been a dusty crop. But we bunnies can get something called "snuffles" which is like a cold and it would be better to have the vet check her out.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

    Dear Peeg,
    Just Sue and Sugar again I just wanted to tell you I took Sugar to the vet last night and she is doing great, She gained a pound in a two weeks time and no more sneezing. Thanks for all your help.
    Love,
    Sugar AND Sue

Dear Peegie,
    My name is Chomper, and I'm a fourteen week old miniature rex girl. At least, that's what they tell me. Anyway, I must have been extra good this year, because two weeks before Christmas, I got a brand new home! Mom and Dad love me tons and take super good care of me. I have a whole bedroom all to myself, and I eat fresh, leafy greens every day, along with my hay and pellets, of course. Mom and Dad are great, but they're worried that I'm lonely because I'm the only bunny in the house. I have a brother, but he's a big black labrador, and Mom and Dad are afraid that he'll play too rough with me. Mom and Dad want me to be happy and healthy, and they keep asking if they should find a bunny friend for me. I don't speak human real well, so I was hoping you could help.
    Thanks!
    Chomper

Dear Chomper,
    We bunnies are very social by nature. But some of us don't mind being alone. I am an only bun and it is ok with me. Maybe your Mom and Dad could put a few stuffed animals in your room. If you snuggle with them and groom them then maybe you would want a pal. If you don't have any interest in them maybe you are ok by yourself. How lucky you are to have such a great forever home!
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Dear Peegie, My human has a question that I think you could answer better than I can. She wants to know why we bunnies always seem to throw our toys into our water bowls? She seems to think it is weird, but I don't see anything wrong with it. What do you think?
    Love,
    Patches and Merilee

Dear Patches and Merilee,
    Some bunnies play games and play with toys and some don't. It sounds to me like you both like to play Toss the Toys in the Water Bowl! It's a fun game and your mom should let you continue to do it. If it really bothers her maybe she can get you a water bottle to drink from and leave the bowl for games.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    I've read that bunnies need toys to be happy, but my bunnies don't seem interested in any of the toys I've offered them. I've tried wood blocks, balls with bells in them, paper towel tubes, cardboard boxes, keyrings, and anything else I could think of. Am I doing something wrong? Can you suggest any other toys they might like?
    Thanks
    Clueless in Seattle

Dear Clueless,
    It sounds like you have given good toys to your bunnies. But not all bunnies like to play. I have a tunnel I like to run through. My mom got it at the home improvement store. Maybe your bunnies would like one of those.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ

Dear Peegie,
    Hi I am new to bunnies, and had a few questions about owning one if I did. I would like to keep it in my room, but I have a lot of wood in my room and I was wondering if it would wreck it or do anything to the furniture, because we just redesigned our house when we moved in. I was also wondering about bunnies' maintenance and how much time and effort should go into their grooming, feeding, exercise and just spending time with them. When they exercise in the house does that mean they will run around the room? It may sound like a dumb question but I do not know and would like to. If you could get back to me as soon as possible that would be great. Thank you
    Lindsey

Dear Lindsey,
    Wow! You ask some very important questions. It is good to learn about a pet's needs before adopting.
    Bunnies have special needs and habits that are different from cats and dogs but if you learn about them and follow a few simple steps we are wonderful, loving companions. One major thing about us is we are like little children. We like to play and run around the house but if we are not supervised during this time we can get into trouble. In the wild we live in borrows underground. So indoors we sometimes seek out low, dark places. Under the chairs or behind the sofa are a few favorites. Also our teeth continue to grow and if we are not offered safe things to chew on like untreated apple or willow twigs, even some cat and baby toys we might chew on table legs, carpeting and woodwork or wires. Putting covers over any wires or cords is one way to bunny proof. 3 Bunnies tries to have the bunnies litter box trained before they get adopted.
    "Out" time is very important for us too. It's no fun being in a crate all day. Sometimes we find a favorite place to lounge in or we may race around the room and hop in the air. Those hops are called "binkies." You can buy an exercise pen to let the bunny play in. Bunnies as a rule don't like to picked up and cuddled but there are those that love it. I would rather sit on the floor next to my mom and let her pet me.
    We groom ourselves like cats do, several times a day so we don't really need baths. Brushing is good to do during shedding times if you can get us to sit still!
    I get fed twice a day. In the morning and evening I get a nice salad of mixed greens and a small amount of pellets. Timothy hay is a very important part of our diet. My mom just leaves the bag on the floor and I can eat it whenever I want. It keeps our digestive track moving. An occasional snack of fresh fruit is good once in a while. Raisins are my favorite! Bunnies are unable to throw up like other animals so it is extremely important to watch what you feed us. If we eat something we shouldn't it could be very bad. If you adopt a bunny it's foster mom can give you specifics on feeding it.
    I hope I was able to answer your questions. Thanks for writing!
    Peegie

Dear Peegie,
    I have a number of bunnies and I like to let them out back for exercise in a fenced-in run, made just for them. My concern is, there are neighborhood cats that are showing a lot of interest at getting to the rabbits. What can I do to protect my rabbits from these cats (besides confining them to indoors).
    Squeegie

Dear Squeegee,
    Wow! An outdoor run area just for your bunnies. How lucky they are. But the cats might be a problem. How big are the openings in the fencing? Are they large enough for a cat to get it's paw through and maybe scare the bunnies? Is it covered on the top so a cat can't jump over it and get in? Cats and bunnies usually get along fine when they live in the same house but I don't know what might happen when they are outside. Can you ask the cats owners to keep them inside during the bunnies playtime? What ever you do please don't leave your bunnies alone outside ever!!
    Thanks or writing,
    PJ

Hello Peegie,
    I have two eleven month old Holland Lop males. I found out after they were a part of the family that they were two males instead of a girl/boy. The breeder told me he would exchange one but that was not an option. Recently I have had the boys fixed so that I could see would it calm them down and also to see if they will get along better. Do you think they will bond and get along well?
    Natasha

Dear Natasha,
    Bonding is not something you can rush. We bunnies take a while to get used to new things. If you are loving and patient and let them bond at their own pace I think they will be fine.
    Thanks for writing,
    PJ