New bunny not eating alfalfa hay?? and a litter training ?

babyShan · Jul 16, 2012

Hi everyone I am new to this site and a new bunny owner

I got my sons a 5 week old holand lop (Princess) and she is great!! I did a bit of research before buying her and also built her a 3 floor "bunny condo" and I read that she should be eating pellets and alfalfa hay. So I got one of those hang on the cage hay holders and put a bunch in there and I haven't noticed her eating it. Shouldn't she be all into it??

Also the litter training question

so far I think she is only peeing in her box BUT she is pooing everywhere!!!! lol I keep putting the poo in the box but she still going wherever she wants!! How do I fix this?

When she peed on the floor I wiped it up with paper towel and put it in the litter so I think she caught on that way. I did the something with her poo but no luck lol And I put her hay baskets above her litter box

Outside of her condo she doesn't pee or poo

Any help would be greatly appreciated

ZRabbits · Jul 16, 2012

Hi, Congratulations on the new bunny. I found that my young rabbits took a bit to start with the hay. They played with it at first, than started tasting it, and then after a while, really started to chow down. Just keep offering her the hay. I feel hay is a big part of a rabbits' diet. Helps keep their digestive system going, helps with teeth, and also definitely when my rabbits shed, keeps everything moving.

Sounds like your bunny is getting the hang of the litter box. I feel as long as they are peeing in it, litter training is a success. I have no problem cleaning up poop. I found that as my pet rabbits got older, there aim on poop and pee did get better. Rabbits are very clean animals. She'll get it. Just takes time.

Again congratulations!

Karen

Mary Ann's Rabbitry · Jul 16, 2012

It is a new surrounding . She might not know that her hay is in a hay rack. 5 weeks is really young. I would take some of the hay and put it on the floor for a couple of days. Did the breeder give you any food to mix in with yours.

As for the poop everywhere. That will come with time.

curlysue · Jul 16, 2012

I think shes way too young too begin litter training.I dont sell my lops untill they are 8 weeks old.its actually illegal too sell before 8 weeks here.possibly shes never eaten hay.

ZRabbits · Jul 16, 2012

I got my Flemmish at 6 weeks, and he was introduced to hay. He's now just starting to eat it sparingly. Also my Lion heads, who were introduced to hay as well. Now at 6-7 months old, they love it. As long as I kept supplying it, they got the hang of it.

My Flemmish got the hang of the litter box in two days. It was amazing. My Lion heads got the hang of it in a couple weeks. No problem.

Experience tells you what to do. Confidence tells you how to do it!

Karen