Help settling a new rabbit

We have just had the pleasure of adopting a beautiful bunny called Cookie. She has been running round the garden but absolutely refuses to be held and makes a dash for the nearest bush whenever I try to get near her. She doesn't mind sniffing my hand when she's in her hutch and has hopped over to me but only when I'm pretending not to notice her, she has a sniff of my trouser and then hops off. I eventually managed to pick her up as I had to check her hocks for sores (she is a mini rex and was recovering from some small sores when we got her yesterday) but she constantly wriggles, trying to get away, and has just done a poo on me whilst I was holding her which makes me think she was really afraid. As soon as I'd put the cream on her and let her go she dashed to her hutch and is now cowering in the corner. She's been dashing about the garden all afternoon and laying outstretched on the lawn, so I think she's settling in ok but does anyone have any advice about how to tame her/tricks to show her she can trust me?? Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks peeps

Hi there and welcome to the forum We've followed Cookie for a while and are so happy that she's gone to a great new home (clicky )

Cookie will need time to both settle in and gain trust in you Bunny interaction tends to be on their terms, and they are inquisitive, so it's normal that she'll inspect you, however, you have to handle her to treat her Hocks.
If she's sniffing your hand that's good. You could for now combine feeding time with hock cream time; try putting her fave food in your hand, and let her come to get it and have some of it. Then you can put your other hand around her, and hug her in. Reassure her as you hold her, and hold her firmly, but not forcefully. Give her the cream, then reward her afterwards with more food. She'll hopefully learn that the holding means reward, and relax a little with it. It's very early days though, and she will probably be a bit bewildered right now, although it sounds like she's settling in just fine.

I hope you'll keep us up to date with her life and progress, and please ask anything you want, no question is a daft one, when you're a new bunny owner

Hi There!!

Welcome to HH! Its lovely to have Cookies new Mummy on here.

I think Jay is right - you need to give her a little time to get used to you and her new surroundings.

If she is laying on the lawn she is happy - she just needs some time to get to know you and some time this can take a little while. She'll get there im sure.

Good luck - please keep us updated.

Katie

Welcome to HH, it is so nice for the story of Cookie's life to continue as we are all very fond of her.

You must remember the rabbits have spend thousands of years learning to evade capture by predators so anything that grabs them sparks fear as they instinctively react as if they are being caught to be eaten. It will taked a little time for her to learn to trust you and it is early days yet. When you have had to handle her, she will be a bit afraid immediatley afterwards and will need to destress. You can use food to help her get over this as suggested by Jay as bunnies are VERY food orientated.

Feel free to post about any concerns because that is what we are here for.

Hello , it's lovely to hear from you, so please that Cookie is settling in with you, I know she is going to be so happy and will be a very spoilt bunny, Jay has sadi it all really, give her time and she will get used to you and her confidence with you both will grow, please let us know how things are going, hope her feet are doing OK

Thanks everyone for your advice Since I last posted things have improved much more. She is more tolerant of being touched. If I offer some broccoli she will let me stroke her while she munches away. She's loving the garden and is making sure she explores every inch of it! Which brings me on to another question - she doesn't seem to be much interested in her pellets and hay/herbage. When I check her food each morning and evening, there doesn't seem to be much reduction in volume. She is instead filling herself up on grass and leaves in the garden. Most worryingly she has taken to nibbling on the rubble under the fence (most probably left over from when the houses were built) and I'm not sure why she's doing this. Do the rocks contain minerals that she's looking for in her diet?? As I said, I provide compacted pellets, hay, herbage with dried marigolds, plantain and the odd bit of fresh broccoli so I'm wondering why she isn't eating this and instead going for the grass and rocks!

Is it normal for rabbits to have sneezing fits. She had one earlier, for about 2/3 minutes....should I be worried?

Oh, and I know some of you have been following Cookie for months but we've renamed her 'Arby'. Long story but it means something more to us than 'Cookie'. Any Halo fans will get it

Thanks y'all

Glad that she is settling down. Buns are supposed to eat a lot of hay rather than lots of pellets as they need the fibre. I would think that the fresh grass would be as good for her as pellets. You might find she eats more hay when the grass isn't as lush. It will be really nice just now as it will be fresh and young. I don't know why she is nibbling the rubble. Maybe just exploring.

As for the sneezing, just keep any eye on her. If her nose seems soggy or she is still sneezing you might need to get her checked by the vet. There is an illness called Snuffles which is a kind of rabbit pneumonia and it can be serious. But it might just be her having a sneezing fit.

I like her name, but it reminds me of the states and going for breakfast at Arbys.

And in answer to your question Snowy, I'm not entirely sure how her feet are I get hold of her but as soon as I turn her round to have a look she scrambles furiously to get away from me so I figure it's best to let her go than hold her down and hurt her. I'll check when she's a bit more willing to be held but the last time I looked they were ok and she's on nice soft grass and hay now fingers crossed!

Thanks Nickie, I'll defo keep an eye on her sneezing...

Welcome to HH

Am looking forward to hearing more about the very beautiful Arby

So glad Arby has a lovely new home, looking forward to hearing more about her.

I'm so glad she's settling in, that's so quick, she must be really happy

Arby is a really nice name too! Hay is important for teeth erosion too, which grass isn't as effective at tackling. Maybe try mixing some grass in with her hay and see if she takes it that way. The other common thing is that many, including mine, wont touch hay that's been out for a while. I tend to give small handfulls of fresh from the bag hay, 3-4 times a day, rather than one load to last the day.

There's a brand of Hays called Oxbow that are really lush, mine has the botanical one, and destroys it. It's a supplement, he doesn't get much, but it could be worth a try. Different buns like different things, so it's all a bit of trial and rror to start with

Some Buns are very fussy with their hay so it might just be a case of finding one she likes. It took me ages to find one daisy would eat but he really loves oxbow meadow hay and cant get enough of it, which im really pleased about as its soooo good for him.

Love the new name . Sounds like she is settling in well. x