Good evening everyone! Long post ahead.
This here is our soon to be 5th family member in my silly little zoo of a home. Bunnies have been my favourite animal since I was about 16 (I turn 26 this year so this is 10 years of yearning here) so when we found out he had been waiting for so long with no applications and found out he’s an absolute cuddle bug I couldn’t say no. The time was finally right. Generously we were donated a 18”x24”x38” cage which will be placed in his enclosure as his little bathroom and munching area! There’s space next to the litter box in the cage where I’m thinking of putting a bed but I’m not sure if he’ll use it?
We were also donated a 18" x 29" panel gate system with 8 bendable/connected panels. We ordered more panels as well as we’re hoping to cover a measured area of 180” x 80”. Im hoping that with the cage being in the enclosure this is still enough space? We bought tons of wooden building blocks (about 30-40 random pieces) tons of stacking toys, unbleached natural chews and a nice water bowl and pellet bowl! We also have a large bendable wooden chew that can be used as a little nook to hang out in. (It’s open on both ends so he won’t feel trapped) We found out he ripping up the news paper at the shelter. Is this from stress? Or should we collect some newspapers? I just want to make sure he has enough enrichment and I’m doing things right!
For the enclosure we got XL reusable and washable pads. We have carpet so we intend on covering every square inch with those mats. Any suggestions on this front would be appreciated. I see some say they eat carpet, I see others don’t care for it. Is it a gamble?
We also have two cats and two dogs who we have already done scent swapping with thanks to the help of the shelter. I don’t want to confine him to his cage but I don’t want him to be stressed if my animals watch him from outside the enclosure when he first comes home. Any thoughts on first day? We have a strong leave it command with my service dog and my cats keep to themselves and introductions between all of our animals has always gone smooth. We all regularly hang out in bed together. Am I doing enough for this little man? I just want him to feel like he’s finally home because he deserves it!! Signed, a stressed first time bunny mama who picks up her bun TOMORROW 😀
Info: New Zealand White, 2 years, a hecking chonker, has been adopted and returned 3 times. Very confident and sweet from what I could tell when I met him. Came right up to me as soon as his cage was opened. Staff have indicated that he has been exposed to many sounds in the shelter so he should acclimate well in my quiet home.
Animals in the household: Twin cats (3 years) 1 King Shepherd mix who is my certified Service Dog (2 years). A 6 month old German shepherd mix who I thought I adopted for me but really it was for the SD. She’s displayed no prey drive with my cats and has finally been trained to a point she’s no longer smothering them and kisses and will nap peacefully with them. Her leave it command isn’t perfect so we intend to leash her for their first interactions.
by FoxyBon