New Pet In The Building And Bunny Mind Games
Our apartment is all hardwood floors and tile. Cinnamon loves to run and just can't get the necessary speed without doing a Scooby Doo run. Our building's hallways are carpeted so in winter we have a habit of letting her run out in the hall for her laps. The lighting is poor so we don't get any great photos of it. It's fun to do and it's how we get to know our neighbors. Let's face it--we get to be the people with the cool pet. Yesterday, Cinnamon got some competition:
Our next door neighbors were outside exercising Andy and Sawyer. I'm sad to say that I remember the pet names but not the people names. But Andy and Sawyer were running laps in the hall. What is the new cool pet?
Ferrets! Our neighbors adopted them from the local humane society and they are so funny to watch run--boy can they gain speed, I think the owners of the ferrets were running just as much as the ferrets themselves. The best part is that the ferrets would suddenly stop running and then flop--practicaly deflate. The remind me of a cross between a wiener dog and raccoon. Very cute. We're going to give them some time to get used to the hallway and then one day have a leash date with the ferrets and bunny. Hey, Cinnamon, you want to meet some ferrets?
"I don't think I approve of that."
Cinnamon has met other animals and apart from dogs has gotten along fairly well. She doesn't get along with other rabbits at all--and believe you me we have tried every trick in the book. I'll be curious to see how does with these two.
Recently, she has started this nasty, eye-watering stinky habit of digging in her litter box. As I've been out taking bunny photos, I've been getting advice from rabbit people on what to do. One recommended that since Cinnamon is a single bunny, she might benefit from having a fake bunny friend. Her litter box digging may just be her acting out for even more attention. The key to the whole situation is to treat the fake bunny just like Cinnamon.
Hmmmm.
I already had one fake bunny courtesy of WildBird on the Fly and then I purchased another bunny that looks an awful lot like Cinnamon. And so began the mind games with my pet rabbit. I set both the bunnies on the floor while she was hiding under the bed, gave them each a carrot and started petting them and talking to them like I do to Cinnamon. "Aw, sweety bunny, aren't you a good bunny. Want some tasty carrot, Fake Bunny?"
Cinnamon poked her head from out of the bedroom. She heard the sound of treats, she heard me talking to other pets. What was I up to? She came out and sniffed one of the fake rabbits, then grunted and lunged back. Fake Bunny didn't take the bait and just sat there. I made the treat sound and offered Cinnamon her own carrot. She ate it, but eyed me warily. I could tell she was wondering wasn't sure of my motives.
After Cinnamon finished her carrot, she went over to one of the fake bunnies again and began sniffing it and then grooming one of the ears. I stepped into the kitchen to grab some parsley. Here's what I found when I came back:
"I didn't do it."
Our next door neighbors were outside exercising Andy and Sawyer. I'm sad to say that I remember the pet names but not the people names. But Andy and Sawyer were running laps in the hall. What is the new cool pet?
Ferrets! Our neighbors adopted them from the local humane society and they are so funny to watch run--boy can they gain speed, I think the owners of the ferrets were running just as much as the ferrets themselves. The best part is that the ferrets would suddenly stop running and then flop--practicaly deflate. The remind me of a cross between a wiener dog and raccoon. Very cute. We're going to give them some time to get used to the hallway and then one day have a leash date with the ferrets and bunny. Hey, Cinnamon, you want to meet some ferrets?
"I don't think I approve of that."Cinnamon has met other animals and apart from dogs has gotten along fairly well. She doesn't get along with other rabbits at all--and believe you me we have tried every trick in the book. I'll be curious to see how does with these two.
Recently, she has started this nasty, eye-watering stinky habit of digging in her litter box. As I've been out taking bunny photos, I've been getting advice from rabbit people on what to do. One recommended that since Cinnamon is a single bunny, she might benefit from having a fake bunny friend. Her litter box digging may just be her acting out for even more attention. The key to the whole situation is to treat the fake bunny just like Cinnamon.
Hmmmm.
I already had one fake bunny courtesy of WildBird on the Fly and then I purchased another bunny that looks an awful lot like Cinnamon. And so began the mind games with my pet rabbit. I set both the bunnies on the floor while she was hiding under the bed, gave them each a carrot and started petting them and talking to them like I do to Cinnamon. "Aw, sweety bunny, aren't you a good bunny. Want some tasty carrot, Fake Bunny?"
Cinnamon poked her head from out of the bedroom. She heard the sound of treats, she heard me talking to other pets. What was I up to? She came out and sniffed one of the fake rabbits, then grunted and lunged back. Fake Bunny didn't take the bait and just sat there. I made the treat sound and offered Cinnamon her own carrot. She ate it, but eyed me warily. I could tell she was wondering wasn't sure of my motives.
After Cinnamon finished her carrot, she went over to one of the fake bunnies again and began sniffing it and then grooming one of the ears. I stepped into the kitchen to grab some parsley. Here's what I found when I came back:
"I didn't do it."Apparently, Fake Bunny generously shared her carrot with Cinnamon. How sweet. I pet the Fake Bunnies on the nose just like I do on Cinnamon--her favorite spot and cooed to them. I pet Cinnamon too. I left the room to give her some alone time and when I returned she was sitting between the two fake bunnies. She laid there, stretched out her back paws but didn't have that relaxed look in her eyes, they were wide open as if she were thinking, "I know I should be relaxed right now, but something about this is not right."
I reached to get the camera but she hopped away--is she ashamed to be filmed with her fake friends? NBB and I have been taking the fake bunnies in and out of the bunny room just like real bunnies. The litter box digging has stopped for the time being, but when we come in to the bunny room in the morning, they are both tipped on their sides and covered with hay. Is she taking her aggression on them out at night?
We'll have to see where this litte psychological experiment goes...
I reached to get the camera but she hopped away--is she ashamed to be filmed with her fake friends? NBB and I have been taking the fake bunnies in and out of the bunny room just like real bunnies. The litter box digging has stopped for the time being, but when we come in to the bunny room in the morning, they are both tipped on their sides and covered with hay. Is she taking her aggression on them out at night?
We'll have to see where this litte psychological experiment goes...
posted by birdchick at 9:05 AM
12 Comments:
it will be interesting to see what happens... both my indoor female rabbits are litter diggers - very annoying. so i've taken that white wire shelving stuff you get at home stores for do it yourself closets etc and cut it to fit in the litter box so they can still use the box but can't dig it all out.
the fake bunny thing sounds like more fun that's for sure!
Please don't let the ferrets near Cinnamon! Ferrets are used for hunting rabbits here in the UK. Although they are tame and very cute, I have horrible visions of what they might do!
The ferrets might be okay if supervised. I am aware of several households where bunnies and dogs co-exist peacefully and they are natural predators. The key is supervision. Never leave them together alone. For digging, you can also try giving her a separate box filled with crumpled newspaper and hay, just for digging in. Also, using a heavier litter might help. My rabbits always dig out Carefresh (the light recycled paper) but don't try to dig the wood fuel pellets from Mills Fleet Farm or the Yesterdays News because it is heavier. Just don't ever use cedar or pine with rabbits.
If she takes a liking to the fake bunnies (grooms them and snuggles with them), she might have potential for bonding with a live bunny (or another furry critter if she really hates bunnies). I'll bet she will be a very dominant female, though. That doesn't mean she can't ever find a mate. It just makes it harder because you have to find a boy bunny that doesn't mind being dominated. You would have to have her do dates with a variety of bachelors (or girl bunnies if she is just looking for a sister but the boy/girl combo is most common) and see which one she likes best and what the potential would be for bonding them over time. This would be done in a neutral space. If you put two bunnies together (even for a visit) in one of the bunnies' home territory, they will most likely get into fights. This happens even with bunnies that would otherwise like each other. Bunnies are weird in that they can absolutely loathe one rabbit companion and will never get used to that bunny but then they can love a different bunny and become lifelong friends. So maybe Cinnamon just hasn't found her soul mate yet.
i've not heard of heavier litter - i use yesterdays news exclusively and they dig it out. and my buns also coexist with 2 dogs, including unsupervised. my dogs couldn't care less about the rabbits, but when i dog sit for a friend i have to cage the buns or that dog would have all 4 of em for lunch fast. it is supervision - i didn't leave them alone for a LONG time until i knew the dogs were not interested.
my archi (the white brown dutch with splayed legs that's featured on page 8 of disapproving rabbits - the jail break) would not bond - actually in that pic she kept leaning into clyde's cage and whacking him with her splayed front legs. and she is the worst of the litter diggers so maybe there is a connection with agression/needing a mate and litter digging. she grunts a lot but also had a real tough start to life - i'm the only person she trusts.
my sister had a ferret - had to turn it over at the border when she moved to california in 89 :( they're illegal here because they are hunters/wild/whatever - it's a bummer - they are fun pets
Of course now when you do get another bunny you are going to have to name it "Fake Bunny"
~other Sharon
Maybe I'll just name it "other Bunny" or "other Cinnamon".
;)
Please, please do not introduce the ferrets to Cinnamon! Ferrets have to kill rabbits, they can't help it. And rabbits FREAK OUT when they meet ferrets, they might hurt themselves just to get away from them. Really, this is one thing you do not want to try out.
Els
I agree with els and Peggy - do NOT introduce Cinnamon to the ferrets. The hunting instinct of Mustelids (ferrets, weasels, mink, etc.) is very strong - much stronger than most dogs, who are much more domesticated than ferrets. They could easily attack her in the blink of an eye - it's scary how fast a ferret is.
Many rabbits freak out at just the smell of a ferret, and the release of catecholamines, caused by fear, can be fatal in rabbits, even if the ferrets don't actually attack them. Back when I used to do rabbit and ferret medicine, I had bunnies scream when they smelled ferret on me. I had to scrub my hands and arms and change lab coats between rabbit and ferret patients.
Stick to stuffed friends.
~Kathi
I HIGHLY DISAPPROVE!!!!! The Ferrets' natural instinct will kick in and they will pounce on Cinnamon faster than you can blink an eye!! I had over a dozen different ferrets over the years and I DO NOT recommend putting the two species together...even on leashes!! We certainly don't want to read any sad news about our favorite disapproving rabbit!
I put a cake rack in my bun's litter box to keep her from digging. It has worked real well. I tried taking it out and she was back to digging within a day.
Thank you, kind readers for all the good advice. It is noted and taken. We'll avoid a ferret introduction.
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