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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A One of our bunnies doesn’t want to play :(

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    • KobeAndDex
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         We have two 8 month old rabbits who always used to come out of their cages to play…. After a while one became very dominant (Kobe) and there was eventually a massive scrap where the other (Dexter) got a nasty scar on his tummy. Since then both have been kept apart and been neutered. We were advised that now, two months after the op, would be a good time to start attempting to bond them again.

        kobe loves coming out to play, but Dexter is very timid when we open his cage and never seems to want to come out. I worry that he isn’t very happy and would love to get him out in the house so he can have a proper run around. On the few occasions we have managed to get him out, he has been binking all over the place and seems to love it. He is just extremely reluctant to come out and hides in his cage!

        does anybody have any advice? I don’t want Dexter to be sad.

        mark


      • flemish giant
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          What kind of cage? Could it be difficult for him to get out of?


        • LittlePuffyTail
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            Maybe try enticing him out with a treat? That’s what I do when Olivia doesn’t feel like coming out. Some bunnies are just more territorial and enjoy staying in their own space.


          • KobeAndDex
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              Hey guys, the cage is a little difficult for him to get out of but we bought a little bridge that can help him get out easier! As for treats, I put some cale (which he absolutely LOOOOOVES) on the bridge and that didn’t really help much! I will give that another go tonight!


            • TingBunners
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                Hello! He might be timid because of what happened to him (the tummy scratch), and probably some level of terrorizing from the dominant. I suggest you give individual time to Dexter (the other guy being securely elsewhere), sit with him on the floor and pet him, coddle him, entice him with healthy treats… so that he’ll feel comfortable that you’re on his side (he needs support like that). Then when you introduce them again, always supervise 100%, until you are sure they really do like eachother (this could take months). HTH


              • jerseygirl
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                  Sorry in advance for all my questions!

                  During the times you were successful, he was out on his own or with your other rabbit?
                  Was it a certain time of day or night?
                  Is the play area inside or outdoors?
                  If indoors, on what type of flooring?
                  Do you notice if he’s affected by cooking smells at all? (I have one bun that high tails it back to his room once the oven or stove is on!)


                • KobeAndDex
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                    Thanks Tingbunners I think that is the case. I’m still working on building up his confidence but I’m sure we will get there. He does seem to be getting a lot bolder with me though.

                    Hi Jerseygirl, it was usually either the morning or evening that he would come out. My girlfriend works funny hours and there’s no real routine to her schedule. The play area is indoors and is a fluffy carpet. The cooking smells don’t seem to affect him at all.


                  • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                      I’m definitely agreeing with the separate time out for now, to build his confidence.
                      Also are they housed so they can see each other or smell each other?


                    • KobeAndDex
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                        Yeah they can see eachother, their cages are right next to eachother with just a 2/3inch gap between them.


                      • jerseygirl
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                          it was usually either the morning or evening that he would come out.

                          That fits in with when rabbits are typically at their most active.
                          Maybe the other times you tried get him to come out was when he preferred to sleep?


                        • Beka27
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                            If he’s in a traditional pet store cage, have you considered housing him in a larger condo or a dog xpen, something that would allow him more space so he doesn’t HAVE TO come out until he’s feeling more comfortable?


                          • KobeAndDex
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                              Not really, it’s the usual time we’ve been trying to get him out. I keep trying but he just seems very scared to be handled when he’s not eating. He sits right up the front of the cage and loves it when I play guitar in the room though.

                              The cage is really quite big. It’s two tiers high and a lot bigger than the ones that are available in our local pet shop!


                            • Velvet
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                                Velvets pretty Docile most of the time. She never got her “parsley/romane lettuce supper” last night. All of a sudden she’s IN my face, “look at ME…………………………………………………….I’m going to give her a bit of Kale????????????? IONO?


                              • Sarita
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                                  Velvet, this thread is from 2013 – we ask that members do not reply to old threads – it’s confusing to members…I’m going to lock this thread.

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                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A One of our bunnies doesn’t want to play :(