URGENT – Bunny won’t jump down from levels

[bunnygirl]

 As you all know, we built Apollos condo a few days ago…2 to be exact. He worked out fairly quickly how to get UP to the first shelf, but then he’ll sit there and won’t jump down. We’ve tried enticing with banana chips and pellets, we’ve tried lifting him a few times to show him it won’t hurt….and still, whenever he jumps up there, he won’t jump down. He’ll sit there before I feel bad and lift him down, because I’m worried about him not eating or drinking (there isn’t much room on the shelf for a water dish or litter tray…) if I do put a dish up there, like I’ve tried before, he’ll attempt to push it over…and dad would kill me. If I put a litter tray on the shelf, there is no room for a proper jump if he finally did decide to go. I’m so worried about him…I don’t want him up there 24/7 because he’s so afraid….he needs to keep his GI tract moving…help?! 

[Monkeybun]

Smudge was the same way, could get up, couldn’t figure out how to get down. Only options are to either build him a ramp to get up and down, or to not have levels.

[CheriB603]

How long do you wait before you bring him down? When I built my buns’ cage I put her in it ON the highest level and said “Here ya go! Find your way down!” And then I went to bed. In the morning she was snuggled in her bed on the bottom floor, poops in the litter box and all was well. If you know the height is something he can manage, he ‘ll get hungry eventually and figure it out. Put a favorite treat in eye shot and let him put his big boy pants on and deal with it. I can’t IMAGINE a healthy bun stranding himself. Really, just have patience.

[Monkeybun]

I had patience too, but my Smudge literally couldn’t figure it out. She was stranded on the top shelf one day the entire time i was at work. Was frantic when I got home, and reaaaally had to pee. Poor lady Some of them just can’t figure it out, or are too scared to.

[jerseygirl]

He could be having trouble gauging the depth. You could try cover the lower level in fabric or mats for a while until he gets the hang of it. A plain solid colour. The the traction would help too.

You might need to do a temporary ramp until he’s more confident. Do you have any wood lengths and grids left?

[jerseygirl]

Just looking at the photos you shared, you could easily fit in a ramp. Securing it to each level and the back wall of the condo. It would prob be 1 1/2 grid lengths or just use a piece of wood.
Nice job btw!

[bunnygirl]

Okay, he does actually have fleece on the bottom, lowest level. It’s plain orange. I’ll try sitting him up there later, and then putting pellets in his bowl and leaving him be. I just worry about him having no hay or food up there with him…but anyhow, if that doesn’t work, I’ll speak to dad about getting a ramp put in for him! We did have HEAPS of left over wood, so it should be okay!

Thanks guys!

Jersey – I was DETERMINED to work out a way to get a condo, and with Robertas help, I got there!

[justwildbeat]

You’d think if he can get up there he could figure out how to get down haha. In the meantime a ramp would help or just leave him up there until it clicks.

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