Bunny doesn’t like to leave cage

[Amber]

About two months ago, I moved my outdoor rabbit indoors. He seems much happier and more active, and it’s great because I can see more of his personality! I built him a nice bunny condo out of wire storage cubes and he loves it. However, I have a very hard time getting him to leave and run around outside the cage.

I have a rug right outside the cage so he won’t slip on the wood floors. I’ve tried sitting next to the rug with enough room for him to leave, and also just leaving the cage open while I walk around and clean, but he won’t leave. I’ve tried leaving a trail of treats outside, but he’ll just stretch and leave at least one back leg in the cage and when the treats get too far, he’ll abandon the task. I’ve played with him inside his cage and brought his toys out, and he’ll sniff around the edge of the opening but won’t leave.

I think he’s maybe left once or twice on his own; once to get a toy and he may have left to get a treat. 

Is it possible he’s still getting used to being inside? He was outside for 5 years when I moved him inside, and he immediately took to the cage. He flopped right down and slept. Do I just have to keep at it?

Or do some bunnies just not like to leave their cages? Is this okay for them? He seems to enjoy running in circles with his toy in his mouth, but I’m worried it’s not enough room. 

Thank you!

[Benthebunny]

Maybe lure him out with treats. That works for ben.

[tobyluv]

It’s great that you now have your bunny inside! It sounds like he is a cautious bunny and that it will take some time for him to feel comfortable enough to want to leave his cage and explore. Do you just have one rug outside of his cage? You may need to lay down a few, to get him to venture out. I adopted a very cautious bunny years ago, who was not at all comfortable leaving his area, for the longest time. It took months for him to venture out into the rest of the house.

[Bam]

I think it’s normal for bun that has been caged, esp outside. It’s what I think my Bam had been when I found him. I think he wasn’t used to live without a cage and with people + a dog around him and the tv and all. He basically sat under the coffea table a whole year after I got him. He would venture out to take a treat, but then he’d go back under the table when he’d finished the treat. Like he didn’t understand what free roam was good for. He’s very different now.

So I’d just wait for the bun.

[Author]

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