I don’t want to go in my cage!!

[Pannie_&_Me]

My bunny, Pannie, is about a 14 month lion head male (neutered) house bunny who has the run of the condo while we’re home. If we’re at work or if it’s bedtime, he’s in his cage and normally has no problem going in it. Usually the smell of a piece of dried mango is enough to make him run a million miles an hour into his cage so he can get his night time treat, however the last week it’s been a toss-up if he’ll go to bed easily or not. Sometimes he’ll run to his cage like he normally would but stops at the door and won’t go in. If I hold the mango in his cage he’ll reach as far as his little legs will let him to try and get it, but WON’T step foot into the cage. He’ll just sprint away and sprint back to try again and reach for the fruit. Is he just being a playful bunny and not wanting to go bed? Normally I wouldn’t worry since it usually only lasts a day or two, but last night he did it again and rather than trying over and over I just let him stay out and about with his cage door open for him to go in as he pleases. Since his cage is on the floor he has easy access, but when I got up this morning, I noticed he didn’t eat any of his pellets during the night. He normally eats them right up since he only gets a small amount at bedtime. Should I be concerned that he didn’t go in his cage at all last night even to eat or drink? His behavior, other than not going in his cage, was normal and playful. He was running around with the dogs like always. I tried again before work to get him in his cage with another piece of fruit, but it was the same as last night. Any thoughts???

[LittlePuffyTail]

I would be most concerned about the lack of appetite. How is he doing today?

[Pannie_&_Me]

Today he’s doing great aside from wanting to go in his cage. If i pull his hay or pellets out he’ll chow down. Yesterday I ended up having to pick him up and put him in his cage, which of course he wasn’t happy about. I just hate doing that because I don’t want it to create a negative association when it’s time to go to bed. He’s also plenty active, pooping well and drinking his water (when forced back in his cage.)

I’ll also say that we recently moved into a new condo, so his cage has been moving around a bit due to the move in process. However, he was just fine for about a week after his cage found it’s permanent home, and just now is having the problem with doing back in for bed.

[LittlePuffyTail]

hmm….not really sure what you could try. Maybe get a cheap cat tunnel and put one end in his cage and sort of herd him in there. Maybe also have a pile of fresh veggies or a piece of fruit waiting for him. My Olivia hates being picked up so when she needs to go to bed at night, I just open her cage door and snap my fingers to get her to run to her cage. That took practice and patience but it really helps that she knows that her bedtime snack is coming as soon as she gets in her cage. Maybe establish a routine of a bed time snack.

[Author]

Messages