Help! Am I being played by a 1.9 lb bun?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 9sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 1 month ago by Azerane.

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- 01/30/2018 at 2:33 PM
  ThorandSif
  Participant
  30 posts
  I have had Mr. Thor (Netherland Dwarf) for almost 4 years and for the past 4 or more months, he is refusing to jump down from the second floor of the condo. His wife, Sif, does it all the time. Their set up is HUGE – a 3 level condo plus a very large play area fenced in with the square wire panels. The flooring is made of square foam mats in and out of the condo. Top level has their food and a small wooden house. Middle level has a liter box, hay holder and the shag pad (a large round cat house that has shag carpet on it – hence the name). The bottom level has another liter box and the original tray from their previous cage filled with bedding. He’ll jump on top of the shag pad and will jump down (its taller than the jump to the first level) but he just looks over the edge down to the bottom level. I did catch him twice on the bottom level so I know he can do it otherwise, I have to bring him down. He doesn’t like ramps. I don’t know if Sif nudged him over one day or if he’s just being a prima donna? When I do bring him down, he runs and plays with all the toys. Any ideas?
- 01/30/2018 at 2:41 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  He could’ve had a particularly uncomforting experience on time four months ago, therefore does not feel comfortable with it anymore. If there’s a way he can get down without you bringing him down/him jumping down from that height, that’d be best.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/30/2018 at 3:06 PM
  ThorandSif
  Participant
  30 posts
  We did find him down twice so I know he can do it.
- 01/30/2018 at 3:24 PM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  How far apart are the jumps? If the jumps are foot or taller, you should add ramps or steps. Large jumps with no ramps can become painful for some rabbits, especially as they get older.
  
  Im not sure about your nethies, but my nethie is really afraid of heights. He can jump up, but jumping down even a few inches gives him a large scare to the point he often needs help down. Sometimes he can jump down from the top of the cat tree to the middle ledge, but he becomes too overwhelmed and nervous to jump to the floor. We added ramps, and although he doesnt like them, he uses them when hes too scared to jump.
- 01/30/2018 at 3:47 PM
  ThorandSif
  Participant
  30 posts
  I know it’s less then a foot and it I lower it any more, Sif will have to crawl under it (her nick name is fat ass cause she’s 4.1 lbs). I’ll see if I can find something for a ramp but I know he doesn’t like them from a previous cage.
- 01/30/2018 at 4:26 PM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Even if he doesnt like the ramp, its no harm, no foul to use it. Itll still help as they get older Plus, even if he doesnt like it, he will use it when he needs to.
- 02/01/2018 at 9:22 PM
  Rookie
  Participant
  466 posts
  just get one of those cat stairs … or make sure the ramp is not too steep and doesn’t slide under his feet
- 02/02/2018 at 8:59 PM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  Do you have a photo of their setup with the step? There might be something putting him off that fresh eyes could help with. Otherwise he’s probably playing you, lol.
- 02/03/2018 at 7:12 PM
  ThorandSif
  Participant
  30 posts
  Thank you all for your ideas. I did a Spring Clean of their condo and lowered both levels by 4 inches. It worked!!! I heard a ruckus upstairs and when I checked on them, Thor was on the bottom level trying to get the gate open!!!!. Oh happy day!!!
- 02/03/2018 at 8:50 PM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  That’s great that you figured it out
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