I also have an unfixed male, and I can sort of relate. It could be the time of day you let him out. My rabbit will only want to leave his cage on the times that he is regularly out. If you open his cage at a time he usually won’t come out, he won’t come out at all. That might explain it but I’m not sure. Every rabbit is different.

Sounds like despite having him for 4 years, the 2 of you have never really bonded. I suggest you let him out of his cage as often as possible and also spend as much of that time as possible on the floor, at his level. Just read or watch TV. Let him come to you and be interested in you. This is really the best way to bond with a bunny.

He may be lonely. Bunnies get very passive when they are lonely.

Posted By Harveybunny on 7/13/2018 2:56 PM

To start with, I have already made a similar post, so this may sound familiar, but I would like to include some more detail.

I have had my Netherland Dwarf for a long time, (4 years, he is 6) and he doesn’t seem scared of me, just doesn’t like me very much. What’s weird is that he purrs/gently nibbles my hand when I pet him and even lay down, paws splayed out while crawling on me. he has also licked me on occasion. However, he won’t come out of his cage when I leave the door open. I know rabbits don’t like being held, but he seems to. I hear stories about people who are sad about their rabbits dying, but I just don’t get very emotional when I think about Harvey passing. I mean, I would never mistreat him and I give him lots of treats and fresh grass and chances to go out of his cage every day (not that he takes them) but I feel sad that he doesn’t seem to want to even come out of his cage. He is not fixed, so that might be part of it.

Am I doing this all wrong? Or do I have nothing to worry about?

 

[Edited by Wick] Please see the following thread for additional information, which pertains specifically to getting the rabbit out of a cage: 

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/168078/Default.aspx

That’s incredibly…sad. 

What times do you open his cage? If it’s during the day, that’s prime resting time for rabbits. If it’s not during resting time, he might well be depressed.

Posted By Harveybunny on 7/13/2018 2:56 PM

What’s weird is that he purrs/gently nibbles my hand when I pet him and even lay down, paws splayed out while crawling on me. he has also licked me on occasion. 

Just that one statement makes me feel that your bunny likes YOU more than My bunnies like ME lol
Seriously, Your bunny sounds more affectionate than my two … they only hop on me if they think I have treats lol – BUT bunny’s aren’t snuggly like a puppy or even a cat. Besides trying to figure out how to get him out more I think you need to shift your expectations of what a bunny liking you looks like….

I was just going to say the above – that if its during the day my bunny doesn’t come out either…. but after sunset she is out and running around. Is having the cage door open in the evening an option? 

You may have already tried that, but just in case you work evenings and maybe you haven’t. 

Bunnys are very social creatures – while I know it doesn’t sound like it when you read the bonding section of this forum lol – So like humans, you will get the odd anti social bunny, but usually they like the company. My first rescue bunny was a solo bunny, but very social – so I would sit on the floor with her for at least an hour minimum every day (she was out from the time I got home though, I just mean one on one time) And once she got used to me there she was stuck like glue to me when I was with her. – she passed away earlier this year. 

I am sorry you are feeling this way. I also wonder if your bunny can sense that – mine can always tell when I’ve had a bad day and they get more skittish from me…. again, not like dogs who will try to comfort you lol

Hey! Those first 3 things sound Awesome! More than I get from my fluff monsters most days lol.
As for him not doing it since, Rabbits can have moods just like people and it can also very on the time of the day too or even how much new things there are to explore that day. He could just not be in a snuggly mood at the moment
Just keep doing what you are doing!