Introducing house bunny to digging box

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 3 months ago by PancakeOwner.

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- 08/08/2020 at 7:54 PM
  PancakeOwner
  Participant
  6 posts
  Hello, I am new to this community and this is my first post, so I hope I am posting in the correct area! Please let me know if I am not.
  
  I have a 5 year old female rabbit named Pancake. I got her when she was a baby and I was 19 years old. For many years I did not have the space, money, or knowledge to provide the enrichment and mental stimulation that all house bunnies need, which I deeply regret and have been trying to rectify. She is physically very healthy (per my vet) – has never been sick or injured, her teeth and digestion are in good condition, etc. She and I also get along very well. The only issue is her enrichment and mental stimulation.
  
  My issue is that I’m having trouble getting her to engage in “normal” rabbit behaviors – probably because she never learned. For example, I recently tried to make a digging box for her to forage in, but she is totally disinterested in it and even seems put off by the presence of dirt on her treats. I even tried to entice her with some fresh sprouts and strawberry tops (her favorite), but she wouldn’t eat any of it after it had touched the dirt, even out of my hand. Does anyone have any advice for introducing an indoor rabbit who has lived a very sedentary lifestyle to a dig box? Thank you very much in advance!
- 08/08/2020 at 8:03 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  Hi there, welcome 🙂
  
  It’s great that you are hoping to give some enrichment and are improving her situation. Rabbits don’t really forage in dirt or while digging, so that probably explains why she doesn’t like her food dirty. 😉
  
  Some rabbits don’t have a strong urge to dig, so if she’s not into it, don’t stress about (and consider yourself lucky that she isn’t trying to dig a whole in your floor!). Another simple toy is to fill a box with shredded paper. She might like playing in that more than actual dirt.
  
  Food puzzles or other toys that make bun work for food are a good form of enrichment that most buns like. A very simple one is to take a small paper bag and fill it with mostly hay but with a few treats hidden within. Most buns like shredding it up and looking for the treats while eating the hay. Another simple one is to stuff hay in a toilet paper roll and hide some treats in the middle.
  
  In my mind the main things to think about are sufficient exercise space and appropriate things to chew on. You mentioned she’s pretty sedentary. If she isn’t inclined to use her exercise space to explore, adding some tunnels and hide boxes can help a lot.
  
  PS. I love the name Pancake, my bun’s nickname is Flapjack because he flattens out so much when he wants pets!
  
  . . . 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.
- 08/08/2020 at 8:13 PM
  PancakeOwner
  Participant
  6 posts
  Hi Dana,
  
  Thank you for your quick reply and for your recommendations! I will try all of them out – I’m sure that Pancake will engage with at least one 🙂 I moved into a large house a year and a half ago from a very cramped living space, so we’ve had the room to give her exercise but she does sort of just lie around. Since COVID has forced me to work from home, I’ve been taking the opportunity to play with her and try to encourage her to be curious about her surroundings, to mixed results. I’m hoping that over time she gains some curiosity and confidence.
  
  Flapjack is such a cute name! I named her Pancake because, when I got her, she was the exact shade of a perfectly golden brown pancake. It’s interesting though, when she has her two major sheds a year she switches between brown and gray! She’s so beautiful, I love her so much<3
  
  I am aware that there is a lot of misinformation out there about “exotic” pets, especially rabbits. I’ve seen digging boxes recommended on numerous websites and blogs, all saying to set them up with treats. Is this a piece of bad information I’ve picked up?
  
  Thank you again for your reply!
- 08/08/2020 at 8:37 PM
  Louiethebunny
  Participant
  604 posts
  Hi! If you try a digging box with shredded paper, hiding some treats inside might urge your bun to find them, however, some rabbits are not so food-motivated. I like to hide treats around and my Louie loves to seek them out, he is a sucker for some banana!
- 08/08/2020 at 9:19 PM
  PancakeOwner
  Participant
  6 posts
  Thank you for taking the time to reply! I have some cardboard packing material that has a hexagonal structure that is perfect for hiding treats in. We’ve been having fun with that this evening 🙂
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