Can rabbits do stairs

[apanda]

Since Truffles has been super good about peeing only in a litter box, (despite being 2 weeks away from his neuter still!) I decided to increase his territory to include the upstairs bathroom and the landing outside my and my housemates rooms. So Truffle’s stomping ground has basically doubled! But not I was wondering: can bunnies do stairs? Truffles is a Holland Lop, about 5 pounds, so it SEEMS like he should be able to do them, the aren’t especially steep or slippery they have a nice grippy cheap rubber covering. What do you guys think?

 

 

[sarah bowden]

I wondered the same thing. I had my rabbit Gus for about 2 months and never once did he try to go up the steps. After about a week of Helen living here we couldn’t keep them off the steps. Sometimes they would run up and down them just for fun. Our staircase is hardwood flooring too. So I’d bet that if your bun likes to explore and wants to go up the steps he will

[Scarlet_Rose]

Yes some rabbits will do stairs but a lot do not. With heights it is best to let them jump up first so they know how “high” they are. Rabbits are not too keen on learning how far down something is. My two will not do stairs and sometimes it also depends if there is traction or not.

I also wanted to take a moment and give a word of caution. I have known rabbits that have unknowingly leapt to their deaths. In one instance a rabbit had access to a balcony at an apartment and the owner had a patio set up next to the rail (it was a wide rail). Well the rabbit jumped up atop the chair, then a table and then onto the rail and, assuming the landing on the other side of the rail was the same distance down, fell several stories to its death. The lesson? A rabbit “learns” how far to jump or how far down things are and cannot really tell like us humans can and so some rabbits are more cautious and hesitate at stairs.

[bunnytowne]

a rabbits vision is not all that good. when I take mine to the river on his leash at all times I keep him well away from the edge cuz I dont’ want him fallin  in. I let him peek over a side board at the water and help him  on tight leash and he did not seem to interested in jumping however I am taking no chances. and the window screens just fall out you blow on them so hubby and I screwed them in real real good I cannot even slap them out now so I know Cotton won’t be falling 2 stories now. I am so overprotective. stairs sound like good exercise. just be sure he can’t jump off the side from the top as the previous post states accidents happen.

[Hedi]

All four of our buns do fine with stairs. I have noticed though that they all tend to go up and down diagonally so they do better when they can see that the stairs are bordered on both sides by a wall.

[Gravehearted]

glad to hear that he’s doing so well with his box training.

two of my bunnies loved racing up and down the carpeted stairs at my old house and flopping on the landing. however, Hareiette would sometimes climb them, but generally preferred to stay on the first floor. just make sure everyone in the house is on bun watch as to avoid stepping on him!

[kimberleyanddarren]

hopscotch does well with the sstairs in fact he does it so quick he is up the stairs and in my bedroom before i can get off the sofa!!

[skunklionshow]

It was my understanding that some don’t like the stairs b/c they aren’t sure what is on the other side of those steps.  At our school….Trigger was the stair king.  He had no fear and went anywhere anytime he wanted.  In our apt, Jessica loves the stairs.  I think its b/c she can run like a fool up/down to get away from me.  Leo is much more tentative.  I’ve tried putting him on the stairs and he just sits on the same step forever, even if he sees Jessi running up/down.

[Staja]

Warren’s only been on the stairs a few times, because I’m scared he’s going to fall down them – we have wooden stairs with no runner, and no traction. The few times he’s been on them, he’s been ok, but a little slow hopping up. When he tries to hop down, is when I get nervous, becaue his bunny butt is so big, and the stairs seem kinda narrow. Also, I’m used to seeing my cats slide up and down the stairs when they really get going, and don’t want them to take Warren out with them =)  (I have the world’s most graceless cats)

[Cadbury]

Cadbury loves the stairs! But they are carpeted, so traction isn’t a problem.

[wendyzski]

The first week I had her, Pepper climbed up a LADDER! 

to be fair, it was propped next to a table of yummies….

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

The first time Kokanee saw stairs, she growled at them!!! And charged them! LOL

[apanda]

well for an update:

the traction is definitely not a problem as it is that grooved rubber material made to have more traction. hardest thing to clean EVER!

also its enclosed with walls but that was a good point. my house at home is enclosed with a railing so I might have to put some mesh inbetween bars just in case.

since me and Truffles live upstairs, he hasn’t been able to go up and then down. I tried putting him one step down but he was NOT AMUSED. hehe. I guess I’ll give him some time, maybe I’ll set up an enclosure at the foot of the stairs and see if he’ll go up (noone else is in the house right now so he won’t get stepped on).

[kimberleyanddarren]

yes it will take time keep trting you will get ther keep us updated!

[Scarlet_Rose]

I think that’s a great idea apanda!  Let us know how things progress!

[KatnipCrzy]

I won’t let our bunny try the steps as I am afraid that one of our dogs might hurt her by accident.  They fly up and down the steps if they think someone is at the door, or they are going outside or for any other reason.  I live in a quadplex- so I have 3 short flights of steps throughout the house.  I don’t think the dogs would look for her there.  Even  the cats know when they hear  the dogs come running to get out of the immediate pathway- especially on stairs.

But if I did not have dogs that could hurt her- I would let her try them.  But I don’t want to teach her just in case.  The dogs are wonderful with her otherwise- they love when she is out for playtime- they sit and wait for poos.  And when she is groundlevel in her condo- they are more interested in her poo and her food pellets.  Cotton shows no reaction when the dogs go barreling by her pen/condo.

[kimberleyanddarren]

it is kinda cute watchin a bunny hop up the stairs, i am hopefully going to be moving to a new apartment soon with no stairs and so no more cute bunny hopping up stairs i am looking forward to it because bunny will have his own room!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

LOL once Kokanee loved stairs she’d learned them she’d charge up and down them (they were at my boyfriends mom’s house, while she looked after her during our move-we don’t actually live with any stairs); My bfs mom tried to block her from using them and Kokanee would fiercely waggle her tail and dart around her…She loved the stairs once she learned them!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I was amazed the first time I saw Stormy do stairs! I couldn’t believe how fast he could zoom up and down them. He can beat me and he’s like 2 pounds!!!!

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