Coaxing rabbit out of cage

[justwildbeat]

Last week I brought home a 6 wk old lionhead. I left him in his cage for 4 days to get settled in before opening up a free roam area. Since then I’d leave the door open for several hours (evening) hoping he’d come out for some exercise. The exercise pen is attached to the cage like an addition. I’ve tried placing food next to the open door to encourage him but he ends up eating it without leaving. He’ll poke his head out for a minute but won’t step out. 

Is there anything else I can do to get him to come out? My previous rabbit didn’t need any encouragment to leave her cage lol.

 

[Dobby]

When I brought Dobby home, he wouldn’t leave his cage either.  There is a bit of a jump between his cage and the floor, which I think was making him hesitant to come out.  So I built a temporary ramp to make him feel more comfortable about getting in and out.  The first time he came out it was to run down the ramp and then right back up it.  So it seemed to help him.  

Now he runs around and jumps in and out of his cage with no problems.  Actually the problem is getting him back in his cage at bedtime!

Not sure if this is at all applicable to your situation.

[RabbitPam]

Bunnies differ greatly in their level of security and comfort. You are doing absolutely the right thing in not pressuring him to come out. He will when he’s ready. Remember, you have years with him, so there is time to take things slowly at a good pace for him.

I would leave the exercise pen open and sit or lie down near the opening and ignore him. read a book, work on your pad or laptop, and just hang out there where he can see you. Tuck a treat or two into your pocket or closed hand. The let him slowly explore you. You will be surprised at how a few days or evenings of doing this will increase his curiosity and courage. 6 weeks is about 2 weeks too young to be separated from his mother, so he really is still in very early development. Everything is new. Even food.
A bunny will explore his environment, then return to known territory, then explore again in ever-widening circles. He will learn it’s his house too and get more comfortable in his cage and xpen as he ventures out farther.

[justwildbeat]

Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement! I also have a cage with a 2nd level + ramp which he FINALLY plucked up the courage to go up earlier this week. So it’s progress. Will stick with it and definitely will spend more time being around his cage.

[Author]

Messages