Digging? what is he doing?

[charliesmom]

 Hey guys,

I’m in need of some of your bunny expertise. So Jack, the new 2.5 year old lop that I adore, has started to “dig” in the corner of his cage. All corners. However, he doesn’t have anything in there to move around he is scratching away like a cat would on a cat tree but he just does it in the corner. So here is what I am wondering:

– do you think he needs more toys? [he currntly has 3 chew toys, toilet paper roll and this ball this he moves around]

– does he want me to put something there? [is he digging b/c he wants to potty there and wishes i put his box there]?

– is he just having fun?

He only does it usually in the morning and at night, not much during the day. He has plenty of bedding and toys, but maybe I am missing something here. His nails were trimmed recently…

Also, about his potty training. I put a small litter box in there with fresh hay in it and all he does is tip is over (he was never litter trained before). If I put a bigger box in his play area he just uses it to sit there to eat his hay… any ideas….

I have only had him just over a week so I’m learning his traits, but I thought maybe I am missing something?

He never does the digging outside his cage in his run/play area….

Thanks!

[Elrohwen]

My bunny absolutely does this for fun. Luckily, he does the majority of his digging in the corner of his plastic cage where he can’t do any damage! I find he often digs before lying down for a nap, like he’s making a nest or something. I’ll even hear him get up throughout the day, dig for a second, and flop back down 🙂 But maybe you can try giving him some cardboard or making a box filled with shredded paper and see if he wants to dig there too. Though my bun only digs in his cage, so who knows what’s going through their heads sometimes.

For the litter box, I would absolutely use the bigger one. If it’s small enough for him to tip over, it’s probably too small for him. Even if he’s just sitting there eating his hay, he’s working on litter training. Buns like to eat and poop at the same time, so it’s a positive thing that he likes to sit in the litter box and eat his hay. Is he using the box at all? Or just eating in it and then going to the bathroom somewhere else?

[charliesmom]

 I’m definitely going to try the box of shredded paper to see if he likes it. And I’m keeping with the big litter box like you suggested. He does go in there and eat that hay and I keep scooping some of his poop in there hoping that it helps. I have put litter (carefresh) in one corner of his cage and he will only go in there (not in his play area) but the big litter box only fits in his play area. I may have to work on that. 

I will keep you posted with the digging.

[jerseygirl]

I wonder if he’s demonstrating his play style – digging. Especially if he’s doing it at those times which is typical of their most active hours.
Maybe he’d enjoy foraging for his food too?

[Barbie]

It does sound like he likes digging for fun… the shredded paper in a box is good. You could trying giving him a phone book in a box for him to dig at/destroy too.

If I understood you correctly, he has some litter in a corner of his cage and he potties there rather than in his litter box? It’s good that he’s associating the litter with a potty place, but you should definitely restrict all litter to the litter box, since you don’t want to confuse him. Some buns consider anything soft/comfy as a place to pee poo.

Good luck!

[charliesmom]

Small update:

I gave him a phonebook and he LOVED it! he keeps nudging it around and just is having a ball!

I’m working on a better litter box set up — he tips the one that is too small and doesn’t really “get it” yet with the big one. We will keep trying!

And he is going to be so excited tonight b/c my boyfriend is going to shred some old documents tonight so that I can give him a box full of paper to dig in!

[Lisa27]

The shredded paper in a box is an excellent idea, but keep an eye on the paper. Spencer, our bunny, started using his as a litter box. Yuck. We had to take it away.

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