Encouraging bunnies out of their room

[Sirius&Luna]

Hi everyone,

Sorry about the long absence! As you may or may not know, my bunnies now have a bunny room! It’s a big change from when they were living in a pen (with additional roaming time when we were home) in our living room. Of course, then we got to see them all the time.

Now they have a separate room, which is cosy and full of hidey boxes, tunnels and enrichment. The only problem is that they like it TOO much and I miss them! Even though the door to their room is always open when we’re home, they don’t tend to venture out much. Atlas is the most adventurous, and will pop into the living room while we’re watching TV or eating dinner. Luna and Nimbus share an obsession with trying to get into the bedrooms, which I try and stop unless I’m actually in there because I don’t want peed on white carpet. Of course, I do sit in the bunny room with them (it’s very calming… I think everywhere should have a bunny room).

But how can I encourage them to come to us and hang out in the living room and on the sofa like they used to?

Picking them up and bringing them in seems counter-productive, as they just get grumpy and hop back. And I can’t encourage them with food, since they don’t really come in to find it! Any ideas? Anyone had a similar problem?

[sarahthegemini]

I have this same issue – where I was living previously, the buns were always in the living room and it was so nice. Now they’re always in their room!

You could try moving some of their tunnels/boxes to be in the doorway of their room and then gradually move them closer to the main part of the living room?

[Wick & Fable]

If viable, an attractive tunnel system may be a fun way to get them out!

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.

[Sirius&Luna]

Tunnels and boxes in the hallway is a good idea They do come out into the hallway, its just that the never really lounge or hang out in the living room. I wondered whether it would be worth getting them set up in the living room for a few days so they get used to the area and are more confident in it, but then that seems quite disruptive for them.

[Author]

Messages