Getting bunnies back into their cage

[amdw1092]

I have two bunnies that i have had for a month and a half and still have not figured out a easier way to get them and put them back into their cage after play time? The cage is not on the ground so I have to pick them up and put then back in, the problem is it is always a struggle because they run from me ? What am I doing wrong ?? Please Help !!

[Joeythenethie]

You could try putting the cage on the ground while holding a treat inside it. This way, they’ll associate the treat with the cage, and it won’t be such a hassle to get them back in. Try this for a couple of weeks, and I’ve found that bunnies usually like it better if they can hop into the cage themselves. If you really want to keep the cage where it is, you could practice holding the bunnies on your lap. Note that most rabbits don’t enjoy being picked up, but they should tolerate it for a bit of you pick them up and place them quietly on your lap. There’s a lot of videos online of how to properly hold a bun, but generally you want to have a hand on its rump and your other hand on its chest area. Best of luck, keep us updated!

[Mikey]

Rabbits often hate to be picked up, so it sounds like thats your problem. Is there any way to put the cage on the ground, or add a ramp? If you can keep it on the ground or add ramp, its fairly easy to get bunnies into their cages with temptations of treats or greens

However, you dont want to use treats/greens to get them to come to you, then pick them up. That will only teach them that treats/greens are brought out as a trap and theyll learn not to trust them

[Sr. Melangell]

As others have said, ‘Put the cage on the ground’ Bunnies like to be on the ground because they are ground animals, if the cage is on a table a bunny could jump and fall, they are not like cats, they do not land on their feet, if they don’t like being picked up like my boy, it makes it so much easier and they will learn to go in their home on their own, but don’t chase them.

[mango]

I have 2 buns with 2 large dog kennels, which I leave open all the time (but have the option to lock them in if needed occasionally).

The cages are stacked vertically and the doors are propped open. They have no problem jumping up to the upper cage, which is waist height. I put scrap carpeting down in the cages and the laminate floor around the cage to make sure they had traction.

On the first day though, I had to pick them up and put them in there with treats, hay, toys, etc. Then once they understood all the good stuff awaiting them in their cage, they gathered the confidence and now jump up and down freely in the top cage and run in and out of the lower one too.

They love to jump and climb higher on things and explore. Not all bunnies are like that though. Some do need ramps.

Now when I want them to go to their cages, its easy. I just rattle their bag of hay or pellets or treats and they come running and jump right in. I make sure to deliver on my promise though and give them some whenever I rattle it.

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