Ideas for how to get Bramble to use his ramp

[kirstyol]

Ok so the ordering the condo saga continues, don’t ask its a long story but it looks like it will be near the end of the month before I get it now. So in the mean time I have moved Bramble’s pen into the living room and I am trying to put the cage inside it for him but he will not use the ramp to get out of the cage into the pen. He has used the ramp once to get out of the cage then panicked that he couldn’t get back in (he likes the security of his cage, hence trying to incorporate it into the pen). I have tried putting treats on top of it but that doesn’t work when your bun is tall enough to simply reach up and eat the treat without having to actually go on the ramp. I also tried to pick him up and put him on the top of the ramp, well its more like a bridge than a ramp its got a flat bit at the top, he was not impressed with that at all he jumped down and went in a huff, he is such a huffy bunny!

I am wondering if I should just try and remove the door from the cage entirely, Bramble could easily hop in and out of the cage but the door is the swing down type so he would get caught up in the bars if I let him do that. if I could remove the door that wouldn’t be a problem though, but I don’t know how on earth I would do that either I guess I would need something that would cut through the bars. any suggestions?

Or should I just abandon the idea of having the cage inside? he does seem to like it though and I don’t want to upset him since that’s where he is used to sleeping, only to upset him again when the condo finally arrives and he moves in there.

[kirstyol]

Ok never mind, this forum clearly has magical powers. within half an hour of posting this Bramble is happily hopping in and out of his cage like he has just discovered how it works and its the most amazing thing in the world. I wish we could post videos here, its the cutest thing ever he is just hopping in and out and having a sniff of things like its Christmas morning. I think he likes his new living arrangement now that he understands it. The other half might not be so impressed when he comes home and finds out that the living room has been overtaken by a massive rabbit play pen, but its only temporary till the condo arrives.

My only other issue is that he is showing a great deal of interest in the top of his cage I am slightly worried he is going to hop on top and get his feet stuck between the bars, would a bit of cardboard help if I could secure it somehow? Oh but then he might use that as a step to get out of the pen ….. beginning to think this wasn’t such a good idea now but he looks so happy

[RabbitPam]

Well, that’s my overwhelming thought – that he’s going to be adjusting to a big change with the condo, so a lot of extra change and effort may be a lot to ask of him until then.
If the ramp is keeping him from catching his feet on the drop down door, then I think it’s a temporary fix the way it is. He will either decide to use it, or he will kind of hop right over it in and out. Many bunnies prefer to jump than use a ramp, but if it’s acting as protection for his feet, leave it and let him decide. He will probably figure out his preference. Unless you need him to go back in, then lift him over the door and then close it.

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