My bunnies don’t appreciate nuthin

[LittlePuffyTail]

I went out the other day to the petstore and bought a really nice, big exercise pen so the bunnies could have out-of-cage time even when I’m too busy to watch them.

I set it up thinking they were totally gonna love it. When I put Bindi in he just went around in circles, grabbing hold of the bottom bars with his teeth and shaking the crap out of it. He just wanted to get out. I guess he figured it was run time and was totally p.o.ed his space was restricted. If I give him hay he eats it and calms down until he’s done.

When I put Stormy in, he seemed content enough to be in there but was pooping and peeing all over the place despite the fact he had his own litter box (complete with poops) in there. Stormy NEVER does this!  He peed right beside his litter box. What the heck is going on? Also when he was in there I went in for a bit and sat there with him and he was being super aggressive, biting  my shirt and growling. I guess maybe he thought I was in his cage and was being territorial?

I’m upset they don’t like it and I don’t know what to do to make them enjoy it more. Any tips?

There is lots to do in there, a couple of boxes, a ka-bob with chew toys, some toss toys, willow baskets and a nice soft blankie.

[ScooterandAnnette]

Does the pen have a doorway/opening on it? Our bun’s regular space is a pen/enclosure with a condo and some stuff in it. Sometimes when we’re going away for a while we set up another pen opposite it, doorways open and together, and basically clip them together so that they have their regular space, but an additional space as well. It’s kind of like oh look we have a playroom now! Cool! It lets them run around more, but still have access to their regular stuff.
– Annette

[Steve Parker]

This is similar to something that happened to us this weekend.

We put our bunny in a large cage at night so he won’t set off our alarm. We expanded our bunny’s cage by four feet this weekend and added a new willow mat (from Binky Bunny). The new pen incorporates the old pen on one end. We worked hard to keep his poop area in the same spot.

We introduced him to his new space. He just shook the walls and had a temper tantrum. He messed all over the place, even though he had been using just one spot in the old pen.

He also messed on his new mat and his old blanket that he sleeps on. He sprayed from one end to the other. I just don’t understand what’s going on.

Last night wasn’t much better. He lay on his blanket, but continued to mess all over the place. I don’t know what to do.

Suggestions?

[Beka27]

ok, i’m triyng to understand the situation…

the two buns are not bonded right?  so you put the exercise pen separately from the cage?  you just set it up in a big circle right?  i think the buns would be more comfortable in there if it were directly connected to their cage.  they could play in there but then escape to the safety and security of their own territory.  the litterbox would still be in their cage so it wouldn’t truly be “new territory” that would need marking.  this of course would mean that if they are not bonded and are in separate cages you would need two xpens and double the space for them to each have that attached to their cage at all times.  they probably were offended that their outtime was being restricted since they’re used to not having a pen.  this may or may not work for you.  beyond that i’m not sure what to tell you.

[kimberleyanddarren]

i know how you feel about your bunny not appreciating anything! i am a student so money is always tight for me but i spent loads of money getting hopscotch loads of toys the other weekend, a treat ball, willow balls, those balls with bells in them, willow chew thing that hangs on the cage etc etc. spent alot of money! and he just wasnt intersted turned his nose up and walked off i was gutted! but he got used to them and plays with them now! yay! – moral of the story keep trying! you will get there!

[LittlePuffyTail]

My buns are not bonded. I would love to make the pen an extension of their cages but it’s way too big to have 2 in my house so I’m pretty stuck. I guess I’m gonna just keep trying to put them in it.

[BinkyBunny]

Most likely what has happened is since they are not bonded, that any new space (especially if they could smell that one had already been in it) is that they will mark it to claim it.

What you can do though is try putting stuff through the bars for them to chew on. For example, Parkers, you can weave that mat throughout the bars and see if he uses it as a chew toy.

You can put cardboard rolls, paper bags, hang toy, and chew sticks etc etc. So that they refocus on playing.

[Author]

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