New Bunny won’t leave litter box.

[NewBunMum]

“New Bunny” (we’re still working on her name) won’t leave her litter box. Luna, New Bunny’s cage mate has no issues running around the cage and coming out of the cage for floor time, she’s been that way since day one. We just got New Bunny and right off the bat can tell that she’s way more timid and scared than Luna ever was. When I first put her into the cage she sat on the shelf unmoving, pooping and peeing freely. She was making a huge mess and just laying in it so I made the decision to pick her up and put her in the litter box where their hay, pellets, and water are set up so that the litter bedding would help soak up the urine instead of Bunny’s feet. She is eating and drinking perfectly fine but she stays hunkered down for the most part and digs into the bedding in an attempt to hide, she also does the telltale “Thump” danger signal, it’s obvious she’s scared. She hasn’t explored any of her surroundings. She moves within the litter box and will periscope but she won’t leave it, even when I open up the cage and let Luna free range. Are there tips/tricks to helping her realize she’s in a safe environment? Any ways to coax her out of the litter box? I’m concerned about her being so stressed for so long, I don’t want her to cause her heart damage by being scared all the time.

[jerseygirl]

It sounds as if she’s staying in her “safe spot”. Have she and Luna only just met? If so, you may need to do some bonding work with them so then new bunny learns to trust Luna more. Have you seen how she acts if she is set up in her own cage or pen?

What is the cage flooring? Perhaps she needs more traction to move around if she’s not used to the flooring.

[LBJ10]

I’m wondering the same thing Jersey. Was the new bunny put in with Luna right away?

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