Rabbit doesn’t want to come out of cage or excersize

[Ayisha and Oliver]

My new rabbit Oliver is pretty big, and I adopted him from a shelter last week. He’s two years old, and doesn’t want to come out of his cage, or play with his toys that I bought for him. He tears up newspaper and paper bags, and sits in his play pen. He won’t let me pick him up to take him out so he can excersize and he doesn’t like to play or run around. He doesn’t like to excersize either and I don’t know how to get him out of his play pen if he hates being picked up! He’s a not a big cuddler, but he loves to be pet and rubbed. He lets me hand feed him, pet him, and kiss him, but when I go to pick him up he freaks out! Does he not like being taken out because the outside floor is concrete? The inside of his play pen is covered in cardboard flooring. I already tried covering the outside of his cage with a foam puzzle piece flooring, but he still didn’t come out, I even put a cardboard box as a step ladder for him to get out of his play pen. Any help?

[kmurphy]

Most rabbits, as you might know, don’t really like to be picked up. In the wild, the only time they would be picked up was if they were going to be eaten. However, Oliver can get used to it, and once he trusts you a little more I’m sure he will get better. If he lets you hand feed him and pet him, I would say that you are on your way to earning his trust. I would try to lay mats or rugs outside of his pen because some bunnies don’t like slippery floors, that might help a bit.
To try and get him out of his cage, I would just be patient and sit outside with some tasty treats and see if that will entice him to explore a little more. He is still getting used to his new environment so I wouldn’t try to rush him. It might take a while for him to have the courage to come out but don’t let that bother you. It sounds like he already is warming up to you.
And congrats on your new bunny! Oliver looks so cute. Good luck!

[Sarita]

Moving to behavior.

[Little Lion Head]

He might just be getting used to his new environment. We brought Pumpkin home from the loud Humane Society to our very quiet house. It took weeks to get a normal healthy routine going. Try to be patient!

[Little Lion Head]

Oh and it’s possible he doesn’t like the concrete. Pumpkin hates the linoleum! Maybe try a run or some cardboard to see if that helps.

[Jordain]

when i transport murray from outside (he has a run) to inside the house, i use a pet carrier. From the photo it looks like you may have a french lop too!
I don’t pick murray up because hes heavy & i don’t want to get kicked by his hind legs. When I put the carrier down he’ll hop right in and then I can easily transport him. Also, your bun will get used to the floors. I have hard wood and at first murray couldn’t even sit up on the floor but now he hops around with no problems.

[Ayisha and Oliver]

Thanks you guys! I’m glad you’re all here to help!

[Nimo]

try giving him the impression that no one is watching him this might encourage him to explore the new areas

[Twobuns]

My bunny is the exact opposite! Even tho I give her a lot of excercise, she’s always trying to escape. ?
My other bunny Olly, a Holland lop, doesn’t like excercise and every time I let her out, she doesn’t move around that much.

[Author]

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