the tunnel motivated bun

[prince dorian the bun]

Most pets I have had, though not beggars (I am not a fan of that so try to never get that going) have been at least mostly able to be motivated by food… and by most pets I mean cats. Cats being generally speaking hard to motivate and often picky eaters. So here I am with a bun, princeling Dorian, who puts all those food snobs to shame. He loves his hay thank goodness, but he prefers being hand feed or to eat while other people are with him also eating (we all have dinner together). But as far as getting him to do anything in return for food as a treat, it’s been a bit of a bust. Even if it’s a snack he likes he just not that interested. Even if it’s just getting him to go over and actually eat his salad because he’s too busy playing or napping, can be a bit of a challenge. Often times causing concern as it just sits there, untouched. Well recently I found a solution, I now stick a tunnel leading to his food, and Dorian is completely unable not to go explore a tunnel so will run up and end up at his food bowl in which case he will actually sit there (while his butts in the tunnel) and munch away.

In fact tunnels is how we get Dorian to do just about anything, from coming in from the deck, going into his room in the evening, even his carrier to go to the vet, & yes now to actually realize he has food and eat it.

Anyone else’s bun like this? Where they are almost absent minded about food? How do you make sure they actually remember to go eat and how do you motivate them to do stuff?

[DanaNM]

That’s really cute and interesting! I don’t really have any other advice since my pets are all super food motivated!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[prince dorian the bun]

I will say given he has had some stasis problems it is sometimes a little worrying (luckily he will almost always eat hay hand feed to him), but mainly it’s just a mystery to me!  Other than hay he is such a little mood eater too, one week he loves something and the next won’t touch it.

[DanaNM]

Having something like that up your sleeve is great! I’ve heard of clicker trained buns that are so conditioned to take a treat after the click that their owners have been able to get them to eat when in stasis using the clicker.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[prince dorian the bun]

he sadly won’t in stasis, but it’s a quick warning sign. Luckily no issues since his last molt though (fingers crossed)

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