We opened our bunny enclosure about a week ago after having him for about three weeks. He is blind and was held in a small cage for most of his life, so maybe he isn’t used to having much space or just doesn’t notice? He won’t go off the blanket and mostly uses the space he knows around his house and litter box. He did start to jump and flopp around so we feel like he’s happy with what he’s got. Do bunnies need a lot of time to come out of their comfort zone? Is there something we should change?
by kryppvk
11 Comments
I’m sorry I don’t have experience with this but I needed you and bun to know that he is so, so, so, adorable. Thank you for giving him a great life.
Slippy floors. Add more non-slip surface and he will explore more. He’s visually impaired so he feels safe in the area he knows
Comfort zone is one thing, being blind another.
Being blind means you have to have a mental map of the surroundings, and it is complicated to be in unknown areas.
I have a mostly blind bunny too. She is very scared of new surroundings and needs time to go explore her self. I think it took even more than half a year before she dared to move a little out of her “own area”. Also bunnies like non-slip surfaces so more carpets around.
Floor is lava. They have slippery feet, you need carpets all around.
holy floof he is adorable
The floor is lava.
Many bunnies absolutely hate slippery floors; while they can walk on them, they absolutely hate it and prefer to be on floors that have traction.
Give him some carpeting outside his area and I’m sure he’ll want to roam around more.
Had a blind bun in similar setup. He took a month to leave the immediate area around his litterbox and ‘house’, then a full year before he’d leave the rubber mats i had down for his area. Year after that he was running around the whole room like a lunatic! Nonslip floor helps, also landmarks will build their confidence. His was a massive stuffed lion toy, he’d use it to get his bearings before zooming about
He looks so grumpy and cute.
I agree with folks who mentioned the hardwood floor as an obstacle. My bunnies would not venture beyond carpeting for many months. They’re still very cautious about it and only do it in 911 situations, like me going into the bathroom. Lol. Then it’s just a tenuous step or two to keep eyes on me in case that’s where I store the bananas. Being blind, the bunny is probably extra cautious, but I don’t putting down blankets, towels, rubber mats, anything for traction will give him more confidence to venture further.
My rabbits snub any piece of floor lacking an area rug. My nice hardwood downstairs… covered by less attractive area rugs that my rabbits “approve of”