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Cage cleaning-early days

22 10:27:08

Question
I have a 9 week old mini lop. I have had him now 5 days he has become used to his cage and surroundings and seems very comfortable. He has become nosey peering around but is yet to leave his cage, i am very patient and have no problem in sitting with him, talking and waiting for him to want to come out. Only thing is he has urinated in a few places and his cage needs a clean! I just didn't want to pick him up as I do not want to go back to square 1 in getting him to trust me. Please help, thank you

Answer
Hi Carly,

well, you need to be able to pick him up when necessary.  He also has to learn to tolerate it.  If the cage is off the ground and has a door he could hop out on his own, you may need to give him a step or ramp to get down.  Make sure the ramp/step is covered with material that he can get traction on - bare wood itself or plastic will be too slippery.  

You need to kind of get him used to you petting him, and handling him.  You also need to know how to handle him and hold him properly and safely for his back.  The rump always has to be supported, because if they kick hard and they aren't supported, they can break their back.

I would suggest contacting your local rabbit groups and get together with someone from there.  The House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org) has state chapter info, and you can contact them or if there are independent rabbit groups around you, those would be good places to start.  Often they have volunteers who will meet with you and answer questions/show you proper handling, etc.

Lee