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indoor rabbit

22 11:33:02

Question
Hi Dana,

Following past advice from you i have brought my rabbit indoors to live with us. I would like her to have free run of the house when i got her house trained which i thought would of been difficult from what i have read about indoor rabbits. Since i have brought rosie indoors she just sits in her cage all day. The door is always open so that shes free to come and go. She only seems to come out at night when we're in bed. I feel she is'nt getting enough exercise now and im worried that shes unhappy. Thats a week she' been inside and she's been using her litter tray with no problems. Any advice?

Answer
Dear Claire,

If your bunny has been inside for only a week, she's still adjusting to the new digs.  The reason she spends most of the daylight hours in her cage is because she feels secure there:  it's her home.  Because rabbits are primarily crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal, it's natural for her to spend most of the day in her secure spot and come out to play in the evening.

As she gets used to her surroundings and feels more secure, she will start to explore and find new places to snooze.  If she's acting skittish, this might help:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

Just give her some time and love, and all will be well.  Hope that helps!

Dana