HELP! Need advice.

[TamErinn]

We, my husband and I, have a two-year old Holland Lop-eared rabbit. We have had him since March of this year. He has been doing great and we love him to bits. He is very mild-tempered. He doesn't bite and he isn't aggressive. He is great.
Recently, he started moving his "furniture" around. I did move his stuff around because he started peeing outside of his litter box, but now he throws his bowls around. They are heavy ceramic and glass bowls too. When he moves his water bowl he gets his bedding wet. His bedding is recycled newspaper and it tends to be expensive when we have to buy it so frequently.

So, here are my questions:

*Should I return his litter box to the position that it used to be and move his bowls to their original place as well?

*Should I get a wired cage so that I can get him a water bottle and strap his litter box in one place?

*Should I just keep letting him rearrange his "furniture"? But then how do I keep him from spilling his water everywhere?

In much need of advice,
TamErinn

 

[luvthempigs]

Oh my goodness, Sounds like a little stinker you have there

I have a bunny who moves his litter box every time I put it back where I want it he puts it right back where he wants it :rollseyes Have not figured out how to stop him so I just let him move it :biggrin:

Since your bunny is getting his bedding wet I would suggest water bottle rather than a water dish. That should take care of that issue.

Maybe he is playing with his food dish because he is bored? Does he have toys to play with and keep him busy? Does he get much time out of his cage?

 

[Blue eyes]

Could you post a photo of your cage? I'm curious as to what kind you have if you say you'd need to switch cages in order to attach a water bottle.

I used to use water bottles but one bunny taught me how much better bowls are. I have a bowl that cannot be spilled but I'd like to see if it can work with your current cage.

I also thought that the bowl flipping could also have to do with boredom. Perhaps he needs some new interesting things to keep him occupied.

And do you use a litterbox with litter and also put bedding down in the rest of the cage? It has been my experience that such a setup can confuse some rabbits. I prefer to have a litterbox only and the rest of the cage is solid floor and/or rug, mat, fleece, etc.

 

[TamErinn]

Oh my! Thank you for all your replies. I have never thought of him being bored. I bought him off of Kijiji from a very loving home and he came with toys that he used to love, but now he doesn't play with anything. I have been concerned that something is wrong with him.
Once I figure out how to share a picture I will.

 

[TamErinn]

I posted a photo of his cage, but grr, I am not very good at it. I'm sorry.
And to answer your other question, Benny is let out as often as I am home (all the time pretty much) and he has a whole living room to play in.

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

If he's been drinking out of a water bowl his whole life, I'd keep it that way. Bunnies on bottles tend to drink less.

You can get crocks that clip to the side of the cage so he can't spill them over.

I find photobucket to be the easiest way to post a picture. Click on the

 

[Blue eyes]

TamErinn wrote:

Oh my! Thank you for all your replies. I have never thought of him being bored. I bought him off of Kijiji from a very loving home and he came with toys that he used to love, but now he doesn't play with anything. I have been concerned that something is wrong with him.
Once I figure out how to share a picture I will.

My buns have always liked it if I rotate toys. I hide some for awhile and when they get bored of the ones they have, then I switch them with the others.

Mine also seem to be more active if I provide something "new" for them to explore when they are out. I've used a cardboard box with door holes cut out. Then I might hang a towel over the doorway for a few days. Then I'll put a tunnel for them to explore, then, after a couple days, move the tunnel somewhere else. Each time I move or add something, it seems to peek their curiosity for a number of days. When they begin to ignore it, I switch things around.