How to house two difficult bunnies?

[squidsquid]

Hello! I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to register! I apologize for jumping in and asking for advice in my first post, but I'm currently having bunny troubles and could really use some input.

I've ended up with two rabbits that I am trying to properly house indoors, however they both have minor problems that are making things difficult.

The buns:

THUMPER:
Female
Flemish Giant
BIG
Spayed
4-5 - acts young but has difficulty getting in litterbox. Refuses to try and hop into it.
Bonded with Brownie.

BROWNIE:
Female
Holland Lop
Unspayed, and too old to be spayed (we think 8-9)
Fragile but completely mobile
Timid but marks EVERYTHING, might just be the change in scenery though.
Bonded with Thumper


Current housing solution:

I built them a storage-cube house with the litterbox receded into the "ground level" so Thumper would simply be able to hop up and down out of her litterbox (going over the raised edge onto level ground is the main issue). I've seen her walk onto the raised section ONCE, but hopped right back in the litterbox. She hasn't left the box for two days except when forced to for cleanings.

She can easily stand up and peek over the edge of the cage though, so it can't be a lack of strength in her legs. I'm very concerned, it can't be good for her to sit still for so long. When I help her out of the box to leave the cage, she is fine and you would never knew she had trouble moving around in her cage. Runs up and down the hall and everything.


Issues with current housing solution:


Thumper is generally clean but will not make the effort to pee in a certain spot unless she can literally walk into it. She needs an XX-large sized cat litterbox which I haven't been able to find with a shallow opening, hence the multilevel cage solution.

Brownie cannot be spayed due to her age, but still dribbles when I first clean her cage to mark it. I've never had odor issues before due to all my pets being fixed - are there any odor absorbent things that actually work? Will her age ever cut down on her marking stuff?

These two are driving me crazy! Never had a major problem with any of my buns before (I've been lucky!) so I'd really appreciate any advice on what to do! I'm willing to take the time to make changes but nothing I've tried has worked so far. Thanks in advance

 

[OneTwoThree]

Flemish giants aren't a cage rabbit, they need a TON of space, at least 2 xpens, approx 8X8 sqft of floor pen space and at least double their height stretched + a rabbit run accessible about 4 hours a day (preferably in the morning and evening when they are naturally active.)

They are likely both marking because Brownie isn't spayed. And I would be REALLY concerned that Thumper didn't move for 2 days. Its either a sign she's ill or she simply doesn't have enough room to move.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat: Our big boy Petey lives in his pan. When I put him out to play I just pick up the pan and sit it on the floor and poke him till he exits. If he didn't have to eat or drink, I don't think he'd ever leave it--just too comfy.

 

[squidsquid]

Thanks for the replies!

After two days of my worrying, Thumper left her box minutes after my first post, and Brownie hasn't marked all day :?. I have no idea what made them change overnight. I'm glad my situation fixed itself...but now I feel silly for making this huge post above! I guess Thumper just really likes the litterbox...she has been active all day, but still prefers to hang out in it.

I'm still trying to find a better box for them though, I'd like their pen to be completely on the floor level but its not necessary if I can't find one.


@OneTwoThree - thank you for the advice and concern. I know I said "cage" but I should have said pen. It is basically a fence made of storage cubes. There is no top and there would be no bottom if we didn't have to raise it off of the ground.


We decided to keep it on the small side until they get a little more comfortable in their new home. They have only been here for a few days and were not housebroken. The current setup is big enough for both rabbits to stretch out entirely (about 4' x 4') + a little section sticking out just for the box. Since the bunnies did so well today I think we're going to extend the fenced in area to the proper size tomorrow. They are allowed out to run a little in the morning and all evening.


@Nancy - does Petey have trouble getting in his box, or does he just prefer it?