Need suggestions for my rabbit's cage!

[Rowen]

Hello all,
My rabbit is 2.5 months old and she spends almost ALL of her time in the cage, despite hours and hours when her cage is open and she is free to explore (from 7 am until 12 pm). I have had her for 2/3 weeks now and when she does get curious, she runs back into her cage. I think this is partly due to my floor being tiles and not carpet/something she can grip onto, so she is probably fearful that she won't be able to get away easily if she is attacked.

Anyway, since she spends so much time in her safe/secure cage, I wanted to provide more toys and enrichment opportunities for her, or do something to improve it! I didn't really plan for her to be in her cage as much but she does not want to leave it, so I want her to be entertained inside her cage while she begins to feel comfortable outside of it. Do you think she will ever feel comfortable outside of it?

I am just wondering how I can improve her cage or any toy ideas that I can add. I bought her a few store bought chew toys and things and she hasn't even touched them, just sniffed them. But then I made a toiler paper springy toy and she plays with it the most (she mostly just sleeps and eats and shivers when I'm near lol). Is there anything I can add to make it more fun or comfortable? I put some pictures, the little dome at the top has a hole facing the other way with a few little towel pieces. I don't put any food at the top because she usually poops while eating and I don't really want her pooping/peeing on the carpeted area if I can help it. I also just really want her to get exercise because she doesn't get out of her cage during the day and while I'm sleeping, I have no idea what she is doing (I'm assuming sleeping, maybe playing a bit because I don't ever hear her one room away). So I'm worried she's getting no exercise and I have her on all alfalfa hay/pellets (Should I start giving her Timothy stuff earlier?)!

It's really messy in there because I haven't cleaned it yet today, I'm doing that after I write this I would also like to mention that there are things in here that are 'unsafe' for bunnies to chew. She doesn't she ANYTHING except for hay. She has nibbled a few times but prefers not to chew things (she doesn't even chew the boxes I've given her).

http://imgur.com/ajtnKXS
http://imgur.com/dPVVyQE
http://imgur.com/Cdwrq9e
http://imgur.com/MIhHkNt

 

[RabbitGirl101]

The first thing I would do is put something in her cage for traction, the floor looks like a solid wood or linoleum flooring and that can cause sore hocks. Good link to read on sore hocks and what cause them http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sorehocks.html If she wants to exercise she will exercise she is still very young so she might be more curious in her cage scoping things out, and scenting them, maybe even nibbling on things. I would also take the 'unsafe" to chew things out of the cage to make it more bunny proof for her.

Also if your letting her outside of the cage, make sure there is traction, a floor that is slippery can make a rabbit unsure of its footing and they will feel safer in their cage.

Thats the first thing I would do, the size looks great, and other than that it looks pretty good

 

[Rowen]

I can tell a difference in her feelings of safety between in/outside the cage. Right now, I have a rubber mat that she feels comfortable on and she runs around on it sometimes (although, not very often). However, when she does stray from her cage a little bit, she keeps her back legs on the rubber and ventures with the rest of her body. I'm assuming this means the floor in my house is too slippery? How can I make sure there is traction unless I carpet my whole floor?

I'll probably put something soft/goo for traction inside her cage then. Thanks!!

 

[PipkinbunRibb]

It seems like she is just very content in her cage. It's a VERY nice size especially for a rabbit type that won't grow up to be a huge bunny. My rabbit often chooses to stay in his cage too, it doesn't mean that she is scared or anything though. Try putting a throw carpet down and see if that helps just in case. And maybe add more toys to the playpen to encourage her :happybunny:

 

[Blue eyes]

I once had a cage on a tile floor. One of my rabbits was just fine hopping about the large dining/kitchen area. The other one just absolutely refused to go on the tile. She just didn't want to step on it.

Since it is important for bunny to have room to run, I suggest you get an area rug to put down on the tile. If you could get a decent size area rug and place it up against the cage door, that would be ideal. If necessary, you could even just roll it up when not in use.

I got an area rug for my girl and then she was able and willing to hop about on the rug.

 

[PaGal]

You can get a larger area rug that she could come out of her cage onto to play. Or you could try placing several smaller rugs around the room. You could try laying a blanket down as well. Whatever you try keep an eye out for chewing. I also suggest removing anything not safe for her to chew. The one thing I have learned having buns is that they will get into trouble, one way or another. Also, they may not do something ever and yet one day they just decide to do it whether it's chewing everything in sight or jumping barriers.