Super Curious Bun!

[CaityJuju]

I've had my bunny for about 2 weeks now. I let him out for about 30 mins to an hour each day to get use to being outside the cage. He knows how to exit and re-enter his cage no problem, but one thing he does is he LOVES to explore around, and then run back to the cage. It's like the cage is his safe-zone, but the thing I'm wondering about most is how can I help him burn more energy? It's clear he really would benefit from a much larger area to explore and run around. I haven't been able to pick up a proper play pen yet for him to have a proper free-roam area and I'm having difficulty deciding which to get so I don't waste money. What are some tips, or ideas that would benefit my bun being able to let out all his energy? I think a play pen would actually be too small for his need to explore and just how much he jumps around and runs when I let him out.

Thank you!

 

[VanillaMarshmellUwU]

Usually You must free roam a rabbit 4 hours a day to let their energy out. Is your rabbit obese? If so cut the amount of pellets you are giving him. I have my rabbit for 3 months and he likes to explore every inch of the house, he learned to go up and down the stairs. I think having stairs has an advantage in burning calories in rabbits, my rabbit loves to go upstairs and a little afraid to go down.

 

[CaityJuju]

No he's not obese, I'll give him more time to roam around.

 

[VanillaMarshmellUwU]

Oh, I see. You just want your bun to exercise more, and that's good.

 

[Mac189]

It sounds like you are putting some good thought into his exercise! For a playpen, I would generally recommend something that is roughly 3 ft high to prevent jumping out and associated injuries. Your curious little friend sounds like a good candidate for some toys that are time-consuming and interactive!

 

[Catlyn]

My Storm is also hella lot curious! He was roaming in the kitchen the other day and he decided to venture into a chimney vent hole so that i barely caught his hind foot and tail! He had free run time outside and some days agp he decicded to snoop inside a crack in the cobble wall! He'll also zoomie around when you let him out in the yard.

 

[Catlyn]

Your curious little friend sounds like a good candidate for some toys that are time-consuming and interactive!

That is so true! Storm's been goin' on and logging: literally nudging and pulling big pieces of firewood with his face, he's so strong!
I wanted to get him toys since Musti happened to destroy all of his that he ever had, sadly there weren't many of those either as Estonia the way i see isn't yet quite widely rabbit-aware as anything you find on and off the little critter section is either too expensive, harmful, or not quite fitting. I haven't even seen a playpen for sale that didn't need to be shipped from anywhere! Ofc in our case where we will be having a big 5-6kg lop, 98% of the toys/gadgets will be too small for him. (Looking at you, natural woven critter nests, tunnels and hayracks!) And don't even get me started on finding a trusty savvy vet! We made some grave errors when stumbling across the vets to see which were good and sadly Musti wasn't saveable anymore once we'd found the perfect vets. All because one vet didn't want to admit that he knew hardly anything about rabbits(telling us not to move his sick leg muscles that would by his words"heal by themselves")

 

[CaityJuju]

Oh, I see. You just want your bun to exercise more, and that's good.

Yes, I finally was able to order him a set of those square cage pieces that can be placed together to make a pen. Hopefully it gets here this week so I can let him try it out.

I also only give him about a 2/3 cup of pellets with timothy hay and one handful of alfalfa every 1-2 days, or depending on how much I've noticed him eating. People keep saying for me to give unlimited pellets but he just makes a huge mess if I fill the dish any higher than the measured amount so I don't bother.

It sounds like you are putting some good thought into his exercise! For a playpen, I would generally recommend something that is roughly 3 ft high to prevent jumping out and associated injuries. Your curious little friend sounds like a good candidate for some toys that are time-consuming and interactive!

Yes, I really want him to be able to get in enough exercise and play time so I can eventually just use his cage as "home base" when I need to move him or he wants somewhere enclosed to relax in. I bought him a timothy hay carrot to play with and chew on. He was throwing it around when I gave it to him, and he has 2 small plushies that he sits near and plays with. I put them in there to make him feel less alone.

 

[Oceanie]

Yes, I finally was able to order him a set of those square cage pieces that can be placed together to make a pen. Hopefully it gets here this week so I can let him try it out.

I also only give him about a 2/3 cup of pellets with timothy hay and one handful of alfalfa every 1-2 days, or depending on how much I've noticed him eating. People keep saying for me to give unlimited pellets but he just makes a huge mess if I fill the dish any higher than the measured amount so I don't bother.



Yes, I really want him to be able to get in enough exercise and play time so I can eventually just use his cage as "home base" when I need to move him or he wants somewhere enclosed to relax in. I bought him a timothy hay carrot to play with and chew on. He was throwing it around when I gave it to him, and he has 2 small plushies that he sits near and plays with. I put them in there to make him feel less alone.

How old, how many pounds, and what breed is your bunny, if you don't mind me asking?