So when I took in my new bun Flower (6 yr old mini lop) a few days ago she came to me in a standard rabbit cage that you can buy at Petsmart, etc. I kept her in it until yesterday when I was off and was able to build something new. She now has a 3x4 grid style cage and I used the base of the old cage as a litter box area.
When I first put the old cage into the new area I left the wire top on it as I thought she might like to have the space to go in and feel comfortable/safe. But by yesterday evening she still hadn't gone inside of it. Since I had her food, hay, and water in this area I was concerned that she wasn't eating or drinking. So I took the wire top off of the pan hoping she would go in during the night. This morning it seemed as if she still hadn't gone into the area. I had to work today and so couldn't make any changes before I left for work.
When I got home a little bit ago I can tell she still refuses to get into the pan to eat or drink. The hay and pellets haven't been touched since I put them in there yesterday. She did eat the greens I gave her last night but they weren't in this area. She was eating and drinking fine until I put her in a much larger area.
I read that changes to their living space can cause them to not eat. I am wondering if I should just put her back into the cage she came in as she was eating, etc while in it. Is it possible that at her age she just doesn't like the change. She also doesn't seem interested in using the new space available to her. The only thing I see her do other than lay in one corner is occasionally stretch up against the grids.
I want to give her the space she deserves but I also want her eating and drinking properly. I don't want her to possibly starve herself because she is stubborn. Thank you in advance of any advice.
When I first put the old cage into the new area I left the wire top on it as I thought she might like to have the space to go in and feel comfortable/safe. But by yesterday evening she still hadn't gone inside of it. Since I had her food, hay, and water in this area I was concerned that she wasn't eating or drinking. So I took the wire top off of the pan hoping she would go in during the night. This morning it seemed as if she still hadn't gone into the area. I had to work today and so couldn't make any changes before I left for work.
When I got home a little bit ago I can tell she still refuses to get into the pan to eat or drink. The hay and pellets haven't been touched since I put them in there yesterday. She did eat the greens I gave her last night but they weren't in this area. She was eating and drinking fine until I put her in a much larger area.
I read that changes to their living space can cause them to not eat. I am wondering if I should just put her back into the cage she came in as she was eating, etc while in it. Is it possible that at her age she just doesn't like the change. She also doesn't seem interested in using the new space available to her. The only thing I see her do other than lay in one corner is occasionally stretch up against the grids.
I want to give her the space she deserves but I also want her eating and drinking properly. I don't want her to possibly starve herself because she is stubborn. Thank you in advance of any advice.