Thinking about letting my bun come out to play! Need some advice!

[bunny77]

I have a 8 month old netherland dwarf bunny who has a 6 foot X 3 foot cage, but I would like to let him come out in the evenings to socialize with us. We have a large sectional leather couch that I would like to block the bottom off, but in a functional way, so I don't have to move it in and out everyday, and so that it doesn't show. Any ideas? Or thoughts!! Let me know ! Thanks for your help!

 

[butsy]

i think your rabbit should have lots of time out its cage everyday for exercise, socialisation etc. after a while your bun will be used to his surroundings and know where he is allowed to go . i blocked places of my house and little by little i let her have more space. now she has the run of the whole house, but she always stays in the living room. she just prefers to stay in here with us !! always keep her cage open, when he will have enough of play time he will most likely go back in his cage !!

 

[butsy]

i think your rabbit should have lots of time out its cage everyday for exercise, socialisation etc. after a while your bun will be used to his surroundings and know where he is allowed to go . i blocked places of my house and little by little i let her have more space. now she has the run of the whole house, but she always stays in the living room. she just prefers to stay in here with us !! always keep her cage open, when he will have enough of play time he will most likely go back in his cage !!

 

[tamsin]

It's difficult to advise the best option as different style furniture will have different bunny proofing options. Something like a wooden board or boards made into a frame could work. If you stained/painted it to match any other furniture in your house.

 

[Bluesmaven]

I have used pillows boards books all kinds of stuff as barriers even other people. I used to travel a lot with a bunny so I never had the same stuff around just took a little creative thinking.

 

[missyscove]

It's definitely hard to say without seeing the space you're trying to block off. My first thought would be something like building a frame of wood that fills the gap between the floor and the bottom of the actual sofa, but maybe painted an attractive color or just built far enough in that you don't see it from human height.

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

I agree with the first posting that your bun needs to come out everyday. Everything I have read says at least three hours everyday. But when I'm home my girls cage door is always open. Its the first thing I do when I walk in the front door. If you start letting your bun come out then you can't change your mind about it that wouldn't be fair. Not trying to sound harsh but no rabbit should be locked in a cage day in day out even a large cage. Good luck though with your bun.

 

[bunny77]

Thanks for all the help! My hubby isn't real keen on letting the bun run around, so I have had to work up to it! I will work on some of these ideas and start letting him out soon. The other concern I have is that once he gets the taste of some freedom he will try to escape from his cage all the time after that!! We'll see!

Thank you!

 

[jfinner1]

Cardboard is a wonderful thing. I have my whole basement bunny proofed with cardboard and you can't even see it. for example, i have a desk i didn't want the buns to get under, because of cords, so I wedged some cut boxes under it, but i put then about a foot back from the front of the desk, so they're not visible. Works like a charm.

 

[MiniLopHop]

I used a lot of cardboard too to bunny proof my office. Now they don't have a cage at all, just kept in the room. It's nice that I can go and relax in the room and let them come to me rather than chasing them down to get them in or out of a cage.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

I built wood frames to block off some stuff and lots of cardboard and boxes too. You need to assess your situation and go from there. Bunnies do need to be out and around you for sure.

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

I hate to say this but it does not seem like a rabbit is the right kind of pet for your family. Your husband isent keen on bun being allowed to run around and you seem very concerned with your sofa. Plus you don't seem to have done your homework. Rabbits are smart social animals that require exercise and socialization everyday. There built for speed and they love to run and jump. How is your rabbit supposed to binky in his cage? I recently rescued a mini lop who was kept in a cage for six years. His story is posted on the rainbow bridge forum under "in memory of Shadow" you should read it. Again don't mean to sound harsh but sometimes the truth is hard to deal with.

 

[bunny77]

This is our 2nd bun and no offense but they are right for our family. Why wouldn't I worry about my furniture. Everyone else that has responded on here has talked about how they blocked the furniture. I am not concerned about the furniture, but him getting under it and hurting himself or not coming out. I understand your concerns, but I am making an effort to get him out. I have only had him for a few months and am making an effort to get him out. Last night he was let out into the hall outside his room and from there we will expand. Even though my hubby doesn't like it, he will let it happen, but I just have to compromise as does he. Thanks for your concerns but they are unwarranted.