| Rabbits like to chew and dig! It's
natural behavior and once they get started, it's hard to stop without providing them
alternate safe and fun activities. Bored rabbits become naughty rabbits. If you're not
around to talk to them as you prepare dinner, watch TV, or just read, your rabbit will
become bored and resort to behavior that gets your attention - especially if it gets you
really excited! First of all, ensure your
rabbit is spayed/neutered, as that will help those impulses to dig, tear, and chew up
items to make a nest or mark territory. Then perform some simple
bunny proofing of your
home to make it safe for bunny, and to prevent damage of your furnishings and other
belongings.
Below are some ideas for preventing or working around the
various types of "naughty but natural" bunny behavior:
Set Guidelines
The first, and probably most important key to preventing damage to your home is: DON'T
GIVE YOUR RABBIT UNSUPERVISED FREE RUN OF YOUR HOME. Give your rabbit a cage or pen, and
provide a routine that allows them plenty of run time, but in a
bunny proofed and
supervised area. There is nothing sadder than to have someone return their beloved rabbits
to us, after having them for a year or more, because their house has been destroyed and
they refuse to limit the rabbits' free run. This simple first rule is often the key to a
happy bunny home.
Prevent Electrical Damage
To prevent the injury or death of your rabbit, be sure to protect all your light,
power, telephone, and other cords. Not only will you lose the use of that appliance, your
rabbit can get a nasty shock and if the voltage is high enough, could die from making
contact with a live wire. Home improvement, auto supply, and computer accessory stores
carry many different items to help you tie-up, cover, hang, and generally get cords out of
the way. This photo shows an example of cords that have been bunny
proofed.
These are a variety of materials used to
get electrical cords out of Bunny's reach, or protect them from chewing.
The following photos are examples
of light cords that have been bunny proofed.
This black, corrugated tubing can be purchased at computer or auto supply stores.
"Cord keeper" is a product that can be cut to length,
includes corner brackets, and has a sticky tape on the back to secure it to walls or
baseboards.
These cord clips can get cords up off ground. They attach with
double-stick tape or can be screwed into the wall.
This lamp cord has been completely sealed in reinforced tubing.
The cords are then run under the sofa and the rabbits pretty much ignore them.
Plastic corner guards work well for those bunnies who feel the
need to "round off" all the corners in your home.
Block Off Hazardous Areas
Prevent bunny from even getting near a multitude of electrical cords and
other items, in your entertainment center, computer room, or garage. Keep doors closed,
use baby gates, and block off entertainment centers. Don't give bunny the chance to get
into or behind these hazardous areas.
This photo shows an example of an entertainment center that has
been completely blocked-off by furniture grade plywood cut to size and attached to the
back. Make sure you make it high enough as many bunnies can jump over a 24" high
structure.
Move Plants, Books, and Heavy Objects
Take all your plants and move them up to a higher location where bunny
cannot reach them. Many common houseplants are extremely toxic to rabbits and can cause
death from poisoning. If the plant tends to drop leaves or blooms, move it to a room that
the bunnies do not use.
Remove books from the bottom of bookshelves to prevent chewed
corners and torn covers. Also, be sure to look around for heavy decorative objects such as
vases, statuettes, etc., that may easily be knocked over.
Cover Carpets and Linoleum
Use carpet squares, tile squares, washable throw rugs, and other items to
cover carpet corners, linoleum, or places where bunny has shown a desire to dig, chew, or
eliminate. Also add an extra litterbox or two while bunny is first venturing into new
territory. This reinforces your litter training and helps to prevent accidents and a
preference for the corner under your end table as a bathroom. If your rabbit exhibits a
preference for a particular location, place a litterbox in that spot.
Unique Solutions
This particular bunny home has a couple of voracious chewers, prompting
these bunny parents to come up with some innovative ideas for preventing damage to
furniture.
Notice in this photo that the underside of these chairs can be
accessed by bunnies, who may chew the wood frame and stuffing in the chair. To the left,
and in the photo below, you can see how the homeowner created a special "box" to
protect the chairs and close off access to the rabbits. Once tables, lamps,
and other accessories are in place, hardly anyone even notices the chair protection.
Bitter Preparations
There are many bitter preparations on the market that can safely be used
to prevent chewing or digging in a particular area. They are probably not wise to use if
you have small children, as they could also suffer from the affects of the bitter taste.
These preparations do not always work, as some bunnies just
consider them "frosting on the cake," so you need to experiment to see which is
successful for you. Just be sure they are not harmful to pets, humans, or your fabrics and
wood finishes.
Spray them on furniture, baseboards, carpet corners, etc., to
prevent bunny from returning to that area to dig or chew.
Provide Safe and Fun Alternatives
Finally, now that you've said "No!" to just about everything
your mischievous bunny might want, be sure to provide him with some safe and fun
alternatives for chewing or digging.
For digging, give bunny an enclosed cardboard box with a hole
cut in each end. Fill the box with hay or shredded paper and let him get inside and chew,
dig, and shred to his heart's content!
Give bunny an old phone book that he can rip, tear, and
shred, to his delight!
Take toilet paper or paper towel tubes and fill them with hay
or paper for chewing fun. You can also give bunny a variety of wicker baskets, chew rings,
and hay-filled balls, to keep their busy teeth occupied.
Bottom line: keep your bunny active, happy, and spend plenty
of time interacting with them so they don't get bored. And be sure your bunny is spayed or
neutered, to prevent destructive behaviors in the first place. Remember, an active bunny
is a happy bunny!
The Cottontail Cottage is great for bunny to climb on,
hide in,
and chew! It can be
purchased at the
HRS Bunny Supply Store
in Kearny Mesa.
Here's a toilet paper tube filled with scrumptious hay
and a couple dried fruit pieces hiding inside!
Here are a few more ideas for safe, fun toys.
Yummy chew toys that bunny will love.
Clangy, bangy toss toys!
Bunny's basket of fun.
Give bunny lots to choose from!
Be sure to give your bunny plenty of toys, or she'll find
her own play things!
Sources
Many of the toys and chew deterrent products shown on this
page can be found at:
JUST ADOPTED?
Don't forget that you can visit our Bunny Supplies
Store on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, to purchase everything you need for
your new bunny. We have cages, folding pens, carriers, hay, CareFresh, pellets, toys,
water crocks, and more! If you've just adopted, and it's not close to our 'open' day,
contact us and we'll make arrangements to meet you on a convenient date. We have
everything you need! Telephone 619-718-7777.
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