Here we can see, “Why Do Rabbits Chew and How Can You Stop It?”
For rabbits, chewing is a normal and required action. A restless rabbit’s need to chew in captivity, on the other hand, can quickly become destructive. If left to its own ways for too long, a rabbit wanders around hunting for items to chew, and may absorb harmful substances. The key to keeping your rabbit from chewing on everything in sight—and possibly becoming sick in the process—is to teach it what’s okay to chew on and what’s not.
Why Do Rabbits Chew?
The persistent chewing of rabbits has a biological explanation. Their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, and eating wears the teeth against each other, keeping them trimmed.
Boredom is the main reason rabbits gnaw on inappropriate items in confinement. If a rabbit spends a lot of time alone or doesn’t get enough stimulation, it will look for ways to entertain itself and/or attract the attention of its owner. Chewing on things is a simple way to do both.
Rabbits in the wild nibble on a variety of plants and grasses and burrow in their native habitats, owing to their inherent drive to chew. Rabbits in captivity still have the impulse to chew, but the amount of damage they cause depends on what they can get their paws on and how they’ve been trained.
How to Stop Chewing Inappropriately
Your rabbit needs to chew on a range of safe, chewable objects. Rabbit chew toys include apple or willow tree branches, safe rabbit toys, untreated willow baskets and toys, untreated grass mats, and cardboard.
Providing a variety of playthings provides your rabbit with additional options, which can help prevent boredom. If you have a variety of chew toys of various sizes and sorts, at least one of them will satisfy your rabbit’s desire to chew. In addition, make sure your rabbit has a handful of safe chew toys in its cage.
Make Your House Rabbit-Proof
Rabbit-proofing eliminates a lot of the temptation and opportunities for your rabbit to get into mischief. Give your pet limited access to your home, at least at first. Instead, set aside a small area and rabbit-proof it adequately to make training easier.
Electrical cables, for example, are extremely deadly to your rabbit, so make sure your rabbit cannot access them. Keep cords safely tucked out of the rabbit’s reach, and for cords that run along the floor, use PVC cord covers or tubing available at hardware stores. Furniture and other personal effects should also be safeguarded. You’ll be less frustrated, and training will go more smoothly if your bunny can’t destroy much.
Redirect and supervise
You must teach your rabbit not to chew on your furniture and other valuables because it does not know this on its own. This implies that when you first get a new rabbit, you must keep a close eye on it throughout play.
Start this training as soon as you get your rabbit home so that harmful habits don’t emerge. Say “no” firmly (no need to yell) and clap your hands whenever your rabbit attempts to chew anything it shouldn’t; then offer it an appropriate chew toy.
Get a Second Rabbit
The presence of another rabbit often calms destructive bunnies. However, pairing two unmodified (not spayed or neutered) rabbits is not a smart idea. You’ll get more rabbits if you pair a male and a female; if you pair two males, they may fight. Two unaffected female rabbits may get along OK, but pairing two neutered rabbits or an unmodified rabbit with a neutered rabbit of the opposite sex is the ideal option.
Your Rabbit Should Be Spayed or Neutered
It’s likely that having your rabbit “fixed” will eliminate much of its destructive activity. You’ll still need to supply plenty of toys for the rabbit to chew on, but you’ll be far less concerned about inappropriate gnawing.
Try Rabbit Repellent Sprays
You can use a bitter apple spray (available at most pet stores) to deter your rabbit from chewing on inappropriate items. Many rabbits don’t mind the taste—in fact, some appear to enjoy it—so it’s worth a shot, but it’s not always effective.
Any harmful chemicals should be avoided in areas where your rabbit is likely to chew. Even if a substance like ammonia or bleach acts as a repellant, if your rabbit ingests it, it could be toxic or fatal, depending on the chemical and the amount consumed.
Be Patient
Your rabbit will take its time learning and will most likely put you to the test along the way, so be patient yet firm. Never hit your rabbit or yell at it. Put your rabbit in a “timeout” in its cage for a few minutes if it keeps returning to your things instead of nibbling on its own toys. Another option is to keep your rabbit in an exercise pen, which is a portable dog cage that can be folded up. This will let you take a break from watching and training your rabbit.
Chewing will become less of an issue as your bunny becomes older and more settled, but consistency and patience from the start will be your best training advantages.
User Questions
Why does my bunny keep chewing?
Teeth and mouth problems are the most common causes, as they stimulate a rabbit to chew excessively. Rabbits grind their teeth to keep them short because their teeth are constantly growing.
What scent do rabbits hate?
The aroma of predator musk or urine is replicated in most commercially produced rabbit repellents. Blood, crushed red peppers, ammonia, vinegar, and garlic are also unpleasant to rabbits. Sprinkle some of these ingredients on the snow around your house.
Do rabbits hold grudges?
A rabbit can keep a grudge for hours to days, depending on the severity of the offence. A gentle stroke on the forehead or an apologetic treat will sometimes soothe an irritated bunny, but if your rabbit is truly offended, they can pout for days!
Can I hit my rabbit?
A rabbit must never be hit. Some individuals use smacking their bunnies’ noses or even striking them with newspapers to “train” them not to bite. This will only make the situation worse. Your hands must only be seen as a source of love, like when you give them hay and food or pat and love them.
How do you tell if your bunny is mad at you?
An enraged rabbit will twitch its tail rapidly up and down. Be wary of rabbits with their tails raised; spraying is often the result. Rabbits who have not been spayed or neutered will spray everything in sight to disperse their smell. They may also do this if they are angry or detest someone.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
