How do you stop your bunny from gnawing on everything? For rabbits, chewing is an essential and natural behaviour. However, a restless rabbit's desire to chew can turn destructive very quickly when kept in captivity. If a roaming rabbit remains in its own way for an extended period of time, it may swallow harmful substances. Teaching your rabbit what is acceptable to chew on and what is not will help prevent it from chewing anything in sight and possibly becoming ill in the process.
What deters rabbits from chewing?
What deters rabbits from chewing?
Rabbits chew constantly for a biological reason. Throughout their lifetimes, their teeth erupt continuously, and the process of chewing wears them down by rubbing against one another. Boredom is the main reason why rabbits in captivity chew on inappropriate objects. A rabbit will look for ways to amuse itself or attract its owner's attention if it is left alone or receives little stimulation. Chewing is a simple method to achieve both.
Due to their innate desire to chew, wild rabbits consume a variety of herbs and grasses and dig burrows in their native environments. Rabbits in captivity still feel the need to chew, but their level of destruction depends on their training and what they are able to get their paws on.
How do you get your bunny to stop chewing everything?
Give your bunny a selection of safe chewables to choose from because they need to chew. Suitable chew toys for rabbits include cardboard, untreated grass mats, unprocessed willow baskets or toys, safe rabbit toys, and branches of apple or willow trees.
Having a variety of playthings gives your bunny additional options, which can also help prevent boredom. Your bunny's chewing urges will probably be satiated if you have a variety of chew toys nearby, both in terms of size and kind. Don't forget to provide your bunny with a few secure chew toys in its cage.
1 - Build a Rabbit-Proof House
A well-designed rabbit enclosure eliminates a significant portion of your rabbit's temptation and chances for mischief. Give your pet limited access to your house, at least initially. To make training easier, instead, set aside a small area and completely rabbit-proof that room. You must ensure that your rabbit cannot access items such as electrical cables, as they pose a serious risk to them. For cords extending along the floor, use PVC cord covers or tubing available at hardware stores. Make sure all cords are securely tucked outside of the rabbit's reach.
Other possessions, such as furniture, should also be secured. Your frustration level will decrease, and training will proceed more effortlessly, the less your bunny can destroy.
2 - Monitor and assign
2 - Monitor and assign
You have to teach your rabbit that chewing on furniture and other possessions is not acceptable because it does not naturally know this. This implies that you have to keep a close eye on your new bunny throughout playtime. As soon as you get your rabbit home, be sure to begin this training to minimize the chance of negative habits forming. Say "no" firmly (you don't have to yell) and clap with both hands whenever your rabbit attempts to gnaw on anything it shouldn't, and then offer it a chew toy that is acceptable.
3 - Acquire another rabbit.
The sight of an additional rabbit tends to calm destructive bunnies. However, pairing up two unmodified (that is, not spayed and neutered) rabbits is not a good idea. You will probably get more rabbits if you pair up a male with a female; if you pair up two males, they might fight. Although it is better to match either two neutered rabbits or an untreated rabbit to neutered rabbits of the opposite sex, two unaltered females could get along just fine.
4 - Neuter or Spay Your Rabbit
Getting your rabbit "fixed" will probably stop most of its negative behavior. The rabbit will be far less concerned about inappropriate chewing, but you will still need to give it lots of things that it can safely chew. Read This: At What Age Can a Rabbit Be Spayed or Neutered?
5 - Use repellent sprays for rabbits.
If a rabbit likes to nibble on inappropriate objects, you can try spraying it with a bitter apple (available in many pet stores). It's worth trying, though, as most rabbits don't seem to mind the flavor (some even appear to enjoy it).
Any locations where the rabbit has a tendency to chew should not be treated with any hazardous chemicals. Chemicals like bleach or ammonia can be repellent, but if your rabbit eats any of these, it might be dangerous or even deadly, depending on the substance and how much was consumed.
6 - Have patience.
Be patient but persistent, as your rabbit will likely challenge you as it learns. They will need some time to become used to you. Never scold or strike your pet. Put the bunny on "timeout" within its cage for several minutes if it continues to come back to you instead of nibbling on its own toys. Another option is to let your rabbit spend some of its time playing outside of its cage in an exercise pen, which will allow you to take a break from watching and training it.
Your rabbit's chewing habit will lessen as it gets more mature and accustomed, but your greatest training assets will come from being consistent and patient from the start.
Your rabbit's chewing habit will lessen as it gets more mature and accustomed, but your greatest training assets will come from being consistent and patient from the start.
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