Bunny Proofing

It is no secret rabbits are chewers and diggers, which makes bunny proofing your bunny’s play area essential - that is if you value your furniture, carpet and books. There are practical solutions to this situation so you and your animal friend can live together in harmony. Rabbit companion owners have turned bunny proofing into a science.

The number one defense against your bunny’s “chewing machine” is distraction. This is done with toys - lots of them! (see Bunny Toys) In time your bunny will learn what is OK to chew and what is not. But in the meantime here are some suggestions.

Things To Bunny Proof

Cords & Wires- Get them out of the way. Tape them to the wall where possible. Telephone wires came be chewed through in a second. For visible and accessible electric cords, get plastic sleeves to fit around them from any home improvement type store. We do not want to be able to tell the story about how our bunny was electrocuted.

Plants- Most plants are poisonous to rabbits (especially bulb plants) so keep them out of reach. Be careful also of leaves falling from hanging plants.

Books- If they can not be moved, use Plexiglas to shield them.

Escape Routes- Use baby gates to block off rooms that are out of bounds. We use appropriately sized plywood pieces as a blockade we can step over and bunny can not jump over (or she thinks she can’t). We do not want any “great escapes”. Linda has painted bunny scenes on both sides of the plywood in colors that compliment our décor. They are a conversational piece in themselves.

Hiding Places - Any crook and cranny can become a rabbit's hiding place. If you do not want a bunny camping out under your easy chair, you had better figure out a way to bunny-proof it. Shaped-to-size cardboard pieces are best for blocking passages behind the entertainment center, couch, easy chair, etc.

Appliances - Block off the spaces to the sides of them. A bunny can squeeze into the back and get the shock of her life (or death).

Baseboards & Doors- If chewing on these becomes a problem, you can install unfinished baseboards over the originals, or even try plastic molding. Plastic covers can be use for door corners. Some bunny owners rub an Ivory soap bar over the wood, and some even use Tobasco sauce. The drawback to this is it wears off and needs to be reapplied.

Wallpaper - Again, Plexiglas is a good solution.

Carpets & Rugs - Very tempting for rabbits, so again use lots of distractions. Get a straw mat that bunny can dig on, or fill a cardboard box with sand, peat moss, or shredded paper. Try using an old towel or sheet as a dig area. Bunnies can be stubborn so if there is a particular place she likes to dig you can cover it with plywood or Plexiglas, or you can rearrange your furniture (who really owns who here?).

Furniture- The legs can be wrapped in packaging tape (two sided tape works best), or bubble wrap, or cardboard, or plastic sleeves cut to fit. Or again, use Ivory soap, Tabasco sauce, or something similar.

Remote Controls - Bunnies love to chew off the buttons, and they can do it in a “bunny heartbeat”. Find a place of refuge for your remote control (who is training who here?).

Conclusion

Training a rabbit to chew only in appropriate places takes patience and time. Refrain from yelling (and never hit your bunny) when “crimes” are committed. Your rabbit is only doing what comes natural. Just use the word “No” in a strong way. Your bunny will learn that word the same as a child does. The more time your bunny spends out of her cage being socialized, the more her personality will flourish - and this includes her feelings. She will know when you are not pleased with her behavior.

Supervision of your bunny is key, and bunny proofing your house is a necessity. As time passes everyone learns their place. In the rabbit’s culture, position is based on dominance and hierarchy. Your bunny will learn you are the head of the warren, and bunny proofing the bunny’s play area will help make for a happy household.