Why do rabbits eat their hutch

Scatter new toys inside your rabbit's cage. If your rabbit is chewing out of boredom, offer a few new toys. Check your local pet store for toys that your rabbit can chew or make some yourself!

Take an empty toilet paper roll and stuff it with hay or veggies before putting it in the cage or hang pinecones from a sisal rope, for instance. It might start chewing its cage again if it gets bored with the same old chew toys. Give your rabbit a chance to run around or burrow. Your rabbit might be feeling cooped up, especially if it doesn't have a lot of space in its cage. Set up an enclosed space outside or in your house where it's safe for your rabbit to run and stretch its legs.

Your rabbit can explore or dig while it's out of its cage, which can reduce chewing out of boredom. These are great times to let your rabbit out of its cage for a run or a chance to play.

If you don't have a safe space for the rabbit to run, find a large cardboard box and fill it at least half full with hay. Set your rabbit in the box and leave it to burrow. Play with your rabbit every day. To reduce boredom chewing, play with your rabbit at least a few times a day. Set out stacking cups or blocks for your rabbit to knock over or get down on its level and roll a ball over to it. You could also set out papers or snacks for your rabbit to "steal.

Consider getting another rabbit to provide company. Rabbits love company so if you leave your rabbit alone for most of the day, it might chew on its cage because it's frustrated or lonely. Giving your rabbit a rabbit companion can make it happier so it doesn't feel the need to chew as much. The cage should be large enough for both rabbits to stretch out completely.

This is a common thing many rabbit owners complain about. He might need more toys. He also needs to bond with you. Spend time bonding with him by laying down, and setting treats on yourself. He won't bite you like a rabid dog, he only bites when he feels pressured and unsafe. You need to bond with him. Try giving him treats more often, and talking to him in a happy tone. Let him out more. Show him love. Handle him correctly, and reduce the amounts of times you reach into his cage.

When you open his cage, let him come to you, not the other way around. It may take weeks, but truthfully, a mean rabbit is just a frightened, confused rabbit. Yes No. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you're concerned that your rabbit isn't healthy and the chewing might be tied to a medical condition, don't hesitate to talk with a vet.

Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0. Or you may be visiting our website for the first time looking for a hutch. Our rabbit and guinea pig hutches are made to a higher standard than most in our price range and we are very proud of our range and the constant feedback we get from customers is that the quality surpasses expectation.

But no rabbit hutch available in the U. It doesn't matter if it's made from wood or plastic. We have personally asked most of our competitors when researching this article and none claimed to be chew proof or would guarantee that damage wouldn't occur if a rabbit chewed at the wood. So if your rabbit or guinea pig turns out to be one of those frustrating minority that tend to chew and they are simply given free rein to chew at parts of their hutch for an extended period of time, then inevitably they are going to cause damage to it.

We've made a host of suggestions and preventative measures to take immediately, should they start their unwanted chewing. If you make a genuine effort and put the welfare of your pet front and centre and follow our suggestions listed above, then you are not going to have an issue with unwanted behaviour.

Rabbits and Guinea pigs make loving and intelligent pets and can be a cheaper and better alternative for some than having a cat or dog. Here's why rabbits need to chew. Could your rabbit be bored? Consider a companion. Rabbits should always be kept in pairs or more. Because, your rabbit may just want to be sociable. Give them more space. Or you can invest in a standalone run and use connectors and tubes to join the two.

Is it a sign of frustration? Make their environment more stimulating. So provide plenty of alternatives on which your rabbit can safely chew. Make sure you are supplying plenty of hay as well.

It might be an age thing. Age and hormones can play a very big part in unwanted chewing. Taking preventative measures. So the onus has to be on you to take preventative measures. The most common starting point is bitter sprays.

There are a variety of anti-chew sprays on the market which work to varying degrees. Amazon stock a range of sprays click here or try your local pet shop or Pets Home store Below are a few readibly available brands. How to train a rabbit. Protect and prevent them from accessing the area. They can rather eat this and you can simply replace the pieces as needed.

Thinking of buying a hutch? We've made a host of suggestions and preventative measures to take immediately, should they start their unwanted chewing If you make a genuine effort and put the welfare of your pet front and centre and follow our suggestions listed above, then you are not going to have an issue with unwanted behaviour. Rabbits like the sound they make, and will play with them for hours. This is dangerous. If your rabbit gets access to a plastic bag, remove it quickly. Vinyl is a popular addition to many homes, especially the kitchen.

Rabbits like vinyl due to the challenge that it represents. If laid appropriately, vinyl can be tough to pull up and remove. Not for a rabbit, though. Vinyl is tough. If the pieces are small enough, they may swallow them. Whether by accident or design, the result will be the same. Did you use glue or staples to lay the vinyl? These can be harmful to a rabbit if licked or swallowed. Vinyl is available in other forms. Some owners use vinyl tubing to cover electrical wires, or the bars on a rabbit cage.

There are better options. Wire fences are often used to keep rabbits out of gardens. It requires patience, but rabbits are determined creatures. Wire mesh is also a popular component of all rabbit hutches. Applying something solid, like a sheet of PVC, would deprive the occupants of oxygen. It comes in various forms, and some of them are easy for a rabbit to chew through. This means that your rabbit could make a late-night escape by biting through their wire.

Chicken wire, for example, is thin. As the name suggests, it is commonly used in chicken coops. They can work through chicken wire with little effort. Hardware cloth is a sturdier alternative. This commercially available form of wire mesh will keep your rabbit safe and secure. The Rabbit House has insights into the recommended width and application. You should consider why your rabbit is determined to chew through the wire on their hutch.

Common explanations for this behavior include:. Eventually, a rabbit can gnaw through any form of wood. Your rabbit should never be permitted to chew on varnished, finished wood. The chemicals involved in the treating of this material could be harmful.

If your rabbit is a determined chewer, assign them a piece of wood.