Why do bunnies love to chew on everything, even things that aren't food? How do I keep my bunny safe from chewing things that may harm it? Will my belongings ever be safe from my bunny’s never-ending hunger for phone cords, baseboards, and furniture? Bunny-hop your way to success and find out below.
Why Do Bunnies Chew?
If you are familiar with pet rabbits, you know that they will chew anything in sight, including furniture, clothes, rugs, and even electronics (especially cords). But why do they do it? For bunnies, chewing is a normal and natural instinct. They chew because it makes them happy and helps them explore their environment. Also, bunnies have hypsodont teeth, which are open-rooted teeth that never stop growing. Animals with this type of dental profile need to chew on things to keep their teeth trimmed down. On top of that, bunnies have a strong instinct to nest, so they tend to get into things while they explore their environment. I'm sure you're wondering: What is a pet parent to do? Lettuce hop into some solutions!
Safety First
One thing you really don’t want is for your pet to accidentally injure themselves by chewing on an errant electrical cord while exploring its environment. The best way to keep your bunny safe and sound is to buy a sturdy nylon cable management system to guide cords out of the way and out of chewing range. If you can't guide cords out of the way, go for a chew-safe cord cover for pets. Safety is top priority; don't let your pet get into harm's way.
Contain the Situation
Bunnies need room to roam, but they probably don’t need to have free range of your entire home unless you’re directly supervising them. Controlling their living space makes it easier to prevent your belongings from becoming the target of a cute but destructive chewing frenzy! In terms of living space, your bunny needs a large pen so that it can happily move around and explore while still having room for toys, food, and a litter box. The best solution for this is to use a pet fence to section off a corner of your home for your bunny to live in. Look for an adjustable metal playpen where you can change the shape and size to fit your needs.
Safe Chewing Options
Since bunnies are instinctual chewers, they need safe chewing options built into their habitat and daily life. Did you know that fresh hay makes an excellent chew toy for your bunny? Not only is it fun for them to chew, it also helps with digestive health and maintains their dental health too. Looking for a fun way to feed hay to your bunny while appealing to its natural instinct to nest and hide? Try a Moss Hollow Hideout with Hay Feeder. With large walls which can be easily filled with their favourite hays. A combination of shelter and feeding station makes it great for outdoor enclosures as well as inside.
Bunnies also love apple sticks and the like. Special treats like these go a long way in supporting natural behaviours such as exploring, playing, hiding, and chewing. Make sure you are not giving your bunny any sticks you find outside, as you can't be sure that they haven't been treated with something that could harm them.
Rascally Rabbits
If your furry friend is particularly stubborn and will not stop chewing despite your best efforts, you need an anti-chew spray. These products are typically bitter-tasting sprays that you can spritz on furniture or clothing to deter chewing without harming your pet. Make sure your spray is bunny-safe with simple ingredients. And of course, don’t forget to spay or neuter your bunny as hormones can increase destructive behavior such as unwanted chewing.
Have any questions for us? We’re happy to help! Hop over to a Petland near you!
