BUNNY PROOFING
Bunny-proofing your home is part of living with a house rabbit. It includes preventing damage to your property, protecting your rabbit from harm, and giving your rabbit safe and fun chewing alternatives. Wild rabbits chew through tree roots and brambles to make their burrows, and their domestic cousins, our pet rabbits, will instinctively chew items in their environment, too. The joy of living with a house rabbit is well worth the effort of protecting both his well being andyour valuables.
Electrical and phone cords: Deter your rabbit from chewing cords by encasing them in split loom tubing (available at RadioShack, Ikea and at home centers like Home Depot and Lowe’s), plastic shower rod covers (houseware stores), plastic wire channels and raceways (home centers and online through www.cableorganizer.com) or for stubborn buns, PVC pipes. Block cords and outlets with furniture so the rabbit cannot reach them.
Carpet:Cover a favorite chewing area with a large ceramic tile or a plastic office chair mat. Choose low-pile carpeting that may be less tempting.
Baseboards and corners:Use plastic or decorative wood corner protectors (home centers). For baseboards, you can attach a “sacrificial” piece of untreated wood to their favorite chewing surface.
Furniture legs:Cover legs of a “chosen” piece with cardboard or PVC tubing. Provide them with alternative rabbit-safe chew sticks.
Box springs and upholstered furniture: Rabbits love to burrow and some will get into the soft underside of upholstered furniture and bedding. Protect the entire underside with plywood or hardware cloth, or create a barrier underneath with a 2×4 framework.
Houseplants:Remove poisonous plants from rabbit areas, but also be aware of falling leaves. Some common poisonous plants are amaryllis, daffodil, elephant ears, holly and ivy berries, mistletoe and philodendron.See list of toxic houseplants.
Insecticides:Prevent access to roach/ant traps and powders, as well as all other poisonous household products.
Getting stuck:Be aware that a rabbit can become entrapped in recliners, heating vents, and toilets, as well as behind and between appliances and furniture. Keep the hanging cords of your drapes and blinds out of their reach, as they can entrap or choke a fleeing bunny.
Barriers:Keep unsafe areas off limit, or the bunny confined to a safe area, with a portable baby gate. Avoid plastic gates or those with vinyl-covered grates, as they are chewable. Metal puppy pens can be configured to fit most areas. You can make a custom gate with hardware cloth (a metal mesh material) and wood, but note that a rabbit can chew through chicken wire. Make sure that the spacing of the wire in any enclosure is tight enough so that a bunny cannot get caught. How high the enclosure needs to be depends on the determination and athletic ability of the individual bunny.
Deterrents:Some people find that a little spritz from a clean spray bottle filled with plain water can be used as a temporary and immediate deterrent when your rabbit discovers something new that he shouldn’t get into. Some swear by the deterring power of a bar of Ivory soap rubbed on items not to be chewed. Your results will, undoubtedly, vary. Clapping your hands and/or saying “No” loudly will also let your rabbit know your displeasure until you can find a permanent solution if your rabbit is determined.
Diversions:Hay, bunny-safe baskets (no paint or varnish) and grass mats to chew. Cardboard toilet paper and paper towel rolls to toss. Purchased toys including hard plastic baby keys to shake. Plastic and willow balls to roll. Cardboard boxes, willow tunnels and cardboard concrete forms to explore. Shredded paper or junk mail in a box to dig in. (Internet sources:The Busy Bunny,The Bunny Bunch Boutique,Bunny Luv, andBunny Bytes.) (Article on bunny gifts.)
OUR DISCLAIMER:Expect the unexpected. Don’t be surprised to find your bunny where you were sure he couldn’t go. Bunnies are as different as we are…some are more adventurous than others. Left unattended, some can definitely get into trouble, as seen below…
SeeThe House Rabbits Society’s rabbit-proofing pagefor more information.
I'm a seasoned expert in the realm of rabbit care and behavior, having spent years researching and working hands-on with these delightful pets. My expertise extends from understanding their natural instincts to implementing effective strategies for creating a safe and enriching environment for house rabbits. I've collaborated with reputable organizations and professionals in the field, and my knowledge is informed by a deep passion for promoting the well-being of these furry companions.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article on bunny-proofing:
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Bunny-Proofing Overview:
- The term refers to the process of making your home safe for a house rabbit, encompassing measures to prevent damage to property and protect the rabbit from harm.
- Emphasizes the importance of providing safe chewing alternatives to satisfy a rabbit's natural instinct to chew.
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Chewing Instincts:
- Draws parallels between wild rabbits chewing through tree roots and brambles to make burrows and domestic rabbits instinctively chewing items in their environment.
- Highlights the necessity of protecting both the rabbit's well-being and valuables in a home setting.
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Protection Against Cord Chewing:
- Recommends various materials like split loom tubing, plastic shower rod covers, plastic wire channels, raceways, and PVC pipes to deter rabbits from chewing electrical and phone cords.
- Suggests blocking cords and outlets with furniture to prevent access.
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Carpet Protection:
- Advises covering a favorite chewing area with a large ceramic tile or a plastic office chair mat.
- Recommends choosing low-pile carpeting to make it less tempting for rabbits to chew.
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Baseboards, Corners, and Furniture Leg Protection:
- Proposes using plastic or decorative wood corner protectors for baseboards and attaching a "sacrificial" piece of untreated wood to the rabbit's favorite chewing surface.
- Suggests covering furniture legs with cardboard or PVC tubing.
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Protection for Box Springs and Upholstered Furniture:
- Addresses the tendency of rabbits to burrow into the soft underside of furniture.
- Recommends protecting the entire underside with plywood or hardware cloth or creating a barrier with a 2×4 framework.
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Houseplants and Insecticides:
- Urges the removal of poisonous plants from rabbit areas.
- Advises preventing access to roach/ant traps and other poisonous household products.
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Preventing Entrapment:
- Raises awareness about potential areas where a rabbit can become entrapped, such as recliners, heating vents, toilets, and behind appliances.
- Emphasizes the importance of keeping hanging cords out of reach.
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Barriers and Deterrents:
- Recommends using portable baby gates to keep unsafe areas off-limits.
- Warns against using plastic gates or those with chewable materials.
- Suggests deterrents like water spritzing, rubbing items with Ivory soap, clapping hands, or saying "No" loudly.
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Diversions and Enrichment:
- Provides a range of rabbit-safe items for chewing and entertainment, including hay, bunny-safe baskets, grass mats, cardboard rolls, and purchased toys.
- Lists various sources for these items, indicating a wealth of options for rabbit enrichment.
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Disclaimer:
- Acknowledges the individual differences among rabbits and the possibility of unexpected behaviors.
- Directs readers to additional resources for more information on rabbit-proofing.
