Baby Bunny Behavior Question

[Elrohwen]

I’m full of bunny questions today! My baby bun is acting like a baby and putting everything in his mouth. He’s in a safe area where he’s allowed to chew everything, but lately when I get in with him, he tries chewing my clothes  I know this is totally natural and he just wants to see what they’re like, but I don’t want him to get the idea that chewing clothing is ok. I’ve been saying no in a no-nonsense voice then if he continues to do it, I lightly push his head away and hope he finds something else to chew. Is this the correct approach? I don’t want to break out the spray bottle yet if I don’t have to, but I’m not sure if my approach will be effective.

Also, he’s been chewing all of his toys and it seems like he’s eating some of them, specifically an unfinished wooden box that he uses to jump on and get into and out of his cage. Should I take it away from him? Maybe put some no-chew stuff on it? Is it really a problem if he eats a little bit of it every once in a while? Also, he can only get to it when he’s supervised (he’s only allowed out when we’re home), so he’s not spending all day scarfing down wood or anything.

[Sarita]

I hate the spray bottle too. I think you can try your approach first but I’m not certain how totally effective it will be either. You could try the high squeal too if he’s not too sensitive – sometimes that works.

I would not worry about the wooden box – I think it’s appropriate for him to chew that – he’s probably just chewing it not consuming it.

As for the no-chew stuff – most rabbits like that stuff so it’s not terribly effective.

[Elrohwen]

I tried the high squeal once when he got some skin under my jeans, but he didn’t seem to notice  Lol He might be cautious with his surroundings, but he’s not shy of people at all, that’s for sure. I know my squeal works with puppies, but it didn’t phase him. I think I may have a bold little bunny on my hands. At least he’s not going for skin on purpose yet and only tasting the clothes that happen to have skin under them.

[Elrohwen]

Oh, and about the box, after he chews a bit, he stops and I can hear his molars going, so I do think he’s eating it. Plus, there’s never any wood left on the floor around the box like there would be if he was just chewing and spitting out. That’s why it makes me a little nervous. When my gerbils chew things, it’s pretty clear that they’re spitting it out again afterwards.

[jerseygirl]

Like the avatar! Since he’s big on chewing (which can be his form of play) try giving him some more robust hay. Less leafy, more stems. Might as well develop good habits now. You could also put a large stick of safe wood across the length of the cage maybe, so it’s sort of secured down. He can gnaw to his hearts delight. Not sure for baby bunnies would would be appropriate. Willow, Apple wood?
Sometimes, it can be their way of showing affection or playfulness.

[Elrohwen]

Oh, he’s got lots of things to chew, Jersey , and he runs around chewing all of them, but if I’m sitting in his xpen, that includes my jeans! Haha. I know he’s just being a baby, but I don’t him to get into bad habits. Biting visitors’ legs isn’t really polite, even if he’s just going for the fabric . I’ve started sitting outside the xpen gate (with the gate open) so I can still pet him and play with him if he comes over, but he can’t reach my pants. He’s only really nippy when he gets in that excited play mode, so I’ve been trying to sit back and let him get his energy out without my body parts in the way  Then when he’s calmer I can sit with him and he’s less likely to take big bites of me. And he never goes for skin, so I might start wearing shorts around him.

The only thing he chews for any length of time is his timothy tunnel. Everything else he takes one or two bites, then runs away to find something else. ADD bunny, haha. I’ll definitely try the hay suggestion, and since he likes the hay in the timothy tunnel I’m sure he’ll enjoy that.

Any other discipline ideas I can use when he goes for my clothes? He does seem to be beginning to understand “no” when he’s calm, but when he’s wound up he doesn’t really pay attention.

[3crazybuns]

I had to laugh when I read about your baby chewing your pants, Oreo started doing that about 2 days ago, I just tell him “NO!” and push him away, and somewhat down (gently of course!) and he has quit already! I’m sure why, or what part of it worked, but it has worked with him well, he has tons of stuff to chew on, and play with, and plenty of “out” time, he just all the sudden decided my pants where better, but now he knows thats not the best choice!

Best of luck to you and your baby! =)

[Elrohwen]

Haha, I’m glad someone else is going through it! I do think he’s kind of learning the word “no”, but he gets really worked up and excited and pretends like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about  Silly buns. Hopefully he’ll stop doing it soon! He’s such a sweetie otherwise.

[MooBunnay]

Haha – have you noticed he takes a bite of your pants if he isn’t petting you? My adult bunnies will always dig at me and bite my clothes if I’m anywhere near them and not petting them. It is their way of saying PET ME!

[BinkyBunny]

Ahhh, he whole pants with holes thing! In the bunny proofing section I think there is photo of a pair of my holey jeans – designed by bunnies. LOL.

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