This is so cool... I just happened upon it while checking out a craigslist near where my nana lives in my constant bunny search.

http://ithaca.craigslist.org/pet/12...58896.html

They're doing a study at Cornell trying to figure out destructive chewing in rabbits... it looks like they think it's a nutrition thing!  They're also giving all the supplies!  Sooo cool!

That's an interesting concept. I would like to hear the results of the study. Makes me wonder if their website would be worth checking out for additional rabbit information. I am familiar with Cornell's reputation as an excellent school.

To me, Cornell's always been super-cheap healthcare (vet students only have a slightly higher fatality rate than actual veterinarians I think) and cows with plexiglass plates on their abdomens so you can see inside. I was actually on their site yesterday trying to find the cost for a rabbit neuter. Up here it's been $250 at both places I've checked... definitely cheaper to go to the shelter =p... or buy a Peter's Rabbit.

I have heard that a lack of fiber can be part of the reason. Though I know other things can play a part, (boredom, aggression due to hormones, stress etc) I know both Rucy and Jack will start destroying things when they are under stress, like chew and dig up the towels when they are at the vets, or when they return, they throw a temper tantrum, but as far as long-term destruction I would definitely be interested to know what role diet plays! I will check into this!

At my house, destruction is realted to lack of diet!!! If Lady Stanley's pellet dish is empty or she has eaten all the "perfect" pieces of hay - boy do we have a tantrum!!! Mind you there could be a pile of hay and a pile of greens there, but not exactly what she thinks should be there!!!! My son told her last night that she must be the devil's child!!!

I just emailed the person that placed the ad and it sounds like a very interesting study! The person said they would let me know what the results were.
I also told them that they could post in the forum as well if they felt it would help. They may have all they need, but they sure could do some surveys and such with a bunch of rabbit people all in one place here. So we'll see. But regardless, I will look forward to the results - won't be until October.

I want to go to Cornell to become a vet, I have heard that it is a very good school! The only thing I dislike about it is that they don't allow animals in the dorms! They should even thought most colleges don't...

 

That is a interesting study they are doing, I will be interested to see the results, I would voulenteer Fern but she is not a destructive chewer at all, she only chews cardboard.

Moonlight_Wolf, that really stinks that they don't permit animals in the dorm... you should state in yor housing application that they are part of a long--term research project you are conducting upon which your final thesis paper will be based! That way you could argue that they have to stay in the dorm all the way until you garduate! Only thing is, you will have to do an actual study on them.... hmmm... lemme think... how about

"Animal Behaviour in Dorms" ......???!!!!
 

Yeah that's really weird... my college allowed caged animals... as in no dogs, cats, or ferrets. I think cornell lets you board your horses there, like they do at that private school downstate... whatever it's called... prestigious liberal arts place? with snooty people who must bring their horses, apparently.

Oh moonlight you're from pittsford? I've gone to pittsford a whole lot lately... ever since my bf found the ben and jerry's there. Well since you're from pittsford... I went to U of R where we were allowed animals. This one girl had a dog for "anxiety issues" and there was a whole law suit about it... they ended up letting her have it for a semester then making her move off campus after that. I was on the school's side, the girl got the dog after she'd been here a year and she didn't even ask if it was okay before she got him.

Oh, also, it does make sense that it would have to do with fiber or something like that... people definitely crave random foods when they're missing a nutrient. In My Side of the Mountain, the kid eats mushrooms he thinks are poisonous because he craves them for some reason... finds out later it had a trace element he was missing.

I went to Cornell for undergrad and it makes me so proud to read about studies and papers being published from there. I've even briefly considering applying to their vet program, but that's mostly on the days I can't stand my current job

I'm really curious to hear what they find out!

Moonlight_Wolf: They don't allow animals in the dorms, but vets students live in off campus housing anyway and most that I knew had plenty of pets. Only undergrad students live in dorms, and there are plenty of apartments to move to after freshman year (some allow pets, some don't, but I had gerbils and my landlord never noticed). Also, I was just in Pittsford last weekend visiting my mother-in-law. What a cute town!