I would like to have my Bunny free more often. He is out and about whenever I am home, but it would be nice to never have to lock him up.

I would let him run about the house while I'm out if he did not try to eat the walls and trim all the time! I live in an apartment so I don't want him ruining stuff. I have been thinking about what I can use to protect the base boards, at least in certain areas. 

Any good suggestions?
 

You can line the walls with a single layer of NIC grids and 2x4s as a space between the grids and the baseboards. That would protect the baseboards and the first 14 inches of wall. Another more long-term solution would be to get sheet of plexi-glass and attach them around the perimeters of the room.

Attaching thick cardboard to the base boards? It may attract him more but if he's going to chew there it's at least safe material. Someone on the fourms mentioned using plastic base boards (?) which the installed over carpet in bunny area. I wonder if these were large enough whether you could attach them over existing base boards? Might be pricey though.... coroplast might work...

jerseygirl, that was my first thought, cardboard. I like the idea of incorporating the cardboard idea and the spacer idea.
I did not think of spacers. I could just replace any cardboard that he makes his way through. It may be an eye sore though.. unless I got white cardboard. I'm afraid anything I do is going to look terrible.

Plexi-glass would be great. But probably pretty expensive. I was thinking of bun proofing my bedroom for him but after thinking it through, it will just be too hard with how everything is and the amount of corners, trim, and doors. It will be a gathillion times easier to proof the hallway and spare bathroom for him instead. I only walk through there to use the side door for laundry so it is a convenient space. I just may have enough grids to line the walls in the hallway. Since the spare bathroom is pretty much used as a walk-in closet, it doesn't much matter if it looks good in there.

Anymore ideas any of you veteran bunny proofers.

It is going to be an eyesore, unless you go the expensive route and put up something clear and permanent like plexi-glass.

As we always say: unfortunately, bunny-proofing isn't about making your home beautiful and "magazine-ready"... it's about making it safe for bun and less stressful for you. ;o)

But it's an interesting conversation starter when new people come over and ask you what's all over the walls?

I have faith in my creative ability enough to not have ugly bunny proofed walls!
I will think of something. Even if I use cardboard it is going to look good dang it!

I was just fishing for more ideas from you guys. I don't come here often enough to know all the tricks that are discussed.

I use cardboard for my baseboards. They really do not chew on it much. Every once in a while they will have a "baseboard" fixation moment, but nothing that can't be replaced! I like it cause it is cheap and easily replaceable.

You could try rubbing perfume on the baseboards. I learned this trick from my vet. Now I can't stand strong scents so remember you don't need much. But I spray just a tad on a paper towel and you can rub it on the places you want them to stay away from. I had to refresh it every few weeks. Note: For some bunnies this did not work so you just have really watch and see if it works for yours.

Edited to add:  There are bitter apple sprays that worked for two of my bunnies, but with Jack, he actually was drawn to it.  HOWEVER, there used to be a Grannicks bitter apple cream/gel and Jack hated that.  I think it was the heavy gel/cream texture that just stuck to his tongue and he would stay away from anything with that on it.    As Jack has aged, he doesn't seek out things to chew on - he's satisified with his toys so I don't have to worry about it anymore, thank goodness.

A previous member/leader had success with pure lemon oil and/or rubbing lemon rind on "NO NO" things to chew on. 

 

Let us know what ends up working for you. 

 

oooh, perfume is a neat idea. Too bad my roomie is allergic to many scents and get headaches from them :/
I might see if there is something that she is not allergic to.

I could sauce the walls with something else that taste bad maybe.
hrmmm. What about that pet stuff that people spray in areas they want their cat or dog to stay away from?
It seems like it might be too strong of a thing to try. It would probably not be good to eat. Plus he would have to be around it.
maybe some sort of soap. Dish soap would be pretty safe, but it might not taste or smell bad to him.
I think I will try that on his favorite wall corner and see what he does.

You could also try rubbing it with a bit of white vinegar. It shouldn't smell very strong to you after a short time, but retain a bitter scent to the bunny.

I put down some seagrass mattes around the baseboards that prevents Sammy from pulling up the edges of the carpet. She lies on them.

Often I've noticed that things that aren't particularly tasty, when given an alternative chew toy nearby, don't get chewed on after a while. It's more like they taste everything, then come back for what was interesting.

Actually, on dish soap, someone mentioned that rubbing plain Dove soap in places helped for them. Bunnytowne mentioned a liniment that works also - like something you rub into sore muscles - I cannot remember the name. Maybe it has menthol on it...