Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Ideas on encouraging rabbit to chew

Viewing 9 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • ButterBuns
      Participant
      18 posts Send Private Message

        Hi! Pretty new to this site. I have a bun named Butter, just had him neutered, and lives in a 5ft by 4 ft enclosed space in a garage that I share with 5 other people. Keep in mind, this is all the space he’ll ever get since our living space isnt the greatest. Living in a metropolitan city is ridiculous!

        Anyways since his neutering, Butter is only interested in digging and chewing up old t-shirts and occasionally the pear twigs I sometimes snag from the landlord’s pear tree. He doesn’t seem to be interested in any toys, cardboard or willow branches that I got from an art store. My only fear is that he’s potentially ingesting the cotton threads which I know can lead to other hygiene issues.

        He is potty trained and goes on top of shredded newspaper.

        Any advice on getting my bun to munch/chew on something else besides fabric would be great!


      • bonilla&BUB
        Participant
        70 posts Send Private Message

          I use willow branches that are from our neighbourhood willow tree. Do you have willow trees near you? I use cardboard as well. I have a stuffed animal in their cage and towels that they love digging on. I haven’t seem them ingest much of the towel though –

          Try a toilet paper roll stuffed with timothy or orchard hay! It works great. That and maybe try a tossable willow ball. If your bun is eating lots of timothy hay, I think his teeth will be fine, if that is what you’re worried abou!


        • BunnyFriends
          Participant
          383 posts Send Private Message

            Sometimes I rub a little banana on the toys to make it smell good Works for Licorice, and Winnie loves her toyd with or without it.


          • ButterBuns
            Participant
            18 posts Send Private Message

              Thank you so much for the suggestions!

               Unfortunately, there aren’t any willow trees around my area. He doesn’t chew any of the willow toys I got him off of Amazon either. He eats lots of hay though. I have a water and pellet feeder in there too. I’ll try the stuffed toilet rolls and see where it goes.


            • Stormybun
              Participant
              62 posts Send Private Message

                I tried this for my rabbit, and it seemed to work. Boil some water on the stove top, once it gets bubbly and hot, pour the water into a large glass bowl and put a few pieces of fruit in the water. Let them set for a minute and use a fork to smash them up (berries are the easiest). Put chew stick in the water and let it set till the water is room temperature. The stick should have a fruit-like flavor, tempting Butter to chew it.


              • ButterBuns
                Participant
                18 posts Send Private Message

                  That sounds like an awesome idea! Thanks a bunchies!


                • Yoyo
                  Participant
                  98 posts Send Private Message

                    Posted By Stormybun on 1/12/2017 7:59 PM

                    I tried this for my rabbit, and it seemed to work. Boil some water on the stove top, once it gets bubbly and hot, pour the water into a large glass bowl and put a few pieces of fruit in the water. Let them set for a minute and use a fork to smash them up (berries are the easiest). Put chew stick in the water and let it set till the water is room temperature. The stick should have a fruit-like flavor, tempting Butter to chew it.

                    What a great idea, Stormy! I love it. I am going to give that a try, just to see how my bun reacts lol


                  • sarahthegemini
                    Participant
                    5584 posts Send Private Message

                      Posted By Stormybun on 1/12/2017 7:59 PM

                      I tried this for my rabbit, and it seemed to work. Boil some water on the stove top, once it gets bubbly and hot, pour the water into a large glass bowl and put a few pieces of fruit in the water. Let them set for a minute and use a fork to smash them up (berries are the easiest). Put chew stick in the water and let it set till the water is room temperature. The stick should have a fruit-like flavor, tempting Butter to chew it.

                      That is genius! My buns don’t need encouragement to chew but this sounds like a great idea anyway! Thanks for sharing


                    • sarahthegemini
                      Participant
                      5584 posts Send Private Message

                        Just thinking – could he be bored and/or lonely? Some bunnies go off toys when they’re depressed, I know yours is digging at fabrics but I’m wondering if loneliness is possibly contributing to his behaviour. 5ft by 4ft really isn’t a lot of space and he’s on his own.

                        Edit: Just spotted another post of yours that says you have two buns so ignore what I wrote ^ ^


                      • ButterBuns
                        Participant
                        18 posts Send Private Message

                          I have 2 buns now, but they’re separated since I just got one spayed recently.

                      Viewing 9 reply threads
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                      Forum BEHAVIOR Ideas on encouraging rabbit to chew