How Do I Keep My Carpet Intact?

[Kristen]

My two month old Lionhead Bunny has taken a sudden interest in pulling out and eating carpet threads. She has a huge two-story indoor hutch to herself during the day and about 3 hours of outside-the-cage time once I get home. She has LOTS of toys and cardboard boxes and straw tunnels to play and dig in- does anyone have any advice for me…I’m a new bunny mama and I want to give her play time but not if she’s going to eat carpet and make herself sick!

[sarahthegemini]

I don’t know, I suppose you could put mats and blankets down? She needs more than 3 hours out of her cage tho.

[jerseygirl]

They really seem to like the resistance they get when pulling on things like carpet fibres. Similar to how dogs like tug toys. I supposr it is a bit like pulling at grass or plant roots for them.

To prevent it, you may have to try divert her to another activity and put something heavy (like a tile) over spots of carpet she’s attracted too. I would actually construct something that gives her the same feel of pulling. Like using a heavy wooden board with some holes drilled in it, then using zipties to secure a grass mat down to it.

At her age, you are probably going to see some more of these type behaviours. Sometimes it increases as a bun reaches puberty, but for some, it’s their fave activitiy for a lifetime.

[Kristen]

My vet is the one who recommended 3 hours, and above all else I follow her recommendations.

jerseygirl, I think you’re right! I got a seagrass rug and laid that down under her play area, and she loves to pull at it. I also made a dig box and plenty of tunnels and got some chew toys, and I *think* I have a solution to preserve the carpet. Thanks for your help!!!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Kristen on 7/19/2017 3:38 PM

My vet is the one who recommended 3 hours, and above all else I follow her recommendations.

jerseygirl, I think you’re right! I got a seagrass rug and laid that down under her play area, and she loves to pull at it. I also made a dig box and plenty of tunnels and got some chew toys, and I *think* I have a solution to preserve the carpet. Thanks for your help!!!

Your vet clearly isn’t familiar with rabbits then if he/she believes 3 hours out of cage is adequate. 

[Willow Lien]

No matter how many dig/chew toys, etc. I give my buns they will still ruin forbidden things. Your plan seems ot be working. I choose not to let ,my buns out of their rooms except for lap time because they are so destructive.

[Rosie316]

I’ve had the same problem! First 3-4 hours is usually good out of cage time and since he’s a baby he’ll be fine. For your carpet find the places he chews and put a blanket down and then newspaper so he can destroy that instead. On top of it put a 5 pound weight or something so he can’t move the newspaper and blanket to chew the carpet. Hope I helped

[sarahthegemini]

The House Rabbit Society says 4 to 6 hours is the bare minimum out of cage time they need…..

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