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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.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Chewing on cage bars?!

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    • Tim&Alfie
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        Hey all!

        Recently, Alfie has been chewing on the bars of his x-pen. It is quite loud, and I’m worried he will harm himself. He seems to chew the most around 5 a.m., which (as you can imagine) is quite disturbing. I’ve tried saying NO or STOP, but it only seems to stop him for a second. Tim sometimes chews as well, but not as much. They seem to chew more when they can see each other, as they are separate now. (They are scheduled to be neutered soon.) I covered the side of Timothy’s cage where they can see each other with a sheet, but Alfie was still chewing this morning.  Are they chewing because of frustration? Aggression? Hormones? And how do I stop them? I don’t want my buns to get hurt! 


      • Shadow13
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          My bunny does this all the time to and it’s very annoying when I say no or stop he stops for a second as then starts chewing. So we have the same problem. But once I figured out a way he only chews when I’m awake. All I do is put a blanket over the side of the cage that my bunny chews. And he stops. In the morning I take it off and he starts chewing but it’s better then him chewing at night.


        • Tim&Alfie
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            That sounds like it might work, but I’m afraid he will chew the blanket instead. Alfie is a very determined little guy XD I thought obstructing his view of his brother would help, but it seems to have encouraged him more!!!


          • sarahthegemini
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              He could be chewing bars due to boredom and frustration. How long does he get out of his xpen?


            • Tim&Alfie
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                I try to let them each out at least 4 hours a day, but this can be difficult. I have to constantly supervise them, because they will try to stick their heads through the bars to see the bun who isn’t out, and sometimes they nip at each other. They even start to thump and grunt! I don’t know if this is aggression, or if they just want to be near each other and are annoyed that they aren’t. Although they cannot see or reach each other from their cages, I cannot completely separate them, as their cages are made of an x-pen divided in half (so it’s still connected). I would love to let Alfie out at night to run, but I am worried about them seeing each other.


              • Shadow13
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                  If you try the blanket during the day when he is supervised by you then you can see if he will chew it.

                  Rabbits need 6-8 hours out of their cage each day. It’s even better if it’s more then 8 hours. I know it’s hard to find the time to leave your rabbit out as much as they need to but your rabbit will be a lot happier.


                • Tim&Alfie
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                    Thanks Shadow! I will experiment with that and post and update later.


                  • Tim&Alfie
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                      A little update:
                      I let both buns out yesterday for about 4 hours each (since I have to let them out separately I can’t do a full 8 hours but once they’re neutered and bonded I will). I also covered Alfie’s cage with a sheet, and no chewing last night! Tim did a little, but stopped when I took him out for a minute right before bed.
                      Thanks again everyone!

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                  Forum BEHAVIOR Chewing on cage bars?!