Just moved rabbit into new cage and noticed a complete change in behaviour.

[Deleted User]

I moved my 7 month old rabbit into a larger cage in my bedroom and she as just started to chew on the bars of the cage. She prefers to chew on the bars of the cages than her chew toys.
Whilst she is chewing on the bars I stick some cardboard in front of her and convince her to chew that instead. This works until she pulls it out of my hand. Then she starts chewing on the bars again.

What i am struggling to understand is why she is chewing on the bars whilst she is in a bigger cage and not a smaller one.

I have recently naught a new bag of hay. She was eating the same brand and type before but it is a new bag.

I have orders a new x pen for her as my dog broke the old one. It is on its way. Hopefully once I set that up around her cage she won’t chew on them as often.

I have been thinking it could be hormones but I 5hink it’s allitle wierd haw it all started when I never her into her now cage.

[Wick & Fable]

A rabbit does not understand the idea of “wow, this is bigger than what my home was before! I’m much more satisfied with this!”

Also, rabbits don’t view cages as enclosed homes — most of the time, it’s walls obstructing them from going where they want.

So, these are natural behaviors. Honestly, I moved Wick into a larger cage in my bedroom and after a week, I just defaulted to letting him be free roam while I shut the bedroom door. You’ll need to figure out what works best for you and your setting, but know you can’t change that behavior easily since it’s so inherent to rabbits and they don’t understand that the cage is better than before.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Hazel]

What Wick said. Also, Bunnies enjoy chewing on things that don’t move around. As you said, she chewed the cardboard as long as you were holding it. You can try attaching some cardboard to the cage bars for her to chew on, it definitely works for our bun. Ripping stuff to shreds is just a lot easier if it’s stationary.

[Deleted User]

Thank you. But earlier today I was just holding the card board close to her and she started growling. Now if she is chewing on her bars of her cage and I sit next to get she will growl at me. She was tame before I moved her into her new cage. But maybe it is because she is stressed. I will try zip-tying some cars board on her cage. Thank you.

[ThorBunny]

Is she spayed? Often young female rabbits can have a quick behavioral change when they enter puberty.

[Wick & Fable]

Also since it’s a new environment, she may not readily recognize you and gets defensive. Remember rabbits just see their level, so a huge human is identified in parts. Wick doesn’t recognize me when I get home until I crouch down and put my face at his ground level.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

I am going to get her spayed soon. She doesn’t growl anymore. I have recently baught a chew stopper. That works pretty well. I just spray the bars every morning and she doesn’t chew. I got her some sticks that I put through the bar of the cage. She enjoys chewing on them. Thankyou for your help.

[Author]

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