Indoor rabbits that dig repeatedly at carpet, flooring, or curtains are demonstrating that they are stressed and frustrated. This is frequently caused by inadequate enrichment, lack of companionship, or ill-health.
Why does my bunny keep trying to dig?
Rabbits dig because it is a natural and instinctive behavior. Digging is a way for rabbits to have fun and occupy themselves when they are feeling stressed or bored. Many rabbits have also learned that digging is a way they can ask for attention from their human caretakers.
How do I stop my indoor rabbit from digging?
You can put down plexiglass, plastic floor mats (like those for under office chairs), linoleum, floor tiles, heavy mats (like entrance mats), grass mats, or move furniture to cover or block areas your rabbit favors. If your rabbit wants to dig your furniture, cover it with heavy throws or blankets to protect it.
Why does my bunny keep digging and biting me?
A rabbit may dig at your lap or feet because it wants to play. Also, depending on if it also nips or bites you, it may be trying to establish dominance. Cute as digging may appear, it can be damaging to your clothes and skin. As such, you may wish to train your rabbit to stop digging on people.
Do rabbits dig when they are happy?
If your bunny shows actions of exploring, digging, jumping and chewing, it most likely means they are happy. To have the perfect playtime, you should make a safe play area with other furry friends. It’s also a great idea to create obstacles that they can jump through, run around, and hide in.
Why does my bunny keep digging in her litter box?
Boredom. Rabbits are alert, intelligent, and curious little animals, and they like having toys to play with. If their habitat is boring, and doesn’t contain things to engage them, then they will resort to finding activity and stimulation wherever they can. For example by digging over their litter box.
Why does my rabbit dig at the carpet?
Digging is built into your rabbit’s genetic code. Rabbits dig to build tunnels, to create a comfortable spot to rest, and to manipulate their environment and the things in it. In the natural environment your rabbit would be digging at soil, the problem is, you’ve covered the soil over with carpet.
How do you entertain a rabbit?
Unwanted Cardboard boxes and newspaper always make fun toys. Cut rabbit sized holes in two sides of a large cardboard box, then at the bottom fill with scrunched up newspaper, hay or anything rummage-worthy. Your rabbit can burrow through, searching for perhaps a few treats amongst it all.
What can I give my rabbit to chew on?
Items that are safe for rabbits to chew on:
- hay!
- apple, willow, aspen branches.
- pine firewood.
- cotton towels.
- untreated fresh pine lumber attached to cage so it doesn’t move–piece of molding, 1″x2″s, or 2″x4″s.
- basket with hay in it–let the bun chew the basket as well as the hay.
- compressed alfalfa cubes.
How do I play with my pet rabbit?
How to play with a rabbit
- Think about the rabbit’s perspective. Rabbits have the instincts to chew, dig, and forage.
- Learn about rabbit body language.
- Stay on your rabbit’s level.
- Don’t force your rabbit.
- Pay attention to time of day.
- Play with your rabbit frequently.
- Use small pieces of treats.
How do you punish a rabbit for biting?
Squeal. If your rabbit nips or bites you (sometimes rabbits nip when they want something or want your attention – it’s not always aggressive): give a high-pitched squeal as soon as she nips or bites you. This will let her know that she hurt you and she should not nip or bite you.
How do you enrich a rabbit’s life?
Ideas for environmental enrichment for rabbits include:
- Hiding places and platforms in their hutch.
- Toys and objects to manipulate, investigate, encourage play and allow digging and scent marking.
- Dietary enrichment — provide food in a way that encourages your rabbits to forage for or work for their food.
Why does my rabbit scratch me when I pick it up?
It’s much more likely that your rabbit is simply afraid. Young rabbits may not know the difference between you and a predator, so they may try to escape your grasp by scratching or biting. Only once a rabbit is comfortable around you will it stop scratching to escape.
How do I know if my rabbit is unhappy?
How can I tell if my rabbits are unhappy?
- Ears. Your rabbits’ ears are a big giveaway as to how they are feeling.
- Tense and ‘down’ body. Rabbits will usually tense up if they are stressed or worried.
- Lack of nose twitching.
- Moving or running away.
- Hiding.
- Thumping.
How do you know if your rabbit is stressed?
Signs of stress may include:
- appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body)
- being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes)
- being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.
- being aggressive when handled.
How do I know if my rabbit is depressed?
The signs of an unhappy rabbit
- Chewing cage bars, if they’re kept in a hutch.
- Pulling at their fur and over-grooming – or not grooming at all.
- A change in feeding or toilet habits.
- Drinking a lot more.
- Repeated circling or pacing up and down.
- Biting and destructive behaviours.
- A lack of energy and curiosity.
What should I put in my rabbit digging box?
The digging box can be filled with any rabbit safe materials such as straw, hay, pine cones, toilet roll tubes, soil, shredded paper, child-safe sand.
Why do rabbits scratch the floor?
Rabbits who scratch at the floor might do so to get attention or be picked up. Rabbits dig because it is a natural and instinctive behavior. Digging is a way for rabbits to have fun and occupy themselves when they are feeling stressed or bored.
How do I know if my rabbits pregnant?
How do I tell if my rabbit is pregnant?
- Weight gain is not usually noticed, if at all, until towards the end of pregnancy.
- A more rounded belly appearance may be seen.
- Pulling fur from the abdomen, sides and dewlap to line the nest can be seen a few hours before giving birth.
- Mood swings and not wanting to be held.
Can a rabbit sleep with you?
If your rabbit wants to sleep with you and can do so safely, it’s fine. If you’re prepared to risk losing sleep, sharing a bed with a rabbit will deepen your bond. Just remember that rabbits like routine. You can’t share your bed some nights but not others.
What flooring is best for rabbits?
The 3 Best Types of Flooring For Rabbits:
- Rugs and Carpets: Ideal for Free-roaming Buns.
- Vinyl Flooring: The Best Flooring for Rabbit Cages, Pens, and Hutches.
- Straw and Grass Mats: Functional and Chewable.