Baby Bunny Behavior Question

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 9sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 11 months ago by BinkyBunny.

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- 04/20/2009 at 12:22 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  I’m full of bunny questions today! My baby bun is acting like a baby and putting everything in his mouth. He’s in a safe area where he’s allowed to chew everything, but lately when I get in with him, he tries chewing my clothes I know this is totally natural and he just wants to see what they’re like, but I don’t want him to get the idea that chewing clothing is ok. I’ve been saying no in a no-nonsense voice then if he continues to do it, I lightly push his head away and hope he finds something else to chew. Is this the correct approach? I don’t want to break out the spray bottle yet if I don’t have to, but I’m not sure if my approach will be effective.
  
  Also, he’s been chewing all of his toys and it seems like he’s eating some of them, specifically an unfinished wooden box that he uses to jump on and get into and out of his cage. Should I take it away from him? Maybe put some no-chew stuff on it? Is it really a problem if he eats a little bit of it every once in a while? Also, he can only get to it when he’s supervised (he’s only allowed out when we’re home), so he’s not spending all day scarfing down wood or anything.
- 04/20/2009 at 12:48 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I hate the spray bottle too. I think you can try your approach first but I’m not certain how totally effective it will be either. You could try the high squeal too if he’s not too sensitive – sometimes that works.
  
  I would not worry about the wooden box – I think it’s appropriate for him to chew that – he’s probably just chewing it not consuming it.
  
  As for the no-chew stuff – most rabbits like that stuff so it’s not terribly effective.
- 04/20/2009 at 1:01 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  I tried the high squeal once when he got some skin under my jeans, but he didn’t seem to notice Lol He might be cautious with his surroundings, but he’s not shy of people at all, that’s for sure. I know my squeal works with puppies, but it didn’t phase him. I think I may have a bold little bunny on my hands. At least he’s not going for skin on purpose yet and only tasting the clothes that happen to have skin under them.
- 04/20/2009 at 1:15 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Oh, and about the box, after he chews a bit, he stops and I can hear his molars going, so I do think he’s eating it. Plus, there’s never any wood left on the floor around the box like there would be if he was just chewing and spitting out. That’s why it makes me a little nervous. When my gerbils chew things, it’s pretty clear that they’re spitting it out again afterwards.
- 04/20/2009 at 6:59 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Like the avatar! Since he’s big on chewing (which can be his form of play) try giving him some more robust hay. Less leafy, more stems. Might as well develop good habits now. You could also put a large stick of safe wood across the length of the cage maybe, so it’s sort of secured down. He can gnaw to his hearts delight. Not sure for baby bunnies would would be appropriate. Willow, Apple wood?
  Sometimes, it can be their way of showing affection or playfulness.
- 04/21/2009 at 8:57 AM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Oh, he’s got lots of things to chew, Jersey , and he runs around chewing all of them, but if I’m sitting in his xpen, that includes my jeans! Haha. I know he’s just being a baby, but I don’t him to get into bad habits. Biting visitors’ legs isn’t really polite, even if he’s just going for the fabric . I’ve started sitting outside the xpen gate (with the gate open) so I can still pet him and play with him if he comes over, but he can’t reach my pants. He’s only really nippy when he gets in that excited play mode, so I’ve been trying to sit back and let him get his energy out without my body parts in the way Then when he’s calmer I can sit with him and he’s less likely to take big bites of me. And he never goes for skin, so I might start wearing shorts around him.
  
  The only thing he chews for any length of time is his timothy tunnel. Everything else he takes one or two bites, then runs away to find something else. ADD bunny, haha. I’ll definitely try the hay suggestion, and since he likes the hay in the timothy tunnel I’m sure he’ll enjoy that.
  
  Any other discipline ideas I can use when he goes for my clothes? He does seem to be beginning to understand “no” when he’s calm, but when he’s wound up he doesn’t really pay attention.
- 04/21/2009 at 9:32 AM
  3crazybuns
  Participant
  222 posts
  I had to laugh when I read about your baby chewing your pants, Oreo started doing that about 2 days ago, I just tell him “NO!” and push him away, and somewhat down (gently of course!) and he has quit already! I’m sure why, or what part of it worked, but it has worked with him well, he has tons of stuff to chew on, and play with, and plenty of “out” time, he just all the sudden decided my pants where better, but now he knows thats not the best choice!
  
  Best of luck to you and your baby! =)
- 04/21/2009 at 4:16 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Haha, I’m glad someone else is going through it! I do think he’s kind of learning the word “no”, but he gets really worked up and excited and pretends like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about Silly buns. Hopefully he’ll stop doing it soon! He’s such a sweetie otherwise.
- 04/21/2009 at 7:09 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  Haha – have you noticed he takes a bite of your pants if he isn’t petting you? My adult bunnies will always dig at me and bite my clothes if I’m anywhere near them and not petting them. It is their way of saying PET ME!
- 04/21/2009 at 11:58 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  Ahhh, he whole pants with holes thing! In the bunny proofing section I think there is photo of a pair of my holey jeans – designed by bunnies. LOL.
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