Obsessive searcher

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 6 months ago by Wick & Fable.

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- 05/05/2018 at 7:52 PM
  rustyrabbit
  Participant
  5 posts
  My female rabbit is loosely a teenager (I caught her in my garden when she quite small so no idea her age – she domesticated) and she’s generally relaxed and affectionate but whenever I let her out she obsessively searches for food and chews on things. I have a small courtyard so as soon as she’s out she covers the entire area looking for dead leaves to eat. But if I bring her inside she’ll be constantly on the move sniffing stuff out. She’ll chew on the corded seems of the couch after a few minutes and tapping her on the nose makes little difference, she’ll keep chewing until I remove her. As its getting colder in the southern hemisphere and I’m wearing sweaters and jackets she now tries to chew into those when I cuddle her. Any idea what’s going on? She has a constant supply of hay in her hutch and gets a handful of veges morning and night, so its not like she’s starving
- 05/06/2018 at 6:27 AM
  kurottabun
  Participant
  908 posts
  Is she spayed? Unspayed female bunnies will often dig or become destructive due to hormonal frustration.
  
  That being said, some bunnies are generally chewers too and will chew out of boredom, so it’s important to get them some toys they can chew on. These can be toilet paper rolls, a cardboard box, a willow ball etc.
- 05/06/2018 at 7:47 AM
  rustyrabbit
  Participant
  5 posts
  Not yet spayed as was too young, but I’ll see when she should be. She doesn’t seem interested in chew toys. It seems behavioural more than anything.
- 05/06/2018 at 8:57 PM
  kurottabun
  Participant
  908 posts
  A rabbit savvy vet would usually be able to tell you the approximate age of a bunny and whether or not she can be spayed. The hormones are likely to kick in when they are “teenagers” so it does sound quite likely that the behaviour is triggered by this.
- 05/07/2018 at 10:56 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Chew toys are manufactured by humans, not rabbits, so it’s not unusual for rabbits to not use “rabbit beds” “rabbit bowls” and “rabbit toys” -correctly-.
  
  A terse, loud “hiss” sound usually works really well to spook a rabbit to stop doing something.
  
  Since she’s a searcher, I suggest a cardboard maze or tunnels and hiding stuff inside for her to find.
  
  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.
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