Hey everyone,

So, I am a reasonably experienced Bunny owner, and I’ve completely exhausted my google searches, which aren’t weak.

We have two bunnies, Schneeglöckchen (brown/black, 1-year-old, female, lionhead, will be sterilized on Monday) and Bun Bun (black/white, 1-year-old, male, mini-rex, castrated).  They live inside the house with us, their run is 180cm x 60cm but is open 24 hours a day.  There are four doors in and out, 2 at the front and 1 at each side.  They have the entire run of the living room 15m x 8m, the Kitchen, 15m x 6m, and our bedroom 5m x 5m.  They have complete freedom of most of the house 24 hours a day.  The only rooms they don’t have access to are the tiny hall, our daughter’s bedroom, and the bathroom.

They have 3 cardboard digging boxes, 2 tunnels, they love to hang out under or on our bed, on the sofa or under the blankets that cover the sofa.  They have little hidie-holes of an ikea cat bed, under my desk, under the keyboard, an upturned cardboard box with a hole cut in it, and a chair that has t-shirts around the legs that they love headbutting their way in and out of.  They also are allowed under our Kotatsu table (A Japanese style table with a blanket over it and heating unit underneath (bunny safe)), have a hanging bunny bed in their run, toilet, and their food and water bowls, which are always full.

They get lots of love, attention, and affection, and are in turn very affectionate and loving in return.  Lots of licks, lots of chinning etc.  They flomp with us, sit with us, come up on the bed with us.  Binkys and zoomies are often and adorable.

They get treats and have doggie games where pellets have to be strategically found for mental stimulation.  Parsnip Root, Parsley, Timothy Hay sticks, Hay pellets, Rabbit Mix, occasional little bit of cucumber, blueberry, and other bunny safe vegetables.

So…..

We have ruled out boredom, stress, confined space, lack of attention, they always have ample hay, they have placed to dig, they have treats and toys designed for biting to control teeth length etc.

So Why oh why is Bun Bun, who is a very happy bunny, constantly going into the run, and chewing the bars, always in the same 2 places?  There is nothing hanging there or that has hung there like treats etc, there is clear and easy access in and out 24 hours a day, so he’s not trapped or trying to get to the other side.

He’s happy and there’s no damage to his teeth, but the behaviour itself concerns me, but none of the traditional reasons for the behaviour seem to fit.  Does anyone please have any ideas?

I guess we can spray something bitter on the bars, but we’re just worried we’re missing something.  Thank you very much in advance for your time.