Bad Bun Keeping Me Awake

[lil_ginger_42]

When I decide it is time for lil bun to go back in his cage, he whole heartily objects. He furiously begins digging and biting at the bars of his door and it is LOUD!  His digging makes it hard to sleep at night and wakes me up early in the morning. I cant put his cage anywhere else, he has to stay in my room.

I have tried spraying him with a water bottle, but I ended up getting him too wet and I dont want him getting sick. Or for his cage to get too wet. I tried to put the air sprayer by the door (keeps him out of the closet) but for some reason it didnt phase him. I put a pillowcase over the door and cardboard. Nothing helps. I have started smacking the cage (but I feel like a jerk doing it plus I dont want to have to get up constantly).

Would one of those grass mats help dull the sound? Idk if theyre big enough to cover the doors. I thought about getting one of those cat scratching mats but I figured that would be just as loud. If I cant stop him digging at least suggest something to quiet it. Covering his cage with a blanket doesnt help

He hasnt been neutered (planning to be done after the holidays) 

I dont want to treat him like a bad bunny. I know he just wants freedom. I just want him to know cage time is cage time so I can sleep for work 

[Flopsie]

have you tried to attach an xpen to the cage to give more room. and then also having more toys or stuff to chew inside the xpen

I’ve experiences what you have before and it’s hard for buns because they might be bored. plus at night is when they are most active so their sleep schedules are opposite of ours

[Standard_Procedure]

You spray your bun with water and smack the cage, just for wanting out? Maybe your cage is too small? Maybe you haven’t given your bun enough exercise time? Mine doesn’t go to bed until midnight and wakes back up at 5-7am depending on how much exercise she got the previous night. Once you shut the cage door the rabbit is suppose to find his/her sleeping spot and flop over. 

[lil_ginger_42]

My bun is out of the cage all day long. I sometimes will even leave him out while I’m at work if I can. He has constant room to roam my room. Plenty of toys. There are plenty of times I wake up extra early or stay up extra late to make sure he has time to roam and play. My bun is spoiled and loved so it is very aggravating that when my bun has been running around my room for 12 or so hours that when I finally need to sleep so I can work the next day, he makes a ridiculous amount of noise. I know that he doesnt understand and that isnt his fault. But I need him to learn that cage time is cage time.

[lil_ginger_42]

Yes he has toys, and I try to rotate whats in his cage so it stays more interesting. I dont think my cage is designed to have any attachments, nor do I have the money for them. He has chew toys in his cage. He use to play with them but I think now he is use to having free roam of my room. 

I know buns get bored and I feel bad when I put him away. But hes starting to get more destructive and I dont want to leave him out at night. During the day there are people at home to check on him if I leave him out

[Flopsie]

ok follow up question, if you have your place bunny proofed and the bunny gets out of cage time to roam around all day when you are work, how come the bun cant be out when you go to bed?

[Paradigm]

If he’s able to get in or out of his cage himself, could you put a his cage into a pen? That way his area could be expanded at least a bit?

I’m assuming he’s being put away at night because he’s starting to become destructive? My bun is very fond of staying up after we go to sleep but seems to snooze for the afternoon. It could be that he’s young and energetic most of the day, but being put away at his peak.

[lil_ginger_42]

It isnt completely bun proof. When I leave for work I usually cant unplug certain cords that need to be plugged in at night, etc. Plus hes starting to tear through some of the wire covers I have. I dont leave him out while I go to work as much anymore because of this

Yes hes starting to get through the bunny proofing stuff. He just wants to be young and rebellious. I cant afford to buy big pens/cages and stuff.

 I got a grass mat to cover the door for him to chew and scratch. Should dull the sounds

[LongEaredLions]

Sounds like you have tried most everything. I am sorry he is keeping you awake.
I wouldn’t recommend that you spray him or hit the cage. Bunnies don’t really understand discipline.
My guess is the neuter should help him a lot. I know Xpens are very expensive, perhaps you would consider building a pen with NIC cubes? They are generally cheaper. My best of luck to you.

[BB Administrator]

Can you wear earplugs or headphones?
Regarding the xpen – check out Craigslist as sometimes you can find xpens there for a great deal. (depends of course how big your city is)

Helloworld!!

[Flopsie]

I don’t think you should be quick to give up so easily. Let’s try to discuss and come up with a solution to help you.

Thanks for answering my question, now another follow up question. You mentioned that an xpen is expensive, what do you consider expensive? would 40 dollars be considered too much? Just a thought

[lil_ginger_42]

Thank you all for trying to help. And yes Ive stopped trying to discipline him. I know bunnies process differently.
Ive tried wearing ear buds but they hurt my ears and are almost equally as uncomfortable as just listening to him scratch
40$ isnt expensive but at the moment I havent been bringing in much. Plus I have to save for something coming up.
The grass mat I got helps to a degree. He doesnt scratch the door but hes slowly discovering he can scratch other sides of his cage. Lil stinker.

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