Bunny biting and chewing cage

[Jewel T.]

Hello! I have a 7 year old BEW Polish buck named Dale. Yes, he is un-neutered because of his previous show rabbit life (also not planning on neutering a geriatric animal). He’s been retired for some time now and I’ve taken him to college with me, so he no longer lives in close proximity with other rabbits. Since, he’s moved with me (almost 2 years), he enjoys many luxuries that my other rabbits haven’t really had such as freedom to move around the house and now extra personal space added to his cage. I have noticed a behavior change, more confidence and extra spunk. He used to be unsure of my roommates cat and now he is aggressive (chasing and biting), thus I do not let the two co mingle. And I’m fully aware this behavior is territorial and due to being intact. One thing that he did pick up was biting at his cage when I’m in the room (and he’s locked in the cage) or the cat walks in. This started after a couple months of “tasting freedom”. So, I’ve attributed it to him communicating with me about how he wants to be out roaming (as well as the biting when the cat is there as frustration and territorial behavior). It’s been a year since then and I’ve permanently expanded his cage (added a playpen) which he has enjoyed and stopped biting at the cage. Until this Monday…. He had access to his play pen and cage (like always) and decided to start biting at the cage door that was still tied open. I found this really weird because he hasn’t done this since being confined to the cage. He has continued this behavior which can get quite annoying as he shakes and rattles the cage. He has plenty of chew toys (apple tree branch, hay ball, etc.) and when i’ve looked at his incisors they look good. I try not to project my feelings on him, but he seems frustrated. At what, I don’t know. When i get up and walk to him he stops and comes to me. So, then I think its for attention? But, he is not a super fan of cuddling and never has been (very bossy, nips lightly when he is tried of being held). Not sure how to correct the behavior or what it really means. 

Sorry for the book, hahaha, but thanks for reading and any advice!

[kylo]

Hi there, have you noticed a specific time in the year when he does this (ie spring, winter)? Has there been any changes in his life this past year? Some bunnies can get bored in the same area and same toys. He does seem frustrated and wants some attention. Have you considered rearranging his pen, maybe getting a hutch for him? Are you interested in bonding him with another bunny?

Sorry for all the questions, hope to help!

[JLH]

even though my bunny is never locked in her cage as I removed the door she started to do this also, and she is spayed now for over 6 months. I noticed she was biting in a different area in the cage, turns out she wanted another opening in the cage. I took some heavy duty cutters and cut a 2nd opening at the other end of the cage and now she’s happy and no longer bites at the cage. I think bunnies want more than one opening for an escape route if danger comes through one opening. even though she’s never locked in anymore she still likes to eat in the cage and take her afternoon nap in it.

[joea64]

Fernando, my white bunny boy (his mother is Panda, the black-and-white), likes to nibble/chew on the bars of their X-pen every once in a while. I’m pretty sure he’s trying to find a way out – he’ll make a hop for it if he sees an opening he can squeeze his way through! – but he never does it for more than a couple of minutes at a time, and he soon leaves off to find something that’s actually chewable.

[Jewel T.]

Never thought of bonding him to another rabbit because he isn’t neutered, and he will try to breed females or fight with the males. I rearranged the pen so he can’t bite on the cage door (kinda cheating). There isn’t a specific time of year. Over the past year, some things have changed, he got a larger pen and I’ve given him more toys. Im beginning to think this is an attention thing, because he will just sit there and let me pet him whenever i walk over. Its hard because he’s not a cuddler, but a leave me on the ground and pet me type of rabbit. 

[Jewel T.]

interesting… he never bit at the cage until he tasted freedom (free roaming) when I took him to college (almost 2 years from now). 

[Jewel T.]

Dale is definitely more persistant and will quit when he knows he has my attention. its also only one spot where the cage door is tied to the play pen. He knows the play pen has a door and its in a different wall than the cage door (confusing to explain via message). But has never bit at the play pen door.

[Author]

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