Bunny chewing on cage bars constantly

[Shadow13]

My rabbit is just over a year old and has been chewing on the bars of his cage at night, waking me up. He used to chew a lot on his cage when he was young before he was neutered but now for about 2 weeks he’s started doing it again. He lives in a dog pen that is 6 feet by 4 feet but only at night or when I’m gone for a couple days. Everyday he gets to roam around the upstairs of my house normally 8am to 11pm. So he out a lot so I don’t understand why he’s chewing on the bars. He’s only been chewing on them during the night which has been waking me up. I usually go to bed around 11-12 and he’s been waking me up at least 4 times every night because he’s so loud. Its getting to the point wear it’s very hard to handle.

I’ve already been suggested to move him out of my room but I can’t do that because I don’t want to leave him alone. Because he loves to be around people. I’ve tried covering the cage with blankets so he couldn’t see out and also tried a spray safe for animals that was recommended to me to stop the bar chewing but it only worked for a couple minutes before he just started chewing again.

I also have the stairs blocked of with a pen that he also chews on so I’ve covered it with a Belanger but he normally just gets under the blanket. So I’m working on getting a baby gate to block off the stairs.

I would really appreciate some suggestions if anyone has any.

[BenjiTheBunny]

does he have chew toys?

[Shadow13]

Yes he always has lots of different kinds of toys and he loves to play with them and destroy them. He also usually has tunnels, platforms, hide houses, bridges in his cage.

[kurottabun]

How long ago was he neutered? I’m thinking if it could be the renowned “Spring Fever” kicking in. We don’t have Spring here but apparently it’s a thing that even neutered/spayed buns can go a little crazy this time of the year.

[Shadow13]

He was neutered at the end of August 2017 he was about 6 months old.

Ok thanks. I’m hoping it’s just for “spring” and it doesn’t last for a long time. Where I live we have had a very long winter and it just started to get hot around a week ago, it was still in the minus degrees Celsius before so maybe since it’s been such a change in heat he has started chewing.

[sarahthegemini]

He does have a lot of time out which is great but he’s probably frustrated that he gets locked up during the night. Is there any way to allow him to stay out at night?

[Deleted User]

I agree with Sarah, he is likely just frustrated that he has to be restricted at night. The buns sure do love their freedom XD

[Shadow13]

I’ve been thinking about trying to just let him out in my room at night instead of the whole upstairs but he’s very mischievous and I would definitely need to find a baby gate over 3 feet so I will look. Every time he gets on my bed he always pees on it no matter what I do I always wash it right after so the smell gets off but he still pees on it. I think letting him out in my room would definitely make him way more happy so I’ll try to do that soon.

Thanks for the replies.

[DanaNM]

I wonder if you could have some special reserve super awesome boredom buster toys, that you only give him at night when you have to lock him in?

Like some really good mats to chew, toys with pellets hidden in them, etc.? Sometimes bunnies get bored of their toys if they are always out, so if you rotate them it can help.

I also always feed my buns their pellets and a treat at bedtime, so they look forward to going in their condo.

. . . 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.  

[Shadow13]

That’s a really good idea I can try doing that. I live in a small town with no pet stores so I’ll have to wait tell I can go to a city or try ordering some stuff online. I have noticed whenever give him a brand new toy at night he seems to not chew on the bars.

I give him his pellets in the morning normally but I could try doing them at night because he gets super excited about his pellets.
Thanks.

[sarahthegemini]

Unfortunately lots of bunnies like peeing on soft surfaces You’re not alone with that problem!

If keeping him out at night isn’t possible, you could also try hiding some forage or something to keep him occupied, or give him some apple or willow sticks. Actually you could do that even if he is out at night, try and keep his mischief under control

[Shadow13]

Thanks I will also try that. My bun really enjoys anything willow but it’s hard to find branches or toys made of it. So I’ll try to find some willow products and hopefully he will decided to chew on that instead.

[DanaNM]

My buns really enjoyed these newspaper mats that I made:

http://www.bunssb.org/buns-newsletter/september-2013/make-mat/

I think they liked them even more than hay mats that I had bought!

They also really like cardboard egg cartons, toilet paper tubes stuffed with things, and bamboo leaves.

Since he has such a large crate, even rearranging/rotating his boxes and tunnels might help him feel less bored when he’s penned. My bunnies love to “redecorate” card board boxes stuffed with paper. Although… it is quite loud, so might not be an improvement over the cage chewing!

. . . 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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