Bunny eating/digging at carpet?

[Stout&Gabi]

Hi,

My bunny, Stout, never ate or dug carpet in his first home that he lived in for about 6 months. But now that I moved to a new apartment he has destroyed the carpet. He picks out fibers in random areas in the middle of the rooms and has dug a big section out by the door. He never eats the fibers.

Is this a common behavior?

Why would he start this when it wasn’t a habit before?

Any suggestions on how to stop the behavior? I bought yuk spray but that was completely ineffective. And I can’t put tiles down since it’s random spots throughout the apartment

[kurottabun]

It’s not uncommon for bunnies to dig as they do it often in the wild. Is he neutered? He could be feeling hormonal. Some bunnies will start displaying destructive behaviour once the hormones hit.

[sarahthegemini]

It could be hormones but it could also be that he’s just discovered how much fun digging is

How about making a dig box? Just get a cardboard box and fill it with soil or shredded paper, fleece etc. It might not be a success (my rabbit’s aren’t bothered with their dig box – they prefer digging at empty cardboard boxes) but might be worth a go.

I know putting tiles down isn’t ideal but would you consider doing it temporarily? Sometimes if you block access to something, after a while the bun forgets all about it so you can remove the blocking

You could also try laying down pieces of cardboard in the hopes bun will shred those instead.

I’m not sure what the ingredients are in the spray you used, but you could try spritzing some vinegar and water mix over the carpet. The smell will dissipate but the taste might remain!

You could also try some logic toys to stimulate bunny’s brain and occupy him a little

[DaisyMae]

I wish I had the answer, because my bunny has always been a carpet chewer, but lately, it’s gotten worse. She has been spayed for years, so it’s not hormonal. I tried digging boxes, and she just eats the shredded paper I put in there, so I had to take it away. Just this week, I made her an activity box … a big empty cardboard box with toys hanging on the sides that she could chew, tug on, etc. It distracted her for about 20 minutes, and then it was right back to the carpet. If I close the door to the room she’s infatuated with, she will then chew the carpet by the door to try and tunnel in.

Our carpet needs to be replaced anyway, but if it didn’t, this would be an even bigger problem! I’m going shopping for new floors soon, and I’m opting for hard wood. And you’re right about the tiles … if I cover one spot, she either moves on to another spot, or she will keep chewing around the tile to try and get to her chosen areas. It’s a constant problem. Some days, it makes me regret allowing her to be free range.

One thing I noticed lately, is she tends to do it more when she’s lonely. She is an only bun, so on days where she is relentless about it, I will try to hang out in an area of the house that she has access to, and often times, she is then content to play with the toys in the room I am in. Otherwise, it’s off to my daughter’s room (who is in college, and isn’t around), to chew the carpet. I’ve strongly considered getting another bun, but I’m not only concerned about the bonding process, I’m very concerned that the second bun would be a chewer too!

I sure wish I could help you! If you find a solution, please share!

[LittlePuffyTail]

My bunny does this too. She totally destroyed a section of the rug. Bunnies are so stubborn. You can say “No”, clap your hands, shake a maraca, they will run away but then come right back. Again and again. The only thing that has ever worked for me is to remove access to the item. I slid the couch over so it covers that part of the rug. She’s also destroyed my couch. And the couch covers we put over the swiss cheese couch.

[SirBunny]

My rabbit is really bad with this behavior as well. It doesn’t help that my current apartment had poor carpet in the first place, with long fibers that are probably irresistible to a rabbit. It had reached a point where I just went to Walmart and bought several rugs and covered the entire floor of my room with them so he can’t access the carpet at all. The rugs are relatively cheap, much cheaper than having to replace the carpet when I move out.

[Author]

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