bunny is eating my hair!

[melissact]

We got our bun, Ernie, two weeks ago.  He’s a chewer.  I bought a cord protector and wrapped it around my computer cord, and he’s been chewing at the cord protector every time he gets a chance.  He used to just sniff at my jeans; lately, he’s been sniffing, then chomping.  I’ve got a hole in my jeans now!  We gently discourage him from chewing on anything he shouldn’t be, mostly by pushing him away from whatever has his interest until he gets the hint, or by putting one of his chew toys in front of him to distract him.   He has plenty of hay, several toys suitable for chewing, and newspaper. Just today, he’s started chewing on my hair. I was on the ground, playing with him, and he came over as usual and sniffed around my face, then chomped off a bit of my hair and started chewing.  1) Is this dangerous for him?  2) Is there a better way to discourage him from trimming my hair?  Thanks!

[kimberleyanddarren]

i am sooo glad my bunny isnt a chewer he doesnt try to chew anything and i havent even caught him digging he is muhc more of a climber! how about when he does it pretend as if it really hurt by going like ‘OW!’ and then showing displesure in bunny land by turning your back and ignoring them till they come up and give you the whole im sooorrry! deal then give them some fuss and keep repeating till they realise!

[linda]

 my rabbit Chester is a chewer. He ate through the box spring of my bed.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Is Ernie fixed? With the computer cord you may want to try a deterrent on the cord cover like lemon oil or place the cord where it is not tempting for him. Bunnies are curious creatures and they explore by chewing. It sounds like he might be trying to groom you and thinks that possibly your “fur” is too long. Give a sharp “NO” and take your hair gently back.

Often, the tugging and nipping at your pant leg is him trying to move you out of his way and also to establish his top bunny status. Give him a sharp “NO” and give him an OK chew. Just pushing him away from it and giving him something is a good way to try, but sometimes, like stubborn little kids, you need to say “NO.”

[Hannah]

Oh god, Monty is a major hair eater. XD He’s done it since we got him, and I can get him to stop by moving him, but he just starts up again whenever he gets a chance. >< Hasn't hurt him yet…..

[Hedi]

Some of my 4 buns chew my hair on occassion. I am sure in large doses it could be bad (hairballs lol) but I am sure infrequent chewing is harmless. Kinda cute I think.

[Deleted User]

My first bun was a chewer, anything and everything. This one is a selective chewer. He will chew the boyfriends shoes and laces but not mine, he will yank on pants legs which may result in a whole. He chews the cardboard in his cage, but not his outside boxes. He will not chew or shred the phone books I give him. BUT….if it is not allowed, say a box or book on the table…then he wants it He is a major climber…there is no surface that is safe. He knows where the fruit bowl is and will try to find a way to get to it. Then he will chew his way through a banana or apple.

They really can keep you on your toes.

[melissact]

He’s a couple of months shy of being fixed–the vet said she’d like him to be at least 5 months old before the big snip.  He is a ridiculously sweet bunny–comes right up to us and starts sniffing around, and occasionally jumps onto my computer when it is in my lap and I am working.  I’ve noticed that when he nips at pants, it’s always jeans; he doesn’t seem to go for wool or fleece. 

The cord protector is actually infused with lemon oil, so I’m starting to think that lemon won’t be a great deterrent for him.  Thinking about getting bitter spray to save our furniture, although incredibly, the bun doesn’t leave the carpeted areas of the house.  He doesn’t seem to like hardwood floors.  I can put him on the rug in our living room, and he’ll stay there–won’t venture off, although there’s lots of tasty furniture not more than a foot away, on the hardwood floor.  It’s terribly cute.

[babybunsmum]

lol.  just as a warning… i’ve heard that lots of buns do not like hardwood flrs because they’re too slippy BUT he may decide at any time that venturing off that carpet is worth the risk for a nice tasty chew.  lol.  my bun has surprised me lately with new habits completely out of the blue.  i have a lovely wood tv stand – i’ve had it longer than baby bun whos 7 yrs old – and just the other day she chewed off a piece!  i have a squirt bottle with water for such occasions (usually its to get her off of the dog who she tries to dominate) and so i got her away from it immediately.  i then sprayed a bit of perfume on the spot to discourage her further.  i was cleaning up the place a bit & about 30 mins later picked her up to give her a smooch & all i smelled was my perfume  so… i guess i have to keep a closer eye on the spot & guard it with the water bottle!

[KatnipCrzy]

If your hair is long- I would try to deter bunny from chewing and possibly ingesting a strand.  Even a strand of hair can cause problems in newborn human babies- if it gets wrapped around a toe, finger or “boy part” it can cause what is called a “hair tourniquet.”  My husband is a paramedic and has seen this before- weird that a single strand of long hair can get wrapped around a body part and restrict circulation. 

So if your hair is long- just to be on the safe side- I would discourage any chewing- as it may be hard for bunny to spit out a strand and it may be ingested instead- and could possibly act like a string in the gut.  Maybe not a common thing- but it is possible.

Julie

[KatnipCrzy]

If your hair is long- I would try to deter bunny from chewing and possibly ingesting a strand.  Even a strand of hair can cause problems in newborn human babies- if it gets wrapped around a toe, finger or “boy part” it can cause what is called a “hair tourniquet.”  My husband is a paramedic and has seen this before- weird that a single strand of long hair can get wrapped around a body part and restrict circulation. 

So if your hair is long- just to be on the safe side- I would discourage any chewing- as it may be hard for bunny to spit out a strand and it may be ingested instead- and could possibly act like a string in the gut.  Maybe not a common thing- but it is possible.

Julie

[KatnipCrzy]

If your hair is long- I would try to deter bunny from chewing and possibly ingesting a strand.  Even a strand of hair can cause problems in newborn human babies- if it gets wrapped around a toe, finger or “boy part” it can cause what is called a “hair tourniquet.”  My husband is a paramedic and has seen this before- weird that a single strand of long hair can get wrapped around a body part and restrict circulation. 

So if your hair is long- just to be on the safe side- I would discourage any chewing- as it may be hard for bunny to spit out a strand and it may be ingested instead- and could possibly act like a string in the gut.  Maybe not a common thing- but it is possible.

Julie

[Deleted User]

Eewwwwww some bunnies have all sorts of habits!

Try a shower cap!

Luey is not a chewer, digger or climber … he is a lazy fatty!

Dawn xx

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