Bunny likes to read

[Rei]

Ok not really…lol She is taking quite a liking to some, well, all, of my antique books. I’m talking like J.R.R. Tolkein, Nancy Drew books, Charlotte’s Web…none of them are like first editions or anything, but they are all at least 40 or more years old, and I really don’t want them damaged. Its hard to keep her away from the book shelf, and I have no way to block it off.

 She never bothers my newer books. I wonder if there is just something in those older books that tastes so yummy to her. Well anyway, since I don’t want her destroying my treasured finds, I was thinking of buying Molly her own books to chew, so that mine could be spared. I know I can find old ones at the thrift store. Before I do that tho, I just wanted to see if its actually ok for her to be chewing on these old books at all. I would think newer books would be more dangerous, with new types of ink and such, but I want to get some opinions before I go book shopping for Molly 

[Elrohwen]

Can you just put NIC grids in front of the lower shelves? That’s what I did when I had bookshelves the bunnies could get to. Old books do have that certain smell – maybe she’s attracted to it!

I would avoid giving her old books. Older inks weren’t non-toxic like the soy based ink used now and the glue on the binding can also be harmful (I know mine are particularly obsessed with the glue). Maybe stick to phone books?

[Rei]

I guess since she only likes the old books, I could move all the old ones to the top shelves and leave the newer books on the low shelves. If I can find NIC I will pick some up. I looked at Walmart before and didn’t see them. I didn’t know phone books would be ok. I’ll give her one and see if that helps

[Elrohwen]

Yep, phone books are great toys! Just rip the covers off and let her have at it.

Do you have a Bed Bath and Beyond nearby? The ones near me always seem to have NIC grids and they stock only the smaller size grid (I know some stores stock the larger size which some bunnies can get heads through)

[Rei]

We did but then it went out of business I guess I will do some research to see if there are any others anywhere around here. Thanks for the tip

[Monkeybun]

Target has them as well. Just check the opening size

[RabbitPam]

I also thought of swapping their placement so they are at the top.

An alternative to nic cubes: I got a clear sheet of acrylic, which can be up to 1/4″ thick so it’s sturdy, at my local hardware store. They can even be cut to size, so it can be stood, or taped, to the front of the bookcase but is not very visible. You can get it tall enough for the whole bookcase, but I had one that was only about 2′ high, covering the bottom shelves. Some come in standard sizes so you can also just buy one of those.

[Rei]

Posted By RabbitPam on 02/10/2012 04:58 AM
I also thought of swapping their placement so they are at the top.

An alternative to nic cubes: I got a clear sheet of acrylic, which can be up to 1/4″ thick so it’s sturdy, at my local hardware store. They can even be cut to size, so it can be stood, or taped, to the front of the bookcase but is not very visible. You can get it tall enough for the whole bookcase, but I had one that was only about 2′ high, covering the bottom shelves. Some come in standard sizes so you can also just buy one of those.

 

Thats actually a great idea! I will check out Target first to look at the NIC and see what I think of them, but I like the sound of using the clear acrylic a lot! 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

My suggestion is this-for any bad behaviour-interupt and redirect. It doesn’t have to be permanent, just break that habit and create a new one.

So put up NIC cubes (this is not permanent-just do it to protect your books!)
Put a cat condo or phone book or towel (or whatever your bunny likes to nibble or dig that isn’t a book) right by the book shelf. So your bunny will trot up and go ‘hmmm I can’t get the books’-however with any barrier a bunny will try to overcome the barrier (go over it or stick their nose through or what have you)…but you have thought ahead and have put something easy and awesome there-a phone book or towel or whatever. So they are stumped-‘where is my book’ but then ‘oh here is something just as good’ and chew that instead. After a few weeks you can take down the cubes. After a few more weeks you can even move the new chewy. They have learned-books don’t pay (unless you are Stephen king) and instead I go over here to chew towels or wood chews or hay balls.

Its not just about preventing the behaviour-substitute a proper and acceptable behaviour for success

[RabbitPam]

K&K makes a great point.
And LOL, re. Stephen King.

New Best Seller by Stephen King “It Came, and It Chewed”

[LittlePuffyTail]

My Stormy is a book eater too. He has an obsession with chewing the top right corner of all my books. I get annoyed when it’s a $40.00 book! I’ve tried offering him junk mail and old magazines but no go. He likes the expensive books.

[Rei]

Posted By Kokaneeandkahlua on 02/10/2012 07:08 PM
My suggestion is this-for any bad behaviour-interupt and redirect. It doesn’t have to be permanent, just break that habit and create a new one.

So put up NIC cubes (this is not permanent-just do it to protect your books!)
Put a cat condo or phone book or towel (or whatever your bunny likes to nibble or dig that isn’t a book) right by the book shelf. So your bunny will trot up and go ‘hmmm I can’t get the books’-however with any barrier a bunny will try to overcome the barrier (go over it or stick their nose through or what have you)…but you have thought ahead and have put something easy and awesome there-a phone book or towel or whatever. So they are stumped-‘where is my book’ but then ‘oh here is something just as good’ and chew that instead. After a few weeks you can take down the cubes. After a few more weeks you can even move the new chewy. They have learned-books don’t pay (unless you are Stephen king) and instead I go over here to chew towels or wood chews or hay balls.

Its not just about preventing the behaviour-substitute a proper and acceptable behaviour for success

 

I did put a phone book on the floor next to the book shelf and so far she is liking that instead of my books. I havn’t had the opportunity to block it off yet tho I plan on buying something this week

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