Carpet Eating

[Gregmo]

I know.  I know.  This is a topic that has come up many times before in the forum.  But here is my situation – we have 2 bunnies.  Had them for about 2 years now.  Neither has chewed carpet before.  Baseboards, any hidden adapter cord and any wood furniture yes.  But not carpet.  Now, 2 years later I can’t stop one from chewing on the carpet on all floors.  I’ve used water, sprays….  Don’t know why a bunny that has been the best pet one could hope for for years is now costing me money because I will now have to spend a few thousand to replace the carpet.  Why now?  They have play things.  Chew toys.   So has anyone else experienced this where the behavior changed on a dime?  Frustrating.

[Benthebunny]

Is that bunny newtered? it could be horemones.

[Archer]

Where is the one chewing? One of my rabbits will leave carpeting alone if they’re free to roam, but the second there’s something in their way, it’s dig dig dig, scratch scratch CHEWCHEWCHEW. Trying to get whatever’s behind it or under it. It’s a challenge, and they must meet it. The other doesn’t usually go after carpet – but if there’s anything poking up (a rug that’s bent somewhere, or that has tassels) suddenly MUST be attacked and chewed on. If there’s a particular spot your bun likes, perhaps get a scrap piece of carpet to lay OVER the area they like to chew up. You can even use double-sided tape to keep it in place?

I’m not sure why they’ve suddenly got the idea to destroy the fuzz, but I’ve learned it’s hard to actually argue with rabbits. Instead, I try to keep whatever they’re going after out of reach however I can. If they go after cords? Cord covers. If they go after baseboards? plastic coverings or wire set out about an inch from the wood. Furniture? Plastic casing again.

I figure if they’re going to chew up carpet, a 1′ x 2′ piece of sample carpet taped down should keep them from destroying, if they like a particular spot. Otherwise, it looks like you might want to try linoleum over the carpet in the rooms they go in?

[Gregmo]

I should have commented that he is neutered.
He is eating carpet everywhere. In doorways, under the bed. We have always let them roam free and no issues. But now after 2 years he might be stuck in a cage the rest of his life.

[Archer]

Ooof. I wouldn’t say a cage, but perhaps a room you can put linoleum down on (duct tape it around the edges to keep it down!), and pen him when you’re not there to supervise? A few of my friends do this, and it seems to work. That way they can stop naughty behavior when they see it. They also use baby gates to keep the rabbits away from rooms with things they shouldn’t be chewing to bits.

[Benthebunny]

I have a souution. Buy an xpen or two, one if your bunny is smaller, and two if your bunny is bugger. Buy something to put as flooring, i used a big plastic sheet, and cover the sheet in fleece. so your rabbit cant get to the plastic. did he ingest any carpet? if he injested a large amout i would take gim to the vet, he could have a blockage. as for the behaviour, i dont know. my bunny is not newtered but he will be in around a month. my bun is a huge chewer. he will eat anything. it could be dental problems, or, he just found something new to chew on.

[Author]

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