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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 2sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 9 months ago by Jo Leigh.

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- 07/15/2014 at 3:19 AM
  Jo Leigh
  Participant
  57 posts
  In the past week or so, I have noticed that Merlin has started chewing on anything and everything! Things that he never even took notice of before, he has now started to chew. Cords, wicker baskets, handbag straps, shoes, anything! He has plenty of wooden chew toys but I rarely see him chewing on those. He sure does love to chew on his cardboard house to wake me up in the morning though (he has me well trained, cheeky guy!)
  
  I was wondering if this sudden chewing could suggest that there may be something wrong with his teeth? He is eating and pooping fine and I haven’t noticed any other symptoms. Or perhaps it could be hormonal? He is around 12-13 weeks old now. Is there any way that I can stop this behaviour? I understand that he is a rabbit and will always chew on things, but what should I do when I catch him chewing on something he shouldn’t be? At the moment I am saying ‘no’ in a stern voice and removing the object from his reach.
  
  Thanks
- 07/15/2014 at 2:30 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  It’s probably a mix of him coming into his hormones and he’s just at that age when bunnies like to be destructive. Neutering him may help curb it somewhat.
  
  From my experience, there really is no way to discipline rabbits away from the behaviour. I usually just say “No” and try to redirect them to something else. Your best bet is to just bunny proof really well and keep him away from any rooms where you can’t bunny proof well.
  
  Is your bunny free roam?
  
  It really does calm down with age. Both my buns are 7 years old now and, while a few years ago they would destroy anything they could, now they are pretty mellow and rarely chew on things. The only exception being my girl if she can get to computer cords or remote buttons.
- 07/17/2014 at 5:00 AM
  Jo Leigh
  Participant
  57 posts
  Thank you for your reply.
  
  Yes, when I am home he is free roam, which is most of the time at the moment as I’m writing my thesis. So I can usually keep an eye on him and make sure he isn’t doing anything he shouldn’t be doing! I have started making sure there is nothing at ground level that he can nibble on. It’s amazing what they find to chew on!
  
  I definitely plan on getting him neutered. At what age do they recommend this? There hasn’t been any other hormonal behaviour other than the destruction.
  
  Thank you for your help!
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