Help! Rabbit won’t stop digging constantly

[BettyandBubz]

My rabbit Betty has been living in my bedroom for a while now without issue. She’s spayed, potty trained, and usually very well behaved. In the last week or so though, she has taken to persistently digging/scratching at the hard wood flooring in my room. It’s no particular spot, she’ll do it anywhere, but her favourite place is right under my bed, and it’s starting to become a major issue.

I don’t know what has brought this on, she’s never done this before, and she has plenty of toys and entertainment to keep her busy. I did try a digging box but it was ignored. My sleep is being disrupted, and many times I’m woken to her digging under my bed. I’ve tried everything to make her stop, calling her name, trying to distract her, taking her away from where she’s digging, but she either ignores it or goes straight back. I have no other place to put her, she’s been an excellent roommate until now.

My sleep is at stake here though, and I struggle to sleep even when she’s not doing it because I’m so anxious I’ll start drifting off and she’ll begin that dreadful racket again. I have checked her nails and they’re a normal length, so I’m sure that’s not the issue either. I can’t let her continue with this, wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to hear her, but I do. If anyone knows why she’s doing this, and possibly how to stop it, please tell me. I’m desperate.

[DanaNM]

My Bun Jovi does this, except it’s in the corner of his condo usually (on the slippery vinyl tiles). I have no idea why, but I had a theory that perhaps before I adopted him he was stuck in a cage all day and learned to do it out of boredom. But now he does it pretty much at the same time daily, even when he has full access to a large area and lots of toys.

Is she eating and pooping normally? Pain can cause weird behavioral changes… like I had another bunny that became very intent on digging and eating cardboard when he was going into stasis.

Ruling out that, I’ve honestly had the best luck just blocking access to the spots he wants to dig. So maybe you could block access to under your bed and see if that helps? Or put ceramic tiles over the hot spots. I found that the only toy that will distract Bun Jovi from digging are palm plates, but chewing those is louder than the digging!

If she isn’t causing damage and it’s just the noise that’s an issue, ear plugs might be an easy solution.

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

Do you think she would dig at a rug or a hay mat? You could try something like that and watch to see if she still digs. And yeah I would probably block off under the bed if she continues digging.

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