Hi!

[MorleyanBells]

Hello! My Name is Crystal and I am extremely new to the world of Bunnies! I was pushed to this site from someone on Craigslist when I had questions about their behavior. First off let me say thank you for all of the information that I have read on this site and how supportive all of you are. It really amazes me how you all seem so happy to answer questions and just be nice to everyone on here. No negativity from what I have seen! So thank you! So here is my story. I first obtained my little girl Bella by accident. I was babysitting and we decided to go to a park near my home where they have a free petting zoo. At this petting zoo they have this rental program where you can rent bunnies for three days to see what it would be like to own one. I asked to rent the bunny and long story short, they ended up having me fill out the adoption paperwork instead and then wouldn’t let me give her back. So the poor girl had to sit in a cardboard box while I ran to the pet store to by a cage and stuff for her. I have to say, she has been the love of my life since. I named the girl Bella and we immediately fell in love with each other. She would do some of the cutest things that I later learned was binkies! At night, I would lay on the floor with a book and she would come up and lay next to me or climb all over my legs. After a while I realized that she is probably really lonely all alone at home when I am working so I got her boyfriend, Morley. Oh now Morley is a character! He is kind of a bossy guy who instantly ruled the roost. Morley loves to prove that he is the dominant out of all of us and I swear is likes to break the rules just to prove that he can. We as a family have come a long way. The bonding took around three months for Morley to finally accept Bella as his friend (she loved him all most the minute he walked in the room) and to finally quit nipping me. I have had both of them for several months and have enjoyed every minute with them. The only issue I seem to be having is that both of them have started to destroy my carpet! They have already ruined it behind my couch and there are several holes in a corner where they have managed to rip it all out. It is really frustrating because I can’t get them to stop! I have barriers up around the couch to keep them out from there but the corner I can’t keep completely blocked off. They have a dig box filled with news paper and they have a cardboard tunnel to play with. I don’t know what to do with them! They aren’t much for toys other than shredding the cardboard and newspaper and my carpet. Any ideas? Currently, their pen is in my room with 3/4 of my room blocked off with a dog gate and they have the other 1/4. When I am home they have full run of the rest of my apartment with the exception of that part of my room. Their pen consists of two open cages, one as a dig box and the other as a litter box. If anyone can give me some guidance as to what I can do to stop the destruction of my carpet, I would be forever grateful! I love these guys but hate their destructive behavior. Oh and Morley is fixed but Bella is not. Bella will be going in soon to an amazing vet that specializes in rabbits and was strongly recommended by the rabbit rescue in my area. Thanks for reading my story and thanks in advance for ideas! 

[Monkeybun]

You might try some seagrass mats on the floor where they like to dig, they are totally bunny safe to shred and eat, and easily replaceable. And they don’t look too bad either! there are some in the binkybunny store if you want to take a look at them, see what they look like.

Welcome to BB, and I’d like to add one more thing… we are addicted to bunny pics here, so feel free to post lots of them!

*hides her poking stick behind her back* hehe

[MorleyanBells]

Awesome thanks! I will have to get some pictures up immediately! I didnt realize how entertaining bunnies really truly are! The other day I had the cable guy come over. He was sitting on the floor and was surprised when Bella came out to meet him. It was so cute because they have this game where they will run up, stare at you for a few minutes and then run back into the bedroom. They expect you to follow and if you dont, they come back out and start pulling on your clothes. When you go into the room, they will then hide. You have to call out their names and once you do, they come running out and bump you with their noses or run around you for a bit and then they race out of the room. It is the cutest thing ever! The cable guy was really fascinated with them!

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Crystal! Despite your saying you are new to them, you actually sound rather knowledgable about rabbits…You must have meant to have them in your life. However, they will continue do things to confound us the little imps! I am a bit astounded at how you came to get Bella though. I’m glad she’s got you, I can just imagine someone else having ended up with the rabbits from the petting zoo then releasing them the next day. Does this petting zoo still operate? It’s really irresponsible of them to do what they did.

I wonder if you could attach large pieces of other carpet (similar or left over carpet) to heavy boards then put these down over the troublesome spots?  Do they just pull the carpet or they eating it too?

Well, despite the carpet issce, Bella and Morley sound totally adorable. Sounds like they love to play chase – soo cute!

[i~luv~frappichino&sammy]

I agree,what kind of petting zoo is that??If you cant take care of the animals (i mean the petting zoo) i would suggest putting up for adoption.That is just sad and irresponcible.

[Lintini]

Welcome! This site is awesome and so is everyone here, I too was shocked at how nice everyone is here when I came as a total bunny newbie back in May. We would love to see photos soon!! Nice to meet you

Monkey….I see that huge stick behind your back!!

[Beka27]

Welcome here! I agree, I am amazed by what that petting zoo did. Completely irresponsible.

It’s tough to break them of the carpet habit. It’s a natural urge to dig and chew and rip, so your best bet will be blocking the problem areas, covering other areas with something they are allowed to chew, and distraction with toys, mats, diggy boxes, etc…

[MorleyanBells]

Thanks everyone! I did file a complaint with the city and the park management and they said that what happened is not the norm. I have gone to that park before and did the bunny rental thing in the past and this was the first time they actually had me adopt. I agree though, it was completely irresponsible of them not to take her back when the mistake was made! I am glad though that it happened because the two of them are the loves of my life! As for the digging, I bought a cheap cotton rug for now to cover the spot until I can find some sea grass. They do have a dig box, several in fact, and a lot of card board forts. Bella also likes to walk on my Treadmill, its incredibly cute! Dont worry, its on the lowest setting and I am ALWAYS there to watch her. She just hops in the middle for about a minute and then I turn it off. Its usually after I walk on it that she wants up on it. Thanks everyone for the great welcome! I will upload some cute pictures tonight!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!!!

Welcome Crystal! Despite your saying you are new to them, you actually sound rather knowledgable about rabbits…

I have to double ditto this You definitely sound like you very much know what you are doing

Check out this link for some idea’s on bunny proofing.

The fact that they are only doing it under the couch (Bunnies love to dig and chew, especially loving to be under something) is actually a good thing. Blocking it off and giving them something else instead may be the solution you need.
Note the blocking it off permanently is not necessary so don’t let that phase you-you can block it off for a few weeks
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/BunnyProofingYourHome/tabid/61/Default.aspx

[MorleyanBells]

Well thank you! I have done a lot of research. My place is pretty bunny proofed. They cant get to any cords and I have a small xpn wrapped around the my couch so that they cant get around nor behind it but now Bella just like to dig and chew in the corner of my living room. They do have a box filled with newspaper and both like to dig and shred in there but apperently the carpet is too tempting. I went out and bought a really cheap cotton rug to cover the spot for now. They have tried to really dig at the rug but the fibers are really tight lol It tires them out and eventually they stop. I am hoping that over time, they will find it boring and just not do it. I cant fix the carpet until they stop lol

[Author]

Messages