Is this normal?

[MyBunGusGus]

Gus Gus, my 1 1/2 year old mini rex has some odd behavior. He never zooms and rarely binkies. He is always digging in any material under his paw, like sheets, clothes, blankets, ect. He also will come up to me and dig on my clothes and nip, which hurts! I’ve tried telling him “no” but he goes back to doing it right after. I’ve also tried saying “ahh” when he digs and nips but he doesn’t respond. Another thing Gus does is that he gets upset at anything in my lap, which he has to move and if he can’t get it to move then he digs and chews on it. Is this normal rabbit behavior? I am a first time rabbit owner. I’ve read a ton of books and online stuff on rabbits but I’ve never heard of rabbits always acting this way. I’m not sure if it’s something his old owners used to let him do or if it’s just something I’m doing. I adopted him from the AHS on 3/3/15 so I’m not sure if it’s just him because he’s so new to the house or what. He is fixed, which I know will affect a rabbit’s behavior. His neuter is also fairly new (3/2). I just want to make sure I’m not doing anything wrong!

Binky Free, GiGi and GusGus. You are always in my heart.

[Sarita]

I have a rabbit that likes to dig around – not all the time but on occasion – I often wonder if Bobby does it because he is anxious.

I imagine GusGus just enjoys doing this – and rabbits don’t really understand that “no” means “no” – I would try to put him down when he starts this behavior and maybe give him his own sheets to rearrange and chew on.

Don’t be concerned that you don’t see zooms and binkies – just because you haven’t actually seen them doesn’t mean he doesn’t do them. Also I don’t think it’s the only way a rabbit shows happiness….just one of the ways.

[MyBunGusGus]

Thank you Sarita! I was just worried, it’s nice to know that I’m not doing something wrong that’s making him act this way.

Binky Free, GiGi and GusGus. You are always in my heart.

[Flopsie]

Sounds normal to me. My bun is spayed and loves to dig. She will dig for fun, dig to tell me shes mad, dig when bored, and dig for whatever reason i’m not aware of. She loves to dig. Unlike your bun, she wont nip or dig my bare skin. But if i’m wearing clothes over the skin, she’ll dig like crazy. I have to make arrangements so that she doesn’t dig on carpet (e.g., restricting areas).

As for saying no, it doesn’t mean anything to animals. The word “NO” is really a human construct and has no inherent meaning. So bunnies and other animals don’t know what “no” means. Its the action that is paired with no (e.g., the consequences), that allow people to learn the meaning.

Now you might argue that other animals respond to “no.” Technically, they are responding to “no” because of what it is paired with such as a Loud NO! (aversive stimulus), or with the thing that follows no (e.g., punishment)

[MyBunGusGus]

Yeah, I read to discourage digging on clothes to say “no” and move their head – which is what I’ve been doing with Gus but he’ll go right back to it afterward. I’m hoping that he’ll learn it with time.

Gus doesn’t usually dig on bare skin, only if he decides it’s in his way but clothes set him off.

Thank you for replying!

Binky Free, GiGi and GusGus. You are always in my heart.

[kirstyol]

Bramble dug like a bun possessed for a good few weeks after his neuter, I have no idea why I am guessing it was hormone related. It settled down after a good few weeks and while he does still like to dig things occasionally, he now sticks to things that are appropriate for him to dig (his blanket, digging box etc) rather than digging us!

[scubahood]

when my rabbit starts digging a lot or generally acting crazy i give her more hay.. even if she has some.. she likes fresh and it calms her down

[LittlePuffyTail]

My Mini-Rex used to be big on digging any material. Clothes, towel, anything. I think that’s just normal for some bunnies.

[LBJ10]

Digging is normal. I would give him appropriate things to dig and direct him to them. If he is doing it while sitting on your lap, immediately return him to the floor. He will get the message.

[gingerg]

My buns are constantly digging into the material under their paws — any blanket is an invitation to digging. I put a small towel in my baby bun’s cage so he can enjoy pushing it around. My older rabbits will dig at the rug in front of their cage and the material on the easy chairs (fortunately, I keep their nails trimmed so they don’t tear up the fabric).

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