question about chewing

[wymyczak66]

It’s okay haha. Well as some of you might know I’m planning on adopting a bun this fall when I get an apartment with my best friend and my boyfriend. My best friend’s mom had a rabbit when she was younger, and said it destroyed everything by chewing. I know that some rabbits are just not chewers, and I’m hoping to be lucky enough to find one, but my best friend’s all worried that my rabbit will damage the apt. and cost us our security deposit by the end of the lease. 

My question is whether or not there’s a way to train your rabbit not to chew, or what you think the best thing to do to fix that problem is. 

Also, on a side note, if anyone can explain to me or send a link with information on how the adoption process goes that’d be great. Say if I found a place close enough to home to drive to the actual rescue center, and there’s a list of buns on petfinder, could I just choose the one I want and go over to the place to get it? Or do I have to fill out an application and wait to be accepted, and if so how long could that take? Will I get to choose one? I just really plan to get an adult who’s already been altered and litter trained. 

                thank you 

                                      

[KatnipCrzy]

I am sorry- I deleted the wrong double post.  You can hit “edit” and edit the above post with your question.

Sorry-

Julie

[Beka27]

My suggestion would be, if you’re worried about it, maybe you should put up the security deposit, or most of the deposit (split 70/30 or 80/20). Your rabbit, your risk of losing that money. It’s a very real possiblity that the bunny will chew or dig. Those are natural behaviors and even well-behaved, altered house bunnies do it to a certain degree. It’s rare to find a bunny that does not chew or dig AT ALL.

The best way to prevent destruction of property is by bunny-proofing the area the bunny is allowed in, and having a bunny “zone” for when you’re not home or at night (like a pen or NIC cube condo). You cannot train a bunny not to chew, but you can use distraction as a method for decreasing chewing on unwanted areas/things. Phone books are great for digging, or a diggy box filled with shredded paper. Willow and cardboard are awesome bunny toys that they love to chew on.

This is a great article from HRS about toys and why they’re important… http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-6/chew-stick.html

The adoption process will vary from place to place. Check petfinder for local rescues, but I’d actually recommend that you not pick a bunny right off the bat. Make an appt to visit the rescue and meet several of their bunnies. Make your decision based on the personailty rather than breed, color, ears, etc…

[jerseygirl]

Yep, bunny proofing is your best bet. Don’t try stop the actual rabbit from chewing. Provide things they can have to chew. It’s a natural instinct and helps maintain their teeth which is vital.

[wymyczak66]

thank you beka27! that article was very helpful! So basically rabbits chew no matter what, but if I beat them to the punch by giving it a lot of things to keep it busy, its less likely to eat the walls and carpet because it won’t be as bored? Maybe my friend’s mom didn’t give her rabbit anything to keep it busy or chew on otherwise so thats why it destroyed everything. This all just makes me feel better than I’m researching months and months in advance so when I finally get one I’m going to be prepared.

How much of your furniture/home do your rabbits chew? A lot? a little? barely at all because you’re always a step ahead? I’m just curious

[Beka27]

Oh LOL! My house has had a fair amount chewed. they like to chew baseboards and the base of the walls. We have paint in the bunny room that was put over old wallpaper so they figured out they can chew it off. A couple spots on the carpet were nibbled, but that hasn’t been too bad. Bunny-proofing is very important.

[BunnyMuffin]

My rabbits have never chewed baseboards or walls or other fixtures. Noelle is more of a digger and managed to do a number on the carpet in one corner when I was away this Christmas (I guess she was mad at being left so long). The pet sitter caught it and covered it up to prevent additional damage, but it’s pretty bad…I anticipate losing at least part of the damage deposit. Other than that, Wally is more inclined to chew personal possessions – anything left on the floor is fair game. Papers, wires/cords, and cardboard are his favourites. So it really does depend on the bunny. Noelle never chewed anything other than her food until we got Wally and she “learned” to chew on cardboard and other bunny approved things. So it is possible that you’ll luck out and get a non-chewer – but I wouldn’t bank on it. 😉

And you will get to choose your own bunny, but definitely wait to meet them and ask the rescue volunteers/foster parents what the rabbit’s personality and habits are like to get a better idea of what you’re getting into. And the application process varies. I could probably walk into the shelter here and bring a bunny out with me after some paper work, but the rescue I got Wally from I had to send in an application and wait for approval (about a week) then go meet the bunnies.

Good on you for doing research in advance though!

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