Providing a Safe and Fun Alternative Space

Now that you’ve accounted for just about every mishap your mischievous bunny might get into, be sure to provide them with some safe and fun alternatives for chewing or digging.

• For Digging: Give your rabbit an enclosed cardboard box with a hole cut in each end. Fill the box with hay or shredded paper and let them get inside and chew, dig, and shred to their heart’s content!

• For Shredding: Give your rabbit an old, clean phonebook that they can rip, tear, and shred! Take toilet paper or paper towel tubes and fill them with hay or paper for chewing fun.

• Chewing: Give your rabbit a variety of pet-safe wicker baskets, chew rings, and hay-filled balls, to keep their busy teeth occupied.

Discipline: Never hit or physically discipline a rabbit. Rabbits' skeletons are considered 'bird-like' in that they are lightweight and fragile. Striking a rabbit could seriously injure or kill your rabbit. This would also ruin any trust you had built with them. When you find your rabbit doing something that is not allowed, even biting, try one of these techniques:

• Clap your hands together to make a loud noise.

• Thump your hand or foot like a fellow rabbit (be mindful not to step on them).

• Be sure to familiarize yourself with rabbit communication so you know how to interpret signs of possible aggression, like nipping, biting, or boxing.

Bottom line: Keep your rabbit active, happy, and mentally stimulated by spending plenty of time interacting with them. When you can’t be with them, provide a few toys and things to chew on. Also, be sure your rabbit is spayed or neutered to help prevent destructive behaviors. Remember, an active rabbit is a happy rabbit!