Rabbit Digging/Chewing

[Popsicles]

It won’t hurt to put another one down if you aren’t confident she can get in/out great, but if you only have a small area they should be able to find their way back okay. Depends how we’ll litter trained they are

 

[Bribble]

Just switched the cage to a spot in my room where it's got walls on three sides, like a little nook I guess. They've got a ramp and some space. Pretty sure I can already smell them marking their territory or something Perks of unspayed rabbits I guess.

But I've heard her digging at the baseboards a few times. I've put some toys they haven't seen in a while down there and some paper towels for the "problem rabbit" to shred. Peeing on carpet is one thing, it's easily cleaned up. Digging at my baseboards are another. If she continues digging at baseboards I will not only be stumped as to why, but also a little ticked lol. I also don't think she's figured out the ramp (which is not at a steep incline).

 

[Bribble]

It won’t hurt to put another one down if you aren’t confident she can get in/out great, but if you only have a small area they should be able to find their way back okay. Depends how we’ll litter trained they are

I went ahead and put my other one down there just in case although I'm sure they'll just have fun on the carpet. It's nice and soft and irresistible to pee on lol.

 

[Popsicles]

I would consider spaying them if territory marking is a problem - not only does it help with behavioural problems it also reduces the risk of so many diseases. And if you get a chance please upload a photo of your setup if you want some advice

 

[Bribble]

Sorry I didn't update yesterday, but lets just say I feel terrible for keeping her in the garage at night. She had babies last night!! I think for now she will be a lot better now that she's got 4 little ones to take care of .

 

[Popsicles]

Omg well that explains a lot.. do you know how she got pregnant? Presumably it wasn’t planned? I would read lots of the breeding thread if you haven’t already, get some advice!

 

[Bribble]

That's what I thought! I have two males and I had one inside because the other one had beat him up .He got out of his box and must've gotten into the girls cage at some point. Definitely not planned haha.
Yes ive done lots of readinf when I thought my other one was pregnant and ive got a rabbit breedint friend I can fall back on

 

[Popsicles]

Okay good, feel free to send us a picture of baby buns and for the future maybe consider getting them all neutered hahaha

 

[Bribble]

I've got a few on my phone, will have to upload later!
Well they were breeding stock (the males). But this specific breeding was not planned lol.

 

[Popsicles]

Yes please! Oh I see, didn’t realise you were into breeding

 

[Bribble]

Well not 100%, this is my first litter. Was trying to wait to get everyone established (my males had begun fighting when the hormones kicked in, it got nasty) but this works! Heres a low quality pics haha.

 

[Bribble]

Can't see the little black one but hes in there! Its the only one that took after its momma

 

[Popsicles]

Yeah fair enough, threw a spanner in the works! Do you know what you will do with the babies? Bless them little pink blobs haha cuuuute, what a surprise for you

 

[Rabbits4ever2]

it sounds, to me, like she wants something from you. Either you are sleeping when you should be awake or she's hungry or thirsty or wants some attention. Makes sure she has plenty of fresh hay. To me it definitely sounds like she wants something. Yes most rabbits dig and chew but sometimes it's a communication thing.

 

[Bribble]

I'd like to keep at least one of the babies but will have to find homes for most of them. Rabbits seem to be pretty popular around here so it shouldn't be too hard


As for attention, I'm not 100% sure. Their water is always topped off and they've got free choice everything, and they frequently get kitchen scraps. And she's very timid and typically doesn't like me to mess with her. She tolerates petting and such but never really wants to stay for long unless I've got food.

 

[Popsicles]

Yeah I hope you find good homes for them
I would assume, now we know she was pregnant, that the scratching was an effort to find a safe place to make a nest! So hopefully this shouldn’t be a continual issue for you. I do think you should stick to the increased access to running space that we spoke about before though

 

[Bribble]

Yeah I hope you find good homes for them
I would assume, now we know she was pregnant, that the scratching was an effort to find a safe place to make a nest! So hopefully this shouldn’t be a continual issue for you. I do think you should stick to the increased access to running space that we spoke about before though

Hopefully that was the cause! And maybe I'll know for next time. I definitely will. I actually just got a cage the other day for $10 that sits on the floor like I wanted and it's a pretty decent size. My male is in it now though until I can separate him and his brother and until his butt heals.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p-76228-59085.jpg

 

[JBun]

Well, that's a surprise. I agree that she was likely trying to dig a nest for her babies, so hopefully the behavior stops. Not sure what you know about taking care of baby buns and their mom, but this link has a lot of good info on accidental litters. One very important thing is to make sure to increase moms food significantly(pretty much free feed hay and pellets, if she's used to pellets, while she's nursing).
http://flashsplace.webs.com/accidentallitters.htm

 

[malia and mom]

I know I posted this topic before but never got an answer as to how to stop it, just what it was. The last, 4 weeks or so, my rabbit has just constantly been digging and chewing at the corners of the cage. The first two weeks it was just at night, and it kept me up. Now however, it's ALL DAY LONG too! It's like the rabbit never sleeps!

The cage doesn't have a top on it and the front door is always open. So if she wants out, she can get out. Nothing I've done to try and stop this behaviour will work. I've honestly resorted to putting her in a bin in the garage at night just so I can get some sleep in. I know she doesn't like it, and I don't either, but I've got no other choice. She's the only rabbit in my room that does this. And it's all she does. Does anyone have any idea on what to do to stop it? I hate throwing her out in the garage, and we've had the occasional peaceful night the last week but she still starts up again at some point. For the chewing/digging I've tried blocking the corners but then she just digs right next to it. I've also tried vinegar and some nasty tasting stuff to try and prohibit the chewing but that works for about 10 minutes. I've tried adding a hay rack to keep them busy as well but it doesn't really work. I'm at a loss here. Any help is appreciated.

Do you give her anything specifically to chew on? They like to gnaw on wood: try giving her willow branch sticks, some safe untreated wood -
Here are some items that are OK for rabbits to chew on:

• apple, willow, aspen branches; hay!
• pine firewood;
• cotton towels.
• untreated fresh pine lumber attached to cage so it doesn't move–piece of molding, 1″x2″s, or 2″x4″s;
• basket with hay in it–let the bun chew the basket as well as the hay;
• compressed alfalfa cubes.

also read this link:
Chewing | House Rabbit Society
https://rabbit.org/faq-chewing/