Dwarf rabbit proof house
Dwarf rabbits tend to dig and chew on anything around them. To protect them from potential dangers and also to protect your furniture, you will need to make your home “rabbit-proof”.
Follow me and I will show you how to secure it in a few simple steps.
Why do rabbits chew on wood and wires in the house?
The teeth of a baby rabbit grow throughout their entire life. For this reason, rabbits are genetically predisposed to chew. This exercise allows them to keep their teeth worn down to the correct length.
The chewing motion allows your bunny to grind their teeth against each other, creating normal wear patterns that keep their teeth functioning effectively. Wild rabbits gnaw on grass, bushes, twigs, and branches in the summer and on tree bark in the winter. Domestic rabbits, like ours that live indoors, chew on baseboards, furniture legs, potted plants, and carpets.
That’s why you also need to be careful with the cables in your home, as I suggested to you a couple of times. They can short-circuit without even realizing it when they start nibbling on those delicious-looking electrical cables.
The important thing is to remember that chewing is a natural behavior of your four-legged friend and is a need that must always be respected. And the easiest way is to provide them with toys that help them file their teeth without needing to do so on the furniture in your dining room as an alternative.
Covers for cables and hoses
Cables are one of the favorite targets of rabbits. Their sharp teeth can cut a cable very quickly, damaging your favorite lamp. Or, in the worst case, giving an electric shock to your dwarf rabbit.
The most immediate solution is to cover the cables with plastic covers or flexible tubing. These can be purchased at most home or electronics stores.
Ideally, however, you should try to keep all cables out of reach of your rabbit.
Flexible tubing can also be used to protect the legs of wooden tables or chairs, so that your rabbit cannot chew on them.
Floor plinth protectors
Floor baseboards and door frames are often gnawed by rabbits. To protect them, you can use plastic panels or laminate strips that can be found in hardware stores. If you have particularly fancy door frames that you absolutely want to preserve, then I suggest using wooden panels attached with Velcro strips.
Block access to some areas
When you look around the area where your dwarf rabbit will roam, do you see any areas where you wouldn’t want them to go? Some rabbits can jump 80cm or even higher, and their curiosity leads them onto shelves, chairs, and tables.
They also tend to squeeze into tight spaces, such as behind bookshelves or under beds. For this reason, in most cases, you’ll need to block access to these areas.
You can use a small playpen for children or pets to block access to certain parts or the entire room. It would be best if these small enclosures were made of metal, otherwise, your rabbit may try to gnaw until they can get through.
Be careful that the mesh is tight enough, otherwise, your rabbit may be able to pass through it. If the mesh is too wide (as in playpens for children), I recommend using wooden panels around the base.
Always keep in mind that dwarf rabbits are natural “diggers” and will dig wherever possible, especially if you have carpets or rugs. Any piece that is not perfectly glued risks being targeted and dug up until it is practically destroyed.
Tiles, roof tiles, or wicker mats, such as those used for the beach, are usually good options for covering those areas that your dwarf rabbit loves to gnaw. Another alternative is to use your home furnishings to cover those corners where it usually goes to dig.
Be careful with indoor plants
Indoor plants can be very harmful to your pet rabbit. It’s important to note that most plants are actually highly toxic. Despite common belief, domestic rabbits don’t always have the instinct to know which plants they shouldn’t chew on.
The best solution is always to keep plants out of your rabbit’s reach. In particular, plants such as the Christmas Star, tomato leaves, holly, and tulips are toxic to rabbits.
Entertainment to use as a distraction
Leaving as many toys around as possible can help dissuade your dwarf rabbit from chewing on everything around it, especially your beloved personal belongings. When the rabbit is busy, it will naturally be less inclined to be “destructive” in the house.
Take a look at our article How to play with your dwarf rabbit for more information on giving your friend interesting and non-hazardous objects to chew and play with.