Bunny Proofing
Rabbits are notorious for chewing on ‘spicy hay’ a.k.a. electrical cables.
Protect your rabbit from electrocution by removing electrical wires from your rabbits area, hiding them behind furniture, or covering them with a cord protectors.
Check out the “Heavy Duty Cord Cover” from Small Pet Select.
Baseboards, corners and doorframes are another common targets for a rabbit’s chewing.
Protect these by blocking access with grids, pens or corner guards. Supervise your rabbit closely when they are free roaming and redirect them as soon as they begin to nibble on something that they shouldn’t by saying ‘no’ firmly (you can also stomp your foot) and offering them something that they can chew on such as a chew toy. You can also wipe baseboards and wooden surfaces with diluted white vinegar as a deterrent before letting your rabbit out to free roam.
Rabbits also have a natural tendency to dig and chew at carpets—especially in corners and under furniture. This behavior stems from their instinct to create burrows in the wild but can also be a sign of boredom.
Protect your carpet try covering the targeted area with an area rug, plastic chair mat, or large ceramic tile (which doubles as a cooling mat your rabbit can lay on if they are feeling warm).
To combat boredom providing a dedicated digging box can help satisfy their instincts and redirect their attention away from the carpet. Regularly rotating toys and chewable items can keep your rabbit engaged and less interested in the carpet, too.
Check out the Bunny Lady’s step by step guide for making a dig box: https://bunnylady.com/diy-rabbit-digging-box/
Use waterproof blankets on your beds and couches to guard against any accidents that might occur as your rabbit settles in. Avoid pee pads as these end up getting chewed and ingested.
Rabbits love to squeeze into small spaces and can burrow into the undersides of couches and beds. Use C&C grids to block off these areas.
Unlike wood, which is usually harmless, rubber and plastic can cause deadly intestinal obstructions if ingested. Ensure all such materials are removed from areas your rabbit will have access to or securely blocked off. Consider TV remotes, wheels of strollers, office chairs or carts, exercise weights, children’s toys and plastic baby toys. Plastic stacking cups and other baby toys can be used for supervised play time but should NOT be left in the rabbits enclosure all of the time.
Many common houseplants are toxic to rabbits and no, unfortunately, rabbits do not have the innate sense to not eat something that can make them sick. Here are a few to watch out for: poinsettias, lilies (including Easter lilies), onion, rhubarb, hydrageas, chrysanthemums, iris, ivy, daffodil, poppy, rhododendrons, both tomato and potato plants, yew, and cannabis. But even non-toxic plants can upset a rabbits digestive systems, leading to serious health issues like GI stasis. Be sure to remove or block access to any houseplants. Fake houseplants can also be dangerous if rabbits ingest the synthetic material.
Rabbits are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Maintain ambient temperatures between 64-74°F to keep your rabbit comfortable. Be especially cautious with long-haired and lop-eared breeds, which can start to overheat at 76°F.
Because rabbits have a very sensitive respiratory system, avoid smoking, vaping, and burning incense. Scented plug-ins and air freshener sprays should be avoided as they are toxic and can cause respiratory and neurological problems, and even death.