Rabbits, with their inquisitive nature and boundless energy, are wonderful companions. However, their curiosity often leads them to chew and dig, natural behaviours that we shouldn’t stop but that can pose risks both to your home and their health. Rabbit-proofing your house is essential to protect your belongings and ensure the well-being of your rabbits. Here are some comprehensive steps to create a rabbit-safe environment:
Protecting carpets and floors
Rabbits love to dig and scratch carpets, which can result in damaged flooring and potential ingestion of harmful materials. To mitigate this, you can:
- You can layer carpets and rugs over your floor to protect your carpet – these can be replaced and checked routinely for chewing.
- Block access: If you notice your rabbit chewing or digging in specific spots, use barriers to restrict access to those areas like puppy pens or furniture. If it’s a corner spot, you can use ceramic tiles or bricks.
Rabbit-proof woodwork and furniture
Chewing is a natural behaviour for rabbits, but where they see themselves as helping to clear the warren, you probably won’t feel the same way about your furniture having nibble marks… Here’s how to protect your woodwork and furniture:
- Cover woodwork: apply plastic corners or protectors to edges of wooden furniture to discourage chewing.
- Avoid painted or varnished wood: these can be toxic if ingested. Ensure that any exposed wood is safe for rabbits should it be chewed and if painting stick to rabbit-safe paint types. Cuprinol Garden Shades is a pretty easy and safe option.
Protecting electrical cables and sockets
Electrical cables are particularly dangerous as rabbits can gnaw through them, posing a risk of danger to your rabbit and to your home. To prevent this:
- Cover all cables: use protective sleeves or cable conduits to encase wires and keep them out of reach. You can buy cable covers on Amazon.
- Hide Plug Sockets: cover electrical plug sockets to prevent your rabbit from accessing them.
Maintaining cleanliness with house rabbits
Rabbits are naturally curious and may ingest harmful substances if they come across spills or debris. To prevent this:
- Clear spills immediately: ensure any spilled liquids or foods are cleaned up right away to avoid ingestion.
- Don’t leave waste out: whatever you leave out will be fair game as far as the rabbits are concerned!
Blocking access to hazardous areas
Rabbits can find their way into tight spaces and potentially dangerous areas. To safeguard them:
- Use barriers: block access to specific areas where you notice your rabbit tends to chew or dig.
- Refrain from keeping dangerous items (heavily electrical items, things you want to kep from rabbit teeth) in the area your rabbits will be living in!
Providing suitable alternatives
To keep your rabbit occupied and deter them from destructive behaviours, provide plenty of enrichment:
- Offer gnawing options: provide a variety of chew toys and safe wooden blocks for them to gnaw on.
- Digging areas: create a designated space with materials like shredded paper or hay where your rabbit can dig.
See our choices for safe rabbit enrichment on our Amazon shopfront.
By following these steps, you can create a safe and stimulating environment for your rabbits, ensuring their health and happiness. Remember, a well-maintained and rabbit-proofed home not only protects your belongings but also allows your furry friend to explore and enjoy their surroundings safely. It’s not fair for us to blame rabbits for natural behaviours – so let’s focus on letting them be rabbits in a safe space.
