1) Chewing and Digging
Disciplining Your Rabbit
My first reaction when my rabbit would start chewing the furniture, rug, or molding was to firmly say, "No!" and clap my hands. While I thought this would help her understand that her behavior was undesirable, I quickly realized that it wasn't as effective as I'd hoped. Reprimanding the rabbit would simply distract her momentarily. She would either move on to a new activity only to return later, or she would resume the same naughty behavior once she'd decided the noise was gone and all was well again. There did not appear to be an understanding that her behavior caused the clapping and saying "No!", and that she should discontinue that activity completely.
It is not effective to discipline your rabbit after the fact. If you come home to find your bunny resting comfortably and the molding is chewed up, it is not the time to reprimand. She will not understand why you are angry, and it will just stress her out. So while reprimanding your rabbit at the time of the naughty behavior may be slightly effective, it is best to also use the techniques below.
Rewarding Your Rabbit For Good Behavior
Rabbits tend to learn better when they are rewarded for good behavior, rather than when they are disciplined for bad behavior. Determine what your rabbit enjoys most, such as praising, petting, grooming, or small healthy treats. When she chews and digs acceptable items like chew toys, old phonebooks, or her cardboard castle, let her know this is good behavior! This brings us to the next tactic.
Providing Acceptable Items to Chew and Dig
If your rabbit has a continuous supply of timothy hay to eat, some toys to play with, a grass mat to dig on and a cardboard castle to renovate, she will have less of an inclination to chew your furniture and dig up your carpet. Your rabbit needs to chew and dig on a continual basis. This wears down her teeth and claws, which are always growing. Providing safe items to chew will ensure good dental health for your rabbit.
Except in rare cases, you will still need to trim her nails. You cannot declaw a rabbit. Not only is it extremely painful, but rabbits have no pads on their feet and need claws for grip.
Protecting Your Belongings
Even if your bunny is well-behaved, it is best not to tempt her. Keep all wires, important documents, and other cherished belongings out of reach or protected. In terms of protecting your furniture, I've read a few articles that suggest applying Tabasco sauce or Ivory soap (specifically the Ivory brand because others may have harmful chemicals). I did not particularly want my furniture covered in soap or Tabasco sauce, so I have not tried this. However, I have tried putting on a special bitter lime spray that was supposed to keep rabbits away from furniture. This was not effective on my rabbit. In fact, she even licked the spray off.
So, I use a puppy-pen to block off the part of the room that has nice furniture she likes chewing. I keep the rest of my nice furniture in other rooms that she can't access. For more information, see the Bunny Proofing Your Home article.
So with a little patience and supervision, some rabbit toys, and a bit of bunny proofing, you are well on your way to creating a harmonious life with your pet rabbit.
2) Rabbit Noises
Growling
If your rabbit growls or grunts at you, she's not happy about something. Maybe she's angry that you're poking your hand into her cage, and she doesn't want you in her territory. Growling can be a sign of anger, fear, uncertainty and stress. The better you get to know your bunny, the more you'll discover what her different growls mean.
Crying
Your bunny may cry. Sometimes a bunny will let out a little cry or whimper and thump their back feet. This is interpreted much as you would understand the same noise in puppies or people.
Licking
If your bunny licks your face or your hands, be happy. She's telling you I love you!
Screaming
You never want to hear your bunny scream. A bunny scream is usually shrill. It's a heart-breaking sound, and it generally signifies your bunny is either hurt or dying. You'll want to get her help immediately.
Flopping
Your bunny is on top of the world. She is so happy, she can think of no better way to show her happiness than flopping over, eyes closed, taking some time to relax.
Binkying
You've got one happy bunny on your hands. She's gyrating, dancing, hopping high in the air and shooting across the room at lightening speed. She's so happy she's a bunny and living with you.
Thumping
Your bunny will thump her back legs for a number of reasons including fear, anger and warning you to danger lurking.
The Bunny 500
It's 6 a.m., and the Bunny 500 has taken off again. Your bunny or bunnies are in their room, when all of a sudden, zoom! They race around the room over and over again at top bunny speed, until they're ready to just chill out, munch on some hay, chew the phone book or flop down for a much-needed nap.
Chinning
Your bunny is rubbing her chin all over the furniture, the book you're reading and you. This is just her way of marking her territory. She's saying, hey, this is mine.
Advice: You may search Google for "rabbit noises". This will give you many links to related articles.
3) Playing with your rabbit
Some bunnies will play fetch just like a dog. It is best to have toys that they can grip with their teeth for this. Toys for birds are good for this, as are paper towel rolls cut into smaller rings. They will pick up their toys in their mouths and throw them with a flick of the head, or carry it back to you. Some bunnies enjoy playing a nice game of chase. Your bunny may prod you with his/her nose until you chase them around the room only to turn around and chase you.
My bunny, Buka, loves to start on one side of the room and try to run to the other side while I stand in the middle and try to catch him. (I always let him win.)
Bunnies especially like being mischievous. They will sometimes steal something you are holding and running away with it hoping you will chase them. While you may find it slightly irksome that your important papers are now clenched in the teeth of your bunny he/she will find your vexation amusing.
There are many benefits to playing with your rabbit. For you it may offer relaxation or amusement. For your rabbit it offers a chance to bond with you and foster a relationship. Playing provides your bunny with mental stimulation and physical exercise, both of with are essential to bunny health.
When you are away from home your bunny still needs to play, so it is a good idea to have a selection of toys for him/her. One of our bunnies favorites is their cardboard castle. (See our article on Building a Cardboard Castle for your Bunny.) They love to dash in and out or laze about away from the bustle of the household in their castle. They also love to chew on the walls and scratch at the floors.
Toys are best when they address a bunny behavior, like the cardboard castles. Straw mats and boxes full of paper shreds are good for digging. Cardboard tunnels address their burrowing instincts. Cardboard boxes or cat boxes make great toys to climb or jump onto. Wicker baskets are great for chewing and climbing on. For more information about chewing and digging behavior, see How to Deal with Chewing & Digging.
Other toys can include untreated wood products, hard plastic baby toys, plastic balls with bells inside, pine cones, oatmeal boxes and paper towel rolls, and hand towels. There are toys made specifically for bunnies and most of these are good too. A note of caution: some types of wood can be poisonous for rabbits. These include cherry, redwood and peach.
4) Build a relationship
Her remarks made me realize that a lot of people are unaware that bunnies can have quite affectionate personalities – and that a strong bond between rabbit and owner can be established.
In truth, rabbits are very expressive. When they're happy and full of energy, they'll zip around the room in little bunny blurs, every so often interjecting a few binkies into the circuit. When they're hungry, they'll beg for food or get cranky and start chewing the molding and furniture. When they want attention, they'll dig on your back or your leg until you stop what you're doing and pet them. And if they think you're in the way, they'll let you know by nudging you forcefully with their nose (and they'll follow up with a little nip if you ignore them).
Understanding rabbits' unique language is helpful when bonding with your pet bunny for the long term, but if you recently adopted your bunny, you may not even know how to start the bonding process.
Rabbits are most comfortable on the ground. So your rabbit may not appreciate being picked up and held. If you insist on scooping up little Bunnikins all the time, you may find she starts running away from you and hiding every time you come near. If this is the case, try simply sitting quietly on the floor. Let her approach you on her own terms. When she does, you can gently pet her.
My rabbits like being stroked on their forehead and cheeks. They put their head on the ground and close their eyes in contentment. They also love getting a good back scratch around the shoulders. That said, they tend not to like being touched on the ears, neck, feet, stomach or tail.
Usually, my bunnies are most receptive to petting when they're relaxing after a meal. So if your rabbit doesn't appear interested in affection, wait until just after feeding time. Rabbits are very curious animals, so your bun may just be distracted by all the potential mischief to be had.
Bunnies have very distinct personalities. With time and patience, you will learn what makes your rabbit happy. And in return, your bunny will come to trust and appreciate you.
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