I just had Bugs neutered a few weeks ago and I thought that would help with the chewing and digging but it didn't. In fact, it seems he does it more often. Could he be acting out because he is lonely? He is a very sweet boy and loves to lick our dog, (when the dog isn't in my/Bugs' room)my family, and I. I have chosen to wait 8 weeks after his neuter to begin bunny dating. He wasn't this destructive over the summer when I was home all day with him. I let him run around the house for about 30 minutes to an hour to let him see all of the family and get attention. Is it time I begin searching for potential bondmates?
Destructive behaviors due to loneliness?
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Happy Bunno
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How much do you let him out? It's logical that your bunny gets more attention throughout the summer. If you only let him out for 30 minutes to a hour, it's logical that he is a bit more destructive. Try letting him out more, giving him more attention and new toys. If you don't have time to be with him then you should start thinking about getting a friend for your bun.
He is free roam of my whole room. I let him out into the rest of the house because he likes running around and my room is fairly small. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear.
Happy Bunno
Well-Known Member
Hmm... not really sure. How much do you spend time with him? How much attention are you giving him?
I am usually in my room doing something like reading, doing homework, watching TV, etc. I will usually do all of these things while sitting on the floor so he can come and sit by me. I will pet his head while doing these things or he will demand attention by digging at my knee or chewing my clothes.
Happy Bunno
Well-Known Member
Well, seems like you're giving him enough attention. To be fair... When I got my little bun neutered he did act differently. I would personally wait for a few weeks and then evaluate his behaviour. If this kind of behaviour continues then maybe he does need a little friend.
Happy Bunno
Well-Known Member
No problem. I was a bit worried too when I got my bun neutered. Good luck!
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Chewing and digging can also be typical rabbit behaviors. Some rabbits do it more than others. Does you have wood sticks for him to chew on?
Well, neutering helps with humping, spraying, marking etc., it doesn't turn a rabbit into something else than a rabbit. Seems your boy has a lot of energy, and that finds its ways. He isn't destructive, he's just a young rabbit. Imho that'll get somewhat better over the years.
An hour or half, at times you chose not him, well, that's not enough to burn off his energy. I would give him stuff to work on, branches of ash, willow, hasel etc. Also stuff like extra yummy hay stuffed in cardboard rolls. Cardboard boxes to destroy, if he's into that.
A bondmate is a great idea, I love watching my buck interact with Dotty, but, well, I wake up in the morning by twice as many branches being gnawed on, buckets being thrown around, and whatever else crosses their mind. They are two happy rabbits now...
Rabbits and social creatures and digging and chewing are normal rabbit behaviors. These signs don’t mean he needs a mate. I find in the fall a few of my rabbits burrow more in their cage so I add hay or shavings or shredded paper in the bottom of the cages so they can be active without being destructive to the carpets or furniture. For chewing I will but paper towel or tp tubes food boxes and cardboard boxes and fill with them with hay this keeps them engaged and the box is a different texture then hay so they chew away. Also some grass mays and toys help for different textures to chew without destroying the house
You could make a dig box for him.
I have considered that, but because I used to use shredded paper as litter in his litterbox I don't want to confuse him. I will give it a try though
