Do I need to worry?

[Jammy_Stuff]

I've had my rabbit since Tuesday now and I absolutely love him. But I feel really guilty now as all he seems to be interested in is chewing through the cage bars to get out.

I'd imagine that when he starts going in the run he'll be happier but I don't think he's going to start trusting me as he doesn't seem to pay attention while I stroke him. He just keeps trying to chew the bars.

Is this normal behaviour? Any tips on getting him to trust me so I can pick him up?

 

[nael]

Hi there I think he just needs time to settle down you havent had him for very long bonding takes time

 

[pamnock]

Some rabbits are habitual cage chewers and sometimes actually cause damage to their teeth by pulling on the wire.

If the behavior continues, I would mount a hay rack inside the door to give the rabbit something more constructive to do.

Pam

 

[Jammy_Stuff]

Thanks. I was just worrying that seeing as he wanted to get out he'd get less and less interested with bonding the longer he was stuck in the cage. I don't mind sitting there stroking him as he's so cute .

 

[naturestee]

Does he have toys to play with? Maybe he's bored in his cage. Along with the hay rack, I've known people to mount blocks of wood for the rabbit to chew on where they usually chew the wires.

As for picking up, many rabbits are afraid of being picked up because they are prey animals. Give him time to get to know you, and once he seems comfortable start picking him up, then set him down and give him a treat. I've found it helps a lot if they can hop in and out of their cage on their own. If they have to be picked up to be taken out then they sometimes start to get defensive.

If the cage is not on the floor, you can get a ramp or steps for him.

 

[Jammy_Stuff]

He's got a toy and also a guinnea pig in the cage with him. I'll try putting the hay rack where he normally chews to see if he starts eating the hay instead.

 

[Spring]

Do you know how old he is? He might be teething.. both my rabbits teethed when they were around 7-9 weeks old. You could put some hay for him to chew, and some toys. You could try stuffing a paper towel roll with hay and giving him that, because that'll give him something to chew. He also might be doing this for attention?

Maybe try bonding outside the cage?

Just a note with living with the guinea pig, I've heard this is not recommended and is very dangerous. They have different caging needs and different diets. Rabbits are also too skitterish and can betooterritorial to live with a poor guinea pig. It's a myth that rabbits and guinea pigs can live well together.

 

[Jammy_Stuff]

The problem with the guinnea pigs is that they need vitamin C in their food which can cause problems for rabbits. The rabbit seems to stay around the bottom floor and the guinnea pig on the top so I just put the rabbit food on the bottom and the guinnea pig food on the top.

I also check the rabbits poop to make sure nothing is going wrong when he does decide the guinnea pig food tastes better.

The guinnea pig has a tube in the cage which he can fit in but the rabbit can't so should the rabbit start to be violent etc he can go in there.

I suppose he could be teething as he is coming up to 8 and a half weeks old now.

 

[Spring]

Alright, just so you know. I just don't want the guinea pig to get hurt. If the rabbit gets startled or angry, then can easily kick out or something and seriosuly hurt a guinea pig.

 

[maherwoman]

Jammy_Stuff...how big is your bun's cage?

I ask because the only time my buns have habitually chewed on the bars and tried to get out is when they had to stay in a large cat carrier, and their space was just too small.

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

I still say the guinea pig and rabbit should NOT be housed together.A rabbit can easily break a bone in a guinea pig, most common is the back, with a kick. It's enough to kill it. The rabbit may not seem like it can or willnow but trust me, it can and it just might. It is much more advisable to simply house them separately unless you are willing to toy with their lives.