Eating the walls

[~*sAbRiNa*~]

Sabrina has started eating the wall in my bathroom (only behind the toilet no where else). I am pretty sure that it isn't very healthy for her and that is why I am worried. She used to eat the baseboards and I fixed that problem by getting her other wooden things to chew on so that she can still fulfill her wood chewing needs (she has a wood toy and wicker balls from the pet store, a pinecone, junk mail, and a phone book).
Do you guys have any suggestions of what I can get her to replace her need to chew the drywall/plaster? Has anyone else had this problem before? I am spraying it daily with bitter spray but it only lasts a day and is getting expensive since I am already on my second bottle!

 

[slavetoabunny]

I just had my foster Snowball take an interest in a section of wall in my dining room (still trying to hide it from hubby...."the rabbit couldn't possibly have done that"). I just blocked off the area. The bunny should lose interest after a while (Snowball has).

 

[Brandy456]

Just wondering, what kind of paint is it there.. is their lead in it ?

I agree with Patti, block it off..
You can get pieces of wood cut for you at the hardware store, and you can block off the toilette area.. and if its untreated it wont hurt you bun if she bites it

 

[~*sAbRiNa*~]

I don't know what kind of paint it is and that is why I am worried (it is a rental unit). I don't know if I will be able to get wood to fit back there because of all the pipes and etc. Do you think duct taping cardboard to the wall will work? I know she will be able to chew through it eventually but it might be easier to "custom fit" as opposed to getting wood to fit.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I know that you can get things that stick to the corners to prevent chewing. I have seen them at hardware stores. It probably won't help with the whole wall, but could be helpful in corners.
I would avoid using duct tape as you are renting and it can damage the paint when you remove it. Masking tape would probably be better.
Could you just keep the bathroom door closed? Then she can't get in to chew the wall.

 

[slavetoabunny]

Or painters tape. It is made to remove easily without damage.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

Try rubbing the area with a bar of Ivory Soap. It's non-toxic, but tastes awful! It worked really well to discourage Gus from chewing our baseboards.

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[Runestonez]

I would be more worried about her discovering the soft chewable piping behind the toilet!:shock: Although if she did...THAT would probably end the wall chewing..no one likes being attacked by a toilet!

Danielle

 

[~*sAbRiNa*~]

I will definitely try the Ivory soap. The closest drug store to me is closed now, but I will go in the morning to get some! If not, a friend suggested putting Vaseline on the wall then putting chilli peppers or something else spicy in the Vaseline. It is what she does with her horses. Ideas about that?

Korr and Sophie - I know it would seem easier to just shut the door but she is already limited in where she can be in my apartment because there are radiators all along the back walls in 3 of the rooms. Plus she loves to hop into the bathtub and "hide" from me!!!