Help - Bunny Tearing Up Carpet

[Leon's_Mom]

Hello!! We've been having this problem for about a month now.. We try to make sure he has hay but he's super picky about it and will only eat like half of what I put out for him. Then he goes to tearing up the carpet. He only does it by the couches which he like to goes under. So I think he is trying to burrow there. We have tried the bitter spray. But I am running out of options.. My boyfriend is getting really mad at him and I don't want him to try to get rid of Leon so I need options..

 

[Bunny_Mommy]

Hello,

Rabbits, especially unaltered males from my experience, tend to truly destroy carpet. My rabbits, especially my male, destroyed at least 10 feet of carpet throughout the house. My suggestions would be to either cover the parts they like to destroy (usually corners or in front of a door), provide more chew toys for stimulation, such as cardboard, toilet paper rolls (empty), or crumbled paper. As for hay, which type do you give him? Some rabbits prefer different types, but Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass and I think Meadow Hay, Bermuda Grass are the best for them.

Lastly, if he is not neutered, I would highly suggest it, as it will eliminate the destructive behavior A LOT.

 

[Leon's_Mom]

He is neutered. It's Timothy. And ive given him toys but he gets bored of them so easy.. Ive been thinking about getting carpet square but he'll just push them aside like he does my rug he's a butt

 

[Bunny_Mommy]

He is neutered. It's Timothy. And ive given him toys but he gets bored of them so easy.. Ive been thinking about getting carpet square but he'll just push them aside like he does my rug he's a butt

Oh, I see. Was he recently fixed? If not, then that is a bit strange to me, although even mine digs on things still. I think rabbits like cardboard, SAFE wood, and paper more than actual chew toys; they love paper for packing things, as well. As for hay, have you tried orchard grass?

He sounds like a very feisty guy, haha. Bunnies are like that. I hope you do not end up needing to cover most of your carpet, ugh. This is why I moved into a carpet-free place.

 

[Leon's_Mom]

yea it was over 6 months ago. and lol yes he's very sassy. I'm thinking that's what we'll have to do for our next place or just very low carpet not the strangely kind like this stuff is.

Thanks for all the tips!

 

[Butterscotch]

I've got the same problem with one of my bunnies so I'm going to buy a cut of linoleum to put under their cages and play pens. I'm also hoping this will help with potty training. I use fleece blankets for now and those get chewed up too but they can't get to the carpet at least.

 

[samoth]

I block off my couches with NIC grids so they don't get under them and tear up carpet.

I also use small pieces of ceramic tiling in corners where they like to dig. You can usually get ceramic tiles to match your carpet somewhat.