Horrible Wire Chewing Problem :(

[MrBoejyngles]

Boe seems to love wires. Any kind of wire. Doesn't matter where it's at, or how many times you tell him no. If he wants it, he'll eventually get it. He's chewed up a computer keyboard cord, a computer mouse cord, my friend's cell phone charger cord, a gaming system cord, TV cord, etc.. Everything he's ever chewed on has been tucked away or hidden from his view, but nothing stops him. He always gets to them. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do?

Keep in mind that Boe isn't a domestic bunny, he is wild. Right now we have our cord that run across the middle of the room wrapped in walmart bags and duct tape. He doesn't really seem to want it all that much now that the cords are out in the open. The ones behind the computer desk arent that available. We have a blanket tucked in behind the chair so that he can't get to it, but somehow he always does. It's a corner piece stand, so it's really hard to block off the middle of it where the cords are.

I just don't know what to do and he's chewing up everything. Any ideas?

Bobbi. :grumpy:

 

[Nela]

There are a few things out there that you can use for wires if you go to a DIY. People have used aquarium tubing to cover the wires. I also bought something marketed especially for covering wires at Walmart a long time ago as well. I'm sure people have suggestions so you'll probably get answers shortly. Don't despair, there are solutions for sure

 

[MrBoejyngles]

Thanks Nela. I saw something out at walmart that protects the wires, but I wasn't sure if it was safe to use. I know he's going to chew on it; so whatever I get, I need to be sure that if somehow he does ingest it; it'll be safe. I know that wires aren't safe, which is why I want to protect them with something. My boyfriend figured that once he got a taste of the duct tape, he wouldn't want to chew on it anymore - and so far he's been right. I just don't want to have to cover ALL My wires in plastic bags and duct tape. It's a huge hassle. I love Boe a lot, andI know it upsets my boyfriend really bad when he gets a hold of things; so I just want the problem to be solved before anything bigger comes up. Like Boe getting sick - or my boyfriend wanting to get rid of him. Hopefully I'll get more replies soon. Thanks for yours though.

 

[Nela]

Most plastics are generally safe if nibbled. I had rubbed mine with lemon because my cats absolutely hated it so they didn´t bother with it anymore. Maybe that could be an idea? I'm not sure what is particularly not tasty to a rabbit though so maybe someone would have more input. I certainly understand the frustrations though. I'm sure there is a way

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We had to box or cover every wire--period, no way to keep them from getting chewed. Then, Nancy left the chair out and Coal got up on the desk so we got to buy another sound system and a printer cable. I boxed everything on the computer with wood and any cables or wires in the room got covered with PVC pipe that I had cut in half and screwed to the wall. Rabbit proofing is such fun!

 

[kirbyultra]

I had to do intense rabbit proofing too because my boy chews like crazy. Wires are delicious! So far I've boxed away huge bundles of wire behind "hardboard" from home depot. Loose single wires do ok with the protectors that I bought from iowa and they're available in other stores. My buns are smart enough to dig the wires out of the slit of the protector so I have to tie them shut with cable ties!

 

[tamsin]

The best option is preventing access. I have a wild rabbit too and short of encasing things in steel I don't think any variation of plastic or wood will do anything other than slow him down - certainly just hiding things doesn't work as a tight space is just more tempting. Rather than running a wire across the room, run it straight up the wall and around the edge of the room at a height a rabbit can't reach. That way you only have a short section near the socket to protect. A wire box over that will prevent access.

 

[MrBoejyngles]

Thanks everyone. I'll have to try some of the things you mentioned.

 

[goneforbaroque]

Office depot sells these plastic sleeves used to wrap multiple wires together. I have that around any exposed wires and then cardboard toilet paper rolls over that so they have to chew thru all that to get to the plastic, and by then they're usually bored.

 

[bex&2buns]

We have a tv unit in the corner and no matter what we did Willougby could get to it.. .so we got an old cage and cable tied it to the back of the tv unit so its against the wall.. try as he will he cannot get to it! Though he also can jump from the top of the lounge, to a small book shelf onto a higher bookshelf.. needless to say my camera charger does not work.

We also blocked areas off with chicken wire (like the gap behind the lounge).

 

[Tweetiepy]

How about PVC pipe?

 

[jujub793]

what about christmas tree light wires? any sugestions about that? i have free rangers and i am worried about when i put my tree up because those little wires are their favorite!:X

 

[Runestonez]

We trim our tree so we have 24" between the lowest branches and the floor.
We don't put lights in the lower 18 inches of the tree.

You still have to plug them into the wall...
So we wrapped a box in wrapping paper...cut out a hole at the back of the box and then we can put it up against the wall to cover the electrical outlet. We usually just put other boxes around it to keep it in place. Or you can use a bit of masking tape to secure it to the wall...masking tape can pull off without damaging the paint, etc...

 

[Runestonez]

Oh yeah...

IF you have a christmas tree waterer...the kind you put the 2L pop bottle of water in and it syphons into the tree stand...
COVER THE PLASTIC TUBING!

I won't even begin to describe how we figured this out!:grumpy: