Really bad chewing started today

[qtipthebun]

Q-tip has gone to town on the bit of carpet by my door. I cannot stop her. Currently she's locked up and shaking her cage until she knocks it down (I had no idea a mini-rex could be that determined).

This just started today, but she's shredded the entire carpet by the door. I didn't have any food in here so I didn't spill anything, and I have no idea what her deal is. She started it this morning.

I'm sure as hell not getting my security deposit back...this is bad. She started chewing once before over by her cage and I covered it with an old course reader from a class I hated and she gave up....but this is right where the door closes so I can't put anything there. I tried cardboard but then I can't close the door. Plus, she just moves it and gets on with her life.

I can't have her out if she does this. I have no idea what her problem is. Someone translate this awful behavior for me, and pronto. The fate of the rest of my carpet (and 200 dollars in May) depends on it.

What do I put on the spot? How do I make her stop???

 

[qtipthebun]

Update, I poured some apple cider vinegar diluted with water on it and she sniffed it and hightailed it back to my chair with a look of severe disdain.

That may have stopped the little fuzzface for the time being, but I have no idea how long it will last....I"m still looking for fuller solutions.

Also, is there a household product I can feed her to make sure she didn't ingest too much fiber? (Judging from the amount of carpet pieces on my floor, I don't think she consumed too many, though). I've heard papaya, but I have no idea how to find a papaya....it's fall, I could get a little pumpkin and feed her some, right?

She's currently nomming on her dinner and eating ridiculous amounts of hay, but I just want to feed her something in the morning to make sure.

 

[Imbrium]

papaya tablets *might* help, though they're more of a hairball remedy and I'm not sure they'd help break down carpet fibers... if you wanna PM me your address I could pop a few in the mail for you to have around in the future just in case, as I've got like four bottles of the stuff.

hay's the best thing for her, though, so it's good that she's eating lots of it.

 

[qtipthebun]

I've got dried papaya, will that be the same thing? I'd be willing to share a human treat with her....

 

[JBun]

Papaya won't do anything for carpet fibers. The best thing is lots of fiber from hay, and water. You'll want to make sure she's eating normally and also keep an eye on her poops as well. Make sure that they stay normal.

If the vinegar doesn't continue to work to keep her from chewing on the carpet, you could try rubbing a bar of ivory soap over the top surface of the carpet. If you don't mind having a little soap on your carpet that is. I hope you're able to find something that works well for you. Our buns can sure be little bundles of destruction when they want to be

 

[qtipthebun]

She's eating and drinking like normal...poop appears to be normal too. She seems to have started avoiding that spot once I put the vinegar there, so....we'll see how long that lasts.

Little ball of destruction did a real number on the carpet this time...I wonder what she wanted....