To stop bunnies from eating everything, give them safe things to chew. Make your home safe for them. Train them to chew the right things.
Bunnies need to chew. It is what they do. Their teeth never stop growing. Chewing keeps their teeth healthy. If they do not chew, their teeth can get too long. This hurts.
Your bunny is not bad. It just needs to chew. You can teach it what is okay to chew. This guide will show you how. You will learn to keep your things safe. Your bunny will be happy and healthy.
Quick Anti-Chewing Starter Checklist
✓ Keep all cords away from your bunny.
✓ Give your bunny three new chew toys each day.
✓ Put guards on your table and chair legs.
✓ Always have fresh hay for your bunny to chew.
✓ Watch your bunny when it is out to play.
✓ Give a treat when it chews the right thing.
Expert Tips from Rabbit Behaviorists
- Change toys often: Swap chew toys every few days to keep your bunny interested.
- Praise right away: Give a treat the second your bunny chews a good item.
- Be kind: Never yell at your bunny. It will not help and will scare them.
Common Mistakes Owners Make
- Not giving enough types of things to chew.
- Putting good chew toys in the wrong place.
- Not watching your bunny closely enough when it is learning.
Why Do Bunnies Eat Everything?
Bunnies chew for many reasons. First, their teeth grow all the time. Chewing grinds the teeth down. If they don’t chew, it hurts.
Second, bunnies get bored. They are smart and need fun things to do. A bored bunny will find things to chew. Your things.
Third, young bunnies chew a lot. Their new teeth are coming in. Chewing helps the pain. They keep the habit as they grow.
Fourth, bunnies are curious. They use their mouths to learn about the world. They want to taste your stuff to see what it is.
Lastly, some bunnies chew to say, “This is mine.” They have a scent on their chin. They rub it on things to mark their spot.
Behavior Cause vs Solution Strategy vs Severity Level
| Behavior Cause | Solution Strategy | Severity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth that keep growing | Give hay, wood toys, safe sticks | High – They need this every day |
| Boredom | More play, new toys, fun games | Medium – You can stop this |
| Teething pain (young bunnies) | Cool toys to chew, watch them closely | Medium – It will stop |
| Just being curious | Make your home safe, show them good things to chew | High – Always watch for this |
| Marking a spot | Fix your bunny, give them a place that is theirs to chew | Low – You can train them |
How to Bunny-Proof Your Home Well
You need to make your home safe. This keeps your bunny safe and your things safe. Go room by room.
Get down on the floor. See what your bunny sees. Look for things to chew. Cords, rugs, and table legs are targets.
It takes time. Learn what your bunny likes best. Then focus on those spots.
5-Step Home Protection Plan
Step 1: Cover All Cords
Cords are very bad. They can shock or kill your bunny. Put all cords in hard plastic tubes. Keep cords off the floor.
Step 2: Block Off Areas
Use baby gates or pens. Make safe zones for your bunny. Put heavy things in front of spots they like. Use clear plastic on table legs.
Step 3: Use Spray That Tastes Bad
Spray bitter apple on things you don’t want chewed. Test it on a spot you can’t see first. Use it again each week.
Step 4: Always Watch Your Bunny
Do not leave your bunny alone in a new room. Watch them all the time when they are out. Use a pen when you can’t watch them.
Step 5: Make Zones in Your Home
Have a yes room and a no room. Use gates. Your bunny will learn where it can go. This helps them feel safe.
Room-by-Room Checklist
Living Room:
- Cover all cords.
- Put guards on table legs.
- Take out plants that are bad for bunnies.
- Block spots behind the TV.
- Tie up curtains.
Bedroom:
- Put shoes in the closet.
- Deal with the gap under the bed.
- Cover the legs of the bed.
- Keep clothes off the floor.
- Block under the bed where the cords are.
Kitchen:
- Block the bottom of cupboards.
- Take up small rugs.
- Keep the trash can in a cupboard.
- Hide cords from the fridge.
- Do not leave things on the floor.
Bathroom:
- Keep the toilet lid down.
- Put soaps away.
- Take up the bath mat.
- Block under the sink.
- Unplug and put away hair dryers.
Safe Chew Toys and Fun Ideas
Your bunny needs good things to chew. Give them lots of choices. If they have good things, they will leave your things alone.
The best toys are like what they find in nature. Wood, hay, and grass are good. Change the toys often so they are new and fun.
Safe Chew Options
Wood Toys:
Applewood, willow, and aspen are safe. Do not use cedar or pine. You can buy wood toys made for bunnies.
Hay Cubes:
Timothy hay cubes are great to chew. They are also good to eat. Grass balls and hay mats are fun too.
Grass Mats:
Mats made of grass are fun. Bunnies can chew them, dig at them, and tear them up. Put them where your bunny likes to rest.
Safe Sticks:
Sticks from apple, willow, or pear trees are good. Make sure they have no spray on them. Wash them first.
Cardboard and Paper:
A plain box is a great toy. Cut holes for doors. Paper bags with no handles are fun to shred. Give toilet paper tubes with hay inside.
Store-Bought Toys:
Buy toys from good brands. Oxbow, Kaytee, and Living World are safe. Pick toys with no fake colors or glue.
Item vs Safety Rating vs Durability
| Chew Item | Safety Rating | Durability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applewood | Excellent | High | The best choice |
| Willow balls | Excellent | Medium | Fun to throw and tear |
| Timothy hay cubes | Excellent | Low | They can eat it |
| Seagrass mats | Excellent | High | Good for digging |
| Cardboard boxes | Good | Low | Free and easy to replace |
| Paper bags | Good | Low | Watch for ink |
| Wicker toys | Good | Medium | Make sure the glue is safe |
| Hard plastic toys | Fair | High | Only if made for bunnies |
Training to Stop Bad Chewing
You can teach your bunny what to chew. You need to be patient. Use happy ways to teach. Do not get mad.
Start in a small, safe room. Make it bigger as your bunny learns.
Clicker Training
A clicker is a small box. It makes a click sound. You click the second your bunny does something good. Then you give a treat.
To use it for chewing, watch your bunny. When it comes to a good toy, click and treat. Do this each time. Soon it will know that chewing the toy is good.
You must be fast. The click must come right away. Keep lessons short. Five to ten minutes is enough.
Teaching “Leave It”
Say “leave it” when your bunny goes to a bad thing. Then show them a good thing to chew. Give a treat when they chew the good thing.
Do this many times. Your bunny will learn what “leave it” means. Always show them what to do instead.
This takes a long time. Be patient.
Time-Outs
If you see your bunny chew on a bad thing, pick them up. Put them in their cage for five minutes. This is not to be mean. It shows that chewing the wrong thing ends playtime.
This only works if you see them do it. Do not put them in time-out later. They will not know why.
Show Them What to Chew
This is the best way. See your bunny chew something bad? Clap your hands or say “no.” Right away, give them a good chew toy. Be very happy when they take it.
Do this every single time. Be the same each time. Put good toys near the spots they like to chew. Make the right choice easy.
To understand your rabbit’s signals, you can read on rabbit behaviors and body language post.
Things in Your Home That Are Not Safe
Many things in your home can hurt your bunny. You need to know what they are. Then you can keep them away. Bunny owners should have a rabbit first aid kit – Be ready for any problem.
Cords are the most dangerous. They can shock your bunny. This can cause bad burns or death. You must cover all cords.
Some plants are poisonous. They can make your bunny very sick. Take all bad plants out of your bunny’s area.
Plastic can block your bunny’s gut. If they eat a piece, it can get stuck. This needs a vet to fix.
Wood that has paint or stain is bad. The chemicals can make your bunny sick. Only let them chew plain, natural wood.
Toxic Household Items
| Item | Risk Level | What Happens | Safe Swap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical cords | Critical | Bad burns, death | Hard plastic cord covers |
| Chocolate | Critical | Poison, shakes | Treats made for bunnies |
| Plants (lilies, ivy) | High | Sick, organ damage | Spider plants, herbs |
| Treated wood | High | Poison from chemicals | Applewood sticks |
| Plastic bags | High | Choke, gut block | Paper bags |
| Carpet | Medium | Tummy trouble | Rugs made of natural stuff |
| Painted things | Medium | Lead poison | Furniture guards |
| Scented candles | Medium | Hard to breathe | Open a window |
How to Stop Chewing on Furniture or Wires
You need to act fast if your bunny chews furniture or wires. This can cause a lot of harm.
For furniture, put guards on it. Use clear plastic sheets. Spray bitter spray on it. Then put a good chew toy right next to it. Give a treat when they chew the toy.
For wires, you must protect them. Do not just try to train your bunny. Use hard plastic tubes on all wires. Keep wires behind heavy things. If you can’t make wires safe, block the room. Your bunny’s life is more important than going into that room.
Wire Protection Comparison
| Protection Method | How Well It Works | Cost | How Hard to Set Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard plastic cord covers | Excellent | Medium | Easy – just snap on |
| PVC pipe | Excellent | Low | You have to cut it |
| Cord boxes | Good | Medium | Easy – put over the plug |
| Hide behind furniture | Good | Free | Easy – move things |
| Use things with no cords | Excellent | High | It depends |
| Bitter spray on cords | Poor | Low | Very easy |
How to Stop Chewing on Plants and Rugs
Bunnies love plants and rugs. Plants are fun to taste. Rugs are fun to dig and chew. You need a plan to stop this.
The best plan for plants is to take them away. Many are poisonous. Even safe plants will be eaten. If you want plants, put them up high. Hang them from the ceiling.
Keep your bunny out of rooms with plants. Use a gate. It does not mean to limit their space. It keeps them safe.
For rugs, look at the edges. Bunnies like to dig and chew there. Put a heavy chair on the spot. Use a flat stone or a board. Cover the spot so it is not fun.
Give your bunny a box to dig in and bunny chew toys, which are safe things to chew. Put paper strips or safe sand in it. A big box with hay is good too. If they have a good place to dig, they will leave the rug alone.
Indoor Plant Safety Guide
| Plant Type | How Toxic | Signs | Safe Plant to Have |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lilies | Severe | Kidney failure, death | Spider plants |
| Philodendron | High | Mouth swells, hard to breathe | Basil |
| Ivy | High | Throws up, has diarrhea | Parsley |
| Pothos | High | Mouth hurts, drools | Cilantro |
| Aloe vera | Medium | Tummy ache | Wheatgrass |
| Peace lily | Medium | Sick to the stomach | Mint |
| Jade plant | Medium | Throws up, tired | Rosemary |
| Snake plant | Low-Medium | Sick to stomach | Cat grass |
Bell peppers are on many shopping lists. These colorful veggies are a tasty treat and full of healthy nutrients for your bunny.
Use Happy Rewards to Train
Happy rewards are the best way to train. Give treats for good acts. Do not punish for bad acts. Bunnies learn better this way.
You must be fast. Give the treat the second your bunny does well. If you wait, they will not know why they got it. Keep small treats in your pocket.
Use a special treat. A bit of banana or one raisin. Use this treat just for training. This makes it a big deal.
Say “good bunny” in a happy voice when you give the treat. Your bunny will learn to like these words. One day, the words alone will be enough.
Everyone in the house must do the same thing. If one person rewards and one does not, the bunny will be confused. Talk as a family first.
Be patient. Some bunnies learn fast. Some are slow. Do not get mad. Cheer for small wins. Being the same every day will work.
Training Method Comparison
| Training Way | What It’s For | How Well It Works | Time It Takes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Happy rewards | Teach good acts | 85-95% | Medium – do it each day |
| Clicker training | Mark the exact good moment | 80-90% | Medium – you need good timing |
| Show them what to chew | Stop bad chewing now | 75-85% | High – you must watch all the time |
| “Leave it” command | Stop them from going to a bad thing | 70-80% | High – takes weeks to learn |
| Time-outs | Take away free time | 60-70% | Low – you must see them do it |
| Bitter spray alone | Make things taste bad | 40-50% | Low – easy but does not work well alone |
A Daily Fun Plan for Bunnies
A daily plan stops boredom. A bored bunny will chew your things. A busy bunny is a good bunny.
Rabbits are intelligent and active animals. They need mental stimulation throughout the day.
Morning (7:00-9:00 AM):
Bunnies are awake and active. Give fresh hay and food. Play with them for 15-20 minutes. Use a toy ball. Hide treats for them to find. Give them new chew toys.
Midday (12:00-1:00 PM):
Check their water. Give fresh greens. Give them a new box to play in. Put it in a new spot each day. Add a new chew toy. They may take a nap, so let them rest.
Afternoon (3:00-5:00 PM):
This is a fun time for bunnies. Let them out to play. Make the space bigger if you can. Do some training for 10-15 minutes. Practice “leave it.” Watch them in new rooms if the room is safe.
Evening (7:00-9:00 PM):
Give them more greens and fresh water. Give them a calm toy, like a grass mat. You can brush them if they like it. Put out new chew toys. Sit with them. This helps you become friends.
Night (Before Bed):
Make sure they have lots of hay for the night. Leave two or three good chew toys in their space. Give them a box to hide in. Turn the lights down low. A calm room helps them sleep.
A Safe Home Space for Your Bunny
Your bunny needs a safe spot. This is where they stay when you are not with them. It must be very safe.
Use a large pen or a whole room. It should be at least 4 feet by 4 feet. Bigger is better. Put a soft blanket on the floor. Or use vinyl. Do not use carpet.
Put a litter box in one corner. Bunnies like to pick a potty spot. Help them by giving a box. Use paper litter and put hay on top.
Give them a place to hide. A box or a store-bought hut is good. Cut two doors so they do not feel stuck. Get a new box each month.
Put a hay rack on the wall. Hay should always be there. Hay on the floor gets dirty.
Give them water in a bottle or a heavy bowl. Check it two times a day.
Put good chew toys in the space. Change them every few days. Use wood, grass mats, and cardboard. Put them all around the space.
Do not put things in the space that look like your things. If you do not want them to chew the wall, do not give them something that looks like the wall. This will confuse them.
A Plan to Reward Good Acts
A good reward plan helps your bunny learn fast. Rewards make your bunny want to do good things again. The plan must be clear. Be the same each time. Be quick.
Level 1 Rewards (Every Time):
Use these for brand new acts. Give a small treat. A piece of their food, a tiny bit of banana, or a pinch of oats. Say “good bunny” in a happy voice. Pet their head if they like it.
Level 2 Rewards (Some of the Time):
When your bunny knows the act, give a treat half the time. Say “good bunny” each time. Give a treat some of the time. Give a special toy as a big reward for a great job.
Level 3 Rewards (Once in a While):
For acts your bunny knows well, give a treat now and then. Your bunny knows the rule, but a surprise is fun. A surprise treat, more play time, or a new room are great rewards.
Write down how your bunny does. Note good days and hard days. This shows you what works. Have a party when your bunny goes a whole day without chewing your things!
What to Do If Your Bunny Eats a Bad Thing
Sometimes, even when you try to stop bunnies from eating everything, they eat something bad. You need to know what to do. Fast help can save your bunny’s life.
What to Do Right Away:
- Be calm. Your bunny will feel your fear.
- Find out what they ate. Look for chewed bits.
- Watch your bunny. Do they seem okay or sick?
- Take the bad thing away.
- Call your vet right now. Do what they say.
Signs of a Big Problem:
- Hard time breathing or fast breaths
- Lots of spit or foam at the mouth
- Shaking or fits
- Will not eat for more than 12 hours
- Very tired, can’t move
- Stomach is big and hard
- Grinding teeth (this means pain)
- No poops for 12 hours
What to Tell the Vet:
- What did they eat? What was it? How much?
- When did they eat it?
- How is your bunny acting now?
- How much does your bunny weigh? How old are they?
- Have they been sick before?
What You Should NOT Do:
- Do not make your bunny throw up. They can’t.
- Do not give them any drugs unless the vet says to.
- Do not wait to see if they get sick. Call now.
- Do not give food or water if they are having a fit.
What to Do in an Emergency
Your bunny ate a bad thing.
↓
Do you know what it is?
↓
YES → Write down what, how much, what time.
NO → Look around. See if you can find clues.
↓
Is your bunny sick right now?
↓
YES → Call the emergency vet. Go now.
NO → Call your normal vet for help. Watch your bunny close.
↓
Do what the vet says.
↓
Keep your bunny in its safe space.
↓
Look for changes.
↓
Write down any new signs for the vet.
↓
Call or see the vet again if they tell you to.Common Problems:
Chewing a Cord:
If your bunny chews a cord, turn off the power at the box. Look at your bunny’s mouth for burns. Even if they seem fine, call the vet. The hurt might be inside. Burns can swell and block their air.
Eating Plastic:
A small piece might pass. A big piece can get stuck. Watch if your bunny eats and poops. If they stop eating or making poops, see the vet now. A block can be deadly in a day.
Eating a Bad Plant:
Some plants make them sick fast. Some take time. Do not wait. Call for help now. If you can, take a piece of the plant with you. This helps the vet know what it is.
Questions People Ask
Why do rabbits chew on everything?
Rabbits chew because their teeth never stop growing. Chewing keeps their teeth short. They also chew when they are bored. Or when they are curious. Young bunnies chew when they get new teeth. Some bunnies chew to mark their home. Give them good things to chew. This helps a lot.
How can I stop my rabbit from chewing furniture and wires?
First, cover your furniture and wires. Use plastic guards on cords. Use bitter spray on furniture. Put good chew toys near the spots your bunny likes. When you see them chew a bad thing, say “no” and give them a good toy. Give a treat when they chew the good toy. Use guards and training together.
What should I give my rabbit to chew on instead?
Give them wood toys. Applewood, willow, or aspen are good. Give them hay cubes and grass balls. Grass mats and seagrass are fun. Sticks from apple or willow trees are great. Cardboard boxes and paper bags are cheap toys. Change the toys often to keep them fun.
Are there sprays to keep rabbits from chewing?
Yes. Bitter apple spray tastes bad to bunnies. Spray it on things you don’t want chewed. Try it on a spot you can’t see first. Use it again each week. But spray does not work alone. Use it with training and good toys.
Do bunnies outgrow their chewing habits?
No. Bunnies will chew all their life. Their teeth never stop growing. But they can learn to chew the right things. As they get older and learn, they will chew your things less. Fixing your bunny also helps. With your help, an adult bunny will be much better than a young one.
Conclusion
You can learn how to stop bunnies from eating everything. You need to know why they chew. You need to be patient. You need to be the same each day.
Your bunny chews because it must. It is not being bad. Give them good things to chew. Make your home safe. Use happy training.
Remember these things:
- Bunnies need to chew for healthy teeth.
- Give them many safe toys each day.
- Use guards and training together.
- Give treats right away for good acts.
- Never get mad at your bunny for chewing.
- Be patient. It takes time.
Start now. Begin with one room. See how it goes. Be happy with each small step. You and your bunny can live in a happy, safe home.
