Crate gnawing is a habit many rabbits have, especially early in the morning. Not only is this behavior very annoying, but it can also cause the rabbit to injure itself. Also, sometimes it indicates that the rabbit has some kind of problem.
To correct this behavior, the first thing to do is to understand its causes. Let’s list the most common ones and what can be done to avoid them.
Why do rabbits bite the cage?
The first thing to understand is that chewing is a natural occurrence for rabbits. This is not only part of their instinct, but it is also necessary for them to keep their teeth in good condition as they continue to grow at a rate of 1 centimeter per month throughout their life.
In other words: if the rabbit does not chew, his teeth will become too big and can cause him serious problems. And your furry friend may like to gnaw, in particular, the bars of the cage.
The rabbit eats.
image source: 123rf.com
In other words, the fact that the rabbit nibbles the grate a little does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with him. Rabbits, like cats, are twilight animals, and the peak of their activity falls at night and dawn, which is why they gnaw, which is logical, exactly when they have the most energy .
It should be noted that of all that a rabbit can gnaw on, cage bars are not the best option, as they can damage the teeth and even be poisoned (it all depends on the material from which the mesh is made) .
The real problem arises when a rabbit constantly gnaws the cage bars to exhaustion, as the cause may go beyond the mere instinct to gnaw. The most common reasons for a rabbit to gnaw on a cage are:
- He wants out of the cage. Unlike hamsters and many other rodents, rabbits are very active animals that need space and some freedom of movement. If you force a rabbit to stay in a cage too long, it will get very sick, especially if the cage is too small. In this case, the persistent nibbling on the bars will be his way of telling you he needs to get out.
To avoid this problem, your rabbit should ideally live outside the cage and only return to it to sleep or when it needs to be alone. If that’s not possible, make sure his cage is big enough and consider taking him out for a few hours at least twice a day.
Since this is one of the most common reasons why a rabbit constantly bites on the bars of the cage, we will explain below the space and rest time that rabbits need to feel comfortable.
Also keep in mind that the need for activity may vary by breed.
Your rabbit should not spend too much time in the cage. Ideally he should live outside the cage or spend at least 3 hours a day outdoors.
Rabbit in the hands of the hostess.
image source: 123rf.com
- Wants to get your attention. These little lagomorphs are curious and very sociable animals: they need to spend time with you and the other animals in the house. Lack of companionship can be just as detrimental to them as lack of space.
Your rabbit may gnaw on the bars of the cage when he sees you passing by, hears you talking in the next room, etc. If you notice this behavior in your rabbit, chances are your pet is just trying to get you to pay attention to it. It’s his way of saying, “I’m here, don’t leave me, involve me in what you’re doing.
Another possible, more practical reason why your rabbit might want to get your attention by biting the cage is that he needs something: food, water, toys, or cage cleaning (this are very clean animals). Make sure your furry friend always has everything he needs.
- Because he’s bored. One of the reasons that can make a rabbit gnaw on the cage grid is boredom, the lack of incentives. We have already noted that these little animals are active and curious, so they can get nervous if they have nothing to do or play, especially if they live alone. In this case, the rabbit will gnaw on the grid simply because he has nothing to entertain himself with.
Rabbits need constant and varied stimuli. They are intelligent, curious and active animals.
The best solution is to have a second rabbit at home and enrich its environment with interactive toys, wooden tunnels, wheels, houses and other entertainment. You will see how they are having a great time!
A word of advice: try to alternate your choice of toys and accessories over several days. Rabbits are very intelligent animals and get bored seeing the same things all the time.
Rabbits on the bed.
image source: 123rf.com
- Something is bothering him. Biting on the grate can be a sign of anxiety or stress in rabbits. This can happen for the reasons we have already mentioned (lack of space, boredom…), but also when the rabbit feels bad if there are other animals at home that he is afraid of, if you treat it too roughly or because of poor nutrition. The rabbit may gnaw on the cage non-stop just to relieve the tension.
If you suspect your rabbit is suffering from anxiety or stress and you don’t know the cause, seek veterinary advice. This will eliminate possible health problems and help you determine what is bothering the animal.
Tips for creating the right space for your rabbit
One of the most common reasons a rabbit constantly bites on the grate is that they don’t feel comfortable there. In small apartments, small cages for rabbits are usually installed, and if we add to this that the owner is away for a very long time, and the rabbit spends more time in the cage than he would like, this problem is particularly relevant.
- How long should the rabbit stay in the cage. There is an opinion that rabbits can spend many hours in their cages, like small hamsters, but this is not so. Rabbits need to interact with their human family and get exercise every day.
Ideally, the rabbit should live outside the cage and only return to it to sleep or when it prefers to be alone. If this is not possible, the rabbit must spend at least 3 hours a day in freedom, and even better, if he does not spend this time alone, we encourage him to move, we take care of him.
In general, it should be remembered that rabbits are very active, intelligent and sensitive animals. Before you get a rabbit, it’s good to see if you can provide everything it needs.
- How much space does a rabbit need? The ideal cage should measure at least 1 x 0.75 meters per rabbit. Your little furry one must have enough space in the cage so that he can run, jump, hide if he wishes, hang out, stretch, etc. That is, places where you can lead a normal life even in a cage and not feel confined.
The rabbit cage should be as spacious as possible. Inside, the rabbit should be able to lead a normal life: jump, run a little, hide…
- Is it a good or bad idea to close the hutch at night? Faced with the problem of my rabbit biting the cage, many people choose to close it at night. This might work and prevent the rabbit from chewing the grate, but it’s still not a good idea.
The first problem is that if you close the rabbit’s cage at night, it will be left in total darkness, which can cause stress. Rabbits sleep better and feel safer in the dim lighting that is naturally present in any home at night.
If your rabbit lives in a house, it will be enough to provide him with enough hay or straw and a small house in which he can hide. If you have a cage outside (on a balcony, in a pen, etc.), you may need to close it, but always try not to close it completely.
Cute bunny.
image source: 123rf.com
What to do so that the rabbit does not bite the cage?
So that the rabbit does not bite the bars of the cage, the first thing, as we said at the beginning, is to know why it does it. It’s important not to get angry because your pet won’t understand this and you’ll only cause him more anxiety.
You have to study his body language and think about the conditions in which he lives: does he have enough space in the cage? Do you take it out often? Does he bite the cage all the time or only at certain times of the day (at night when you are around…)?
Depending on the conclusions you have drawn regarding your rabbit’s behavior, you will need to follow one or more of the following tips, some of which we have already given you earlier:
Take another rabbit. So your first bunny will never be alone: ​​he will have a partner to play with when you are not at home or when you cannot devote enough time to him. Rabbits are very social animals that love company, provide them with stimulating toys and entertainment. As you have already understood, your rabbit will need to get out of the cage and be active every day. Both inside and outside the cage, you will need interactive toys and other objects that will make your communication with your animal more interesting. Communicate with him every day. Spend time with your rabbit every day, pampering and playing, and you will see how his character improves and your bond grows stronger. Balanced food, water and daily cleaning. These three factors are very important for the well-being of your animal. Veterinary examinations. Visit the veterinarian regularly to ensure that your rabbit is in good health and that his teeth are growing normally. If your rabbit has got into the habit of chewing the grid and you can’t avoid it, you can replace them with transparent methacrylate panels. Keep in mind, however, that with this remedy you will only be avoiding the symptom, not the potential underlying problem.
See also: Interesting facts about rabbits that will surprise you.
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