How to Make Your Home Safe for Your Rabbit

Rabbits will chew almost everything in your home, perhaps because their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and they need to gnaw on something to keep the teeth the correct length. Protect your rabbit from dangers like toxic paint, varnish and electrical cords by rabbit-proofing your home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinyl/plastic Tubing
• Bitter Apple Sprays
• Cardboard
• Cardboard
• White Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Utility Knives
• Electrical Tapes

1. Buy some plastic tubing at a hardware store, either from the plumbing or the electrical department.

2. Use a utility knife to slit one side of the tubing lengthwise.

3. Fit electrical, telephone and computer wires into the tubing.

4. Tape the tubing closed at intervals with electrical tape.

5. Cover or tape any wire that is still exposed, such as the length of wire leading into an electrical outlet. Your rabbit will find that one uncovered wire and chew right through it.

6. Spray the tubing with white vinegar or bitter apple spray (found in most pet supply stores). These act as repellants - although the rare rabbit thinks white vinegar and bitter apple taste good. Also use white vinegar or bitter apple spray on any rugs or furniture that your rabbit likes to chew.

7. Train your rabbit not to chew (see "How to Train Your Rabbit Not to Chew or Dig Household Items" under the Related eHows).

8. Block small crawl spaces with wood or heavy cardboard so that your rabbit cannot get behind furniture, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers or dryers.

9. Remove any reclining chairs, reclining sofas or rocking chairs - even sliding rockers. Rabbits are curious about everything, and many rabbits have been killed when trapped inside the inner workings of these chairs.

10. Keep bathroom doors shut. Rabbits have been known to jump into toilets and drown and into bathtubs and shower stalls, breaking their backs or necks.

11. Walk barefoot or wear soft slippers in your home and always walk slowly. That way, you won't hurt your rabbit if she gets tangled between your feet as she follows you around the house.

Tips & Warnings

• Plastic tubing comes in a variety of sizes, so you can fit one wire or many into one length of tubing. The tubing is thick and inexpensive compared to the type made specifically for covering wires. After the wires are covered, most rabbits tend to leave them alone.
• Keep your shoes, handbags and leather jackets in the closet, away from your rabbit. Many rabbits like to chew leather and other clothing.
• Be careful when you iron, vacuum, or use a curling iron or hair dryer. Some rabbits are attracted to the cords and will bite right through them.
• Rabbits can be electrocuted even when the electricity to an appliance is shut off; the current continues to run within the wire for a time after shutoff.
• Store your bicycle and exercise bike in a safe place and keep your rabbit away from them. Rabbits can get stuck between the spokes, whether they are moving or stationary. Rabbits can also get tangled and stuck in bike chains. If a rabbit gets stuck and panics while trying to extricate herself, she could get seriously injured.

[bunnywhisperer]

on 3/28/2009 Does anyone know of a rabbit safe paint that can be purchased in the USA. It is for a very large rabbit hutch. I have heard of Cuprinol Garden Shades, but I cannot find it in my town and anyone who sells it on line except only in the UK. Any help would be much appreciated. The buns can't wait to get into their new home!

on 3/16/2006 I found the cable runs that the hardware stores sell to be too expensive. What I used instead is the plastic edging you buy for covering particle wood shelving to be way cheaper. I just drilled holes through the plastic edging (important or plastic may crack) and run your phone cords, TV cable, power cords, etc., through it. You can then screw the cable cover to your baseboard or whatever. It only costs a fraction of the price for the cable track but still neatly hides those wires from bunny.

on 2/14/2006 Our rabbit absolutely loves adhesive, so covering cords with tape simply encourages him to chew (especially a problem with repaired wires that have been electrical taped). I don't know whether other rabbit owners have this problem, but be aware that wrapping a cord in tape may not protect it.

on 11/22/2005 Start the rabbit in a small area such as a small room, or a blocked off area of one room. Gradually open up more space as the rabbit learns to handle his freedom.

Rabbits are easily litter trained. Put a large shallow plastic pan in a corner near his food. Line the bottom with newspaper, then an approved rabbit bedding, then a layer of hay. Put a handful of fresh hay in the corner of the pan daily.

A house rabbit makes a wonderful pet!

on 11/22/2005 Much of this applies to guinea pig-proofing your house. Remove any plants that may be poisonous from all areas the animals have access to, being especially careful around the holidays. Guinea pigs are natural grazers and will try to eat your plants.