Why rabbits dig

Many rabbits dig as a destructive behavior because they are feeling stressed or bored. Digging becomes therapeutic and helps your rabbit comfort themself or relieve their frustration. This is why you will often hear of rabbits digging into the corners of their cage when they are left alone all day.

Many rabbits learn that digging behaviors will get them attention. Many caretakers notice that their rabbits will sometimes dig onto them. Since this is typically learned behavior and not fully instinctual, rabbits will learn to use digging to communicate in different ways. The most common reason that people want to stop their rabbit from digging is because of their tendency to destroy carpeted floors.

For example, you can keep your rabbit in a room with hardwood flooring or tiled floors that are harder for rabbits to destroy. You can use mats and area rugs that are cheaper and easier to replace if your rabbit digs through them. If you have to keep your rabbit in a room with a carpet, which is often the case, then the best thing to do is cover areas of the carpet that your rabbit tends to dig into.

This usually includes corners of the room and areas underneath furniture and next to doorways. To cover these areas you can use a combination of area rugs, plastic mats, and cardboard to keep your rabbit from destroying the carpet. Plastic mats, the kind that would go under a desk chair , tend to be the most durable option, but may not fit into every corner of the room. Area rugs can be used over top of the carpet for larger trouble spots, such as underneath large pieces of furniture.

Smaller mats and cardboard can be used to cover up any remaining trouble spots. This gives your rabbit toys for mental enrichment in addition to distracting them from finding new areas to be destructive.

Try some of these digging enrichment activities for your rabbit:. Holes also operate as safe havens for many rabbits. If a rabbit is in fear of a potential predator, he might just conveniently retreat to his burrow to stay under the radar.

Some prominent predators of rabbits include cats, owls, foxes, weasels and even humans. Since rabbit burrows are such safe spots, the mothers also give birth to their offspring inside of them and use the burrows as dens.

When rabbits dig holes, they generally "oversee" the land that directly surrounds them. This land is designated territory for them. Their turf usually isn't too big, as they prefer remaining close at all times to their burrows. If they stray too far away, they risk not having the option of quickly fleeing into their burrows, should predators come their way. Rabbits typically don't go looking for sustenance outside of their territories. Rabbits frequently construct their burrows in clusters with others.

These are called "warrens. Many domestic rabbits also are avid digging enthusiasts, just like their wild kin. Hide or remove electrical cords under carpet or mats etc or cover them with plastic tubing to reduce the risk of accidents. Place houseplants in an area well away from your rabbits. Remember that simply putting houseplants out of reach may not be enough to prevent your rabbits from eating leaves that have fallen off the plant onto the floor where the rabbits can reach them.

Many houseplants can be poisonous for rabbits. Cover table legs if they may get chewed on. Always supervise your rabbits when they are in the house or an unfamiliar area. Rabbits have a different visual perspective to humans and may find toxic or unsafe items low down that you have missed. Print this page. Fresh foods for Guinea Pigs Provide a variety of different types of vegetables and fruits daily.

Enrichment tips for rabbits Rabbits are intelligent and sociable animals who require enrichment to keep them happy and healthy bunnies. Can't find what you're looking for? Select a centre