Safe alternatives
It is unlikely that your are going to stop your bunny of its natural behaviour of chewing and digging, The best way to avoid damage is it provide alternatives.
Hanging chew toys
If an area is blocked off to a bunny where they want access its likely they will try and chew and dig there way though. Cupboards, doors and the adjacent flooring of areas they want access to can become severally damaged overtime. They will have a go at virtually any material even the wires around cages and metal gates used to prevent them getting into areas that are not allowed. A simple way to lessen the damage is to hang chewable toys around the areas where damage is occurring that is more appealing then the material itself. The best types are typically made from wood and a variety of other strong but chewable materials, often strung together, that can exercise there behaviour. Noisy toys that also act as a rattle or those that have a bell attached can also be useful if your bunny is using this destructive behaviour to gain attention. It is important to replace these items regularly to stop them being ignored.
Toss toys
Although bunnys do not make any loud vocal sounds they do being noisy especially if you are not giving them enough attention, for instance if you engrossed in your favourite TV program. Instead of them choosing to damage your furniture or possessions to get attention its better to provide a range of noisy toys such as bells, balls with rattles in them or hard plastic rattles as an alternative. Bunnies can also enjoy crashing around with paper bags, jam jar lids and empty yoghurt pots which can be replaced cheaply on a regular bases to stop them becoming bored with them. Avoid children's teething toys as the plastic on them is too soft and can be swallowed.
Provide your bunny with constant supply of new, safe and fun alternatives for chewing is key to avoiding unwelcome gnawing behaviour to your possessions, furniture, and home. You can buy a wide verity of wooden or cardboard products that they can both ware their teeth out on and that will also provide them with some indigestible fibber that they may be looking for to help them with there digestion. Alternately there are many free or cheep options that are just as good such as old toilet role tubes that can be stuffed with hay to make even more tempting old wicker baskets or willow balls. It is important to circulate the toys by putting some of them away after a week or two and switch with new or forgotten ones. Rearranging them is also important. Move them around to keep them interested or stack them so they can be knocked over. Dried pine cones are a good free sauce of chew toy but ensure they are thoroughly washed and dried out properly by leaving them for a few months. Steer clear of pressure-treated wood, particle board and plywood.
Seed balls
Toys that you can hide food inside provide great entertainment and exercise for bunnies. They soon get the idea that by nudging the toy around a constant supply of treats comes out, and this is an excellent way to can keep them occupied without you keeping an eye on your bunny as you can here them playing.
Digging and Shredding box
Providing safe alternative for bunnys that like to dig and shred can prevent a lot of damage. Old phone books or paper packing materials can provide a cheep solution to your carpets or news paper being ripped up. A good way of preventing mess is to place the material inside a basket or box to stop it being spread around your home. Make sure that this area dose not get adopted as a toilet and significant amounts of the material are not being digested.
Tunnels
Bunnys love to dig and the absence of surfaces to do this can mean they will find inappropriate alternatives such gaps behind furniture and cupboards. It is easy to help prevent this by providing them with an alternative. The simplest way to do this is to take a cardboard box, preferably a long thin one or a tube with one end blocked off and stuff it full of hay or safe paper packing material . its best to secure this somewhere to prevent it moving around to much. Also placing it along the edge of the room can increase interest in it.
Cardboard box
If you had to choose between all the items you can use to distract you bunny from causing damage to your home then the cardboard box would come out on top. Fortunately they are free at most stores they came in a variety of shapes and sizes that means you can keep your bunny amused almost indefinitely. Make sure they are not coated in plastic (the shiny kind) or have a lot of print on them and remove any plastic tape or staples from them.
