Bunny proofing for house rabbits, Electricals & power cables

Electricals and cables

In this article we show you how to bunny proof electricals & cables, bunny proofing can prevent house rabbit damage to electrical & cables.

Dangerous situations

little compares to the sense of dread that sends you flying across when you realising you have left an electrical device plugged in and your rabbit is chewing on the cable. Even if you do get to the switch in time the reaction from you rabbit as you come bounding toward it can often send it flying for cover leaving it scared and in hiding for several minutes. Making a room safe from the dangers of electrical equipment before your rabbit can roam freely is an essential part of bunny proofing that can never be over looked. You simply can’t wait for this problem to appear then deal with it as at that point it may already be to late leading to the most tragic consequences.

Razor sharp teeth

Most electrical devices are shielded inside metal boxes, have no smell or texture and pose very little interest or danger to your rabbit. Whats more they are often elevated for easy reach on a shelf or stored away when not in use and you will find very little needs to be done to make them safe for your rabbit and keep then safe. Where the real dander lies is in the cables that supply these devices. To a rabbit these are extremely appealing and although tucked away from your they subsequently then lie directly in there path of your rabbit making them an unavoidable target. On encountering one of these cables your rabbit will instinctively want to cut it back like a root or shoot of a plant growing into its path and it has a formidable set of teeth that are perfect for doing just that! In seconds the soft plastic insulation which normally ensures the cables safety can be sliced through by a rabbits razor sharp teach exposing the live cables to a wet mouth causing the device to short out.

Hiding cables away discreetly

Always make cables inaccessible by blocking the cable off from the plug all the way to the device. A good way to do this is to arrange your room to the best effect by putting items of furniture that electrical devices sit on in front of the plugs that supply them and then secure access to the cables by running them up behind it till it is out of reach. Book shelves chest and cabinets all make excellent natural shields.

Blocking areas off

If there are areas across your home where cables are exposed you will need to block these areas off to prevent access. A useful way of doing this is to use some panels of wire fencing to surround the exposed cables. You can get this by breaking up a pet pen and this can be brought out when your rabbit is roaming and easily stored away when it is no needed. Avoid using cardboard as this will not be tough enough and may even prove an added temptation.

Extra shielding

Another sensible idea is to add extra protection by shield the cables as well. A variety of products are available from DIY stores that can be customised to do this such as box tidies that can be mounted on walls to conceal the cables with in or if more flexibility is needed then split length tubing makes excellent insulation. You can cut the tube to the exact length then slip the cable inside along it length so you don’t have to remove the plug. The split allows you to using a more sturdy material good way to secure the ends to the pipe as this can become exposed if it slips down is to use some duct tape. This can but made more secure by plugging the plug first into a block adaptor and taping the pipe to it.

Low power cords

Cable tidies, the type supplied by office or computer stores, do not provide enough protect for power cable be can be useful for shielding low power cables that require greater flexibility such as phone lines, mouse cords, controllers for games consoles or audio visual cables such as aerials. or mobile phone chargers.

Lastly always do a double check and scan the room before you let your rabbit roam freely in a room.