Like many rabbit owners, you may be confronted with this phenomenon which, depending on its context, can be problematic: your rabbit gnaws the bars of its cage. Nervousness can quickly take over because your nights suddenly become less restful. Nevertheless, you must act methodically to resolve this behavioral defect. We tell you how.

The reasons

They are multiple and depend essentially on the context . Not all of them are serious and some can even be corrected quickly.

·         Your rabbit shows his boredom

Your rabbit doesn’t have to stay inside its cage all day . He must be able to go out every day . Otherwise, he could show his boredom by gnawing on the bars of his cage .

It is also a sign of frustration . What is initially episodic can quickly become a habit and, therefore, a behavioral problem. He shows his discomfort as he can and you must intervene before he falls into depression .

·         It is a means of communication

Without realizing it, you run to your rabbit as soon as he gnaws at his cage . He understood it and now uses it as a warning signal . By doing so, he knows that you will come to see him. This also reflects his desire to get out of his cage.

Under certain circumstances, gnawing on the bars can mean that he is hungry and would like some food in his bowl. As such, never forget to give him water continuously .

·         Consequence of a stressful environment

Your rabbit is in a stressful environment that can upset him. He will calm down by gnawing on the bars of his cage. It can also be the translation of a difficult cohabitation with congeners.

In any case, it is important to react , either by changing the room , or by separating your rodents if you have several.

·         When hormones play tricks

An unsterilized rabbit will be more likely to drift towards this behavior. It’s a way for him to vent his frustration . We often see this phenomenon in pregnant females. The only solution lies in the sterilization of your protege.

·         It signifies an underlying suffering

The fact of gnawing the bars of his cage can reflect an underlying disease , often of oral origin. Your rodent has pain inside his mouth (teeth, gums) and is trying to alert you. Never forget to check the condition of his oral cavity to confirm or refute this possible origin.

How to remedy this phenomenon?

In case your rabbit gnaws the bars of his cage out of boredom, the solution is quite simple. You need to improve his comfort of life and his distractions . You must install more accessories for him inside his place of life. You can also take more time for him, by playing more often on a daily basis , perhaps taking him out of his cage even more. Try to find a happy medium to satisfy your hairball.

If he’s craving you for food , try to regulate it by feeding him at the same time every day. That way, he’ll get into some sort of routine and won’t tend to call you anymore. You can also modify ingredients in his diet . Maybe he just doesn’t want to eat certain things anymore and he lets you know that in his own way.

Either way, you need to stay calm and patient . This phenomenon will inevitably end up stemming if you take the necessary measures . You can go to a behavioral veterinarian with your pet.

In summary

There are several causes that can explain that your rabbit gnaws the bars of his cage:

• Stressful environment.
• Boredom.
• Underlying disease.
• Desire to eat or drink.

Each time, the noise can disturb you and, beyond that, the simple fact of affixing your teeth to the bars can damage it. You must react accordingly, but always calmly and methodically. Do not hesitate to contact a behavioral veterinarian who will help you stem this phenomenon.