FAQ: Rabbit Proofing
What does rabbit proofing
involve?
Why is rabbit proofing your home so
important??
So how do I keep electrical cords out of
reach?
How do I keep my rabbit from eating house
plants?
How do I protect baseboards and wooden
furniture?
How do I protect upholstered furniture and
beds?
How do I protect upholstered walls?
9.1 What does rabbit proofing involve?
Rabbit Proofing one's home involves three things: 1) Preventing destruction
of your property; 2) Protecting your companion rabbit(s) from harm; and
3) Providing safe and fun chewing alternatives for your rabbit.
9.2 Why is rabbit proofing your home so important?
Preventing rabbits from chewing on electrical cords is of utmost
importance, since rabbits can be badly burned or electrocuted.
The consequences of biting into an electric wire are too severe
to risk relying on training alone. Instead, you must take
action to move the cords safely out of reach. Some ways of
doing this follow.
9.3 So how do I keep electrical cords out of reach?
Spiral cable wrap
Radio Shack sells something called "spiral cable wrap".
It costs about $3 for 10 feet and works like a charm for most, but not every
bunny. (Some still manage to chew through it.)
This
stuff is very flexible so the cords are still manageable after wrapping.
It works well with cords that you might have in the middle of the room or
might move quite often, such as vacuum cleaner, phone, video game, extension,
lamp and other cords. I keep my portable computer cord wrapped this way,
and it's not too bulky.
Plastic tubing (similar to that used in fish tanks, or with
"swamp coolers") from a hardware or aquarium store can be slit
lengthwise with a blade and the wire can be tucked safely
inside. A harder, black, pre-slit type of tubing is also
available.
Decorative gold and wood-grained wire-concealers that stick to
the base of walls come in strips, corners, etc., so they can
follow the shape of the wall. This is a more costly and time
consuming method than the clear plastic tubing above, but is
more permanent, and rabbit proof, as well.
Of course, Wires can be run behind or above furniture and carpets, but do
NOT run your wires under carpets, as this can create a serious fire risk.
9.4 How do I keep my rabbit from eating house plants?
Many house plants are toxic. Putting them on high furniture may
not keep a rabbit away. Hang them from the ceiling if you have
an active bunny, but watch for falling leaves! If you are
unsure which plants may be toxic, the House Rabbit Handbook
has a complete list of poisonous plants (indoors and outdoors),
as do two back issues of House Rabbit Journal.
9.5 How do I protect baseboards and wooden furniture?
If a rabbit insists on chewing baseboards, edges of chairs,
etc., a board can be put over the places of temptation, making
them inaccessible while also providing an acceptable chewing
surface. This method should be combined with training your
rabbit not to chew on these items.
9.6 How do I protect upholstered furniture and beds?
Upholstered furniture and beds that are several inches off the
ground are wonderful places for rabbits to hide underneath.
However, some will burrow up into the soft underside and make a
nest. A flat cardboard box or frame of 2x4s, smaller than the
area of the future base, will keep the rabbit out, and won't be
seen from human level.
9.7 How do I protect walls?
Clear plastic panels from the hardware or plastic supply store can be affixed to the wall to protect against your rabbit chewing
into the sheetrock or tearing off the wallpaper. Placing furniture over that spot can also conceal the damage and protect against further chewing.
Primary Author: Nancy LaRoche
Primary Photographer: Mary Ann Maier
Sources: HRH, various articles from the HRJ, RHN
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