Digging
We often hear bun carers voicing their frustrations at their rabbit’s amazing and sometimes EPIC digging efforts. However annoying we may find it there is one fact we must accept and that is that Rabbits DIG and that this behaviour is for the most part, driven by their instincts.
Most rabbit species in the wild live in underground burrows that they dig. Burrows provide some safety from predators and extreme temperatures. A group of burrows where numerous rabbits live is called a warren. All domesticated rabbit breeds are descended from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which burrows, so your rabbit has burrowing in his or her genes and there is nothing we can do to change this.
At first, digging might seem cute. If your rabbit lives inside, it might paw at the carpeting, couch cushion, your bed quilt, or other household items. Digging is also a reason that a rabbit living outside or an indoor bun having adventures outside in an exercise pen or other containment must always be supervised, unless their enclosure is secured against digging... It takes a very short time for your rabbit to dig out and escape.
Other Causes of Digging
The face of a serial digger … Photo Credit Danielle Deanne.
Beyond instinct, digging might just be an expression of your rabbit’s thoughts. Curiosity, boredom, stress, fear, wanting attention, seeking a cozy spot to lounge in — any of these and more could be some of the less common reasons why a rabbit digs.
To know what’s going on, take your cue from what’s happening in your rabbit’s life. Has anything changed in the environment? Have there been any changes in the household — more people or less, more pets or less? Are you interacting with your rabbit a lot more or a lot less than usual? A young rabbit is more likely to chew things, dig, and spray than an adult rabbit. In the book “Exotic Pet Behavior Birds, Reptiles, And Small Mammals” co-author Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM, states that rabbits who scratch at the floor might do so to get attention or be picked up.
What to do about Digging
Rabbits are hard-wired to dig but the people who share their lives with them might not be fans of the behaviour. On the plus side, because rabbits enjoy digging it’s a great way to offer them exercise and enrichment.
Soooo .... if you want your rabbit to stop digging, what can you do? The behaviour probably can’t be eliminated, but minimising it is possible.
One of the first things to consider is desexing because rampant hormones can drive a rabbit to dig excessively
Your next best ally in the battle against digging is distraction. When you see your indoor rabbit digging, call out his or her name to get your pal to come to you, try starting a game or just stomp your foot on the ground at least several feet away. Use the foot stomp as a way of communicating, not to scare your rabbit, so stomp just enough to make a noise. A treat is another distraction, but beware offering too many in one day and unbalancing your rabbit’s diet.
Lack of space to express natural behaviours can also lead to frustration and ... digging! Make sure your rabbit gets enough time to free-roam a bunny-safe area outside of their hutch.
If you have a safe outdoor space with dirt available, such as a fenced-in backyard or safe outdoor area for an x-pen, then supervising your indoor rabbit for outdoor playtime could lead to dig-time.
You might also offer a dig box for your rabbit. This can be large-scale like the size of a sandbox for children, or just a high-sided plastic container or sturdy cardboard box that’s at least twice the size of your rabbit. Experiment with “fillings” to find what your rabbits like best, as long as the filling is rabbit-safe. Crumpled paper, heaps of hay, clean dirt or shredded paper can all help to satisfy the digging urge. If you chose to use sterilised sand pit sand in your box, it must be kept damp at all times. Be sure to keep the box clean, removing any soiled items and completely cleaning it regularly.
Another option is to provide grass mats (seagrass or water hyacinth) specifically made for rabbits for your bunny to rest on, dig, or chew as he or she wishes.
Make sure your rabbit has a continuous supply of quality hay to eat, some toys to play with and a cardboard castle to renovate to reduce their inclination to chew your furniture and dig up your carpet. Your rabbit needs to chew and dig on a continual basis. This wears down her teeth and claws, which are always growing. Providing safe items to chew will ensure good dental health for your rabbit.
Use large ceramic tiles in any corners and to cover carpet, that is getting unwanted attention
Protecting Your Belongings
Even if your rabbit is well-behaved, it is best not to tempt them.
Keep all wires, important documents, and other cherished belongings out of reach or protected.
In terms of protecting your furniture, some have used vaseline to coat chair legs etc with some success.
Use puppy pens to block off the part of the room that you want to safe guard.
Outdoor Rabbits
If your rabbit lives outdoors and is a digger then you’ll need to dig proof their area.
There are some suggestions on how to do this in the ‘Enclosure & Run Bases’ file.