Hi, I've got a female, neutered lion-head rabbit who is 10 months old. We got her from the pet store when she was about 8 weeks old and was petrified of people. She is fine with us now and although she still doesn't like to be held she will come and nudge us with her nose when she wants some attention. Our problem is that while we thought we could have her as a house bunny and give her the run of the house she is very destructive. Nothing is safe from her when she is about and she seems to want to eat anything! I'm not sure whether she is bored so I try to give her treats and things to play with but she still chews and digs. I'm hoping she will grow out of this behaviour as she still is young (is this likley to happen?) but wonder whether a friend for her may help and if so how to go about it? Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks
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Destructive Lion-head
- Thread starter Rox
- Start date
Hi, yes she was spayed this summer. She used to circle our feet a lot and nibble and claw at our feet playfully and this stopped but sadly the furniture and carpet ripping is the same. Is this normal behaviour for a lion head or do you think she will grow out of it? Thanks for reply!
lottielouise
Wise Old Thumper
Its safe to say this is normal behaviour of indoor rabbits, not just young lion heads. I think your best plan would be to limit damage, I think there are quite a few people on here who have had similar problems, and found solutions in diverting their attention from destruction behaviour and protecting things like wires
Phoebesmummy9
Warren Veteran
My lionhead Fletcher is ok indoors but loves destroying his lovley neat shed!
i know, such a shame as i'd like her to have more attention than she does as at the moment we have to spend time with her in what has become 'her room'! If she had a free run, she would have more company and I wondered if she would eventually grow out of wrecking things but sadly doesn't look like it will happen. Will be impossible to bunny proof the whole house so will have to carry on as we are it looks! A rabbit I had when I was younger never bit a thing but was a male albino netherland dwarf so not really comparable. Thanks for the advice!
clutterydrawer
Wise Old Thumper
I don't think destructive tendencies are at all affected by age, breed or sex - it's just a personality thing.
I have found though that my buns were more destructive when alone that when living with a rabbit companion so it's possible that pairing your bun with another might distract her a little from her mission of destruction. Don't regard it as a magic fix though as you could easily end up with two naughty bunnies instead of one.
I have found though that my buns were more destructive when alone that when living with a rabbit companion so it's possible that pairing your bun with another might distract her a little from her mission of destruction. Don't regard it as a magic fix though as you could easily end up with two naughty bunnies instead of one.
My simba is a lionhead and has always enjoyed nibbling things he shouldnt eat! :roll: He now has 2 girlies to keep him busy and is now 6yrs old but still insists on making the edges of lino in their room a unique shape! :roll: Luckily my two girlie lionheads are good as gold! Can't you just bunny proof the area you let her have free range of? I have all my wires in his reach protected and no shoes around for him to nibble on. He likes to throw balls/toys/sticks about too
Can't you just bunny proof the area you let her have free range of? I have all my wires in his reach protected and no shoes around for him to nibble on. He likes to throw balls/toys/sticks about too
Oompa-Loompa
Warren Veteran
My Boris is part Lionhead and he's always been a little monkey :lol:
He has,however,grown out of it now..well perhaps not entirely,he still has the occasional nibble on the wallpaper but he's not nearly as bad as he used to be!
He has,however,grown out of it now..well perhaps not entirely,he still has the occasional nibble on the wallpaper but he's not nearly as bad as he used to be!
Oompa-Loompa
Warren Veteran
I know what you mean..I also have a 4-month-old,extremely hormonal doe and she can be quite a handful! I won't even attempt to let her free range anytime soon though,she's the naughtiest wee bunny I've ever met! :shock: She'll eat just about anything!
As for keeping two bunnies together..well you will need to bond them. There are quite a few threads on bonding on here I believe,surely someone will be able to help you out Once bonded they shouldn't be seperated,so you'd obviously have to keep them in the same room,not in seperate cages.
As for keeping two bunnies together..well you will need to bond them. There are quite a few threads on bonding on here I believe,surely someone will be able to help you out
Once bonded they shouldn't be seperated,so you'd obviously have to keep them in the same room,not in seperate cages.clutterydrawer
Wise Old Thumper
That's right, a rabbit is the best companion for another rabbit.
The best pairing is one male and one female, both of whom should be neutered.
They will live in the same cage but you can't just fling them together, as such - you have to introduce them gradually and monitor them to check theyre getting along, this is known as bonding - if you get a new bun from a rescue, the staff there will usually do the bonding for you to save you the stress.
Extra bunny proofing is always good too, especially for cables! If you search the forums there should be some threads with ideas for bunny proofing your house
Brilliant, thanks cluttery drawer and oompa loompa! Maisy is a devil, nothing is sacred but she is loveable! Will have to ring the rescue centre and work on partner to give up dining room for a bunny room! I'd like to see her with company and good to know that a buck is best for her.
clutterydrawer
Wise Old Thumper
Awesome. Remember you must post photos, it's a special rule we have here on the forums :lol:
:lol:
