U/D a much better evening and day with Mr Bennett.

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

The week before last Mr Bennett was at the vets 4 times including a dental, which he may not have needed anyway, although he had spurs but it may not be the cause of his strange eating and chewing.

For nearly 10 days I have had to keep him locked in his dog crate, which I have never had to do to prevent him chewing mdf furniture, carpet and anything else that could cause a blockage. I do let him out for supervised runs but it doesn't take long before he starts chewing and eating something he shouldn't frantically.

This morning let him out and he was periscoping in the hallway and bedroom as if he was looking for something, normally he does this for food. I tried a crunchie but no interest and the same with plantain. I offered a few pellets, even though he hasn't had any all week but no interest. He finally ate some kale and a bit of fresh basil. However he was more interested in the bag of barley straw.

Output ok but not round in shape. Drinking and urinating fine. Mr Bennett is active and looks normal but I know this isn't normal. Phoned the specialist vet back on Friday morning but the receptionist said they were one vet down so unlikely he would call back that day and he didn't, or yesterday.

Dog crate has been unlocked for 2 hours today and now Mr Bennett has crawled back into the bag of straw.

As I was typing I could hear him chewing the vacuum cleaner wheels and eating the rubber so he is locked up again.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Is he still on Metacam ?

Could he be behaving as he is out of frustration at being caged ?

Is there a room he could be left to free range in that doesn't have any 'bad' things he could chew ?

I can imagine how stressful it must be for you

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Is he still on Metacam ?

Could he be behaving as he is out of frustration at being caged ?

Is there a room he could be left to free range in that doesn't have any 'bad' things he could chew ?

I can imagine how stressful it must be for you

I did think of taking away the carpet and bringing in the dog crate and having him just in the bedroom but he goes behind the built ins and chews the back of the mdf wardrobes.

Back room is full of what I sell on ebay, its jam packed at the moment.

He is definitely frustrated in the evening and early hours of the morning being in there, fine during the day. Its so odd this desperation to eat wood and carpet, which is why I had to lock him up in the first place. Someone suggested it could be because he doesn't have a bunny friend but he has had 3 failed bonds, resulting in injuries and used to freak out every time he saw Cutie-pie when she used to be in the other room.

 

[Vegan_Bunny]

Sorry you are still having trouble with Mr B. It must be upsetting seeing him like this.

What is your kitchen like? Could you let him out in there? My kitchen is all rabbit-friendly and I used to let mine free range in there back before they had my room.

 

[happybun]

I'm sorry. Mr B doesn't seem to know what to do with himself. Has anyone suggested the bathroom? Not much to chew in there, perhaps?

 

[Vanessa.B]

I am so sorry you are struggling with Mr B - it must be so worrying and stressful for you. Is an option to let him have some time outside? Am thinking of you and hope you get some answers and help very soon xx

 

[xx-snowball-xx]

I'm pretty useless so no advice, but sending you lots of hugs xx

 

[MimzMum]

Poor Mr. B and poor you it must be horribly worrying for you. I know he's always been a bit of a chewer but this really sounds like some kind of frustration at this point. Did all this start before or after you had to take his pellets away?
I wonder too if the time of year could have something to do with it. For some weeks now Mimzy has been on a tear with renewed chewing and destruction and I've been with him to the vets and can't find a cause. It's his floor towels that get the assault as he has a limited space to roam anyway and can't be free range but I have to worry he'll ingest the fabric and block so I'm on constant vigil regardless. To distract him I've also given him some willow branch chunks to chew and toss and he seems to enjoy doing this. He gets pretty good air with them and the loud thunk they make when he throws them gets my attention and he likes that.

Here's a thought that just popped up...you've said your whack neighbor has been more abusive of late...could something about this guy be stressing Mr. B out more than usual? A long shot but if it's a reaction to environment maybe something can be done to help him feel more calm? All three of my bunnies can pick up on someone's mood from a distance and you know when they're receiving because the thumping starts in earnest.

Thinking of you both and sending comforting vibes. xxxx

 

[ripminnie]

As you know, I can totally sympathise with you, not knowing what's wrong is just awful I'm sorry I can't remember, but has Mr B had any tests of any kind? Poor little man, I so wish they could just talk to us! Sending mega vibes, I hope you can get to the bottom of it xxx

 

[susie bun]

Poor Mr Bennett. Have you tried a chill-n-chew mat for him? Spenser enjoys destroying these, although he generally has to be encouraged by me holding it steady while he rips at it. It's good Mr B enjoys his straw. It might not have the nutritional value of hay, but better straw that bits of carpet and furniture.

Sending hugs, it ,ust be upsetting having to confine him to his crate. xx

 

[yaretzi]

I have no advice but I hope you get some answers soon

Could you maybe use puppy panels and lino flooring to give him a larger space? If it is out of frustration at least he'd have a bit of a larger space to hop about in, and it might lessen it a little.

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Thank you all so much for your replies.

Vegan bunny unfortunately we have an open plan kitchen and living room and that is where the 3 chinchillas are. Happybun the bathroom doesn't have a window so it would be horrible and dark in there. plus a wooden mdf bathroom panel to chew.

Mimzmum, it could be stress but not from the neighbour, thankfully the internal hallway is the other side of his flat and he has been quiet since served the harassment order. There has been a new cat hanging around and it sometimes slips into the back room but I have to shoo her out, don't know if he would be aware of that.

Thanks Vanessa B, xxSnowballxx, ripminnie, Susie Bun, Yaretzi and Jane. I forgot to say no Mr B isn't on any metacam but I do have a bottle.

Update. Yesterday I let Mr B out at 6.30 pm and he hasn't been locked up since and he hasn't chewed. I am spending a lot of one to one time with him and had him in bed for several hours which he loves. He is eating has improved and he is on hay, straw (for fibre only) and vegetables.

 

[MimzMum]

Aww...a Mr. Bennett cuddle...that must be wonderful
Glad to hear he's doing a bit better today.

I don't doubt a stray cat would be on his radar. My buns pick up on things outdoors that totally slip my notice. But I bet he was really going for that one on one time with you too. xxxx

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Aww...a Mr. Bennett cuddle...that must be wonderful
Glad to hear he's doing a bit better today.

I don't doubt a stray cat would be on his radar. My buns pick up on things outdoors that totally slip my notice. But I bet he was really going for that one on one time with you too. xxxx

Thanks. Another thought though. Mr Bennett has had and is having the worst moult. I wonder if that could be part of it. I groom him every day and cannot believe how much fur is coming out. Huge handfuls.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

I am so pleased to see a more positive update about Mr B

 

[Vegan_Bunny]

Good news!

I hope he continues to be a good boy. I think the problem with him chewing sounds more like he is craving fibre than it being an actual behavioural problem due to being bored or stressed. Perhaps the moult is just making things even worse for him because of how much fur he is shedding. I find that mine get very irritated and destructive when they are moulting..it can't be pleasant for them and would certainly make a bun in stasis that much worse.

Sending him more vibes. x

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Good news!

I hope he continues to be a good boy. I think the problem with him chewing sounds more like he is craving fibre than it being an actual behavioural problem due to being bored or stressed. Perhaps the moult is just making things even worse for him because of how much fur he is shedding. I find that mine get very irritated and destructive when they are moulting..it can't be pleasant for them and would certainly make a bun in stasis that much worse.

Sending him more vibes. x

Thanks I hope so. Exactly this time two years ago Mr B was in a bad way for about a week and a half. Could be the time of year when he moults heavily. He has been out free for 24 hours now and no problems. He is sitting in his favourite place which is good.

 

[Vegan_Bunny]

Thanks I hope so. Exactly this time two years ago Mr B was in a bad way for about a week and a half. Could be the time of year when he moults heavily. He has been out free for 24 hours now and no problems. He is sitting in his favourite place which is good.

Give him plenty of nose rubs.

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Give him plenty of nose rubs.

Thanks.

 

[MimzMum]

All my bunnies are blowing their costs too but Fiver is getting the worst of it. I've never seen him so tatty. He was very uncomfy yesterday and needed a lot of coaxing to get him moving about and groomed. I think he's really getting arthritic too and he used to be my most active bunny so it's rather alarming when he's all bunched up. He likes to chew the litter box edges when he's hurting or bored. :roll:

Hope Mr. B continues to improve. xxxx