Bunny Proofing
Bunny proofing is making a safe space for your companion rabbit to live and play. You want to look for any hazards that they can get into, as well as things in your home that you want to protect. Some examples of things you want to bunny-proof are electrical cords, plants, furniture, and carpet.
Electrical cords
Bunnies love electrical cords. Phone chargers and earphones are common casualties of bunny teeth, but lamp and computer cords are also fair game. Bunnies can be seriously injured by biting through a cord, so it’s important to protect them. The most common ways to bunny-proof cords are to either cover them, or make them inaccessible in some way. Plumbing tubing makes a great, and inexpensive cord cover. You can find it at the hardware store in a variety of sizes, and it’s easy to cut to the length that you need. To use it, split the tubing with a knife, put the cord(s) inside, and seal the ends with clear tape. Other options for cord covers are the hard plastic ones that run along baseboards. They usually come in white or black, and can be fixed to the wall. For computer cords, cord clips or velcro straps can easily be fixed to the bottom of a desk or shelf. They secure the cords and keep them out of reach. You can also use the wire baskets made to attach to the bottom of a desk . For larger items, like power supplies, you can build your own cord stand from wire shelf grids and zip ties, and then place the power source inside.
This lamp cord is covered with clear tubing to protect it.
Computer cables can be placed in a cord keeper under a desk.
Larger power supplies can be protected inside stands made from grid panels.
House plants
It’s a common misconception that a house rabbit will avoid a poisonous plant. Domestic rabbits do not learn from their mother which plants are safe and which are toxic, like wild bunnies might outside, and a domestic rabbit will eat a plant that is poisonous to them. Rabbits are naturally curious and love to nibble. It’s important to keep houseplants out of reach. Many common plants, like pothos, philodendron, and lilies, are toxic to rabbits and can cause serious health issues if ingested.
For adventurous bunnies that like to climb on furniture, moving them to a table or shelf may not be enough, and leaves that fall off the plants are also a potential hazard. The safest approach is to keep all houseplants in rooms your rabbit can’t access.
If you enjoy having greenery in your home, consider choosing non-toxic options and still keeping them well out of your rabbit’s reach. Some rabbit-safe houseplants include:
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
African violet (Saintpaulia)
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)
Peperomia species
Orchids (most common varieties)
Learn which plants can be harmful to rabbits and how to help if your bunny accidentally eats one.
Furniture and baseboards
Some bunnies love to chew furniture and baseboards. They may be attracted to a certain piece because of it’s shape or material, or they may decide any furniture will do. You can protect your furniture during playtime by blocking it off with fences or gates. The fences are lightweight and fold away, so you can store them when they are not in use.
Baseboards are a favorite target for bunnies who love to chew against firm surfaces. To protect them, cover baseboards with untreated wood boards or clear plexiglass panels.
Remember to give your bunny lots of things that are healthy and safe to chew. Having safe toys not only provides enrichment, it also can help save your furniture.
Grid panels are great to have in a bunny proofing toolkit.
Carpet
Some bunnies love to dig the carpet. Corners are especially attractive, but fortunately they are easiest to protect. A 12x12 inch tile from the hardware store is an inexpensive way to prevent corner carpet digging. The tiles come in lots of styles and colors, so it’s easy to find something that matches your home and doesn’t make your friends think you gave up halfway through a home improvement project. As a bonus, bunnies like to lay on the tiles to stay cool.
Tile sploot. Perfect on a warm day.
Pine boards and tiles protect carpet corners and baseboards.
Ceramic tiles are great for protecting corners from carpet digging.
Special considerations
There are many times of year when people visit with friends and family and share in a holiday celebration. Our bunnies are part of our family, and we want them to have a safe and happy celebration, too! Here are a few ideas from our volunteers about keeping rabbits safe.
Decorations and gifts
For families who celebrate Christmas, protecting the Christmas tree from pets isn’t unique to rabbit owners. Cats and some dogs (especially puppies) often need assistance to keep themselves, and the tree, safe. One of the simplest solutions is to put an indoor fence around the tree and presents when the rabbit or other four legged pets are in the room. Wire cubes may be constructed into a fence with zip ties, or a dog exercise pen may be used to fence off the tree.
A tree, with its shiny lights, glittering ornaments, and wrapped presents covered in paper and bows, is a tempting place to play. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa presents may be kept in a place out of the rabbit’s reach. If you have tinsel on your tree, be very careful that it doesn’t wander to where your rabbit can access, chew, and ingest it. If you have a smaller tree, or other holiday plants, they can be placed atop a piece of furniture out of the rabbit’s reach. If you use a kitchen or dining table, remember to push the chairs in so they don’t become a bunny ladder. Also, be aware of leaves that may fall and keep them out of the bunny’s area.
If you have a smaller tree, or other holiday plants, they can be placed atop a piece of furniture out of the rabbit’s reach. If you use a kitchen or dining table, remember to push the chairs in so they don’t become a bunny ladder. Also, be aware of leaves that may fall and keep them out of the bunny’s area.
Holiday lights and electric window candles should be bunny-proofed if they have cords that may be accessible to rabbits.
As beautiful as they are, poinsettias are not good for rabbits (or other pets) to nibble. Other common seasonal plants, including Christmas cactus, mistletoe and holly are also not safe to eat. If you have them in your home, be sure keep them up high where the rabbit cannot reach them, and be careful to collect any fallen leaves before the rabbit finds them.
Small, organic rosemary bushes, cut in the shape of a tree, are a pet-friendly alternative and they smell delightful!
Good and bad holiday plants
Visiting family and friends
Some bunnies love visitors, and others are stressed by additional people coming and going. Well intentioned people who aren’t rabbit savvy could unintentionally harm rabbits or other pets by trying to pick them up or feed them things they shouldn’t have. It’s important to talk with visitors about keeping your rabbit safe. For example, you might ask them not try to touch or pick up the rabbit, but instead they could give your rabbit an approved treat. This ensures a positive experience for the rabbit and family member.
It’a also important for bunnies to have a safe, quiet space to retreat during busy celebrations. A cardboard box fort or other space just for them can help them feel comfortable - check out Enrichment for more ideas.
Learn more
Bunny Proofing Your House at My House Rabbit
Bunny Proofing Your Space by Marinell Harriman