By Tim Waters · Updated
By Tim Waters · Updated
The normal environment at home can change during the Easter holidays with the putting up of decorations and it's likely your bunny will want to explore these new things, probably by nibbling them. Unfortunately, most Easter decorations are not made with house bunnies in mind, so it is important to add a little bit of bunny proofing to them.
Special attention needs to be given to snacks left out by guests
Many of the foods that we associate with Easter can also be harmful if your bunny eats them, special attention needs to be given to snacks left out by guests that are in reach. Sweets and chocolate that may be discarded by children could easily be stolen by your bunny.
Guests uninitiated to house bunnies may also arrive and is important to give them clear guidance as to how to share your home with your bunny, especially young children.
In this article we provide lots of ideas and advice collected from long-standing bunny owners. So, when Easter comes around you can be well prepared, you and your bunny can enjoy stress free and safe time with your family. Hopefully, you will spend less time shooing your bunny away from decorations.
It's best to plan ahead and set the decorations out on high shelves to ensure they are out of harm's way.
If your bunny starts taking an interest in your ornaments you will need to move these out of reach. Small pieces can be chewed off and swallowed, and swallowed material can cause a serious blockage.1
It's best to move decorations and ornaments out of reach before your bunny takes an interest in them. Once their curiosity is sparked it is likely they will keep returning to an object no matter how many times you say NO! Even natural-looking decorations may not be safe to eat. It is best to plan and set the decorations out on high shelves to ensure they are out of harm's way.
Don't place candles on anything that can be knocked over or on something that can be tugged at.
Please remember to keep candles out of reach, your bunny could either burn its whiskers off or worse burn itself if it hops or reaches over an exposed flame. Do not place candles on anything that can be knocked over or on something that can be tugged at by your bunny resulting in the candle toppling over. Be mindful of ornaments that you place candles in, as these can also get hot.
It's important to keep chocolate out of reach of your bunny.
It's important to keep chocolate out of reach of your bunny: the PDSA warns that chocolate can be fatal to rabbits.2 If your bunny eats any chocolate, phone your vet straight away rather than waiting to see if they become ill.3 Sugary sweets are also no good for bunnies, as sugary treats can lead to obesity and tooth decay,4 and the wrappers can cause problems if eaten.
A big change at Easter can be people visiting your home who may not be used to house bunnies. It may be best to ask guests to take their shoes off as they may not be used to how bunnies tend to get under food and can easily be stepped on. If you have children staying, encourage them not to race around. Also uninitiated guests may not be used to how good bunnies are at chewing things so it is important to give them somewhere to leave shoes, coats, or handbags where they cannot be reached. Be careful to keep an eye on laptop or phone charger leads that may appear.
It's also worth re-enforcing to guests that may not be used to bunnies that it's unlikely that your bunny will want to play with them or their children. Help them understand bunnies are prey animals, which means they can be timid and skittish in some situations. Bunnies also have fragile bones and can be injured easily if handled improperly. It may be worth keeping your bunny out of sight. If this is not possible, introduce the bunny calmly and go through some simple rules at the start.
1. VCA Animal Hospitals (Gregory Rich, DVM, Laurie Hess, DVM, and Rick Axelson, DVM), Gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits. Advises stopping rabbits chewing rugs, towels or other material that may cause a life-threatening obstruction. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
2. PDSA (veterinary charity), Poisons and hazards for your pets. Says cleaning products can be very harmful to pets, that weed killers, pest killers and other garden chemicals can cause serious harm if swallowed, licked off fur or absorbed through the skin, and that chocolate can be fatal to rabbits. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
3. PDSA (written by vets and vet nurses), First aid for poisons and toxins. Says to phone a vet straight away and never wait to see if your pet develops symptoms. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
4. Medivet (UK veterinary group), Rabbit nutrition guide. Says sugary and starchy treats can lead to heart issues, obesity and tooth decay. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
Tim founded Bunnyproof and has kept house rabbits for over 20 years. He runs the Bunny proofing Facebook group, where around 50,000 members share what works in their homes.
Our guides share practical experience from rabbit owners. They are not a substitute for veterinary advice.
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