Why Is My Rabbit Biting Their Cage? How to Stop It

Bunnies chew their cage for a number of reasons. To stop it you have to understand why

Bunnies chew their enclosures for a number of reasons and if your bunny is a repeat offender this behavior can become very frustrating.

In this article we look at the various reasons for this unwanted behavior and show you what other bunny owners do to stop it.

Bunnies are sociable creatures

If your bunny is aware that you are at home and feels that it is not allowed to join you and might be missing out on fun or food, then chewing at the door to an enclosure is typical.

Remember rabbis need a few hours a day of socialization as a minimum so you will need to find the time for this.

It's important not to reward bad behavior. Attention seeking chewing can be made worse if you get into the habit of giving your bunny a treat or two to make it stop.

This will reinforce this behavior and you could be making it worse.

It's no fun missing out

Chewing is healthy behavior for bunnies

Bunnies are constantly chewing, their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives so they are always looking for tough materials to help wear them down.¹

You will need to enrich your bunny's environment with lots of suitable alternatives.

Some bunnies are born chewers

First and foremost, lots of fresh hay is very important, your bunny should always have hay, and at the very least a bundle as big as themselves every day.²

Any wicker or willow bunny chews will provide an excellent alternative however there are lots of freely available alternatives such as a cardboard box and old toilet roll tubes that work just as well.

Bunnies are constantly looking for roughage to eat as it is vital for their digestion to work well and they will happily chew on wood or other soft materials we consider indigestible for the fiber it contains.¹

Enrichment

Bunnies if left alone with nothing to do will get bored and become restless. It's important for your bunny's health and happiness to have lots of toys and things to do in their enclosure to keep them occupied.

Bunnies should eat a stack of hay each day

Using bitter sprays

A common defense for unwanted chewing behavior is to use a bitter spray however it's unlikely this will work as a single solution as the taste does not seem to put all bunnies off so you are best to use this alongside more positive things that you can do to help. If you do find it works for you remember to apply it on a regular basis as it will wear out.

A good way of applying it without spraying it everywhere is to first spray some onto a cloth and then wipe it directly on to the areas you want.

Always buy a product suitable for bunnies and be wary of homemade alternatives that may be suggested to you, such as perfume or chili oil.

Bitter spray View on Amazon

Why does my bunny chew his cage?

Rabbits have strong front teeth that grow constantly throughout their lives and can chew and eat many things we would consider indigestible.

In their natural habitat they shape their environment by chewing things and finding a way through too somewhere by chewing through comes naturally to them.

References

1. PetMD (Melissa Witherell, DVM), What do rabbits eat?. Says hay should be about 80% of a rabbit's diet and always available, that rabbits need hay every day for the fiber that supports healthy digestion and gut movement, and that hay wears down their continuously growing teeth. Checked 20 Oct 2026.

2. PDSA (veterinary charity), Feeding your rabbits. Its vets recommend unlimited hay, and as an absolute minimum a bundle at least as big as your rabbit every day. Checked 20 Oct 2026.