How to Stop Your Bunny Chewing Your Curtains & Blinds

How to bunny proof your curtains and blinds, stop your bunny eating them. Also training and enrichment works best to stop the damage.

Chewing your curtains or blinds can be a common problem with house bunnies so adding some bunny-proofing protection is essential. They love exploring areas of shelter and your curtains lie at a convenient height for them to take an interest and they will often have a bit of a chew on the way past.

Bunnies have razor-sharp teeth which grow constantly throughout their lives so they are always looking for something to chew on to wear them down and can make short work of cloth and even the tough material lateral blinds are made of. Other damage can include chewing the end of drawstrings and tassels which can be cleanly sliced off in seconds.

Not only can this lead to substantial damage over time if your bunny eats the synthetic material this can also result in intestinal blockages that require veterinary treatment.

In this guide, we share the best advice from experienced bunny parents on how they prevent their bunnies from chewing on their curtains. This knowledge has been collected from the 50,000 members of our bunny-proofing Facebook group, who have shared their experiences and solutions over the past ten years.

We also have a few safety ideas you should take note of around drawstrings and synthetic materials.

Additionally, we offer the best enrichment ideas to satisfy your bunny's foraging instincts and keep them away from your curtains. You’ll even find ideas for free toys you can make yourself, which will save you money.

We also provide guidance on how to address your bunny's chewing behavior using gentle discipline. This includes setting clear boundaries and managing destructive chewing without causing stress. If all else fails, we have a guide on how to give your bunny a time-out.

Finally, we discuss how to use anti-chew sprays effectively to deter your bunny from chewing on your curtains.

Don't wait for your bunny to take your curtains up, follow these simple remedies and avoid expensive repairs.

How to stop your bunny chewing and damaging your curtains or blinds

Draw the curtains in a bit from the end wall out of your bunnies way

Curtain chewing is a common problem with house bunnies. Bunnies often move around and behind curtains, as they seek out shelter and have a strong instinct to improve access to these pathways, mostly by chewing. You may notice damage first appearing at either end of the curtains where your bunny likes to run in and out.

The most reliable way to protect your curtains when they are drawn shut is to fence them off with sections taken from a pet pen. This will avoid any chance of damage. These can be set out in a zig-zag formation to be free-standing or secured at either end.

If you dont fancy using a fence it can help to pull them in slightly from the edges. This way, if your bunny can easily pass by them, they are less likely to chew on them.

When your curtains are drawn open, try to position them tightly against a wall so they are out of the way. It can be helpful to hide the ends of the curtains behind an ornament or a section of fencing for additional protection.

Drawing your curtains behind a large chew toy is an excellent way of preventing chewing damage and will offer your bunny an acceptable alternative to chewing on instead.

Ideally, avoid using floor-length curtains, as they can be a consistent temptation for your bunny.

Why does my bunny chew my curtains and blinds

Rabbits enjoy maintaining their habitats and adapting them to their individual needs. They often chew on their surroundings to reshape them. With their sharp teeth, they can easily slice through tough materials.

If your curtains are in their way, the damage can accumulate over time, leading to costly repairs unless you keep the curtains out of reach.

Is it bad if my bunny eats the fabric and cords of my curtains or blinds?

Bunnies can get tangled up in drawstrings and hurt

Curtain drawstrings or ties should always be kept out of reach of your bunny. Long strings made of synthetic material can cause serious digestive issues if ingested, which can make your bunny very unwell.

Additionally, drawstrings can pose a danger as bunnies tend to dart around when startled or doing binkies, and they can easily get tangled, leading to injuries or even strangulation if they panic.

If you don't have a regular way to secure these cords, consider shortening them or installing a hook. Make it a habit to ensure they are always out of reach when your bunny is roaming in the room.

How to use a bitter spray to stop your bunny from chewing your curtains and blinds

Bitter sprays can be very effective in preventing your bunny from chewing on curtains and blinds, but keep in mind that some bunnies may still tolerate bad tastes. Therefore, it’s best to combine this method with other bunny-proofing techniques.

This spray is colorless and won’t stain, but it may have a noticeable odor when first applied. To maintain effectiveness, you should reapply at least once a week, as the taste diminishes over time.

Apply the spray on the area being chewed and any other areas that look like they could be a target as well. Remember to reapply regularly so it doesn't lose its effectiveness.

Always choose a product specifically designed for pets and avoid homemade remedies like perfume, chili oil, or soap, as these can harm your bunny and possibly cause mouth irritation or digestive issues.

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Bitter spray

How to Train Your Bunny to Stop Chewing Your Curtains and Blinds

If your bunny can reach your blinds then they may find chewing the strings irritable

There is nothing more frustrating than your bunny chewing on your curtains and blinds. The moment you take your eye off them you can find yourself suddenly jumping up as you realize your bunny has been quietly chewing away.

It can be challenging bunny proof your curtains and blinds without completely fencing them off so this is where learning some simple training techniques can be beneficial. Training methods can help you communicate to your bunny that chewing on these materials is not allowed while guiding them toward more acceptable alternatives. By reinforcing good behavior, your bunny will develop better habits around chewing the toys you provide.

It is crucial to judge the right amount of discipline to use when training your bunny. Bunnies are social animals and will accept the boundaries you set. However, if you are too harsh, such as by chasing them away from your curtains or using physical punishment, you risk traumatizing them. This can make your bunny wary of you or even unfriendly, ultimately making it more difficult to control their behavior and resolve the problem.

In this guide, we will teach you the appropriate amount of discipline to use. This approach will allow you to maintain your bunny's trust so they will accept your guidance toward the acceptable alternatives you provide, all while minimizing stress.

So, if your bunny enjoys playing around your curtains and blinds, read on to learn how to train them to stay away without causing them harm.

How to discipline your bunny for chewing your curtains and blinds

Never punish your bunny for chewing your curtains or blinds by hitting, shouting, or clapping

You should never use physical punishment to stop your bunny from chewing on your curtains or blinds. Bunnies are not like cats and dogs and will respond negatively to being struck. Even pushing them away forcefully can trigger behavior problems.

Avoid using scare tactics, such as shouting, clapping, or chasing, to deter your bunny from chewing your curtains and blinds. These methods can traumatize your bunny and lead to stress, which can adversely affect their health.

Spraying your bunny with water to stop them from chewing your curtains and blinds can also have a negative impact as well. Most times by the time you get close enough to spray water over them your bunny will most likely be distracted by you sneaking up with a bottle in your hand and will have stopped their bad behavior. They won’t understand why you are being unkind which would only confuse them.

How to discipline your bunny for chewing your baseboards

The best way to train your bunny not to chew on your curtains and blinds is to say their name followed by a firm "NO!". Be consistent and use the same voice each time. Bunnies are intelligent animals and can learn to recognize simple words and commands.

Only discipline your bunny when you catch them in the act of damaging your curtains and blinds. If you wait until after they have stopped, they won’t associate your scolding with their bad behavior and will not understand the reprimand.

Most importantly you then need to guide them to an acceptable alternative you provide such as a tasty chew toy or cardboard box they can play around.

While using treats to lure them away might be tempting is should be avoided. You may end up teaching your bunny that chewing on your curtains and blinds leads to a reward, which will be counterproductive.

With gentle encouragement, your bunny will gradually learn to prefer the alternative items you provide rather than chewing your curtains and blinds.

How to give your bunny a time-out for chewing your curtains and blinds

If your bunny continues to chew your curtains and blinds despite your efforts to stop this, consider giving them a time-out. Since bunnies are sociable animals, they will learn that their actions lead to missing out on fun activities.

Be cautious, as bunnies scare easily. Avoid chasing or abruptly scooping them up as they may find this confusing or frightening. Instead, approach them calmly and gently carry them to a quiet area of your home where they can be alone for a short time.

Do not use your bunny's nighttime pen for a time-out, you don’t want them to associate punishment with what should be places of safety.

A brief time-out is sufficient, bunny's get bored quickly and will forget why they are there. Repeat this process whenever the problem occurs until they learn the lesson.

Enrichment ideas to stop your bunny chewing your curtains and blinds

Chew toys satisfy your bunnies need to shape their environment

Bunny behavior around your curtains and blinds can be difficult to manage, with various reasons triggering the unwanted behavior and chewing damage.

The best way to stop the destruction and avoid costly repairs is to understand what the natural instincts are behind this behavior and provide acceptable alternatives that fulfill these needs.

In this article, we delve in-depth into the reasons why your rabbit chews on curtains and blinds and offer practical solutions to change this behavior.

We provide a range of enrichment ideas to help you redirect these instincts, allowing you to prevent damage and keep your bunny occupied.

So, if your curtains and blinds are starting to look a bit tatty, check below for some of the familiar problem behaviors and find out how to address them.

Your bunny could be curtains as a source of roughage to eat

Bunnies are always foraging for fibrous materials to eat as it is essential for their digestion to work well and also helps wear down their teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. Unfortunately, your bunny could see your curtains as a source of food which is one reason they may choose to eat them.

To help stop your bunny from chewing your curtains it is essential to provide them with a better alternative like hay. Hay should make up the largest part of a rabbit’s diet and if they are not eating a stack of it a day this could be driving their behaviour! If your bunny doesn't seem to like hay much you can encourage them to eat more by placing it in a feeder over their litter box. Ensure it's fresh from the bag every day and of a high quality.

You should also make sure you give your bunny lots of chew toys to eat. Willow balls, grassy mats, and twigs are among some of the most popular chew toys. They are expensive and often don't last long so a free alternative is to use toilet roll tubes. You can stuff these with hay to make them even more fun. Remember to sway these toys out frequently so your bunny does not overlook them.

Your bunny could be chew your curtains to customize their environment.

In the wild, rabbits naturally shape their habitats by chewing, which helps them clear undergrowth, create access routes, and maintain escape routes. Unfortunately, this instinctive behavior doesn't stop when they come into your home, leading to chewing on curtains as they navigate around your room keeping to places of shelter where they feel secure.

This chewing often begins at the ends of your curtains, where your bunny can pop in and out of the shelter they provide. Over time, this can result in significant damage as they adapt the curtains to their liking.

To help redirect this behavior, it's helpful to provide lots of shelter toys they can customize and adapt to satisfy this natural behavior. Wooden hideaways and cardboard castles or boxes work well and can keep your bunny occupied, encouraging them to focus their destructive behavior on these toys rather than your curtains. Positioning these alternatives near the ends of your curtains can draw your bunny toward them.

Boredom could be the reason your bunnies is chewing your curtains

Bunnies are intelligent and social creatures and may resort to chewing on furniture out of boredom. To prevent a bored bunny from causing damage, keep them entertained by providing plenty of toys and activities.

Spending time with your bunny is essential. As well as petting them when they seek company, consider playing games together. For example, stacking cups can be an enjoyable activity, as your bunny will love knocking them down, especially if you hide treats inside.

When your bunny is unsupervised, puzzle toys can keep them engaged. You don't have to spend money on toys as some of the best options are free. Cardboard boxes and toilet roll tube toys are popular in many bunny households.

One of the the best toys to keep your bunny entertained is to make them a digging box. All you need is a cardboard box filled with shredded paper and other items your bunny might enjoy, such as willow toys or toilet roll tubes. Place the digging box in the area where your bunny usually digs and reward them with praise or treats when they use it instead of the curtains.

Bunnies could be hiding your curtains as they seek out places of shelter to relax in.

To help your rabbit feel more secure and to distract them from hiding around your curtains, consider providing a few hideaway toys as an alternative.

Small pop-up tents can be set up and taken down easily, saving space. You can even find tunnel-and-tent systems that can be connected to create an entire warren!

Cardboard tubes are inexpensive and serve as both chew toys and hiding spots. Wooden shelters and castles are safe for your bunny to jump on and chew. Most bunny owners often have a cardboard box on hand for their bunny to enjoy.

Bunnies are often less destructive when they have a partner.

Bunnies can be less destructive when they have a companion. Paired rabbits will spend a lot of time together and will focus less on activities like chewing on your curtains. It’s best to adopt paired bunnies from the start. However, if you already have a bunny, introducing a new companion with proper guidance can also be a great option. We recommend seeking advice before introducing another bunny into your home.