How To Stop Your Bunny Chewing Your Couch

How to bunny proof your couch, cover and protect it to stop it being eaten and what training and enrichment works best to stop the damage

It can be very hard to stop your bunny chewing and trying to burrow into your couch. As soon as you leave the room they seem to make it a mission to find out why you like spending so much time there. Unfortunately, this can include nibbling the soft edges off or jumping up on top and trying to burrowing into the cushions. Don't worry you are not the first person to have this problem and there are lots of quite simple bunny proofing things you can do to help stop the damage.

In this guide we have some simple ideas to keep your couch looking neat like throwing a cover over it.

How to protect the legs and other wooden edges

We have ideas on how to protect the legs and other wooden edges that tend to get nibbled using a range of bunny proofing from old toilet roll tubes to tough plastic corner guards.

We also investigate taste deterrents like bitter sprays and how they could help and the best ways to apply them.

Don't wait for your couch to get tatty, try out some of these tried and tested bunny proofing methods and prevent unsightly damage and avoid costly repairs.

Some simple bunny proofing to keep your couch looking neat

Over time the materials on your couch can start to look tatty due to the extra wear and tier where your bunny sits. The materials can be nibbled or scratched, and the surfaces can be soiled by the odd accident or dirty paws.

An easy way you can provide some protection is by throwing a cover over the top.

It's best to choose a natural material as it may itself be chewed and pick material which can be washed easily or replaced cheaply.

If your bunny does favor a spot on the couch it can be best to turn over this area to them and keep the damage contained by putting a towel down on this spot or a pet bed to take the brunt of the damage.

Protecting the edges and legs of your couch from bunny chewing

A good way to protect the edges around the bottom of your couch is to use a Willow bridges toy that you will find in most pet stores. They are made from a series of willow sticks held together with wire that can be bent into a variety of shapes.

This toy can be bent into an elbow shape to cover the corner and then rested up against it. It can also be bent all the way around a leg to protect it.

Another great way of stopping chewing damage is to build a low fence around your couch which can be done easily with the section of office storage cubes.

Repurposed bunny toys can be used for protection.

These foot square wire grids can be linked together and set out around the base of your couch.

If you want to stop your couch legs being chewed why not try to shield them by slipping them inside some toilet or kitchen roll tubes. Cut the tubes along the length and wrap them around the legs to add a layer of protection.

How to use a bitter spray to stop your bunny from chewing your Couch

Bitter sprays can help deter your bunny from chewing on the soft edges of your couch. However, many people find this method is not always as effective as claimed, as bunnies may tolerate a very bad taste. Therefore, it’s best to combine this with other bunny-proofing techniques.

You can purchase taste deterrents online or in pet stores, typically available in bottles with a spray nozzle and labeled as chew stoppers, anti-chew sprays, or bitter apple sprays.

You may need to apply it at least once a week, as the effectiveness can wear off over time.

This spray is colorless and won’t stain, but it can have a noticeable odor when first applied. For best results, consider spraying it on a cloth and then wiping it on the areas you want to treat to avoid getting it on other surfaces.

Always choose a product specifically designed for pets. Homemade remedies such as perfume, chili oil, or soap should be avoided since they can harm your bunny and potentially lead to mouth irritation and digestive problems.

Bitter spray

What's the best type of couch to get with a bunny?

Lastly if you are considering buying a new couch then making a choice with your bunny in mind can save a lot of the problems for you in the future.

Bunnies love to chew soft materials such as cloth and wood so if you can choose a couch designed with metal feet or an exposed metal frame this will be far more resistant to wear and tear from unwanted chewing.

Bunnies have a natural urge to dig which can cause a lot of damage

Leather or other solid materials will also be a lot tougher and couches that have removable, washable, and even replaceable covers are ideal.

It's best to avoid couches with tassels or skirts that hang down as there will always be a temptation to chew on these.

A leather couch is ideal to stop stains and will not be as appealing to chew.

How to Train Your Bunny to Stop Chewing Your Couch

It's best to make under your couch a no-go area to you bunny

Bunnies love to play around and under your couch, where damage can go unnoticed. This can make relaxing with your bunny stressful, as you may need to constantly check on them to ensure they're not causing any destruction out of sight.

It can be very tricky to bunny proof your couch and have access to it yourself. This is where training comes in handy as it allows you to send a clear and consistent message that chewing on your couch is unacceptable. It then will allow you to direct your bunny toward acceptable chewing alternatives. By using gentle discipline and persuasion, you can encourage your bunny to choose the toys you provide instead.

It's essential to find the right balance of discipline when training your bunny to change their behavior. Bunnies are sociable creatures and will accept some boundaries, but shooing them away from under the couch or using physical punishment can traumatize them. If you are too harsh, it may actually make it more difficult to control their behavior, as they could become wary or even unfriendly towards you.

In this guide, we will explain the appropriate amount of discipline you can use without causing stress. This approach will help you maintain your bunny's trust, allowing you to encourage them to choose the acceptable alternatives you provide.

If you’ve noticed that your bunny has developed a habit of chewing on your couch, read on to learn how to train your bunny to stop without causing them stress.

How to use gentle discipline without causing stress and the best toys to keep your bunny occupied.

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

You should never physically punish your bunny for chewing your couch. It's important to understand that no matter how frustrating it is you should not overreact. Unlike cats and dogs, bunnies do not respond well to punishment and it will be harmful to them. Even pushing them away forcefully can cause traumatic stress.

Scaring your bunny should also be avoided, shouting, clapping, or rushing up on your bunny will not help stop this problem and will traumatizing them.

We also do not recommend spraying water over your bunny. By the time you get close enough to spray them, especially if you are holding a water spray bottle, your bunny will be distracted by your approach. They will have forgotten about the couch and will not understand why you are being mean to them.

How to discipline your bunny for chewing your couch

We also do not recommend spraying water over your bunny to stop them from chewing your baseboards. By the time you get close enough to spray them, especially if you are holding a water spray bottle, your bunny will be distracted by you approaching. They will have forgotten about the baseboards and will not understand why you are being mean to them.

The best way to teach your bunny that chewing on your couch is not allowed is to say their name followed by a firm "NO!" It’s important to be consistent for this to work. Bunnies are intelligent animals and will learn to recognize simple words and commands over time through repetition.

Make sure to only scold your bunny when you catch them in the act of chewing your couch. If you wait until after they’ve stopped, they will not understand why you’re telling them off and it will be wasted.

Most importantly, you should encourage them over to an acceptable alternative that they are allowed to chew on. Be cautious not to do this with treats as you might inadvertently teach them that chewing on your couch gets them a reward.

With time and gentle discouragement, your bunny will gradually change its behavior and begin to prefer the alternative you provide, rather than chewing on the carpet.

How to give your bunny a time-out for chewing your couch

If you don't seem to be able to stop your bunny chewing on your couch a time-out might do the trick. The idea is your bunny will eventually learn that if their destructive behavior leads to them missing out on enjoyable activities, they should avoid it.

Keep in mind that bunnies scare easily so don't suddenly scooping them up and whisking them away. Instead, gently move them to a quiet area of your home where they can be alone for a short period.

Don't use their pen or night-time enclosure as you don't want them to be confused and think you are punishing them by putting them away at night.

A few minutes will do, bunny's get bored quickly and will likely forget why they are there after that. The key is to be consistent and repeat this process whenever the behavior occurs until they learn the lesson.

Enrichment ideas to stop your bunny chewing your couch

Bunny behavior around your couch can be complex and challenging to manage, with various factors contributing to unwanted behavior and chewing damage.

The best approach to stop the destruction is to understand the natural instincts driving this behavior and provide acceptable alternatives that meet these needs.

In this article, we investigate the reasons your couch may be attracting your bunny's attention 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 sharing your couch has become a problem for you, check below for familiar problem behaviors and find out how to address them.

Enrichment ideas to keep your bunny away from your couch

Tunnel and tent toys are a great way of giving a bit more cover in the middle of your room and help lead your bunny away from the shelter behind and under your couch. They are light weight and can be packed away when not in use which makes them very handy.

If you are going to block off the crawl spaces around your couch you can make your bunny happy again by adding some new bits of shelter where your bunny can feel safe. Wooden shelters are great as they offer an additional dimension to your bunnies space they can relax under and can jump on top of it when they are feeling lively.

Cardboard, wicker or willow tubes from a pet store are also great and your bunny will enjoy exploring them and chewing them which is good for their tummies.

How to Make Your Couch Safe for Your Bunny to Play On

Some bunnies love to jump on and climb about the couch, unfortunately bunnies also tend to leap before the look which can lead to an accident if you are unprepared for this to happen.

Make sure you and your family follow these simple bunny proofing safety rules to avoid mishaps or harm when your bunny comes out.

Bunnies are good climbers and like to jump on the seat and even the back of couches which is why scattering loose cushions can be dangerous if your bunny loses its footing on them and falls.

It's best to keep cushions to a minimum and avoid stacking them up or placing them on the back top or at the front of the seat.

If you have a hard surface under your couch like a wooden floor or tiles, then it's best to try and soften the landings where your bunny jumps down or may fall by putting a rug down.

This can make it a lot kinder on your bunny's paws but is especially helpful if your bunny has a habit of slipping off the edge of the couch from time to time.

Make sure coffee tables are pushed back and other furniture or ornaments are moved away from the couches edge so if your bunny does jump or slide off, they won't crash into them on the way down.

Be careful not to scatter too many cushions as the could cause your bunny to lose its footing

Never leave anything on your couch that your bunny can get to

Bunnies will often leap onto your couch without knowing what is in the way of their landing so it's best to get into the habit of not leaving anything on the seat that could cause harm.

Always keep sharp objects like scissors or knives and folks or glassware off the seat and never put hot food and drink down that could be knocked over as it only takes a second for a situation to unfold and an accident to happen.

Never leave TV remote controls, earphones, phones, books, magazines or bags out on the couch unless you want them to be your bunnies next snack. Not only could this be costly, if it's chewed the materials could also hurt your bunnies tummy if eaten.

Why you should make rocking chairs and recliners off limits to your bunny

No matter how conscientious you are rocking, chairs will always be a danger around an unsuspecting bunny, trapping their feet or crushing them underneath. It is best to place rocking chairs in a room that is off limits.

Couches or armchairs with moving parts such as reclining mechanisms are also unsuitable if your bunny has free roam in a room with them in. Not only can your bunny become trapped in the moving parts and get badly hurt, but they can also easily find a way inside where they can become stuck and hurt themselves.

Couches or armchairs that have power cables can be dangerous if you bunny chews them and any wires leading up to them will need bunny proofing as well.