How to Stop Your Bunny Chewing Your Door Frames

How to bunny proof your door frames, stop the damage from chewing using corner guards and what training and enrichment works best to stop the damage.

If you live with a house rabbit, it is essential to bunny-proof your door frames. Bunnies enjoy chewing on wood, and they often find door frames irresistible, especially those that lead to rooms you share. Just a few nibbles can lead to unsightly damage, and if left unprotected, your door frames could suffer severe harm, resulting in costly repairs.

In this guide, we share the best advice from experienced bunny parents who have added door frame protection to prevent chewing damage. This knowledge has been gathered from the 50,000 members of our bunny-proofing Facebook group, who have shared their experiences and solutions over the past ten years.

We offer tips and tricks to temporarily prevent your bunny from chewing on your door frames, which can be easily stored when not needed. For instance, you can lean a ceramic tile against the doorframe for protection.

We also recommend permanent door frame protectors, such as plastic corner guards, which you can install yourself without requiring any DIY skills.

Additionally, we provide effective enrichment ideas to offer acceptable alternatives to chewing on door frames. Discover chew toys that satisfy your bunny's foraging instincts, along with ideas for free toys you can make yourself, saving you money.

We also give guidance on how to discipline your bunny for chewing on door frames. This includes setting clear boundaries and addressing destructive chewing behavior without resorting to harsh punishment. If all else fails, we have a guide on giving your bunny a time-out.

Finally, we discuss how to use anti-chew sprays effectively to deter your bunny from chewing on door frames. We review the effectiveness of various taste deterrents and show you the best way to apply them.

If your bunny is damaging your door frames, follow these simple step-by-step bunny-proofing instructions to keep them damage-free.

Quick and easy ways to stop your bunny chewing your door frames

Easy bunny proofing that can be easily packed away when not needed

Chewing door frames is a common issue among house bunnies. Door frames are at a convenient height for them, making them frequent targets for chewing, especially at the entrances to rooms they want to access.

It can be challenging to protect all the door frames in your home, so learning how to add bunny-proofing protection as soon as you notice this behavior is crucial.

Fortunately, there are several tried and tested methods that bunny owners have found effective in protecting door frames without making permanent alterations to their homes. These temporary solutions can be easily stored when not in use.

How to re-purposed bunny toys as door frame protection

The most straightforward way to protect the areas of the door frame your bunny chews is to place something solid against it. Repurposed bunny toys are ideal for this, as they can provide a layer of protection while also serving as a great alternative for your bunny to chew on.

Wooden hideaways and castle toys work especially well and can be left out for ongoing protection. Alternatively, you can use a free cardboard box. Place the box against the door frame on either side. You may need to weigh it down with something heavy inside to prevent your bunny from moving it, as rabbits can be surprisingly strong when trying to reach something.

Another helpful option is to use a common chew toy called a willow or wooden bridge. These panels of willow sticks can be bent into an L-shape to fit along the edge of the door frames. This is particularly useful in tight corridors where multiple doors open into the same space.

Cardboard cat scratching pads can also be used as protective covers, as they are inexpensive and pet-safe.

A novel way to protect your door frames is by propping a heavy ceramic tile against them. Tiles are cost-effective, heavy enough to stay in place, and easily stored when not in use.

Door frame bunny protection using sticky tape

We do not recommend using sticky tape or attaching other materials, such as Velcro, to prevent your bunny from chewing on the door frames. The tape can come loose and get caught in your bunny's fur, causing pain when removed. Moreover, your bunny may eat the tape, which could lead to potential digestive issues.

How to permanently protect your door frames from bunny chewing damage

Tough plastic corner guards are ideal for protecting door frames from chewing damage

The only way to ensure your door frames are protected from your bunny’s chewing is to cover them with permanent bunny-proofing solutions.

Here’s how bunny parents install tough plastic corner guards as a protective layer along the edges of their door frames, as well as how to prevent damage to the door itself.

Door frame chewing protection using plastic corner guards.

A simple way to protect the fragile edges along the base of a door or on your door frames is to use an affordable commercial product designed to stop this type of damage. You may have seen these L-shaped lengths of tough plastic in public buildings, and you can buy them at most home improvement stores to install yourself.

They come in a variety of lengths however if you need to cut down to size this can be done with a craft knife so you do not need DIY tools.

They can then be easily attached with some sticky pads or adhesive. They come in a wood color, white and clear so you will be able to match it with the door.

They come in a variety of tones such as white or wood colored to help match them to your door frames.

How to protect doors from bunny chewing

Another common type of damage can occur when your bunny strips off the soft wood laminate or edges along the bottom of the door. The only way to stop this is by adding a layer of protection. If the door has enough clearance, plastic corner protectors can be added along the bottom edge.

For more substantial protection, you can install a kick plate, similar to those often seen in public buildings. This will protect not only the soft edge of the door but also prevent scratching on the surface itself.

You can purchase kick plates online or at home improvement stores or alternatively, clear acrylic can be used.

Although this may require some home improvement skills to install properly, it will save you the expense of needing to replace the door later.

A simple way of putting a stop to door chewing this is to install a Kick plate

Another common type of damage can be caused by your bunny stripping off the soft wood laminate from the bottom edge of the door. A solid way of stopping this is to install a Kick plate.

Although this will require some home improvement skills it will fix the problem and will save your replacing the door.

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Edge guards

How to use a bitter spray to stop your bunny from chewing your door frames

Bitter sprays can make your door frames considerably less appealing for bunny your bunny to chew on. However, relying solely on a taste deterrent is unlikely to fully eliminate the problem, as bunnies can put up with unpleasant tastes so it is best to use some additional bunny-proofing strategies.

You can find taste deterrents online or at most pet stores, typically sold in small spray bottles. These products are often labeled as chew stoppers, anti-chew sprays, or bitter apple sprays.

To avoid it going everywhere you can spray the product onto a cloth first, then wipe it on the door frames to minimize the mess. Reapply at least once a week to maintain effectiveness, as the spray will wear off over time.

This spray won’t stain surfaces, but it can have a noticeable odor immediately after application, especially if large sections are treated.

Always choose a product designed specifically for small pets, and avoid using homemade remedies like perfume, chili oil, or soap, as they may irritate your bunny's mouth and lead to digestive issues.

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Bitter spray

How to Train your Rabbit to Stop Chewing your Door Frames

There is nothing more frustrating than having your bunny chew on your door frames. The moment you stop watching them you find yourself having to tear yourself away from what you are doing to prevent the destruction.

It can be hard to bunny proof the door frames and still have easy access to the rooms in your home. This is where learning some simple training techniques can be helpful to stop your bunny from chewing your door frames.

Training methods can be used to send your bunny a clear message that eating the softwood is not acceptable and can guide them toward more acceptable alternatives. Over time, your bunny will learn to stick to the toys you provide.

It's important to gauge the right amount of discipline to use when training your bunny. They are social animals and can accept some boundaries you set for them, however, chasing your bunny away from doors or using physical punishment can be counterproductive. It may even traumatize them, making them wary or even unfriendly towards you. This will ultimately make it more difficult to manage their behavior.

In this guide, we will teach you the appropriate amount of discipline to use, ensuring that you avoid causing stress to your bunny. This approach will allow you to maintain their trust, making them more receptive to guidance toward acceptable alternatives.

If your bunny has been chewing on your door frames, read on to learn how to train your bunny to stop this behavior without causing them harm.

Never punish your bunny for chewing your doors and door frame by hitting, shouting, or clapping

Never phisicaly punish your bunny for chewing on your door frames. Physical punishment is not an effective training method for bunnies. In fact harsh treatment can cause trauma. Bunnies respond differently to discipline compared to cats and dogs, and harsh treatment can worsen their behavior. Even gently pushing them away may lead to fear and anxiety.

Scaring your bunny away fromyour doors or door frames that they chew on, through shouting, clapping, or chasing, is also counterproductive. These methods can be traumatizing and will not help stop the destructive behavior.

Additionally, we do not recommend spraying your bunny with water to deter them from chewing your door frames. By the time you get close enough to spray, your bunny, especially if they notice the water bottle you're holding they will likely have forgotten about the door frame and may become confused about your actions, thinking you're being unkind.

How to discipline your bunny for chewing your door frames

The most effective way to teach your bunny to stop chewing your door frames is to say their name followed by a firm "NO!" It’s important to do this consistenly with the same tone of voice. Bunnies are intelligent animals and will learn to recognize this command over time.

Only reprimand your bunny when you catch them actively chewing on the door frame. If you wait until after they've stopped, they may not understand why they are being scolded, which could upset them unnecessarily.

After scolding, redirect their attention to an acceptable alternative, such as a chew toy. Be careful not to reward their bad behavior with food or treats, as this could encourage them to chew on the door frames even more.

With time and gentle encouragement, your bunny should start to prefer the chew toys you provide instead.

It can be very frustrating if your bunny has a habit of chewing at your doors and door frames

How to give your bunny a time-out for chewing your door frames

If your bunny continues to chew despite your efforts, consider giving them a time-out. The goal is for your bunny to understand that this behavior results in missing out on enjoyable activities.

Remember that bunnies can be easily frightened, so avoid approaching them suddenly or grabbing them. Instead, gently move them to a quiet area of your home where they can be alone for a short time. Do not use their pen or nighttime enclosure for this purpose, as they may begin to associate these spaces with punishment.

Keep the time-out brief, as bunnies become bored quickly and will likely forget why they were put away. Consistency is essential, you need to repeat the process the same each time until they learn that chewing door frames is bad.

Enrichment ideas to stop your bunny chewing your door frames

To prevent damage to your door frames, it’s essential to understand why your bunny is chewing them.

This is a complicated issue, as many factors can contribute to the unwanted behavior that can occur.

This article looks into the instinctive reasons behind your bunny's chewing habits and offers practical advice for changing this behavior.

In each case we suggest the best enrichment ideas to satisfy the many natural underlying reasons for this chewing, enabling you to provide suitable alternatives that can keep your bunny occupied and prevent costly repairs.

So, if your bunny chewing your doors and doorframes is a problem for you, look below and see if you recognize any of the behavior, then find out what alternatives you can provide to keep your bunny out of trouble.

Your bunny could be door frames as a source of roughage to eat

Bunnies enjoy eating fibrous materials, which are essential for their digestion and help wear down their continuously growing teeth. Because of this, your door frames could accidentally become part of their menu.

To prevent your bunny from chewing on door frames, it’s crucial to provide plenty of alternatives for them to eat. The best source of roughage is hay, which should make up the largest part of a rabbit’s diet. To encourage your bunny to eat more hay, try placing it in a feeder over their litter box, ensuring it is fresh from the bag every day.

In addition, provide your bunny with engaging chew toys, such as willow balls, grassy mats, and twigs. Remember to rotate these toys frequently to prevent boredom. Old toilet roll tubes can also make great DIY toys, and you can enhance them by stuffing them with hay.

Your bunny could be chew your door frames to customize their environment.

In the wild, rabbits adapt to their surroundings by clearing undergrowth to maintain access and help them move around freely. This instinct does not disappear when we bring them into our homes and this destructive behavior often focuses on the entrances to spaces, which is why door frames may be a focus of this unwanted behavior.

To help redirect this behavior it is essential to provide your bunny with plenty of hideaway toys they can customize instead. Grassy hideaways and cardboard castles can offer fun alternatives, allowing your bunny to enjoy customizing their entrances. Cardboard boxes are also ideal for encouraging your bunny to exercise their natural instincts.

You can place these boxes near a door to distract your bunny and stop them from reaching your door frames. If you get a box from a store, make sure to remove any staples or tape, and avoid boxes with heavy printing, as your bunny may try to chew on them.

Boredom could be the reason your bunnies is chewing your doorframes

Boredom could also be a reason your bunny is chewing on your door frames. Bunnies are intelligent and social creatures, and if they feel excluded from activities in a room, they might start chewing on doors and door frames to gain access.

Spending time with your bunny is essential to satisfy their social needs. It's recommended to engage with them through play for at least a few hours each day. In addition to petting, you should interact with them. A fun game you can play together is stacking cups. Your bunny will enjoy knocking them over, especially if you hide treats inside.

It's also important to remember that bunnies are natural foragers and spend time looking for new food sources. They can be very persistent and if they run out of interesting items in their current room, they may try to break into another room to find something new to eat by literally chewing through the door.

This is where puzzle and foraging toys can enrich your bunny’s environment, keeping them entertained and away from your door frames. There are many puzzle mats and treat tumbler toys available, each offering different benefits. Some are great distractions, like treat balls, while others are excellent for hiding treats for your bunny to discover while you’re away.

A tried-and-true method to allow your bunny to dig and forage without damaging your carpet is to create a digging box. Simply use a cardboard box filled with shredded paper and other enjoyable items such as willow toys or toilet roll tubes. Place the digging box next to the door they tend to damage to act as a distraction.

A hungry bunny is going to find ways of getting your attention

Bunnies could be chewing your door frames to get attention.

Although they don’t vocalize, they might resort to destructive behaviors to signal their desire for access to the room you’re in or to prompt you to bring them food or treats.

To address this behavior, it’s important to provide your rabbit with a variety of engaging toys that they can toss and make noise with. Toss toys and rattles can be strategically placed near the door frames they’ve been chewing as distractions.

It can also be helpful to leave the door open and block access with a pet gate. This will help your bunny feel included in what’s going on while allowing them to keep an eye on you, which can alleviate some of the destructive behavior without leading to costly repairs on your doors and frames.

Bunnies are often less destructive when they have a partner.

Bunnies are often less destructive when they have a companion. When paired, rabbits tend to spend more time together, which can reduce their desire to access other rooms in your house. Ideally, adopt a pair of bunnies from the start, but if you already have one, you can introduce a new companion with time and effort.