How to bunny-proof your stairs and banisters and stop your bunny chewing them as well as what training and enrichment works best to stop the damage
Bunnies enjoy eating wood and may chew your stairs and banisters as they roam around foraging for food.
It only takes a few nibbles when your back is turned for unsightly chewing damage to appear and your stairs or banisters to be wrecked.
If you don't protect your stairs and banisters from your bunny over time the chewing damage can be considerable, requiring expensive repairs.
In this guide, we share the best advice from experienced bunny parents. We share their tips on how they have learned how to add protectors to stop their bunnies from chewing their stairs and banisters.
We have gained this expert knowledge from the contributions of the 50, 000 members of our bunny proofing Facebook group. Over the last 10 years, they have shared their many problems and solutions to preventing bunnies from chewing stairs and banisters.
So, if your bunny is wrecking your stairs and banisters or you're planning on letting your bunny roam freely for the first time. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to enjoy the time you spend with your bunny without the stress and need for costly repairs.
Damage from your bunny chewing your wooden steps or the edges of your wooden banisters can also be a common problem for free-roaming house bunnies.
You can try applying a bitter spray to these, however, most people find these do not stop their bunnies and the problem still occurs.
A more effective way to prevent damage is to fence them off with sections of petpen or wire storage grids. These need to be stepped back a bit from the banister rails to stop your bunny from reaching them.
Alternatively, you may consider another material such as Perspex that can be used to cover over the banisters to prevent damage.
Bitter sprays can also be useful in preventing your bunny from chewing on banisters and stair railings. The strong bitter taste can help dissuade your bunny from gnawing on soft wood surfaces. However, since some bunnies can tolerate unpleasant flavors, it’s recommended to use bitter sprays alongside other bunny-proofing strategies.
These taste deterrents can be purchased at most pet stores or online, coming in small spray bottles with nozzles. Look for products labeled as chew stoppers, anti-chew sprays, or bitter apple sprays.
For an effective application, spray the product onto a cloth and wipe it on the banisters to prevent mess. Remember to reapply at least once a week, as the effectiveness may decrease over time.
Note that these sprays may emit a noticeable odor when first applied, especially if covering large areas.
We recommend avoiding homemade remedies like perfume, chili oil, or soap. They can irritate your bunny's mouth and lead to digestive issues. Choose a product specifically designed for small pets so you know its safe.
Most bunny proofing involves blocking access to areas of your home you don't want your bunny to damage, however, it can be tricky to bunny-proof your stairs and still have access yourself.
Fortunately, there are lots of home improvement solutions that can be repurposed as bunny proofing that are designed to stop wear and tear.
These typically have sticky back adhesive strips so they can be attached without needing DIY skills or tools.
Anti slip mats that lip over the edge of carpeted stairs are also available in home stores and can be ideal for stopping your bunny from chewing your stairs.
To stop your bunny from chewing your stairs and banisters, it is essential to realize why this behavior is happening.
Once you understand the motivations behind this natural behavior, you can then provide your bunny with some alternatives to satisfy these instinctive urges.
In this article, we look into the many reasons why your bunny wants to chew on stairs and banisters and offer practical solutions to stop the destruction.
We suggest enrichment ideas that will redirect their chewing habits towards acceptable alternatives to keeping your bunny out of trouble.
Take a moment to see if you recognise the types of behaviors below and learn what you can do to keep them under control.
Bunnies are always looking for fibrous materials to eat, which is essential for proper digestion and also helps wear down their teeth which grow continually during their lives.
The soft wooden materials and stairs and banisters are made from can all be on the menu for a bunny to munch on, which might be one reason they are eating it.
The first step to controlling this behavior is to provide an alternative to your bunny chewing your stairs and banisters to ensure they have plenty of fresh hay. Hay should make up the most of their diet and they should get a stack of it fresh from the bad every day! If you need to encourage your bunny to eat more hay it can help to place it in a hay rack over their litter box.
Additionally, ensure your bunny has lots of chew toys, such as willow balls, grassy mats, and twigs they can play with. Old toilet roll tubes stuffed with hay also make great DIY toy. Remember to replace these toys frequently so they don’t lose their novelty and appeal.
Grassy mat rabbit toy
Woven chew balls for rabbits
Willow stick rabbit chews
Woven twig tunnel for rabbits
Natural wood rabbit chew toy
In their natural habitat, rabbits shape their surroundings by chewing away undergrowth and creating pathways. Unfortunately, this instinct often continues when they live in our homes, leading to destructive behavior. Therefore, it's essential to redirect unwanted chewing toward acceptable alternatives to avoid damage.
Large toys work well for this purpose, and your bunny will enjoy chewing and modifying them. Wooden hideaways and cardboard castles provide an engaging outlet for their instinctive behavior, allowing them to alter entrances or round off corners.
Simple cardboard boxes can also be effective and are easily replaceable when they become worn out. Just be sure to remove any staples or tape and avoid boxes with heavy printing that could be harmful if ingested.
Cardboard rabbit house
Grassy rabbit house
Wooden rabbit castle
Cardboard box
A bored bunny can often become destructive, so it's crucial to provide a variety of enticing toys and activities to keep them out of trouble.
Most importantly, spend time with your bunny. Allow them to be in the same room as you, and enjoy petting and playing games together. Puzzle toys and stacking cups are excellent ways to interact with your bunny and they will love knocking the cups over or pulling them apart, especially when you hide treats inside.
When your bunny is unsupervised, you can help keep them entertained with foraging toys and puzzle toys. Many types of puzzle mats and treat tumbler toys are available, each offering various benefits and levels of complexity.
One of the best free toys you can create is 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 box next to the furniture they’ve been chewing on and encourage them to dig and chew in the box instead.
Plastic puzzle treat toy for rabbits
Rabbit foraging mat
Stacking cups rabbit toy
Wooden foraging toy for rabbits
Rabbit treat ball
Paired rabbits tend to spend more time together, which can reduce their focus on chewing. Ideally, adopt two bunnies from the start, or you can introduce a new companion to your existing bunny with time and patience.
There is nothing as frustrating as your bunny chewing stairs and banisters. Every time you try and relax you still have to keep an ear listening out of the tell-tale noise of them chewing the soft wood or carpet so you can rush over to stop them.
It can be problematic to bunny-proof your stairs and banister while still maintaining easy access. This is where training becomes beneficial. Training can help by sending a clear message that chewing on wood is unacceptable. Additionally, it is a way of guiding them consistently toward acceptable alternatives, teaching them to focus on the toys you provide instead.
Finding the right balance of discipline is crucial in training your bunny. They are social animals and can understand the boundaries you set. However, being too harsh, such as chasing them away from the stairs or using physical punishment, can frighten them, making them wary or even unfriendly toward you. Over time, this loss of trust can make it more difficult to manage their behavior.
In this guide, we will teach you the appropriate level of discipline to use, ensuring that your bunny remains stress-free. This will help you maintain their trust, allowing them to accept your guidance toward acceptable alternatives.
If your stairs and banisters are being damaged, read on to learn how to train your bunny effectively without causing them stress.
It's important to understand that you should never use physical punishment to stop your bunny from chewing on your stairs or banisters. Unlike cats and dogs, bunnies will respond negatively to physical punishment. Even pushing them away can trigger behavior problems.
Avoid using scare tactics, such as shouting, clapping, or chasing, to stop your bunny from chewing on your stairs or banisters. This can traumatize your bunny and lead to stress, which can be harmful to them.
We also do not recommend spraying water over your bunny as a way of stopping them from chewing your banisters and stairs. By the time you have got close enough to them to catch them in the act, especially if they notice the water bottle, your bunny will most likely be so distracted they will not understand why you are being mean to them.
To teach your bunny that chewing on stairs and banisters is unacceptable, say their name followed by a firm "NO!" It's important to use the same tone of voice each time. Bunnies are intelligent animals and will learn to recognize this command over time.
Make sure to only scold your bunny when they are actively chewing on your stairs and baseboards. If they have stopped by the time you scold them, they may not understand what the reprimand is for, which could upset them unnecessarily.
After scolding them immediately lead them to an acceptable alternative they will enjoy such as a chew toy or cardboard box they can rip up.
Be careful not to use treats to lure them away as this could inadvertently encourage them to chew on your stairs and baseboards as they get a reward for doing it.
With time and gentle discouragement, you should be able to change your bunny's behavior and they will start to favor the chew toys you provide, leaving your stairs and banisters alone.
A gentle yet effective method to stop your bunny from chewing on stairs and banisters is to give them a time-out. As soon as your bunny realizes that their behavior will lead to missing out on sociable activities, they will hopefully stop.
Because bunnies can be easily scared, avoid rushing up to them or suddenly grabbing them. This may confuse or traumatize them. Instead, calmly approach them and gently carry them to a quiet area of your home where they can be alone for a minute or two.
Don't use their pen or night-time enclosure for this as you don’t want them to associate punishment with these safe spaces.
A brief time-out should suffice, as your bunny will get bored quickly and likely forget why they are there. Consistency is key so you need to repeat this process every time they chew you stairs or banisters until they learn the lesson.
Taste deterrents can help discourage your rabbit from chewing on your stairs and banisters. However, some rabbits may tolerate unpleasant tastes, so it's best to use bitter sprays in combination with other bunny-proofing measures.
Always choose a commercially available anti-chew spray made for small animals to help protect your stairs and banisters. Avoid homemade remedies such as vinegar, perfume, chili oil, or soap, as these can harm your rabbit.
Spraying vinegar on your stairs and banisters will not stop your rabbit from chewing it. Rabbits may tolerate unpleasant tastes, so this method won’t effectively protect your stairs and banisters from damage.
Rubbing chili oil on your stairs and banisters will not stop your rabbit from eating it. Rabbits can handle bad tastes, and chili oil might irritate your rabbit's mouth, potentially causing digestive issues.
We do not recommend using Ivory soap to stop your rabbit from chewing your stairs and banisters. Ivory soap could irritate your rabbit's mouth and cause them to become unwell.
We recommend that you don't spray perfume on your stairs and banisters to stop your rabbit from chewing them. Rabbits will eat bad-tasting things, so it may not stop them. Perfume could irritate your rabbit's mouth and cause your rabbit harm.
To discipline your rabbit for chewing on your stairs and banisters, say their name in a firm but gentle voice followed by "NO!" Only scold them when you catch them in the act of chewing, or they won’t understand the reprimand. Avoid scaring or using physical punishment, as bunnies do not respond well to this and can hold a grudge. Losing their trust may only make it harder to manage their behavior.
When you catch your rabbit chewing on your stairs and banisters, immediately say their name followed by a firm "NO!" Then, guide them to something acceptable that they can chew, like a wooden chew toy. Do not scare or hit your rabbit, as this will damage their trust and make it more challenging to encourage them to choose the acceptable alternatives you offer.
Avoid scaring or hitting your rabbit as punishment for chewing on your stairs and banisters. Such harsh treatment can traumatize them and trigger antisocial behavior, making them timid or even aggressive. Only gentle persuasion will help manage their behavior.
Spraying water on your bunny is not an effective way to stop them from chewing on your stairs and banisters. Using harsh punishments like this can erode their trust in you, making it even harder to control their behavior. Instead, you will likely find more success in using redirection and positive reinforcement.