A simple wooden frame be a permanent solution
A simple wooden frame be a permanent solution
It is natural for your bunny to want to explore and relax in areas around your home that offer shelter.
As prey animals, bunnies have a strong instinct to seek cover, and places like the area behind or under your couch often feel safe to them. No matter how many times you tell them "no," they may return to these spots repeatedly.
Unfortunately, the unfinished materials found in these hidden areas can pose dangers to your bunny. These flimsy materials are often poorly nailed or stapled together, which can cause injury if your bunny brushes against or chews on them. Additionally, plastic coverings can contain long strands of indigestible material that could make your bunny very sick, potentially leading to an expensive trip to the vet if ingested.
Many bunny owners have learned the hard way that these weak covers are not strong enough to prevent their bunnies from breaking through to the inside of their couch, leading to situations where the bunny gets trapped.
If your bunny gets behind the couch, it can also lead to a lot of unnoticed chewing damage.
Moreover, your couch might not be as stable as your bunny assumes. If it shifts suddenly when someone sits down, it can trap and injure your bunny. This is why many bunny owners decide to make the area under and behind their couches off-limits for their pets.
In this guide, we will show you how to easily create a no-go zone under and behind your couch. This expert knowledge comes from the contributions of the 50,000 members of our bunny-proofing Facebook group. Over the past ten years, they have shared numerous solutions to this problem.
So don't wait till your bunny has come to harm or wrecked your couch. Take a look and find an idea that will work for you.
If you are in need of some simple ways to bunny proof under your couch then try some of these ideas commonly used to do the job.
A simplest way to block off access under your couch is by filling in the gap with something that will be resistant to chewing damage and plastic storage boxes are ideal for this.
They are cheap and come in a variety of sizes so you can measure up the gap and find something that fits snugly.
These can then be filled with clothes, toys and shoes which can also help keep them out of your bunnies reach.
If you want something that looks a little less cluttered than using storage boxes or there isn't enough of a gap to usefully fill the space, then a common way of blocking access to this area is to use a few lengths of wood.
These can be cut to size then slid under your couch around the edges to act as a barrier.
Bunnies can be quite strong if they want to move something out the way so make sure the blocks of wood can't easily be moved about by using something substantial or by putting something heavy behind them.
Stop your bunny destroying the underside of your couch, here's how to block this space off!
Underneath your couch can be a dangerous place for a bunny, the materials can be harmful if eaten and there is always the chance your bunny will get stuck inside. Make it permanently off limits with the following bunny proofing ideas.
If you are OK with some home improvement skills then it can be a great idea to make a simple wooden frame to go under your couch.
This works well as it will stay in place if your couch moves about and can provide a solid base if you want to attach some additional bunny proofing around the back.
Another option is to make a fence from sections broken out of some office storage cubes.
These small foot square wire grills can be tied end to end with cable ties and lashed to the legs of your couch with a few bits of string.
These can easily be brought out when your bunny is roaming freely and put away folded away when not needed.
The safest option is to build a wooden frame under your couch
Why not use one of these slim sofa tables to block off the space
If you are in need of some simple ways to stop your bunny going behind your couch why not try out some of these commonly used solutions.
To help stop your couch moving about make sure it is pushed back fully up against the wall.
If it's on wheels or can easily slide about you may want to use some coasters to help hold it in place.
Couches are often odd shapes so even if you have pushed it back you may also need to cover the gap that is left between the couch and the walls.
A simple way to do this is with a few well-placed sturdy ornaments at each end or by moving some other bits of furniture up against it to cover over the gap.
Another simple solution can be to fill the space with something you want to store away that is resistant to being chewed.
Plastic storage boxes are ideal for this as they are cheap and come in a variety of sizes so you can pack the gap out. They can also be a great way of hiding things away from your bunny like shoes or toys to stop them being chewed.
Behind the couch can be a dangerous place for an unsuspecting bunny
It is best to find some way to keep your bunny out from behind your couch permanently if you can. Follow these simple ideas other bunny parents use that do the job.
The best way to block access is to cover over the sides. There are many materials you can use including wooden boards cut to shape or sections of pet pen fencing or wire grids.
These can be lashing to the sides with some string or trapped in place by placing a heavy ornament up against them.
It's best to avoid using cardboard as this can easily be chewed through and may prove more of an encouragement.
If you are handy with DIY a permanent solution can be to first build a frame under your couch. This can be used to stop your bunny getting underneath and then to build the sides up to cover the gap by attaching a few bits of wooden board.
Some people go as far as putting a shelf or wooden frame behind the sofa to keep it all boxed in.
Putting in a shelf is a great way of bunny proofing the back of your couch especially if it has permanent sides