Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Admin
Although digging is a natural behavior for rabbits, it can be destructive especially if they’re housed indoors. In some instances, a bored bunny will dig holes through carpets, and flooring, or even shred your valuable furnishing.
So how do you solve this problem? One effective way is to get a rabbit-digging box. This article talks about how rabbit digging boxes come in handy by essentially taming a rabbit’s digging behavior.
What exactly is a rabbit dig box?
A digging box is essentially a spot where a bunny digs its heart out thus mimicking what they naturally do in the wild. A rabbit digging box can be homemade or purchased in stores. The preferred material is normally cardboard which is filled with either wood chews or shredded paper. In essence, a rabbit digging box helps to keep them mentally stimulated and it also curbs their destructive digging behavior.
What’s the right rabbit-digging box size?
The size of your digging box entirely depends on how big or small your bunny is. The ideal size should be twice a rabbit’s body size, in terms of length, width, and height. The latter should be high enough to contain the content of the digging box and also allow your bunnies to hop in and out safely.
Homemade Indoor rabbit digging box ideas
A homemade rabbit box is easy to make; all you need is a hard surface plastic or cardboard box. In addition to that, you’ll also need soil, shredded paper, straw, pinecones, toilet roll tubes, hay, and wooden toys.
Place the soil, hay, or shredded paper at the bottom of your bunny’s digging box. However, to prevent mess, the rule of thumb is to avoid filling the box to the brim. Lastly, you can also place some of their favorite treats or play toys to make their digging even more enjoyable and rewarding.
Homemade outdoor rabbit-digging box ideas
If given an opportunity rabbits can dig as deep as 10 ft. beneath the surface. Therefore, if left unchecked your rabbits can damage your garden or even eat your crops. Worst case scenario, they can even dig a tunnel and escape from your backyard, hence the reason why an outdoor digging box also comes in handy.
First and foremost, select a shady outdoor area with soft ground and no rocks. Dig a hole that’s twice the size of your bunny’s length, width, and height. Next is to place wooden boards around the digging pit to prevent your bunny from escaping from the designated area. Add soil, wood chips, hay, and a few of their favorite toys or snacks about 3/4 into the dug hole, then introduce your rabbits to their new digging box.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is my rabbit constantly digging?
A rabbit that digs all the time is usually due to boredom or lack of attention. Occasionally, bunnies will intentionally dig into your valuables as a way of trying to seek your attention. Although digging is considered normal behavior, rabbits can be destructive if they lack a secluded digging spot.
- Why is my rabbit digging her litter box?
The reason why your rabbits dig their litter box and make a mess is mainly due to boredom or lack of mental stimulation. It’s therefore advisable to give them toys or keep them in a spacious area or playpen, where they’re likely to explore and hop in.
- How do I stop my rabbit from peeing in their digging box?
The first thing is to make sure that your bunny has been spayed or neutered. Then remove any hay or litter pellets from the digging box. In other words, doing so allows your rabbits to draw a distinction between the litter and the digging box. Alternatively, you can also try placing the digging box in a different location from the litterbox.
Finally, give your bunnies time to figure it out and if they’re still peeing in the wrong box, then you might as well enhance their digging box into a litter box.
- What should I put in the rabbit digging box?
You can fill the bottom of the box with soil (not sand) and cardboard strips, untreated wood chips, straws, or hay. Additionally, you can spice things up by placing their favorite treats, toys, or pellets to keep the digging more rewarding.
- Are cardboards harmful when ingested by rabbits?
Cardboards are not harmful when ingested on the condition that they don’t have any form of adhesive on them. Nonetheless, munching on cardboard isn’t healthy either. If a rabbit is constantly ingesting cardboard, then under such circumstances, the best alternative is to use hay or brown straw.
- What’s the most preferred rabbit-digging box soil?
Ordinary garden soil is essentially the most recommended rabbit-digging box material. However, just ensure that the soil is untreated and is fertilizer free.
Conclusion
As we have seen not only does a rabbit digging box play a pivotal role when it comes to a rabbit’s mental stimulation. It also helps tame their destructive digging while also keeping their nails in check. The main takeaway, however, is to encourage your rabbit to use the digging box consistently.
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