Rabbits dig at blankets for a variety of reasons. They may want to bury themselves in the blanket to create a comfortable nest, or they may be expressing stress and anxiety. Since digging is a form of play, rabbits will also dig at blankets out of boredom.
Rabbits are often seen digging at fabrics, such as blankets. While this may seem like destructive behavior, it’s actually quite normal for rabbits.
The digging is a way for them to fulfill their natural instinct to burrow. It also helps them stay warm and cozy when cold. If you’re concerned about your rabbit’s digging behavior, be sure to provide them with plenty of soft blankets or towels to dig into.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at why rabbits dig at blankets and what you can do to discourage this behavior.
What You'll Learn
Rabbits Have a Natural Desire to Dig
Rabbits are natural diggers. In the wild, rabbits burrow into the ground to create a comfortable den. This instinct is still present in domestic rabbits, even though they don’t live in the wild.
The reason rabbits dig is because they feel safer when they’re underground. When a rabbit is above ground, they’re more vulnerable to predators.
You might be thinking, “but my rabbit won’t end up underground when digging at a blanket”!
This doesn’t matter to your rabbit! All they know is that they have a desire to dig, and to them, the blanket seems like the perfect item to dig at.
As we continue with this article, just remember that it’s entirely normal for rabbits to dig. It’s also something that we should allow. However, we want to make sure they are doing it in a non-destructive way. If you don’t want them to dig at the blanket, there are things you can do to redirect their digging.
Unspayed Female Rabbits Are More Likely to Dig
Female rabbits are more likely to dig than male rabbits. This is because female rabbits have a stronger maternal instinct.
When a female rabbit is ready to mate, she will start digging a nest. This is where she will have her babies.
If you have a female rabbit who is not spayed, you may notice she is digging much more than other rabbits. She’s simply preparing for motherhood.
The best way to discourage this nesting behavior is to have your rabbit spayed. This will reduce her hormones and make her less likely to dig.
But Why Do Rabbits Dig at Blankets?
As we’ve already established, rabbits like to dig. But why does your rabbit seem to prefer blankets over other items?
There are a few reasons:
A From of Play
Rabbits are very active creatures. They need to run and jump around to stay healthy. When they’re bored, they will often start to dig.
Digging is a form of play for rabbits. It helps them burn off excess energy and keeps them from getting bored.
So, if you see your rabbit digging at a blanket, it’s probably because they’re bored and looking for something to do.
Making a Nest
As we mentioned, female rabbits often dig at blankets to make a nest. This is because the soft fabric is perfect for lining a nest.
If you have a female rabbit who is not spayed, you may want to provide her with a soft towel or blanket to dig into. This will help satisfy her nesting instinct and keep her from destroying your other belongings.
Hiding Food
Rabbits like to hide their food. They may be digging at a blanket in an attempt to hide their food from the rest of the world. Of course, they won’t have much luck when digging into the blanket, but their instincts don’t know that!
Expressing Stress and Anxiety
Rabbits can get stressed and anxious, just like humans. When they feel this way, they may start to dig at their blanket to express their emotions.
If you think your rabbit is stressed or anxious, take them to the vet for a check-up. The vet will be able to help you figure out the cause of the stress and provide you with some tips on how to reduce it.
They Want Attention
Sometimes, rabbits will dig at blankets as a way of getting attention. If they feel like they’re not getting enough attention from you, they may start to misbehave in an attempt to get your attention.
Of course, this is not the best way to get attention. But, if you think your rabbit is doing this, be sure to give them some extra love and attention.
Should You Allow This Behavior?
As we’ve mentioned, it’s perfectly normal for rabbits to dig. In fact, it’s something that we should allow and even encourage.
There are a few reasons for this:
Satisfies a Natural Instinct
Rabbits have a natural instinct to dig. By allowing them to dig, we’re satisfying this instinct and making them happy.
Keeps Them Active and Healthy
Rabbits need to be active to stay healthy. Digging is an excellent way for them to burn off excess energy and stay in shape.
Relieves Boredom
Rabbits can get bored, just like humans. When they’re bored, they may start to dig as a way of finding something to do.
So, as you can see, there are a few good reasons to allow your rabbit to dig. However, you don’t want them to destroy your belongings. So how can you help your rabbit satisfy their digging instinct without destroying your blankets?
How Can I Stop My Rabbit From Digging at Blankets?
If you’re not comfortable with your rabbit digging at blankets, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior:
Provide a Designated Digging Area
One way to stop your rabbit from digging at blankets is to provide them with a designated digging area. This could be a spot in the yard or a litter box filled with sand.
This will give them a place to dig without destroying your belongings.
Give Your Rabbit More Toys and Attention
Another way to stop your rabbit from digging at blankets is to give them more toys and attention. This will help keep them from getting bored and give them something else to focus on.
Hide The Blanket
If you don’t want your rabbit to have access to the blanket, you can try hiding it. This will prevent them from being able to dig into it and will eventually stop the behavior.
Rabbits Will be Rabbits
Digging is an excellent way for rabbits to burn off energy, relieve boredom, and satisfy their instinctual needs. However, if you’re not comfortable with your rabbit digging at blankets, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior. Providing a designated digging area or more toys and attention may help, as well as hiding the blanket altogether. If you don’t mind your rabbit digging at blankets, there is nothing wrong with allowing this behavior to continue.
