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Christmas is just around the corner and your bunny is as excited as you are by seeing the Christmas tree and holiday decorations in your house. But you don’t want to spoil the fun because of the Christmas tree getting eaten by your cute pet bunny rabbit.
To bunny proof a Christmas Tree you need to either separate the bunny from the Christmas Tree or make the Christmas Tree less appealing to your bunny rabbit. You should also choose bunny-safe Christmas decorations for your Christmas Tree and presents.
Here in a bit we’re going to dig into the details of how to do each of these things but for now, let’s define the bunny problem we’re addressing.
In the midst of Christmas and New Year’s events, our homes are packed with not only Christmas Decorations but extension cords, food, trees, wrapping papers, gifts, extra people, and more. It’s an exciting mess.
The beauty of the Christmas tree and your bunny’s health are equally important — On a Christmas eve, you wouldn’t want either to get harmed.
In this article, I will discuss how you can bunny proof your Christmas tree and prevent your buns from eating toxic and unhygienic things during celebrations — Read on to find out.
Bunny Proof Your Christmas Tree
1. Put The Christmas Tree In A Different Area
Seeing a glittery tree in the house will make any bunny tempted sample pretty greens and play with the shiny Christmas decorations. Given the opportunity, your bunny will try to get to your Christmas Tree and nibble its leaves whenever they get the chance.
Let’s start with the simplest solution.
Therefore, being a responsible bunny parent, I would suggest placing the Christmas tree away from your bun’s free-range area.
You might have an entrance area or specific rooms where bunnies aren’t allowed to go, and these areas are a perfect place to have a Christmas tree.
Alternatively, your bunny might have special holiday restrictions to the room where your tree is set up. She’ll pout, but she’ll get over it.
Some might think that ‘Oh, I don’t have a place where I can put the Christmas tree away from rabbits — My whole house is possessed by little bunnies!!” — Don’t panic, just move on to the next tip, there are lots of more…
2. Fence In The Christmas Tree
Bunnies hop, but most don’t hop over fences. So let’s just fence in that tree to protect it from your bunny and protect your bunny from the tree and decorations.
In our best rabbit playpens article, we talk about outdoor playpens like the one below as a place for your bunny to get some exercise and have time to bond with you.
During the holiday season when it’s too cold to take your pet rabbit outside, you can repurpose that fencing to separate your Christmas tree and bunny. Just picture the three on the inside and your bunny on the outside.
{ Click here to see this playpen on Amazon. >>> }
P.S. This article does contain affiliate links which supports our work here at no additional cost to you.
3. Hang The Christmas Tree From The Ceiling
This sounds a little nuts, but hanging a Christmas Tree from the ceiling is an idea from history.
Upside-down Christmas trees are popular in many Slavic countries where the trees are hung from the ceiling. Notice the chain at the ‘base’ of the Christmas Tree below…it’s ready to be hung from your ceiling!
Why not do it too? Everyone will talk about it, and your Christmas pictures are going to win Facebook. 😉
And your Christmas Tree will be safely out of reach of your sweet bunny rabbit.
You can even buy one on Amazon! { Click here to see an upside down Christmas Tree on Amazon. >>> }
4. Put The Christmas Tree On A Table
When your kids were toddlers, our Christmas Tree was always a little smaller and sit in the middle of a table. Safe kids and safe tree.
The same thing will work for your bunny. Just get a smaller tree and eat dinner in front of the TV (we know you do sometimes anyway) until the holidays are over.
5. Get an Artificial Christmas Tree
Is it obligatory to buy a real tree?
Maybe it’s time to consider an artificial masterpiece that looks like a real tree.
Rabbits are less attracted to artificial trees than they are to the aroma of a real Christmas Tree.
And if your rabbit does chew on an artificial tree, it is safer for them than chewing on some real Christmas Trees.
An artificial Christmas Tree is a safer option for your pet bunny rabbit than many varieties of real Christmas Trees. Some Christmas trees are poisonous to rabbits.
Some bunnies like to chew on plastic things and eating too much plastic can be hazardous for bunnies. Their digestive system isn’t capable of digesting plastic just like our human guts.
In plastic they eat will just have to pass through them, which at best is uncomfortable and in a worse case scenario can be quite dangerous for your bunny.
However, most rabbits are sane enough to avoid eating such junk — I’m pretty sure your rabbits are smart enough, but if they are not, better keep the trees and decorations away from them.
PS. The main reason that rabbits chew on plastic is that they are bored and lack physical activity. Keep your bunny entertained during the holidays!
6. Choosing A Real Christmas Tree That Is Bunny Safe
Not every tree type is good for a house where rabbits live and some common types of natural Christmas Trees are actually toxic to rabbits.
The best natural Christmas Tree for a home with pet rabbits is a Pine Christmas Tree. Fir Christmas Trees should be avoided as they are toxic to rabbits. You should also look for a tree that hasn’t been artificially colored (painted).
Rabbits don’t know what to eat and what not — You as a guardian should take care of their food.
For example, fir trees are the most common decorative plants in the holiday season but they aren’t the perfect choice for rabbits. When chewed and nibbled, it can cause severe digestive problems to the rabbits and causes irritation in their mouth.
But Fir Christmas Trees are not the only toxic holiday plant to avoid.
Common holiday plants Holly, Mistletoe, and Poinsettias are toxic to rabbits and should be kept away from your pet bunny. The level of toxicity varies among these plants. Holly and Mistletoe are actually poisonous while Poinsettias will normally cause just stomach discomfort.
A Natural pine tree is a good choice a Christmas Tree will be around pet rabbits as it is easily available and doesn’t cause any significant harm to rabbits’ health if a rabbit were to chew on it.
Christmas Tree Varieties That Are Rabbit Safe
- Natural Pine
- Spruce
- Willow
- Maple
- Juniper
7. Protect Lighting Cords From Rabbits
As you may know, rabbits have razor-sharp teeth which can easily cut the cords, wires, and lighting systems. Their natural urge of chewing on things will cost is particularly dangerous for them during the holiday season when more cords are laying about.
Christmas lights are even more dangerous to your bunny than normal electrical cords because their bright lights grab the attention of rabbits. Then next to each light is a thin poorly protected electrical wire that might look like a tasty twig to your bunny!
How To Bunny Proof Christmas Lights.
- Keep Your Lights High On The Christmas Tree. You should not put Christmas low enough for your bunny to reach them.
- Keep Your Lights Away From Furniture. Take a look at the lights around the window; can your bunny reach them from the couch?
- Cover Electrical Cords On The Floor. A cord cover will keep your bunny away from the wire. { Click to see on Amazon. >>> }
- Use Crittercord Drop Cords. These ingenious drop cords taste bad when chewed on. { Click to see on Amazon. >>> }
- Cover Vertical Wires With Cord Protectors. These won’t stop a bunny, but they will slow them down. { Click to see on Amazon. >>> }
- Keep Bundles Of Extra Wire In Cord Boxes. If the end of your lights is a mess on the floor, put them in a box to keep your bunny safer. { Click to see on Amazon. >>> }
8. Don’t Let Your Bunny Drink Water From Tree’s Stand
Watering Christmas trees to make them last is essential, but don’t let the rabbits drink it ever.
Bunnies have commonly have “gastrointestinal issues”, drinking unhygienic water can intensify those issues. Moreover, if you put tree-preserver additives in the tree water it might include fertilizer, aspirin, or even more toxic chemicals.
Make sure your rabbit has free access to clean cool water and is not thirsty. A well-hydrated bunny is way less likely go to the tree stand and drink that water.
Regardless, keep an eye on your bunny if it’s going near the Christmas tree stand and shoo them away.
9. Keep Wrapping Paper & Ribbon Away From Your Bunnies
Wrapping paper attracts bunnies just like humans because of all the shine and glitter. But our poor little buns don’t know that it’s not edible.
Rabbits will chew wrapping paper and ribbon.
While chewing on most paper isn’t bad for rabbits, wrapping paper has a glossy coating that makes it hard to digest and some even has glitter and other stuff on it that is not good for anyone to eat.
Ribbons are usually not really paper but are instead some kind of indigestible material that can plug your bunny right up.
If your rabbit is going to be around your Christmas presents, it might be best to just leave the decretive ribbons and bows off the presents.
What To Do If Your Rabbit Eats Your Christmas Tree
When a rabbit eats something they shouldn’t, they are usually just fine…but not always.
If your rabbit eats part of your Christmas Tree or Christmas decorations you should closely monitor them for any signs of discomfort or distress. If their breathing changes, they get lethargic, quit eating or drinking, or are whining, then you need to get them to their veterinarian.
~Stacey
