Rabbits love to explore new places in search of areas they can hide and have a good time. While going about this endeavor of theirs, they also like to chew on objects they encounter.
Chewing is a normal behavior in rabbits and is nothing you should be worried about. Since their teeth continually grow, they need to grind them down by constantly chewing. However, this habit can be detrimental if your bunny chews on precious belongings or dangerous objects like wires.
If you have an unfortunate incident of rabbits chewing the wires of your car, don’t panic. First things first, get your car fixed. And then make sure such an incident does not happen again.
This article will look at some practical ways to stop your rabbit from chewing car wires. So, let’s get started.
Why Do Rabbits Chew Car Wires?
Since rabbits have a natural instinct to chew, they would try to chew on anything they find. A lot of rabbit owners have reported that their bunny loves to get in the car and chew all types of wiring there. It could be the brake lines or the clutch lines.
Imagine seeing your wires chewed on like that and the amount of repair work you might need afterward!
You cannot train a rabbit not to chew on these wires. According to some people, a particular smell in the coating of these wires tempts the rabbits to chew. While others say that the wires help rabbits maintain their teeth to grind them down.
The texture of these wires may be another source of attraction for them. The smelly rubbery wires become the reason for this behavior.
Rabbits have a strong sense of smell. The nose of the rabbit works like radar and takes them to hidden places which are not visible to the naked eye. One such hidden place is the car bonnet. Rabbits love to go under the hood and nibble on the car wires. While they are productively working on grinding down their teeth, they are causing a nuisance to the car owner.
How to Stop Rabbits from Chewing Car Wires?
If you have ever faced such an issue or if this is a frequently faced issue, it is time that you should look for ways to stop the rabbit from chewing. Of course, we cannot train the rabbit not to chew the wires. So, what’s the solution?
If your rabbits are chewing on car wires, you can do a few things to stop them. By rabbit-proofing your car and providing your rabbits with chew toys, you can help keep them safe and prevent damage to your car.
However, sometimes these steps don’t seem to work. Since rabbits are naturally curious, they will soon get bored of the toys and start exploring new stuff. Here are a few other methods to make sure your car wires remain intact even if there’s a rabbit around.
Use a repellent spray
Rabbits dislike the taste of garlic and mint. By combining garlic and mint with egg, make a smooth mixture. You may have to blend them if you do not have garlic powder and mint powder, you can make an effective rabbit-repellent mixture.
Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray this repellent generously on the ground/parking lot where your cat is parked, especially around the hood of your car and the front two wheels.
Using this homemade DIY mixture with just three ingredients, you can keep your car safe from the little cute creatures with razor-sharp teeth.
There are plenty of recipes for making homemade DIY repellent sprays. You can follow those recipes to ensure rabbits don’t go near the car.
Some commercial rabbit-repellent products are also available on the market. But make sure you only buy products made from organic and natural ingredients. These products are animal-friendly, rain resistant, and biodegradable.
Restrict access to the car
Try restricting access to your car by deploying a physical barrier. You can try putting a portable fence around your car. This portable fence is very handy and can be carried in your car anywhere.
All you need to do is park the car and surround it with this portable fence. Now you don’t need to worry about rabbits damaging your car.
Grow strong-smelling plants
While we love the fragrance of lavender and mint, these serve as barriers to rabbits. You will have pleasing garden aesthetics by growing these plants in your garden. Furthermore, you can stay calm with lavender and use mint in your cooking recipes. And yet, at the same time, keep your car safe and sound by keeping away the rabbits.
Sprinkle mothballs
Like other rodents, rabbits do not like the smell of mothballs. Try getting a few fabric pouches, or you can make these yourself by using net or cotton fabrics. Place a few moth balls in these fabric pouches and keep them around your car.
You can even carry these around in your car, and wherever you park your car, you can either place them under the hood or beneath the front side of the car and front wheels. Remember to pick these up and carry them in your car when you have to start the car.
Park your car in the garage
If you are facing this issue with the rabbit at your residence, you can ensure that your car is parked in the garage instead of in the driveway. It may seem like a hassle to park your car in the garage twice or thrice a day, but it is one of the most effective ways to protect your car wires from being chewed on.
Leave the hood up
As rabbits naturally tend to hide, they usually do not go to exposed areas. When you keep the hood of your car up, this may keep the rabbits away. If you are successful with this trick, you may be able to protect your car from the damage caused by rabbits. Although this may attract dust to the car’s engine, it will not render it broken. You can still start the car when you need to go somewhere.
Get a cat
You can get a cat if you face the problem of damaged car wires due to wild rabbits. Cats are instinctive predators and can help you in keeping their prey, that is, the rabbits, away. Rabbits constantly live in fear, as they are prey for many animals. This is why they are always alert and on the lookout to identify any predators nearby.
With a cat around, rabbits may not come near your house or car. While the cat would be a great pet, your car would stay safe, sound, and rabbit free.
What Happens if a Rabbit Chews on Wires?
Some rabbit owners may be worried that chewing on wires will harm their bunny. Well, it’s something they should be concerned about. While car wires are not dangerous as long as the car engine is not started, it’s good to know what might happen if your wires are damaged.
If your rabbit chews on wires, a few things could happen. They could get a shock, start a fire, or damage their teeth. It’s essential to be aware of the dangers and take steps to prevent your rabbit from getting into trouble.
If your rabbit chews on wires, she could get a shock. Since electricity is running through the wires, if your rabbit chews through them, she could come into contact with the live current. Depending on the voltage, this could cause her to receive a mild or even severe shock. The shock can sometimes lead to death. If you think your rabbit has been shocked, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately.
Another danger of rabbits chewing on wires is that they could start a fire. When rabbits chew on wires, they can strip away the insulation. This exposes the live wire, and if it comes into contact with anything else that’s conductive, like metal, it could create a spark.
If there’s anything flammable nearby, this could quickly start a fire. To prevent this from taking place, you should keep your rabbit away from any exposed wires and make sure their cage is in a protected area.
Final Words
If you have a problem with rabbits chewing on your car wires, you can do a few things to stop them. First, try spraying the wires with a bitter-tasting repellent. You can also try covering the wires with a physical barrier, like chicken wire. Finally, make sure to keep your car clean and free of debris, as rabbits are attracted to messy areas. Following these tips can stop rabbits from chewing on your car wires.
Although these tips usually work, the best way to keep rabbits away from car wires is to offer them chew toys. This will help keep them distracted from the wires. Many different types of chew toys are available out there, so you can find one that your rabbit will enjoy.
Another safer and least expensive way to stop your bunny from chewing car wires is to rabbit-proof your car. This entails making sure all wires are out of reach, either by tucking them away or covering them with a protective sleeve.
I hope you found these tips effective and are now ready to protect your car wires from being chewed on. All the best!