Every rabbit needs plenty of out-of-cage time to run, jump, and explore. It is very important to provide enrichment while the bunny is kept penned, as well as toys and activities to keep out-of-cage time stimulating. There are some places that sell neat toys designed especially for bunnies, but often, simple, inexpensive things you can find around the house will do just fine.
Bunnies Love to Chew
A rabbit who has no fun things of its own to chew will invariably turn to its owner's books, shoes, baseboards, table legs, etc.! One simple, effective chew-&-toss toy for rabbits is a toilet paper roll stuffed with hay. Clean, dry pine cones are a great natural chew toy for bunnies. Untreated wicker baskets are fun for chewing and hiding.
Bunnies Love to Toss
Metal slinkies are a goofy toy rabbits often enjoy (not plastic ones, which get chewed up and sometimes swallowed.) Nontoxic plastic keyrings, such as those sold as baby toys, are another tossing option. Wicker or straw balls or rings are also fun for tossing and chewing.
Bunnies Love to Dig and Shred
A cardboard box or untreated wicker basket filled with hay or newspapers can provide hours of fun digging. Or, give your rabbit your old yellow pages to chew and shred. Fill a brown paper lunch bag with hay and aromatic dried herbs, maybe with a non-perishable treat at the bottom. Tie off the top of the bag, and make bunny dig and chew his way in.
Bunnies Love to Burrow and Hide
A large cardboard box with an entrance and exit hole (bunnies generally prefer hidey-holes with more than one way out) will be a great spot for your rabbit to hide, chew, and nap. A hollow log or a hideaway designed for cats make fun rabbit hideouts as well.
Bunnies Love to Push and Punch
Rubber beach balls are popular push-toys for rabbits. Stuffed animals can be fun for bunnies who like to playfight, but take care the rabbit does not ingest the stuffing. Hanging mobiles, such as those made for birds or babies, can be of interest to pushy rabbits. An old towel or pillowcase can be bunched up, kicked around, and rearranged to your rabbit's delight.
Where to Buy Rabbit Toys
Unfortunately, many "rabbit toys" sold in chain pet stores will not be of much interest to your bunny. Chew sticks, even if they are shaped like a carrot, rarely hold a bunny's attention for more than a minute. However, there are many wonderful toys created especially for bunnies for sale online. Leith Petwerks sells safe, entertaining bunny toys, their most popular item being the delightful "Petwerk's Vacation Villa," which is basically a cardboard cat condo redesigned with extra exits.
Another fun place to find rabbits toys is The Busy Bunny, an online boutique store for rabbits.
Look around your home and observe your rabbit's favorite pastimes, and you will probably be able to come up with your own fun toys for bunny. Just make sure they are rabbit safe, meaning either they can't be chewed up and ingested (i.e. hard plastic or wood) or they are safe for the rabbit to ingest in small amounts (i.e. cardboard and newspaper.)
More Articles About Rabbit Care
 |
 |
