Toys and games
Rabbit toys come in many varieties, and different rabbits prefer different types depending on their individual personalities. Many rabbits enjoy purchased toys, but they can also prefer simple things around the house like paper towel tubes or cardboard boxes. The lists below can help you find a nice surprise gift for your rabbit to celebrate a special occasion.
A newer mini-study found that by supplying your rabbit with enrichment toys (balls, boxes, or tunnels) can help reduce their stress level by almost 50 per cent.[1]
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Chewing toys
Often, rabbits will chew on furniture to explore the world through taste and texture, to build up strong muscles of the jaw, and because it is fun.[2] Chewing toys can help prevent destruction of your property by your rabbits and also have the benefit of wearing down your rabbit's incisor teeth. These toys can also be thrown. Chew toys should also be edible toys to prevent poisoning.
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- Toilet paper rolls with all the toilet paper and glue removed. You can also stuff the tube with hay, pellets, and vegetables to make it a puzzle feeder.
- Cardboard boxes - You can combine multiple boxes with doors and holes cut out to make massive forts for endless fun. Set up a row of boxes with holes cut in the sides for a tunnel. Remember to remove all tape, staples, and labels.
- Cats & Rabbits & More, Cottontail Cottages - These are custom-made cardboard forts made by Cats & Rabbits & More, an LA rabbit rescue. They are also available through many other local rabbit rescue stores.
- Bunny Bunch Boutique, Carrot House
- BinkyBunny, Hopper Hideaway
- Maze Haven
- Mini Haven
- BinkyBunny Tunnel Haven
- Cabin Cat Playhouse
- Cat Scratching Play House
- Suck UK Teepee Cat Playhouse
- Paper bags filled with hay and treats.
- Untreated willow and wicker objects - sticks, balls, rings, huts, tunnels, baskets, hampers, etc. Be careful of any furniture that may also contain varnish and bleach.
- Fresh or dried untreated lumber and branches.
- Make sure to avoid sticks from cherry, peach, apricot, plum, redwood, and other single-seeded fruit trees which are all poisonous. Cedar is also dangerous due to its aromatic oils. However, the House Rabbit Society notes that toxic branches such peach and apricot branches are safe after a month or more of drying after cutting.[3]
- Try to collect branches from plants that are not near road pollution and have not been treated with pesticides. You may wish to freeze branches before giving them to your rabbits to kill any bugs or wash them in the shower.
- Safe options are the following: [4][5][6][7][8]
- Alder (Alnus spp.)
- Apple (Malus domestica)
- Ash (Fraxinus spp.)
- Aspen (Populus adenopoda, Populus grandidentata, Populus sieboldii, Populus tremula, Populus tremuloides)
- Beech (Fagus spp.)
- Berries (Rubus spp.)
- Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)
- Black elder (Sambucus nigra)
- Birch (Betula spp.)
- European white birch (Betula pendula)
- Common oak (Qercus robur)
- European larch (Larix decidua)
- Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa, Ribes grossularia)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
- Hazel (Corylus spp.)
- Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
- Little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata)
- Lemon (Citrus × limon)
- Maple (Acer spp.)
- Oak (Quercus spp.) - without bark only
- Orange (Citrus × sinensis)
- Pear (Pyrus spp.)
- Pine (Pinus) - kiln-dried only to remove phenols
- Poplar (Populus spp.)
- Black poplar (Populus nigra)
- Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum)
- Rose (Rosa)
- Rowan (Sorbus spp.)
- Spruce (Picea spp.)
- Norway spruce (Picea abies)
- White buckeye (Aesculus hippocastanum)
- White locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- White mulberry (Morus alba)
- Willow (Salix spp.) - all willow species are safe
- Corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana)
- Goat willow / Pussy willow (Salix caprea)
- White willow (Salix alba)
- Weeping willow (Salix babylonica)
- Phone books with the plastic outer cover removed.
- Dried out pine cones.
- Straw objects - bottom of straw whisk brooms, etc.
- Super Pet Rabbit Large Tropical Fiddle Sticks Hideout
- Boredom Breaker S (Boredom Breaker) Small Animal Woodies Gnaw Garland Sports
- Rosewood Small Animal Activity Toy Bunny Fun Tree Boredom Breaker
- Original Activity Zone Rabbit Toy
- Bobby's Bunny Boutique, Carrot Play Patch
- Napoleon Bunnyparte, Bundora's Box
Here are some links with information about the rabbit behavior of chewing:
- House Rabbit Society, FAQ: Chewing
Digging toys
Female rabbits tend to love digging as they are usually the ones to do the tunneling for burrows in the wild.[9] Digging also wears out a bunny's nails.
- Carpet scraps - Be careful if you already have carpet in your place. This may end up backfiring as your rabbits may not be able to understand that only certain locations of carpet are appropriate to dig in.
- Grass objects - mats and beds
- Straw mats.
- Sisal mats.
- Jeans, towels, or blankets held under a heavy object or tied to something solid to prevent motion when digging.
- Cardboard boxes - You can combine multiple boxes with doors and holes cut out to make massive forts for endless fun. Remember to remove all tape, staples, and labels.
- Paper bag, plastic hamper or tub, litter box, or cardboard box filled with hay, soil, litter, or ripped newspaper.
- Phone books with the plastic outer cover removed.
- Bobby's Bunny Boutique, Carrot Play Patch
- Napoleon Bunnyparte, Hoppy Trails Picnic Mat
- BunnyRabbitToys
- AsasWood, Digging box with sisal rope
If you are filling your own dig box with materials, please use rabbit-safe materials such as shredded paper, plastic ball pit balls, plain soil, straw, hay, and other rabbit-safe litter alternatives.
Sand as a digging material can be dangerous due to dust and silicates. Rabbits can easily inhale the small particles, and the sand can also get lodged in genital folds and cause infections if not cleaned out. Sand can also irritate their eyes and cause permanent scarring. A few anecdotes of owners using play sand for their rabbits:
- Reddit. (2019). Comment from u/Vengeful_Roach
- Facebook (2016). Post from New Jersey House Rabbit Society
Below are resources to DIY instructions for digging toys.
- Rabbit Ramblings. Rabbit Ramblings Retraction - Important Modification to Bunny Care item
- Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter. Make a Mat
Some links to read for more information on the digging behavior of bunnies have been listed below.
- San Diego House Rabbit Society. Rabbit Digs
Throwing toys
Some rabbits like throwing and tossing objects with their mouths. Others like the noise that they can make. Many of the chewing toys listed above can also be thrown if they are a small enough size.
- Balls with bells in the middle.
- Connected jar rings.
- Baby-safe keys, teething rings, teething toys, stack-up cups, stacking rings and other toys made of hard plastic and wood such as parrot-safe foot toys.
- Car keys.
- Empty soup cans.
- Slinkies (plastic, not metal).
- Toilet paper rolls with all the toilet paper and glue removed.
- Plastic birthday party toys such as plastic maracas and tambourines.
- Large rubber balls.
- Empty salt cartons, toilet paper and paper towel rolls.
- Mini shopping carts
- Carrot Play Patch at Bobby's Bunny Boutique
- BunnyRabbitToys, Toss n Chew Sisal Rope Toy
- Napoleon Bunnyparte, Rabbit throw toys and mobiles
- therabbithouse.com, Slotted Cardboard Balls
- Happy Rabbit Toys, Fling Toys
Climbing toys
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Some rabbits like hopping on top of objects to get a higher point of view of their territory.
- Wooden castles, forts, houses, and tunnels
- Tokihut Wooden Rabbit Toy Castle (US)
- BunnyRabbitShop (US)
- Happy Rabbit Toys, Activity Zones (US)
- RoyalBunFurnishings (US)
- PawKreations (US)
- Napoleon Bunnyparte, Hoppy Hampton Bunny Castles (Canada/US)
- Animal Adventure Pods (UK)
- CNC at Home (Australia)
- Cardboard boxes - You can combine multiple boxes with doors and holes cut out to make massive forts for endless fun. Set up a row of boxes with holes cut in the sides for a tunnel. Remember to remove all tape, staples, and labels.
- Cats & Rabbits & More, Cottontail Cottages - These are custom-made cardboard forts made by Cats & Rabbits & More, an LA rabbit rescue. They are also available through many other local rabbit rescue stores.
- BinkyBunny, Hopper Hideaway
- Maze Haven
- Mini Haven
- BinkyBunny Tunnel Haven
- Cabin Cat Playhouse
- Cat Scratching Play House
- Suck UK Teepee Cat Playhouse
- Low cat trees with multiple platforms - Try not to purchase a tree over 2 feet tall as rabbits are more likely to injure themselves falling from heights compared to cats. Trees suitable for kittens are great.
Burrowing toys
Rabbits are natural burrowers that dig to create underground warrens. You can also stuff paper into these tunnels to make them for fun for a rabbit to dig out.
- Cardboard concrete molds and forms. Be sure to remove wax coating inside tube.
- Wooden castles, forts, houses, and tunnels
- Tokihut Wooden Rabbit Toy Castle
- BunnyRabbitToys, Rabbit House
- Happy Rabbit Toys, Activity Zones
- RoyalBunFurnishings
- PawKreations
- Napoleon Bunnyparte, Hoppy Hampton Bunny Castles
- Cat tunnels, condos, and boxes.
- Cardboard boxes - You can combine multiple boxes with doors and holes cut out to make massive forts for endless fun. Set up a row of boxes with holes cut in the sides for a tunnel. Remember to remove all tape, staples, and labels.
- Cats & Rabbits & More, Cottontail Cottages - These are custom-made cardboard forts made by Cats & Rabbits & More, an LA rabbit rescue. They are also available through many other local rabbit rescue stores.
- Bunny Bunch Boutique, Carrot House
- BinkyBunny, Hopper Hideaway
- Rabbit Treasures
- Maze Haven
- Mini Haven
- BinkyBunny Tunnel Haven
- Cabin Cat Playhouse
- Cat Scratching Play House
- Suck UK Teepee Cat Playhouse
- Edible tunnels
- Large paper bags laid on its side.
- Blankets and towels strategically placed to create a hideout.
- Setting up furniture with narrow running spaces.
Puzzles
The following toys can provide mental stimulation for your rabbit and teach them problem-solving skills. Also look into clicker training for more ideas.
- Hagen Living World Teach N Treat Toy
- Food dispensing balls and tubes
- MultiVet SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser
- Premier Pet Products FUNKitty Egg-cersizer Cat Toy
- Trixie Snack Ball, 7cm
- Smarter Toys IQ Treat Ball Dog Toy
- TRIXIE Pet Products Snack Roll for Cats
- You can also make your own using a plastic bottle and cutting small holes to allow pellets to fall through. See this post for an example.
- MultiVet SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser
- Bobby's Bunny Boutique, Boredom Breaker Maze-A-Log Treat Challenge
- Bunspace Store, BunnyIQ Toys
- BunnyRabbitToys, Kitty Cat / Bunny Rabbit Hide-a-Treat Toy
- Bunny Approved DIY Rabbit Toy Ideas
- TRIXIE Snack Board Logic Toy for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Other Small Pets
- TRIXIE Pet Products Solitaire Game for Cats
- TRIXIE Hide-and-Seek Circle
- TRIXIE Pet Products Flip Board, Level 2
- TRIXIE Mad Scientist for Dogs, Level 2
- Zanies Wood Interactive Puzzles Dog Toy
- Ethical Pet Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone Dog Puzzle
- Nina Ottosson Mix Max Treat Puzzle Game for Cats, Easy Level
- Kyjen Dog Games
- SecondHopePets, Treat Game for Rabbits - Boredom Buster for Bunnies - Clothespin and String
- Napoleon Bunnyparte, Bundora's Box
Interactive games
See the links below for more information about games you can play with your pet. Also consider clicker training and luring to teach interesting tricks to your rabbit!
- John B. Miller. Games Rabbits Play
- Abi Cushman. Playing with Your Pet Bunny
- BunnyHugga. (2010). Exercise and playtime for rabbits
- Bunniez. (2007). Bunny Games! How To Have Fun With Your Rabbit
Homemade toy projects
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See the links below for some homemade toys.
- BudgetBunny. DIY Toys
- The Rabbit House. Toys & Enrichment
- Sharon Lloyd. Edible Christmas Tree for Rabbits
- House Rabbit Society. More Tips on Building Box Toys
- Best4Bunny. (2017). Easy to make rabbit toys, that your bunnies will love!
- Rabbits United. Rabbit toy making and enrichment activities.
- Bunny Approved.com. Indoor Furniture Ideas for Rabbits
- Bunny Approved.com. DIY Rabbit Toy Ideas
- The Fluffy Group. Instructions for a DIY bunny house
- BunnyProof.com. How to make a digging box for your rabbit
- Coding with Bunnies. (2020). Harvesting weeping willow for the bunnies
- binky_bonny. (2020). Do It Yourself Origami Bunny Tunnel
- u/WickandFable. (2021). Enrichment for Baseboard-liking Rabbits
- Oxbow. (2021). How to Make Your Own DIY Pet-Safe Dyes
Monthly subscription & gift boxes
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Subscription services geared towards pets are not very common yet, but here is a list of some rabbit-based monthly subscription boxes you can sign up for! Some of them will ship internationally.
United States
- BinxBox
- Boop Box
- Bunny FunBox
- NYC Buns, Hop Box Club
- Rabbit's Paradise, Paradise Box
- Positive Pets, Positive Bunny Box
Canada
United Kingdom
- Buneats, Rabbit / Guinea Pig Subscription Box
- Barks & Bunnies, Rabbit Gift Box
- Bunnies That Lunch - Facebook
- Bunny Box, The Box
- Happy Bunny Club, Bunny Box - Facebook
Australia
- Bunificent, Bunificent Box - Facebook.
- The Hoppy Hamper, Hoppy Hamper Monthly Gift Box - Instagram
Singapore
Online rabbit toy stores
Below are reputable online bunny toy stores where you can find many unique rabbit-safe toys that might not be available in your local area. Be aware that these stores may be located in various countries, so check to make sure they ship internationally.
Australia
Canada
- Bobby's Bunny Boutique
- Hop Online
- Napoleon Bunnyparte (also ships to US)
- The Rabbit Rescue Store
Germany
Lithuania
United Kingdom
United States
- BinkyBunny
- Bunny Bunch Boutique
- BunnyRabbitToys
- CritterCastleShop
- Funny Bunny Toy Company
- Happy Rabbit Toys
- Leith Petwerks Inc., Toys
- Rabbit Treasures
- RoyalBunFurnishings
- Small Pet Select
- Tokihut
Further reading
- SaveABunny.org, Recommended Rabbit Toys
- BinkyBunny.com, Bunny Toy Test
- Rabbit Rehome, Free Rabbit Toys
- House Rabbit Network, Mallory Mohring, Rabbit Toys
- Kathy Smith, Fun and Games with Your Rabbit
- House Rabbit Society, FAQ: Toys
- House Rabbit Society, Margo DeMello, Ph.D., More Than Just a Chew Stick
- San Diego House Rabbit Society, Finding the Best Toy for Your Rabbit
- Zooh Corner, Toys for Rabbits
- The Rabbit Charity, Carolina James, Favorite Rabbit Toys
- San Diego House Rabbit Society, Adventures in Toyland
- Petfinder, Designing a Rabbit Playground
- Laura Tyler, Ashy Tyler's Toys
- RabbitScout, Safe toys for bunnies to play with
See also
References
- ↑ Amy Johnson (2016). Enrichment cuts rabbits’ stress levels by half.
- ↑ Buseth, M.E & Saunders, R. (2015). Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care.
- ↑ House Rabbit Society. (2013). Chewing. Retrieved 08 Mar 2016 from http://rabbit.org/faq-chewing/
- ↑ kanin.org. (n.d.). Rabbit-safe branches and twigs. Retrieved from http://kanin.org/node/190
- ↑ Camilla Bergstrøm. (n.d.). Feeding the house rabbit: twigs and branches. Retrieved from http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Food/Branch/Branch_en.htm
- ↑ Dr. Sari Kanfer and Alexandra Logsdon. (n.d.). Rabbits Need Dental Care Too. Retrieved from http://www.mybunny.org/info/dental_care.htm
- ↑ Z. Princz et al. (n.d.). Application of Gnawing Sticks in Rabbit Housing. Retrieved from http://www.wrs.upv.es/files/journals/wrs0715029036.pdf
- ↑ Happy Rabbit Toys. (n.d.). FAQ. Retrieved Mar 14 2020 from http://www.happyrabbittoys.com/faq/
- ↑ Wildpro, The Mammal Society, THE RABBIT Oryctolagus cuniculus