Pet Habitat South Africa

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20 Jun 2014

Tips For Rabbit Enrichment

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Rabbits | Pet Care

Rabbits require mental and physical stimulation and toys are the perfect way of keeping your bunnies fit and their minds occupied. Just like small children, rabbits get bored and this is when they go and look for their own fun. If you don’t want chewed carpets and curtains and a ruined garden then you’ll need to provide your rabbits with alternative activities.

Different rabbits are going to enjoy different toys, so you may need to test a few before you find the ones that your rabbits will prefer. Changing toys around will prevent your rabbits from getting bored.

The problem is that pet shops sell toys but lots of them won’t be suitable for your rabbits. Spending a fortune isn’t necessary; there will be plenty of things lying around your house that you can turn into bunny toys for free.

Paper and paper bags

Shredded and screwed up paper, telephone directories etc… all of these things will make fun types of toys. Try hiding treats in-between some of the pages. Some rabbits will love rummaging round in large paper bags. You could fill the bag with shredded paper and hay. Your rabbits will love digging around if you hide treats and food in smaller paper bags.

Hay rolls

Why don’t you try rolling long stranded hay in a sheet of paper and tie the ends with a strand of hay to look like a Christmas cracker? Then sit back and watch your rabbit throw it around and rip into it to get at the hay.

Cardboard boxes

Some rabbits will love nothing more than having a good old chew on a cardboard box. Larger strong boxes can act as platforms for your rabbit to sit on. You could even cut holes in the sides to create bolt-holes. If you have more than one rabbit, make sure you have more than one hole. Cutting holes that are slightly too small will encourage them to chew around the sides to make them larger, especially if you hide food inside.

Plastic tubing

This is a perfect way of creating tunnels which your rabbits will love so much. You’ll be able to get your hands on plastic offcuts from your local builder’s yard, but it’s important that the edges are completely smooth to prevent any injuries. You’ll also need to give them a thorough clean.

Cardboard tubes

These tubes could provide your bunnies with hours of entertainment again, they’ll love throwing the tubes around. If you want to get a bit more creative stuff them with hay and vegetables and hang them up, so your rabbits will have to stretch in order to nibble at the treats.

If you’d like to get your hands on the larger strong cardboard tubes then head down to your local carpet shop. Make sure that the edges aren’t too rough to cause any damage to your bunnies.

Flower pots

If you have a garden then there’s a good chance that you’ll have plastic plant pots lying about. Large pots can provide mini-hideouts for your rabbits; make sure you place bricks at either side to make sure that they don’t move. The smaller pots will be great for your rabbits to throw around or you could stuff them with hay, paper and fresh vegetables.

Just like the cardboard tubes, you can hang them up so your rabbits really have to work to get the prize. If your rabbits chew everything they come into contact with then you’ll have to supervise them.

Digging box

You can put a digging box together quickly and cheaply; simply pop some soil mixed with straw inside a box! If your rabbits aren’t familiar with digging then plant a shallow layer of food in the soil. Remember, if you’re using soil from your garden make sure that it doesn’t contain anything that could be potentially harmful, such as weed killer or fertiliser.

Gnawing branches

Branches can be a great way of keeping your rabbits happy and they are also great for dental health, as the chewing motion will help to wear down their teeth. You’ll need to do your research into which tree they came from to ensure that they are safe for your rabbits. You should also make sure that they haven’t been sprayed with any pesticides.

Cat toys

Some rabbits may just love to play with cat toys, especially ones that make noise. If you plan on providing your bunnies with these kinds of toys then make sure you supervise them closely as they may contain small plastic parts.

Company

Rabbits love company, they will love nothing more than having another fluffy little companion to get up to lots of mischief with!