How to Choose Toys for Your Rabbit

Rabbits are very sociable, intelligent, and curious, so they can get bored easily, if they have nothing to do. Rabbits love to play, explore, and race around the house, especially with their human companions. If your rabbit trusts you and has a good relationship with you, then you are in for a treat. When rabbits play, they enjoy tossing things, jumping, racing about, lunging at "the enemy," and playing chase games.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Buy some rabbit-safe toys for your rabbit to play with. These include hard plastic baby key rattles, small untreated baskets (natural, with no varnishes or colorings), plastic Slinky toys (make sure the Slinky is too small for your rabbit to get its head or paws stuck in it), some kitten play toys like wire balls with bells in them (again, make sure they're too small for your rabbit's paws or head to get stuck in).

2. Sit on the floor with your rabbit. Rabbits, like cats, are independent. You must play with them on their terms and where they feel safe.

3. If the toy makes noise, shake it and then place it in your rabbit's play area, close enough for your rabbit to reach. He will probably sniff it, then pick it up and toss it.

4. Dry, clean, empty toilet paper rolls stuffed with Timothy hay are another neat toy; your rabbit will enjoy nibbling the hay stuffed inside and chewing and tossing the cardboard roll.

5. Use the toys to play with your rabbit. Be careful not to scare him. If your rabbit wants to play, he may lunge at the toy you're offering him and pretend attack it. Let him have it to toss around. Praise him lavishly for his antics.

6. Give your rabbit newspaper or a telephone book to shred. Since rabbits are chewers, they love to shred paper. Make sure your rabbit isn't eating these objects.

Tips & Warnings

• The more you get on the floor and play with your rabbit, the more he will consider you his playmate, especially if he doesn't have a rabbit companion. This is a great way to bond with him .
• Some rabbits don't like to play with toys. Or do so only occasionally. Don't force them to play with things if they don't want to play with. Your rabbit may be happy just to have the run of the house and to receive a lot of attention from you.
• Change the toys occasionally. Rabbits, like people, get bored, so you may want to rotate your rabbit's toys. If he has a favorite toy or blanket, always leave that with him when you rotate the other toys.
• Never let your rabbit play with toys that can be harmful (keep anything that contains nails, staples, varnish, or paint away from your rabbit; also keep anything your rabbit can get catch his nails in or anything toxic that he may try to chew or eat away from him). Make sure the "toss" toys are not too heavy for your rabbit to easily pick up.
• Make sure none of the toys have openings your rabbit's head or paws may get caught in..
• Most black and white newspapers are made of vegetable dyes, which are safe, but it's better for your rabbit not to eat them. The color newspaper sections may contain chemicals that aren't safe for your rabbit.

on 6/30/2006 Plain, cardboard boxes make great toys. Cut holes for doors and windows, then stuff with hay or newspaper. For an extra special treat, hide a small piece of fruit or the bunnies favorite food inside.

on 11/22/2005 My bunny LOVES my pen with a purple fuzzy end and follows it everywhere! He also plays hide and seek. We might try a whiffle ball with hay/alfalfa.

on 11/22/2005 If you have no room for a rabbit in your home, garden, or at an alternative location, don't be afraid to keep a rabbit in a fairly sized shed. You can easily rabbit-proof a shed. Try putting a padlock on the door. Make or buy a hutch to fit in the shed (preferably off of the floor). Rabbits will get bored so add some kitten toys, hamster toys, or try making your own. And if you ever choose to breed your rabbit, please make sure that after you buy the buck, a friend or petshop will take it...It isn't a good idea for the buck to live with the doe.