Rabbits engage in physical activities to keep themselves active and maintain good physical health. They dig in the soil and gnaw on hard objects present in their hutches. Rabbits like to play with toys in captivity to prevent boredom. Moreover, their choices could vary as some species like hanging toys, while others love to sort out puzzles.
Rabbits like to play with toys like cottonwood or maple sticks, cardboard boxes, plastic or hay balls, fabric toys, or colorful keys. Additionally, they also engage in playful activities with grass mats, plastic cups, shredder paper, wooden towers, and ramps. Other toys they like include blankets, woolen shirts, plastic tunnels, puzzles, wicker baskets, and hanging or DIY toys.
There are different categories of toys made of plastic, wood, or other natural materials that can be given to pet bunnies to keep themselves engaged in activities. After detailed research on the interests of rabbits, I have short-listed around 14 types of toys that are good to consider for them. Let’s explore these popular toys and know about a few things that should be considered while choosing a toy for them.
Content
Types of toys for rabbits
1. Cottonwood or Maple Sticks
2. Cardboard Boxes
3. Plastic or Hay Balls
4. Fabric Toys and Colorful Keys
5. Grass Mats
6. Plastic Cups
7. Shredded paper
8. Wooden Towers or Ramps
9. Blankets and Woolen Shirts
10. Plastic Tunnels
11. Puzzling Toys
12. Hanging Toys
13. Wicker Baskets
14. DIY Toys
Things to consider while choosing toys rabbits like to play with
Types of toys for rabbits
Most rabbits like chewing toys because chewing suits their teeth, but some lightweight bunnies love jumping and digging into the soil. You should know about the choices of your pet rabbit, which is only possible when you notice their response to different types of toys.
Choose the one that gets most of their attention, but it is good to keep multiple options. Here is a list of toys rabbits like to play with; choose the one that suits your pet rabbit’s interests.
1. Cottonwood or Maple Sticks
Wooden sticks are a perfect source of entertainment for rabbits because they can chew on the hard sticks. It provides an opportunity to gnaw and maintain appropriate teeth size.
There are multiple options for sticks, but I recommend you choose cottonwood or maple sticks, which are easily available in pet stores or even in some people’s backyards.
Additionally, kiln-dried wood is better than untreated wood because fresh wood causes health issues due to phenol. You can also use apple, birch, poplar, and willow sticks.
2. Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes can be used as toys in many ways, like chewing, digging, and climbing. They are generally safe for rabbits to chew on when you make a ball of the cardboard piece.
Also, you can use them for digging by filling the box with soft digging material, like soil that can be easily displaced by these small furry animals.
Create holes in the large box or connect multiple boxes, and allrow bunnies to move through the tunnels. Secure the structure properly to prevent the tunnels from collapsing. Furthermore, bunnies can also hide in boxes or tunnels, which serves as a cozy hiding spot.
3. Plastic or Hay Balls
Balls are an excellent choice for rabbits when looking for suitable toys for your pet rabbits. It is exciting to see them pushing balls and chasing them afterward.
In addition, you can use willow and hay balls by molding their branches and compressed hay into a ball shape. Consider lightweight jingle balls, which add more interest due to the bells inside them.
However, it is better to avoid rubber balls for safety concerns because they can swallow a small ball. These small foraging balls made of hay can be a source of great fun for rabbits.
4. Fabric Toys and Colorful Keys
Rabbits love to toss around lightweight and small objects, like bottle caps. Colorful plastic keys and stuffed toys are easy to toss, so you can offer such objects to pet bunnies.
One thing to consider while choosing any tossing toy for them is to ensure that it is made of non-toxic material and is not easy to swallow. In addition, get 2 to 3 different types of toys from one category, as they get bored of playing with one type regularly.
5. Grass Mats
Grass mats made of seagrass, hay, or other natural, untreated fibers are most commonly available at pet stores. Timothy hat mats are also popular for their durability and promoting natural behaviors. These mats offer dual benefits: comfort and entertainment.
Similarly, the fibrous texture of mats allows rabbits to chew and wear down their teeth. This way, they do not have to suffer from dental issues that occur due to oversized teeth. In addition, you should consider this cozy flooring option for lining the bottom of their enclosure.
6. Plastic Cups
If your rabbit loves tossing toys, get plastic cups for it because these can be stacked and knocked over. Similarly, they can hide food in these cups when stealing is risky.
I came to know about this use of cups when I visited my friend in the neighborhood. I saw her pet rabbit stacking the disposable plastic cups and enjoying the activity.
This stacking activity promotes their problem-solving skills. However, get non-toxic cups for them. Additionally, their lightweight makes them prone to damage, as they cannot withstand vigorous knocking. Despite their lightweight, these cups can be a valuable addition to the collection of toys.
7. Shredded Paper
White or brown paper, mainly used for packaging, can be a perfect paper toy for rabbits. They dig and forage in the box filled with shredded paper. To make it more interesting, you can hide treats for rabbits in them.
I got a wooden box for my pet rabbit and filled it with brown paper. At first, it did not show any interest in digging, but it started digging deeper after almost 8 minutes. You can also mix some of their favorite food into the box to make this activity rewarding for them.
8. Wooden Towers or Ramps
Climbing toys promote rabbits’ instincts because they mimic their natural environment. Climbing involves muscle engagement and keeps the mind active.
Make a wooden tower or a ramp at your home using wooden pieces and create a climbing toy for your furry pet. The multi-level towers encourage them to hop and navigate different heights.
Similarly, ramps make it easier for rabbits of all ages and mobility levels to access higher platforms without struggling. These toys are sturdy and durable, suitable for adding to your rabbit’s play area.
9. Blankets and Woolen Shirts
They provide comfort and hiding opportunities to rabbits, as the soft texture or warmth of the woolen fabric offers a cozy environment to play and rest. Similarly, these blankets become a cozy nesting spot when you spread a small blanket near their hutch.
Their insulating properties make them an excellent toy for bunnies in cold weather, as they can sneak under the shirt or warm blanket. However, you need to wash them regularly to ensure good health. Furthermore, rabbits like to play with blankets, but you need to avoid using large blankets to prevent tangling issues.
10. Plastic Tunneling Toys
Tunnel toys give rabbits a new and different habitat, which they like to explore. You can get plastic tunnels from pet stores or make them at home using cardboard.
I have found my pet bunny sleeping in the tunnel many times. This shows that it loves this hidden spot and feels comfortable inside the tunnel. If you see them less interested in the new tunneling toy, add their favorite food to it because they will be attracted to the food odor.
They can be arranged in different configurations, so you can create engaging obstacles. Using different tunneling and climbing toys, you can create a play area for your pet.
11. Puzzling Toys
The puzzling or interactive toys require rabbits to manipulate the compartments or levers to access the hidden food. Moreover, they encourage curiosity and keep them mentally stimulated.
These types fulfill the foraging needs of rabbits. Also, you can hide food or treats inside them and let them find their food. My bunny really loves puzzles not only because of the treat it gets at the end but also because it feels excited while foraging for food.
12. Hanging Toys
Rabbits like to play with hanging toys, making them happier when you add treats. These are inexpensive; you can even make them at home using easily available products. These increase the activity rate and make lazy and inactive rabbits highly active.
Moreover, you can hang seagrass or hay balls from the top of their hutches and let them catch them. One of my friends hung a thick rope on the tree near the rabbit cage. She saw her bunny jumping higher to catch or even touch that rope, which was exciting to see.
13. Wicker Baskets
Wicker baskets are safe and included in the toys that rabbits like to have in their cages. It can be a favorite chewing material for bunnies, so make sure that the wicker is not treated.
Moreover, they can chew a small wicker basket, and it can be unsafe for them to ingest or chew a large amount of the basket’s material. You will find them jumping in and out of the basket happily. Therefore, you should check their activity and remove these baskets when you are not present around them.
14. DIY Toys
You can use household items, such as toilet paper rolls, pages from a rough notebook, or easily transformed tissue paper, to make a toy for pet rabbits.
Avoid using paper towels with ink stains and adhesives because there is a risk of ingestion. The ink is not safe for rabbits, so be careful while using a paper towel roll. With proper care, these paper towels can provide them with hours of fun and enrichment.
Things to consider while choosing toys rabbits like to play with
Many types of toys are there for rabbits to play with. However, there are certain things that you should keep in mind while looking for toys for rabbits.
Avoid chewable plastic: You should not provide them with toys made of soft plastic or material that they can easily chew. They will bite and chew it, which is not good for their delicate digestive system.
Avoid pine and cedar wood: Do not offer toys made of treated wood or wood with high amounts of phenols, such as pine or cedar wood. Additionally, these scented foods disrupt their sense of smell and affect their overall health.
No excessive glue: A small amount of glue is applied to toys to keep their parts attached. But, excessive glue is not safe for rabbits, so you should avoid such things.
No sharp edges: They can come into direct contact with sharp edges while running or moving around them. So, it is good to avoid getting toys with sharp edges to prevent damage to bunnies even if your rabbits like to play with them.
No choking risks: You should avoid plastic papers or bags, as they are easy to ingest and pose a risk of choking. Similarly, small rubber toys can also pose a safety risk, so you should keep an eye on them when they are playing with such toys.