16 Toys to keep your pet rabbit happy
Exercise is significant for the health of the rabbits as without exercising and playing a rabbits can get bored easily and it is likely to put on weight. Providing them with interactive toys can help in getting them to exercise. Provide toys keeping in mind the likes and dislikes of your pet rabbit. The toys should keep the rabbit occupied and playing with them should use up their excessive energy. Toys also give an opportunity to bond with your pet rabbit. Here are a few ideas for the toys you can buy for your rabbit.
1. Small soft towels
Your rabbit can roll in it or you can make a ball out of it. A soft towel is not harsh on your little rabbit and it will surely take a fancy towards it.
2. Rubber balls
The size of the balls shouldn't be so small that the rabbit would end up swallowing them, nor should the ball be so hard that the rabbit would get hurt. You can do this when you are not able to play with your pet. Just roll the ball and your rabbit will run after it and at times rabbits are seen to roll and imitate the ball by rolling themselves.
3. Soft toys
This will reduce the loneliness of your pet. Rabbits too want to have playmates. So if you are keeping one rabbit as a pet, keeping soft toys around it will make it feel happy and content specially when it is very young.
4. Closed cardboard boxes
The boxes should have holes on both sides big enough for the rabbit to get inside and come out again. Thus the rabbit can enjoy hours of fun in a limited area and also rest inside the box when it feels like it.
5. Plastic toys such as rings and rattles
They should not be so small that the rabbit ends up swallowing it. The rabbit can nibble at it and while it runs with the ring or the rattle, the tinkling sound will add to its fun.
6. Soft small broom
This toy gives you a way to bond with your pet rabbit. You can bring it close to your pet and then rub it softly on its back which can create a tickling sensation. Make sure the bristles or strands of the broom are soft enough for the rabbit; else the bristles might end up hurting the skin of the rabbit.
7. Twigs plucked freshly from trees
Freshly plucked toys give the rabbit the feel of a natural environment. Twigs can be especially useful when the rabbit is teething. The rabbit can chew on small twigs and stay occupied. What's more, you don't need to spend a penny on them and you can always get as many as you want for your rabbit.
8. Boxes full of shredded paper
As rabbits are playful and frisky by nature, wallowing, digging and playing in loads of shredded paper will provide unlimited fun to your rabbit. It will enjoy shredding the paper further. Though it may make the place untidy, this toy will definitely boost the playful nature of your pet.
9. Cardboard tubes
These can be got from used up tissue paper rolls or toilet paper rolls. The rabbit can nudge it with its nose, push it, roll it along the ground or even try to climb it. This is a good and safe play activity. If the rabbit chews off the cardboard, make sure you replace or remove the tube before it disintegrates and the rabbit end up ingesting a lot of cardboard.
10. A maze
You can make as big, small or complicated a maze you like and leave your pet inside it to navigate its way out through the obstacle course. It would provide lots of mental stimulation, exercise and fun to your pet for a long time. You too can enjoy watching your pet play in the maze for. Ensure the rabbit is not left unattended in the maze and that the maze is not very high.
11. A hut made of grass
This is another toy that can provide a natural environment for the rabbit. The hut can serve as a hiding place or resting place for the rabbit. The hut should be cosy with enough life and shade for the rabbit.
12. Paper bags and boxes
Paper bags and boxes can be used in the same way as soft toys and shredded paper. You could use a cereal box or a paper grocery bag. The rabbit can try to wriggle into the bag or box. Care should be taken to ensure the bag or box is not line on the inside or outside with plastic. You can also use paper cups that are not the wax kind.
13. Dried pine cones
They can be simply chewed or nibbled upon by the rabbit. They are completely natural and there is no harm even if the rabbit ends up swallowing bits and pieces off them. Like with twigs, there are available easily and for free.
14. Parrot toys and whisk bells
It is a comparatively inexpensive alternative for soft toys. The rabbit's natural tendency of inquisitiveness is put into use while playing with them and the rabbit gets lots of stimulation of the mental and physical kinds.
15. A object with bells
Such a toy could be suspended from a surface like the underside of a table. It should remain at a height where the rabbit is just about able to reach it. The rabbit can then jump and try to catch the bells.
16. Rabbit ring toss
It is a toy you can use when you want to play with the rabbit, indoors or outdoors. You can toss and roll around the ring as the rabbit tries to catch or pursue it. Ring tossing is another play activity that will keep your pet happy, entertained and occupied. Ensure the ring is made from hard plastic.
