Toys and objects

 

Rabbits tend to love the simple (and cheap!) things in life like a cardboard box with a few holes cut into it or even a cardboard tube stuffed with hay. You’ll find lots of ideas for toys and objects that your rabbits may enjoy playing or interacting with on this page. Why not try something new today and enjoy watching them investigate and play!

Toys should allow rabbits to perform normal behaviours, such as digging, chewing, chin marking and jumping. Different rabbits enjoy different types of toys, so try providing different items until you find out which ones your rabbits like best.

To ensure the toys you provide are safe and fun for your rabbits, please read and follow our guidance for using enrichment.

Any of the following toys and objects could be a hit with your bunnies…

• Paper – such as shredded newspaper, paper bags with the handles removed and telephone directories (with the glossy covers removed). You could even wrap up your rabbits’ favourite food item in brown paper as a parcel for them to unwrap!
   
• Cardboard - cardboard boxes with holes cut into them make great hiding places. Cardboard tubes can be stuffed with hay and healthy treats/part of their daily food ration.
  
  

   

• Tunnels – plastic and fabric tunnels can be purchased commercially. Tunnels can also be made from cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes and large ceramic pipes (with a wide diameter).
   
• Mirrors – where rabbits have to be kept singly, providing a mirror to look into may offer a source of comfort, particularly for females. However, the effects of a mirror can also be quite short lived so it is only recommended as a temporary measure for alleviating loneliness. If mirrors are provided, ensure they are securely fastened to avoid injury.  
  

   

• Objects to manipulate and throw – items such as untreated straw/wicker/sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots can be provided. Solid plastic baby toys such as ‘key rings’, rattles and stacking cups, as well as some robust cat and parrot toys can also make good rabbit toys, but ensure there are no small parts that could be swallowed and supervise their use. Food can also be hidden in/under some of these objects.
   
• Providing opportunities to dig - When given the opportunity to dig many domestic rabbits will perform this behaviour so try to provide your rabbits with some form of ‘digging box’. Safe places for rabbits to dig include a large plant pot or litter tray filled with earth, a cardboard box filled with shredded paper or a sandpit filled with child-friendly sand.
   
   
• Providing places to mark their territory – ensure there are objects and areas within your rabbits’ home where they can mark their territory using chin secretions, urine and droppings*. Rabbits perform a behaviour known as ‘chin marking’, ‘chin rubbing’ or ‘chinning’, where they gently rub their chin on an object or against part of their enclosure, and transfer secretions from their scent gland onto the item. This is a rabbit’s way of marking his/her territory and making it smell familiar and reassuring to them. These scents are not detected or noticed by people. [*Advice on providing litter trays can be found on the environment webpage.]

 
Further enrichment ideas can be found on the Rabbit Awareness Week website and on 'The Rabbit House' blog.
[Please note that by selecting these links you will leave the RSPCA website. The RSPCA cannot accept any liability for the content or availability of the website you will be accessing, and the inclusion of a link to it is not an endorsement of the material it contains.]