How To Have Fun With Your Pet Bunny

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Regular playtime does wonders for your relationship with your rabbits and improves their mental and physical health.

Here’s how to have tons of fun with the ‘bun’:

1. Let loose

Release the rabbits and let them stretch their legs outside of their cages. Be sure to bunny-proof the space, e.g. conceal electrical cords, keep forbidden food or medicines are out of reach. You can cordon off a wider space for them to wander about or set up a pen in a different part of your home for variety.

2. Go outside

Comic credit Liz Climo

Most of us stay in HDBs so our bunnies stay indoors. Some rabbit owners do make the effort to bring them outdoors. Pick a nice grass patch, fence it up to make an enclosed playpen space for the rabbits to roam.

Be careful to cover the playpen with mesh and make sure fences are high enough to prevent escape. Never underestimate how high your bunnies can jump!

When outdoors, always supervise your rabbits as they can burrow under the fence to escape.

For rabbit owners with yard or garden space, regular outdoor time can be very beneficial. Be sure to put them in a shaded or cool area because rabbits don’t do well under direct strong sunlight.

3. Stretch it out

Dangling toys higher will give your rabbit a chance to stretch out their spine. We’d recommend a taller cage (up to 0.9m height) so you can hang a bunch of hay for them to reach up and graze.

Providing short platforms where they can jump on and off will also help.

4. Chews the right toys

Pet shops sell a variety of toys for rabbits and you can also DIY or use materials in the house as toys. Choose suitable toys based on the level of mental/physical stimulation they provide:

A) For Chewing

Benefit: Files down those teeth and prevents bunnies from chomping on forbidden items, e.g. chair and table legs. It also helps them work off excess energy.

If you want cheap & good... use toilet rolls, cardboard boxes etc.

If you want to spend some cash... buy wooden blocks, woven grass/straw toys, willow balls, edible boxes made from compressed hay. Some owners buy parrot chew toys for rabbits too! Best if these toys come with bells and rattles to maximise the fun and stimulation.

B) For Digging & Tugging

Benefit: Files down those nails and it is what their wild counterparts do. Gives them physical exercise they need for good health.

If you want cheap & good... DIY cardboard tunnels or deep trays filled with shredded newspaper, cardboard pieces. All these double up as chewables too!

Some creative owners fold and tuck newspapers under a heavy table leg for bunnies to enjoy a game of tug-of-war.

If you want to spend some cash... buy ready-made tunnels for burrowing. Plastic cups or toys are also good for them to push around and throw about.

C) For Foraging

Benefit: Make your bunnies work for their treats as this stimulates them mentally.

If you want cheap & good... Hide treats or fresh veggies in small cornflake boxes, paper bags or stuff hay in a toilet roll. Seal one end, and keep the other open for them to forage.

If you want to spend some cash... Any rabbit toys with holes to stuff treats in them will work.

So what are you waiting for?

Get started and make it a habit to play with your rabbit today!

As always, if you need advice specific to your bunny/bunnies or home condition, talk to us.

Article updated 25 Aug 2020.