Preventing boredom
Just like us rabbits get bored! Also, just like us it can affect their mental and physical health which will decrease their lifespan and their quality of life.
What is enrichment?
Enrichment should increase the frequency and variety of their positive natural behaviours and decrease abnormal behaviour. It should help them make the most of their environment and help them to cope with the challenges of domestic living
Bored bunnies will:
Over eat – causing obesity
Over groom– Leading to hairball, skin sores and bold patches.
Pace– Resulting in sore feet.
Bar bite– Causing teeth and mouth problems.
Rabbit toys
Toys are important to your rabbits’ health and happiness, as they encourage your pets to perform natural behaviours such as digging, jumping, chewing and chin rubbing. Always make sure that there are no small parts that your rabbit could swallow and ensure that all materials are non-toxic with smooth edges.
Enrichment ideas
- Puzzle feeders- Instead of using a bowl for your rabbit’s dry food try using snuggle matts and puzzle feeders.
- Forage boxes- You can make forage boxes at home with cardboard and hide some natural forage or veg along with your rabbit’s favourite treats in to help them exhibit their natural foraging behaviour.
- Dig boxes- let them dig! These can be made in a cardboard box or a deep litter tray.
- Tunnels – buy wooden and fabric tunnels or create tunnels from cardboard boxes or tubes and large ceramic pipes (with a wide diameter).
- Objects to play with or throw – such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls, and stacking cups. Make sure there are no small parts that they could swallow and supervise their use. You can also hide food in or under some of these objects.
Don’t forget a friend!
Rabbits are a social species and have evolved to live in groups. In the wild, rabbits do not live alone. Rabbits need the company of their own kind. No matter how hard we try, we cannot give our companion rabbits as much company as another rabbit can.
