Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society

Toys for Your Bunny

Toys for rabbits?! That’s right! Rabbits of all ages and sizes need a variety of safe toys to provide mental stimulation and exercise. Rabbits can be playful, energetic and fun to watch while playing with toys!

Why are toys so important for your bunny?

Toys are entertaining - They help alleviate boredom while your bunny is confined to his cage, and help prevent bunnies from getting into the wrong things while out playing in your house (such as chewing cords, going behind furniture, etc.) Toys can extend your rabbit’s life by allowing him to constantly learn, explore and grow.
Toys provide exercise - Rabbits need safe activities to keep their bodies and minds healthy. Healthy outlets must be provided to bunnies for indulging their desire and need to chew, dig, climb, fling, hide, hop and run. Without these outlets, your rabbit can become overweight, depressed or destructive.
Toys are a diversion - They can be used to redirect a bunny from damaging furniture, carpeting and household objects that appeal to him. Providing your bunny with a safe, appealing variety of toys is one of the most effective methods of bunny-proofing your home.

How to Keep Things Interesting

Keep your bunny amused and entertained by circulating his toys and rearranging them. Put some toys away after a week or two and switch with new ones. Move them around in her cage and she may have a fit of orderliness, busily putting her toys back to where she would like them. Offer toys in different places, stack them, move them around. Have fun and your bunny will, too!

Things to Be Cautious About

When trying out new toys for your rabbit, be sure she cannot swallow and/or choke on parts of the toy. Beware of rubber items and parts that could fall off or be chewed off and ingested. Cloth items, such as towels or fabric pieces, could potentially be a danger if your bunny swallows a lot of the threads. Provide plenty of fresh hay and fresh water to keep bunny’s GI tract moving steadily, eliminating any ingested cloth or particles. Finally, inspect any chew holes in boxes, etc. to ensure your bunny cannot get his head stuck. He could panic and struggle to free himself, causing injury or strangulation.

What are good bunny toys?

Toys for your bunny do not have to be expensive or even purchased; although there are many fun items you can buy. Listed below are some toy suggestions, all previously tested by bunnies!

Things you may already have around the house

Paper bags and cardboard boxes for crawling into, scratching, digging and chewing. It is best to have two or more openings in the bag or box, so bunny can have an escape route. Also, be sure to remove any labeling, staples or packaging tape from used cardboard boxes (all of which can be harmful to bunnies).
Empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes. Chewing fun, especially when stuffed with yummy grass hay!
A copy of the Yellow or White Pages for digging and shredding.
Baby toys. Hard plastic rattles, keys and rings work well as fling-n-toss toys. Avoid teething toys as the plastic on them is too soft and can be swallowed.
Large rubber balls, empty Quaker Oats boxes and small tins to nudge and roll.
A small towel for bunching and rearranging
Metal lids from mayonnaise jars, etc. These make lots of noise and are great for tossing and flipping! Be sure to wash thoroughly before giving to bunny.
Untreated wood, twigs and logs that have been aged for at least 3 months. Apple tree branches are safe fresh from the tree. Avoid these tree woods: cherry, peach, apricot, plum and redwood - all of these are poisonous.
Dried pine cones (must be washed & dried for at least 4 months)
A straw whisk broom

Toys you can buy

Cardboard concrete forms for burrowing. These can be found at hardware and home supply stores.
Untreated wicker baskets. Bunnies love to chew on them and toss them about! Often found at craft stores.
Cat toys that can be rolled or tossed. Avoid soft plastic items or ones with small parts that can be ingested. A wire ball with a bell inside is a good choice.
Bird toys that can be chewed on, tossed, or hung from the top or side of the cage. Wooden chew parts, woven palm leaves, sisal rope and yucca chews are really popular for bunnies.
Cottontail Cottage or Cottontail Castle. These cardboard buildings for bunnies are usually a big hit!
Plastic slinkies (be careful bunny can’t get his head or ears stuck inside the slinky)
Untreated sea grass or maize mats from Pier One, Cost Plus World Market, or online.

Some Good Sources for Bunny Toys

Searching for great bunny toys can be a fun experience! You can always try your local pet store or animal shelters for commercially produced toys. You have only to look in your own home for others - paper tubes and boxes are often plentiful! Listed below are several great websites where awesome rabbit toys can be found. Have fun!!

Don’t forget the bird toy suppliers, too. Toys designed to stand up to a parrot beak can also usually take the abuse doled out by busy bunny teeth!

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