Enrichment
What is enrichment?
Enrichment improves your animals life by giving them some control over their environment and greater choices in activity. As we know, rabbits are smart and inquisitive beings. They love to explore new areas, climb, dig ,chew, and play. It's important as bunny owners that we provide them with the appropriate environment to tap into their natural instincts. This will lead to a healthier, less stressed out bun. This is not only good for their mental wellbeing, but also keeps bored, destructive behaviours at bay. Here are some ways we can help our bunnies stay active and stimulated! While the size of your bunnies enclosure is very import, the contexts of their living space is also just as important. More engaging environments provide both physical and mental stimulation as well as giving them the opportunities to perform natural behaviours such as what are listed below. Enrichment can also be time with friends, humans and animals alike.
Exercise
Floor time in a bunny proofed area such as a room or dog exercise pen is a good way to burn off energy, keep their guts moving and keep them entertained. They need to have exercise daily to stretch their legs, run & hop. Try rotating which toys and furniture they play with every day to keep them from getting bored.
Foraging
Bunnies love to eat! This is no surprise. So what better then to combine food and play? Incorporating food and play keeps them busy and taps into their natural food gather instincts. Some ways to do that are..
#1 Filling a paper bag
Hay, pellets, grass and other delicious treats! It's affordable, and keeps them busy! Just scrunch it all up and watch them throw it, push it around, chew on it and rip it up! If they don't understand it, you can leave them to figure it out on their own OR you can help them a bit at first to pique their interest. You can also use brown paper and wrap the treats up. Just tie bunny safe string on the ends and make them a little bow tie shaped surprise bag. Once they get really good at it, you can graduate to filling a small cardboard box. (make sure to use blank cardboard as bunnies shouldn't consume any tape, glue, adhesive or ink printed on the box. Simply tear it off or scratch it off and fold it up!)
#2 Cardboard tubes!
Better yet, toilet paper tubes. We all have them lying around. Fill them up with hay and boom, you're done. These are perfect for traveling with your bunny too. And you can even hang them up for added exercise. They also tend to use empty rolls as toys to throw around. Somehow I often see them in their water dish... silly bunnies.
#3 Branches to gnaw
Bunnies teeth grow for their whole life. They need to chew and graze all day to keep their teeth the right length. Chewing on branches is a tasty way for them to do that. Just make sure the branches you use aren't treated with anything and the type of trees you use are rabbit safe! then you can put then in your bunnies enclosure and watch them throw them around.
#4 Treat dispensers and enrichment toys
Another fun way to keep your bunny busy are treat toys such as a puzzle mat, a treat dispensing ball or interactive toy.
#5 A clothes line...for treats!
Something that my bunnies like is their snack line. I took jute rope and some cup hooks and strung it across. Then I use clothespins to pin up different treats which encourages then to stretch their legs a bit, it's also very cute!
#6 Pine cones
When the seasons change and you start seeing pinecones again, collect them for your bunny! They are an inexpensive toy to chew on, throw around, and even hide treats in! Make sure the pinecones you grab haven't been treated with pesticides. Wash the pinecones in a sink with warm water and 1 cup of vinegar and let them soak for 30 minutes. This will remove any bugs, sap, dirt. After that, you want to rinse them well and place them on a towel to air dry for 3-4 days. To speed up this process you can lie them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 250 for 2 hours. Do a large batch at a time if you want to save time and have many available for your bunny. Now get creative, add treats, wipe a bit of baby food, natural fruit juice or banana on them.
Enrichment improves your animals life by giving them some control over their environment and greater choices in activity. As we know, rabbits are smart and inquisitive beings. They love to explore new areas, climb, dig ,chew, and play. It's important as bunny owners that we provide them with the appropriate environment to tap into their natural instincts. This will lead to a healthier, less stressed out bun. This is not only good for their mental wellbeing, but also keeps bored, destructive behaviours at bay. Here are some ways we can help our bunnies stay active and stimulated! While the size of your bunnies enclosure is very import, the contexts of their living space is also just as important. More engaging environments provide both physical and mental stimulation as well as giving them the opportunities to perform natural behaviours such as what are listed below. Enrichment can also be time with friends, humans and animals alike.
Exercise
Floor time in a bunny proofed area such as a room or dog exercise pen is a good way to burn off energy, keep their guts moving and keep them entertained. They need to have exercise daily to stretch their legs, run & hop. Try rotating which toys and furniture they play with every day to keep them from getting bored.
Foraging
Bunnies love to eat! This is no surprise. So what better then to combine food and play? Incorporating food and play keeps them busy and taps into their natural food gather instincts. Some ways to do that are..
#1 Filling a paper bag
Hay, pellets, grass and other delicious treats! It's affordable, and keeps them busy! Just scrunch it all up and watch them throw it, push it around, chew on it and rip it up! If they don't understand it, you can leave them to figure it out on their own OR you can help them a bit at first to pique their interest. You can also use brown paper and wrap the treats up. Just tie bunny safe string on the ends and make them a little bow tie shaped surprise bag. Once they get really good at it, you can graduate to filling a small cardboard box. (make sure to use blank cardboard as bunnies shouldn't consume any tape, glue, adhesive or ink printed on the box. Simply tear it off or scratch it off and fold it up!)
#2 Cardboard tubes!
Better yet, toilet paper tubes. We all have them lying around. Fill them up with hay and boom, you're done. These are perfect for traveling with your bunny too. And you can even hang them up for added exercise. They also tend to use empty rolls as toys to throw around. Somehow I often see them in their water dish... silly bunnies.
#3 Branches to gnaw
Bunnies teeth grow for their whole life. They need to chew and graze all day to keep their teeth the right length. Chewing on branches is a tasty way for them to do that. Just make sure the branches you use aren't treated with anything and the type of trees you use are rabbit safe! then you can put then in your bunnies enclosure and watch them throw them around.
#4 Treat dispensers and enrichment toys
Another fun way to keep your bunny busy are treat toys such as a puzzle mat, a treat dispensing ball or interactive toy.
#5 A clothes line...for treats!
Something that my bunnies like is their snack line. I took jute rope and some cup hooks and strung it across. Then I use clothespins to pin up different treats which encourages then to stretch their legs a bit, it's also very cute!
#6 Pine cones
When the seasons change and you start seeing pinecones again, collect them for your bunny! They are an inexpensive toy to chew on, throw around, and even hide treats in! Make sure the pinecones you grab haven't been treated with pesticides. Wash the pinecones in a sink with warm water and 1 cup of vinegar and let them soak for 30 minutes. This will remove any bugs, sap, dirt. After that, you want to rinse them well and place them on a towel to air dry for 3-4 days. To speed up this process you can lie them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 250 for 2 hours. Do a large batch at a time if you want to save time and have many available for your bunny. Now get creative, add treats, wipe a bit of baby food, natural fruit juice or banana on them.
Digging
Some bunnies like to dig. If you see your bunny digging on blankets, clothing or in their litter box, your bunny might be one of those who enjoy it. Luckily for you, there are ways to encourage them to dig appropriately. Below are some inexpensive ways to trigger your rabbits digging instincts.
#1 Diy digging box
All it takes to make a digging box at home is a container (tote box, cardboard box etc) and fill it with old towels, shredded paper, snow, sand, soil, hay or a mixture of materials. The act of digging should be enough to entertain your bunny, but you can always hide some pellets in there as a bonus treat.
#2 Old towels, clothing or blankets.
Aside from having fun digging, some girl bunnies like to build nests. Giving them some old material can be a good way for them to build a nest and dig without creating such a mess.
Some bunnies like to dig. If you see your bunny digging on blankets, clothing or in their litter box, your bunny might be one of those who enjoy it. Luckily for you, there are ways to encourage them to dig appropriately. Below are some inexpensive ways to trigger your rabbits digging instincts.
#1 Diy digging box
All it takes to make a digging box at home is a container (tote box, cardboard box etc) and fill it with old towels, shredded paper, snow, sand, soil, hay or a mixture of materials. The act of digging should be enough to entertain your bunny, but you can always hide some pellets in there as a bonus treat.
#2 Old towels, clothing or blankets.
Aside from having fun digging, some girl bunnies like to build nests. Giving them some old material can be a good way for them to build a nest and dig without creating such a mess.
Burrowing
Being the prey animals they are, bunnies like to feel have a safe space to go to when they need a rest or feel particularly vulnerable. A "hidey house" or a hidden area with at least two exits is very important in making them feel secure. This is also important for bunnies who share a space with other animals including a bonded friend. Occasionally, they might have a tiff to establish dominance in their pecking order, and need a safe place to retreat to for a time out. (for extended fighting please do your research or speak with you vet, this is just normal bickering between bunnies that I'm talking about)
#1 Cardboard box fort
Like I mentioned above cardboard boxes are an easy toy for bunnies! You could fill them with treats or hay, you can cut them a couple holes and add a bed or blanket, or you can build a huge fort out of multiple boxes for them to sleep in, and tunnel through.
#2 Covered litter boxes or tote boxes
Something that I use as a hidey house, digging box, litter box and ball pit is just a plain tote box! They come in different sizes so you can use them for what you need. I always cut at least two exits and make sure there are no sharp edges for them to get caught on.
#3 Tunnels
Bunnies love to play in tunnels. You can get them online or you can look for any large tube made of rabbit safe materials such as metal, cardboard, hard plastic etc. Amazon has them, and I always see them at the dollar store for cats. Just supervise your bunny and make sure they don't eat the fabric ones. (I've had them chew the kitty toys off as well as the ties to put it away)
#4 Baskets
Baskets are a really fun toy for a bunny. They can chew up the natural fibers, throw it around, sit in them, or you can put treats in them. I buy mine when I go thrifting, just avoid anything coloured or treated (you'll know if it's very shiny). Wicker baskets are an inexpensive way to keep them busy for hours!
Being the prey animals they are, bunnies like to feel have a safe space to go to when they need a rest or feel particularly vulnerable. A "hidey house" or a hidden area with at least two exits is very important in making them feel secure. This is also important for bunnies who share a space with other animals including a bonded friend. Occasionally, they might have a tiff to establish dominance in their pecking order, and need a safe place to retreat to for a time out. (for extended fighting please do your research or speak with you vet, this is just normal bickering between bunnies that I'm talking about)
#1 Cardboard box fort
Like I mentioned above cardboard boxes are an easy toy for bunnies! You could fill them with treats or hay, you can cut them a couple holes and add a bed or blanket, or you can build a huge fort out of multiple boxes for them to sleep in, and tunnel through.
#2 Covered litter boxes or tote boxes
Something that I use as a hidey house, digging box, litter box and ball pit is just a plain tote box! They come in different sizes so you can use them for what you need. I always cut at least two exits and make sure there are no sharp edges for them to get caught on.
#3 Tunnels
Bunnies love to play in tunnels. You can get them online or you can look for any large tube made of rabbit safe materials such as metal, cardboard, hard plastic etc. Amazon has them, and I always see them at the dollar store for cats. Just supervise your bunny and make sure they don't eat the fabric ones. (I've had them chew the kitty toys off as well as the ties to put it away)
#4 Baskets
Baskets are a really fun toy for a bunny. They can chew up the natural fibers, throw it around, sit in them, or you can put treats in them. I buy mine when I go thrifting, just avoid anything coloured or treated (you'll know if it's very shiny). Wicker baskets are an inexpensive way to keep them busy for hours!
Stuffed companions
Some bunnies don't have a bonded buddy living with them, and that's okay. Something I found that helps anxious or lonesome bunnies is having a stuffed friend. They can cuddle with them, groom them or even carry them around. You may already have a stuffed toy at home they can hangout with. (a stuffed toy is also a great way to begin the bonding process with another bunny. Just leave the toy in one pen for a day, and then give it to your other bunny the next, giving them the opportunity to smell each other in a safe way. If they attack the stuffed toy, you definitely don't want to move onto the next step.
Some bunnies don't have a bonded buddy living with them, and that's okay. Something I found that helps anxious or lonesome bunnies is having a stuffed friend. They can cuddle with them, groom them or even carry them around. You may already have a stuffed toy at home they can hangout with. (a stuffed toy is also a great way to begin the bonding process with another bunny. Just leave the toy in one pen for a day, and then give it to your other bunny the next, giving them the opportunity to smell each other in a safe way. If they attack the stuffed toy, you definitely don't want to move onto the next step.