Bored Bunnies

[bunbunlovers]

I think I figured out why my mini lop Minnie is so rude- she’s bored. Problem is, I have no idea how to keep her entertained. I change the buns’ cage layout and toys every week, and they get about an hour and a half of play time outside their cage every day. She still seems bored though. Their toys usually consist of cardboard box tunnels, baby toys like rings, toilet paper rolls, and other vaious tunnels. I’m out of ideas on what to do to help her.

[RabbitPam]

Actually, bunnies are creatures of habit, so the changes might not be helping. Sometimes bunnies need to warm up to a toy, and will seem to discover it weeks after they get it. If a bunny has a daily routine they can count on, they can expect their morning food, morning play, midday nap, evening food and evening play schedule. Routine generally calms them down.

Sometimes it just takes the right toys, according to what they like to do best. Toys mimic life, and bunnies like to either Dig, Climb, Burrow, Hide, Toss, or Snuggle. So, if your bunny digs at your arms or pants, try making a Diggy box of shredded paper. If she likes burrowing, tunnel toys are good, as are Mazes. Tossing keys is good for flinging, as are willow balls. Chew toys are good for her if she goes for your clothes or baseboards. Check out the Toys section of the forums for good toy suggestions while you watch her behavior for a few days to try to see what she does when she is enjoying herself. (I forgot, climbers like Cottontail Cottages, or multi-story habitats.)

[bunbunlovers]

I have tried several kinds of toys, but she loses interest after a day or two.

[Bam]

I try to rearrange or introduce new stuff to my bunnies, especially Yohio who is the more active and impatient. A new cardboard box, a new tunnel, a tunnel placed in a new place, a new fleece-blanket – he loses interest quickly, but there is an interest in all new things.

In a nearby tropical zoo they have lemurs and the keepers give them simple stuff to keep them entertained, like they hang an empty bag on a branch or drape a towell somewhere – anything that awakens the lemurs curiosity and natural urge to investigate new stuff. They may not play with the new stuff very long, so they have to get new stuff often. Bunnies may not be as clever as monkeys, but they aren’t stupid. (I know some people believe rabbits are stupid, but those people are obviously stupid =) )

Some bunnies like food-balls or other devices that involves “work” to get the treats or pellets out. My Yohio is that type of bunny, my other bunny just can’t be bothered.

[Deleted User]

See, how different are our bunny’s? My boy hates us cleaning his house – hates the new (clean) paper, the new (clean) toilet rolls, etc., anything new! He’s a weird bunny (or just very unhygienic?). I had cardboard packing boxes under my bed that he munched on / shredded for months till I couldn’t stand the constant bits of cardboard all over my floor anymore, so put them outside for the bin. He seemed depressed for days? So I grabbed one from the bin pile and he was in his element again! The money I wasted on ‘new’ toys that he doesn’t touch?!?!? Luckily I have about 12 packing boxes (that we bought back inside – DAM!) so I should never have to spend another cent on toys for him again! I’m not suggesting anyone shouldn’t – just wanted to whinge about Henry and my messy shredded cardboard bedroom floor! And to say, some buns don’t really like ‘new’ things? Go figure?

[Bam]

My boys hate it if I don’t put their litterboxes in the exact right spot. I never seem to get it quite right, they always have to rearrange the boxes some and they don’t rest until they’re done. If I’ve cleaned out the boxes with water and dishwashing-liquid there’s a lot of re-chinning that must be taken care of too.

But all of that are activities = a cure against boredom. It requires strenght, agility, stubborness and persistence and the reward is a perfectly placed litter-box where a bunny can hang out and relax.

[Rufus]

That’s funny Bam, Rufus has just started to get really annoyed by a new soap we have. It’s a peppermint goats milk soap and whenever I use it to wash my hands, Rufus spends ages chinning all over my hands. It’s so funny!

BBL have you tried fixing a wood block to the side of her cage? Rufus wasn’t keen on any chewing toys that moved around and then I read a suggestion on here and tried attaching it firmly to the cage and now he can’t get enough! I think it was too frustrating to have them move around while he was trying to get a good grip with his teeth.

[Deleted User]

That is funny Bam! Hey Rufus, great suggestion! My Henry’s blocks are hanging loosely and he lost interest quickly. I’m off to tie them to the wire wall. Hopefully Henry will become interested again? Thanks Rufus!

[Author]

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