Playtime, toys and your rabbit

Playtime is serious business for companion bunnies, and they'll need at least two to three hours of exercise outside the cage or hutch every day. Their wild cousins are most active at dawn and dusk, so it's a good idea to let your little girl get in some funtime in the morning before you leave for work and when you return in the evening. Without the diversion of toys and out-of-cage time, she can grow bored, depressed and/or destructive, especially if she's left alone for much of the day.

Be careful where your bunny plays

As a responsible caretaker, your first task is to ensure that your pet's play area is safe and secure. Remove all electrical cords, household cleaning items or other dangerous chemicals, potentially poisonous plants, and anything else she could (but shouldn't!) chew. It's very important that you are there to supervise during these bunny play periods. We also recommend that you get your pet used to being picked up (and make sure she's litter-box trained) before expanding her out-of-cage territory.

Rabbit chew toys curb destructive behavior

Did you know that many rabbits have been surrendered to shelters because of destructive behavior? In most instances, the owners of these animals failed to provide them with appropriate distractions – toys of their own, that is, to satisfy their natural urges to dig and chew.

So what makes a good chew toy? Anything from a wicker basket to a cardboard box to a dried-out pine cone. More good choices are commercially made chew sticks, a straw whiskbroom, and branches, twigs or logs from untreated trees that have been aged for at least three months. (Stay away from cherry, peach, apricot, plum and redwood, please – these are toxic to rabbits.) Your pet will also appreciate any creative ideas you may have, too. An old telephone directory, for example, is the ultimate chewing and shredding toy for many a bun.

Rabbit digging toys can keep her occupied for hours

If you've caught your rabbit digging up the carpet, you can easily divert her attentions elsewhere. Get her set with her own personal digging box. A cardboard box or plastic litter box filled halfway with soil or shredded paper can provide endless fun. If she likes to dig and shred, get another old phone book for her playing pleasure.

Playing in a fenced-in backyard is okay with your supervision

While your bunny should definitely live indoors in your home, you can let your pet play in your fenced-in backyard when the weather's nice – but you must be there to supervise. We've heard of many rabbits who have been trained to walk on a leash, too. Take the utmost care to ensure that neighborhood animals or area wildlife cannot get near your pet. Unfortunately, a rabbit can die of fright at the mere approach of a predator.