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Rabbits

Last Updated 16 May 2024

This article is written by Pet Circle Veterinarian Dr Nicole Wynne BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)

Rabbits are complicated little animals that have gotten short shrift in the past, but we now know better and that they deserve much more than a hutch! We can do a lot for our rabbits, including giving them different types of toys, tunnels, beds, hiding spots, and even health supplements. Our pet rabbits are also living longer thanks to advancements in husbandry and healthcare, and so we want to make sure that they can live their best bunny lives!

What does that look like? Rabbits are prey animals, and so even the most confident little buns still have an innate desire to hide and feel secure. Hooded beds and tunnels are a great option for satisfying this need. Rabbits also are natural tunnelers, and dark enclosed spaces help them feel safe. This also means that they love to dig and destroy, as well as rearrange their living spaces! Destroyable toys made of cardboard or other natural materials are a great way to let them redecorate to their hearts’ desires.

Rabbits also spend a lot of time foraging for food in the wild, and they’re always on the lookout for the next good thing to eat. Although we may like our food presented to us, rabbits get a lot more out of working for their food, and they enjoy food puzzle toys just as much as dogs and cats! Many food puzzle toys designed for cats will also work for rabbits, and they can even be homemade. They also love to chew cardboard, and so small cardboard boxes can easily become food puzzle toys by placing a treat or two in them, closing them, and letting your rabbit go nuts. 

Why is it important for rabbits to have toys?

Contrary to unfortunate popular belief, rabbits have complex emotional lives and are quite intelligent. Environmental modification is a normal behaviour for them as well, as in the wild, they dig tunnels, chew twigs and branches, and forage for food. Pet rabbits still need to perform these behaviours, and we can provide appropriate toys for them to do so in a human home. Rabbits that can't perform these behaviours will try to do so with carpet, walls, and furniture. Rabbits are also naturally playful animals, and they will often keep interacting with a food puzzle toy long after they've gotten all the food out of it. It can also be highly entertaining for their human caregivers to watch them go about their very important rabbit business - supporting rabbit and human mental health in one go!

From a welfare standpoint, it is incredibly important for rabbits to have toys and environmental enrichment. The public is much more used to the idea that dogs need walks and toys, and they are now learning that enrichment needs extend to other species as well. Just like people, rabbits also need enough space to run around, and also require engaging activities for a healthy mental state. Sadly, the misconception that rabbits are boring pets stems from rabbits kept in poor living conditions where they are stressed and have no enrichment, and so are unable to perform their natural behaviours and display their unique personalities. 

 

Factors to consider when choosing rabbit toys

  • Natural materials - materials like hemp, jute, dried grasses, and rattan are safe for ingestion, and rabbits love to chew these toys apart 
  • Safe play - avoid toys that are inappropriately sized, or that can potentially get limbs or heads stuck in them. Inspect all toys regularly for sharp edges. Inspect cloth toys regularly for loose string or thread that can become entangled around limbs.
  • Encourages natural behaviour - rabbits are more likely to play with toys that allow them to display natural behaviours like chewing, digging, and foraging.
  • DIY renovations - rabbits have a strong desire to construct hiding places and modify them, and toys that encourage this tend to become favourites
     

Results:

  1. Best with natural materials: Rosewood Woven Jumbo Play Rabbit Tunnel and Paws for Life Double Decker Cat House
  2. Best tunnels: Pawise Cat Toy Three Way Tunnel and Pawise Fun Tunnel
  3. Best snuffle mats: Paws for Life Snuffle Mat and Paws for Life Sushi Roll Feeding Snuffle Mat
  4. Best food puzzle toys: Scream Interactive Dog Fun Treat Barrel and Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle
  5. Best hidey holes: Paws for Life 2 in 1 Cat Bed and House and Zodiac Cat Scratcher Ice Cream Van
  6. Best DIY projects: Zodiac Cat Scratcher Milk Box and Zodiac Rainbow Cat Scratcher

Best with natural materials


Rosewood Woven Jumbo Play Rabbit Tunnel

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Pros

  1. Made from 100% natural woven grasses
  2. No metal, glue, or plastic
  3. Safe to chew and destroy
  4. Fulfils tunnelling and hiding behaviours

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks
  2. Will need replacing

Rosewood's range of natural small pet toys makes it easy to provide environmental enrichment. This enticing toy ticks so many boxes - it is a chewable tunnel that can be modified over and and over again until it falls apart! Made from 100% natural materials, you can rest easy knowing that it is safe to ingest, especially since it contains no glues or rigid components holding it together. The only drawback is that just one won’t do - you'll have to replace this toy on a regular basis. 

What our customers say: My rabbit is a bit of a chewer so this gives him plenty of entertainment and I don't need to worry about glue or staples. - JH


Paws for Life Double Decker Cat House

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Pros

  1. Made from cardboard - safe to chew and easy to modify
  2. Multifunctional - your pet can hide or get high up to survey their kingdom
  3. Fulfils hiding behaviours
  4. Light and easy to assemble

 

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks
  2. Will need replacing

This fun combination of a hidey hole and vantage point is made from fluted cardboard, allowing it to be chewed into whatever shape your rabbit desires. Peep holes also let your rabbit keep an eye on what's going on while still feeling safe and sheltered in a hide. While it has been designed to be sturdy, especially for pets sitting on top, ongoing modifications will weaken the structure, and so it will need to be replaced when it has been a little too chewed up. 

 

What our customers say: Both my cats adore this! They're medium sized cats and fit perfectly! It's they're new favourite spot. Super sturdy and well worth it. - Courtney, NSW


Best tunnels

Pawise Cat Toy Three Way Tunnel

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Pros

  1. Multiple entrances and exits
  2. Folds down for easy storage
  3. Fulfils hiding behaviours
  4. Light and easy to move

Cons

  1. Awkward shape for some enclosures
  2. Will need regular safety checks

This tunnel ticks so many boxes for rabbits as they naturally dig tunnels with multiple entrances and exits. The peep hole at the top also lets them keep an eye on what's going on while still feeling like they're safe. While it is made of durable polyester, little bunny teeth will still make an impact, so it still needs to be monitored closely for signs of wear, especially if the underlying structural wire starts to become visible. 

 

What our customers say: My cats love this tunnel and play with it every day. It's a good size, not too bulky and can fold up easily if you need to put it away. The dangly toy is strong and adds to the fun for kitty. Good purchase!  - Sarah, VIC


Pawise Fun Tunnel

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Pros

  1. Solid plastic construction
  2. Bendable and customizable
  3. Easy to clean and store
  4. Durable

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks

 


This affordable, sturdy tunnel is a reliable toy that will do the miles with any rambunctious rabbit. Even though it is simple, the flexible construction allows it to fit different sizes and shapes of enclosures, and the collapsible feature also makes the length customizable. Multiple tunnels can also be used to create a bunny maze. Even though it is made from sturdy plastic, it still needs to be monitored for chewing, and removed if the chewing is excessive or your pet is ingesting the plastic. 

 

What our customers say: I purchased the large tunnel and it is plenty big enough for my adult rabbits and babies to all play in together. Expands and bends so you can changeup the shape of the tunnel. - Taryn, NSW


Best snuffle mats

Paws for Life Snuffle Mat

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Pros

  1. Easy to use and washable
  2. Mimics natural foraging behaviour
  3. Suitable for use with pellets, chaff, veggies, or treats
  4. Suits all enclosures

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks, particularly with frayed cloth

 


This simple but engaging toy is a great option for feeding high value foods like pellets, treats, and chopped veggies. Food puzzle toys are valuable tools for providing mental enrichment, and they also help slow down eating and increase activity levels. Rabbits investigate their environment using their sense of smell and tactile sensations with their whiskers, making snuffle mats a particularly engaging toy. Although made to be durable, this toy will need to be monitored for fraying and chewing. 

 

What our customers say: I have numerous other snuffle mats and I just love this one so much!!! It's the best one I've ever bought and great value for money!!!! Highly recommend! - Naomi, ACT


Paws for Life Sushi Roll Feeding Snuffle Mat

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Pros

  1. Easy to use and washable
  2. Mimics natural foraging behaviour
  3. Suitable for use with pellets, chaff, veggies, or treats
  4. Suits all enclosures

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks, particularly with frayed cloth

This whimsical snuffle mat is shallower but has varying textures and pockets, making it a great option to rotate with a more traditional snuffle mat. As rabbits are intelligent animals, particularly when food is involved, rotating food puzzle toys helps keep things interesting for them. This mat also works great for rabbits that like to dig due to the flatter construction and design. Although made to be durable, this toy will need to be monitored for fraying and chewing. 

What our customers say: This keeps my little cavoodle occupied for a long time. Very good enrichment toy and such a cute idea for a sushi! - Rose, NSW


Best food puzzle toys

Scream Interactive Dog Fun Treat Barrel

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Pros

  1. Food puzzle station with multiple puzzles
  2. Sturdy plastic construction
  3. Encourages a high level of engagement
  4. Works well with pellets, cut fruit, or treats

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks for chewed or worn plastic
  2. Bulkier than some other food puzzle toys

 


This food puzzle station contains easy, medium, and hard puzzles, making it a great all rounder for environmental enrichment. The larger size of this puzzle and sturdy construction also means that it'll last longer, and rabbits that have learned to cheat by tipping over or throwing the puzzle won’t be able to get up to their usual tricks! While this is an excellent food puzzle toy, it is larger and less easy to store away than the food puzzle mats, so do be aware of the dimensions. Although made of sturdy plastic, this toy should still be inspected regularly for wear. 

What our customers say: Great pet puzzle. Needed easy medium and hard tasks and this delivered - Cookie, NSW


Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle

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Pros

  1. Easy to use but still contains 3 different puzzles
  2. Sturdy plastic construction
  3. Encourages a high level of engagement
  4. Works well with pellets, cut fruit, or treats

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks for chewed or worn plastic
  2. Bulkier than some other food puzzle toys

The Nina Ottosson range of dog and cat puzzles are also great for rabbits, especially those that have graduated from simple stacking cups and snuffle mats. This puzzle is great as it encourages several types of behaviour, including digging, chewing, and pulling. The larger size and sturdy construction also foils rabbits who want to solve all food puzzle toys by throwing them. While this is an excellent food puzzle toy, it is larger and less easy to store away than the food puzzle mats, so do be aware of the dimensions. Although made of sturdy plastic, this toy should still be inspected regularly for wear. 

What our customers say: My 3 dogs absolutely love this! I use it with either dry food, treats, even with fresh food. The small red lids can easily be pressed back if your dog rips them off, white bones can be made easier if you attach a string. The best of it is that I can put it in the dishwasher on low temp. - My, NSW


Best hidey holes

Paws for Life 2 in 1 Cat Bed and House

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Pros

  1. Secure-feeling igloo style house
  2. Converts into open bed
  3. Machine washable cushion
  4. Can fit more than one bun!

Cons

  1. Entire bed not machine washable
  2. Will need regular safety checks for chewed areas or loose threads

This popular house has lots of kitty fans, and it's time to build a bunny fan base for this flexible and comfortable hidey hole. Made from premium plush fabric, it still is hard-wearing and durable. However, regular checks for frayed thread and cloth still need to be made - justifiable since rabbits seem to be able to chew through anything! This plush hiding spot also converts to a comfortable, deep bed, and the non-slip base helps it stay put during the daily zoomie session. Finally, this bed can fit two regular rabbits from 1 kg to 2.5 kg in size, great for rabbits that love to snuggle. 

What our customers say: My 19yo cat was getting very needy at night and keeping us awake, being restless and not settling. Our vet recommended medication but hasn't worked much. He took to this bed right away though and has slept through the night in it! Keeps him warm and feeling calm and safe. Highly recommend! - Una, NSW


Zodiac Cat Scratcher Ice Cream Van

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Pros

  1. Great for DIY home renovators
  2. Provides excellent photo opportunities
  3. Spacious interior
  4. Safe for chewing

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks for chewed areas and structural integrity
  2. Won’t last very long

 


This super cute hidey hole is just the right size for 2-3 rabbits, and while it comes with peep holes, you'll find that the buns will start installing more, as well as widening the entry point. The size means that this hidey hole is large enough to serve as a hide, a bed, a snuggling area, and a private eating spot. While the sturdy cardboard is safe to chew, it will also become less sturdy as time goes by, especially if it gets wet, and so this house will need regular checks to ensure it is still safe to use, and will need replacing once it gets too worn. 

 


Best DIY projects

Zodiac Cat Scratcher Milk Box

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Pros

  1. Blank slate for DIY home renovators
  2. Safe for chewing
  3. High ceilings
  4. Lightweight and easy to fit into enclosures

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks for chewed areas and structural integrity
  2. Won’t last very long

Although this particular house isn't very large, it has high ceilings which allows for a bit more vertical movement, making it an interesting option for rabbits who love to make changes to their homes! It also has a smaller base, which makes it easier to fit into smaller enclosures. The single entry hole encourages your pet to start making changes straight away, making it a very engaging project. A flat bed can be placed inside, or the corrugated base can even be stuffed with pellets! While the sturdy cardboard is safe to chew, it will also become less sturdy as time goes by, especially if it gets wet, and so this house will need regular checks to ensure it is still safe to use, and will need replacing once it gets too worn. 

What our customers say: Had to replace my cat’s tower scratcher with something smaller. Have tried cardboard scratchers before which she didn't like however so loves this scratcher box and to sleep and hide in the box. Great Buy! - Chloe, QLD


Zodiac Rainbow Cat Scratcher

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Pros

  1. Works as a hide as well as a vantage point
  2. Safe for chewing
  3. Can be used with pellets or treats
  4. Single entry hole encourages modification
  5. No assembly required

Cons

  1. Will need regular safety checks for chewed areas and structural integrity
  2. Won’t last very long

This uniquely shaped toy ticks so many boxes that it’s hard to know where to begin! The single entry point encourages your rabbit to quickly start making another, and being able to get on top also means that they’ve got lots of options as to where to make another hole. The corrugated cardboard on the top and floor also means that you can hide pellets or treats in lots of places. Finally, although the interior seems cramped, some rabbits prefer a more tunnel-like hide, and they always have the option of hopping up top for an elevated view of their surroundings.

What our customers say: Extremely cute and high quality, highly recommend this - Lynette, QLD


Further Reading

Want to know more? Check out some of our other articles:

10 Facts about Rabbits 

How to Speak Rabbit 

Rabbit Care Guide 

Complete Feeding Guide for Pocket Pets