Emma Jones
To keep rabbits from getting bored, they need to be kept busy. A large cage is important for this, but mental activity is also important. Find out here how you can keep your rabbits occupied in a species-appropriate manner.
A day in the cage can belong. Especially for a bright, curious, and active rabbit! It is therefore important that your rabbit’s enclosure is large and species-appropriate. Research rabbits’ needs thoroughly before adopting one. If you don’t meet these needs, your rabbits can develop behavioral problems. In addition to a species-appropriate enclosure, rabbits also need additional exercise.
Free running as an activity for rabbits
Whether rabbits are kept indoors or outdoors, they need plenty of exercises. A large enclosure with species-appropriate furnishings is therefore a basic requirement for keeping rabbits. In addition, rabbits need free exercise every day. Unlike guinea pigs, rabbits are even housebroken and you can set up a toilet in the “free-range area” if you keep your rabbits indoors.
Running outdoors is a great way to keep rabbits busy. When keeping rabbits indoors, it is best to designate a room like a rabbit area. The room in which the cage is also ideal. You can then turn this room into an adventure playground for a few hours a day.
There are now a number of accessories in the pet trade – from seesaws to hammocks. These furnishings should not only be in the enclosure but can also be placed in the open air. Keep changing the elements to keep the activity varied.
Feeding rabbits employment
Rabbits are particularly well occupied with the food or when they are looking for food: Therefore, hide treats such as pieces of carrots, lettuce, and small haystacks anywhere in the free-roaming room or in the enclosure.
Cardboard boxes are ideal and inexpensive as a design element: simply cut out loopholes and hide the lining in them. The rabbits will be happy to look for the “treasure” in it. Cardboard boxes are also useful as sleeping houses. In the meantime, so-called “snack trees” can be bought in pet shops. In the feeding tree by Kerbl*, for example, you can put food in holes and the animals have to stretch to get carrots and the like. A nice idea that encourages rabbits. An alternative to this is food balls, which can be filled with food and hung up. A food ball is available from Trixie*, for example.
Branches and twigs are also suitable for rabbits to keep busy because the rodents enjoy nibbling on them.
Toys for rabbits
There are even extra toys for rabbits on the market that can be filled with food. An example of this is the Rody Brain Train Cube by Karlie*. The intelligence toy consists of four blocks into which food can be filled. The rabbit has to pull out the blocks to get the food. Another activity option for rabbits is the Kerbl* snack ball. He has many holes to put food in. The rabbit has to move the ball back and forth to make the food fall out.
Obstacles keep rabbits busy
In addition to the search for food, there are also obstacles to designing the free run. Many rabbits enjoy jumping and make jumps over blocks, thick branches, or the like. Only make an area of the freewheel accessible via such an obstacle. Put food there to encourage the rabbits to jump over.
Rabbits are flight animals. The freewheel should also be coordinated with this. This means that there should be one or better two houses or similar retreats for each animal. Many rabbits also love rolls of fabric to nap in. Many rabbits also like tunnels. In the Trixie* play tunnel, for example, the rodents can hide, run around and stick their heads out in the middle. Let your imagination run wild with the design. Try a few things and watch your animals. You will soon find out what makes the rabbits fun.