Any bunny owner at some point will have despaired over the chaotic destruction of a bored bunny. It is no secret that rabbits love to chew and to dig – often items you would rather that they didn’t - as these are behaviours that they would naturally do in the wild. With no burrow to dig, your carpet is at risk. And with no bark to gnaw, your skirting boards seem like the perfect alternative. Therefore, it is incredibly important to ensure your bunny has all the boredom busting activities they need to be happy and engaged. A bored bunny is a destructive bunny.

We are going to dive into ideas for rabbit enrichment activities, DIY rabbit toys, rabbit digging box ideas, and toys for bored rabbits.

The most obvious sign of rabbit boredom is the complete and utter destruction of all that you hold dear. In all seriousness, imagine chewed furniture, skirting boards, ripped up carpet, and destroyed cables. Nothing is safe when it comes to a bored bunny. Owning a rabbit is like an arms race: constantly trying to out compete them by ‘bunny proofing’ your home and keeping key items out of reach of their pesky teeth. There will be causalities, and you will constantly find new things to be bunny proofed, but the key is to watch out for the signs before it is too late.

Has your rabbit started nibbling something they shouldn’t? Or have they started taking a particular interest in going to an area they haven’t been bothered about before? It is time to act. The key to identifying rabbit boredom is noticing potentially subtle changes of patterns in their behaviour – for example, have they stopped using the toy you gave them a week ago? Time to change the toy. But ultimately, when it comes to bunny boredom, prevention is better than cure.

In severe cases, if rabbits live in a small, bare environment, they may become depressed. Unhappy rabbits may be in a hunched position, not moving much. They may engage in repetitive behaviours, such as chewing their fur, circling on the spot, or digging. If you notice any signs such as these then you should consult your veterinarian to rule out any illnesses and then ensure that the rabbit has the space that they need.

Your rabbit’s destructive behaviour is mostly preventable and manageable if you are providing them with enough enriching activites. Rabbits get bored quickly, and often at times of day when we are asleep or relaxing, making it important to always provide different things for them to do to keep them active. Rabbits are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Throughout the day, rabbits in the wild would sleep and rest in their burrows, but even domestic rabbits tend to follow this natural pattern. Therefore, it is vital to provide them with boredom busting activities in the morning and the evening to ensure they do not get bored.

Chewing is an incredibly important activity for bunnies as it not only helps combat their boredom, but it also helps to naturally keep their teeth trim and healthy. Providing chew toys is a great way to keep your bunny entertained for hours, whilst simultaneously ensuring they wear down their teeth. Our brand new range of chew toys are the perfect, engaging toys for your buns. Whether you are after chewable balls, applewood sticks, or tunnels, we have a wide range of chew toys that are sure to keep your bunny happy.

We will delve into these more below with various DIY options. However, cardboard is a bunny parent’s best friend. Be that boxes or leftover toilet paper tubes, cardboard is a cheap, environmentally friendly way to keep your bunnies entertained.

Bunnies are intelligent, and their brains often need stimulating to keep them entertained. Enrichment/interactive toys are a great way to ensure your bunny’s mind is active and entertained. For example, hiding treats or pellets in stacking cups or treat dispensing balls provides fantastic boredom busting fun.

Unlimited hay is the best, most simple item you can provide to keep your buns entertained. Bunnies love food and they need to eat a lot of hay. Providing premium, tasty hay will keep your rabbits chewing and munching for hours.

Dried forage is a fantastic way to ensure that your bunny engages their natural forage instincts. Mixing some of our delicious, dried forage in your bunny’s hay will encourage them to search for their favourite forage – keeping them entertained and happy.

Food will always be the greatest motivation for rabbits. Healthy, gnawable treats are great for helping to combat your rabbit’s boredom. By chewing tasty treats, such as our Botanical Cookies or our Marigold Forage Tunnels, your bunny will stay engaged whilst enjoying the delicious treat.

Variety is key to keep boredom at bay. The best way to keep your rabbits happy is to consistently do different things from the ideas above. Change their toys over regularly to ensure they don’t get bored of them. Give them differently engaging activities to do daily to make sure they are enriched and happy.