Bunnies may seem small and cute (and they are!) but they have a host of biological needs and drives that, if left unfulfilled, can lead to destructive behavior or a sad, understimulated bunny.
When these needs, such as chewing, hiding, and burrowing, are fulfilled, you may see a personality change in your bunny for the better! A happy bunny who has plenty of sticks to chew on and a safe place to tuck themselves away may not chew carpet or floorboards nearly as much as a bunny who has no enrichment options at all.
Here are some free or cheap toys you can make for yourself at home, followed by some links to our favorite bunny toy boutiques with safe products for your bunnies!
1) Stuffed toilet paper rolls
These are super easy to make! Once you're done with a roll of toilet paper, take the empty roll, remove any strips still attached, and stuff it with your bunny's hay, some forage mix, a teaspoon of pellets, or a combination of all three! You can then fold up the end of the roll to make a shaker, and cut holes in the sides with scissors to help your bunnies sniff out the tasty treats inside. The Bunny Lady has some great DIY ideas here!
Image credit: The Bunny Lady
2) Foraging Box & 3) Hidey House
Have any big boxes from online shopping? These can be great toys for your bunnies! To keep your buns safe, be sure to remove any packaging from inside the box*, and any shipping labels or tape on the outside of the box. Then, to make a Foraging Box with a small to medium-sized box, tear up plain brown packing paper or newspaper, sprinkle in hay, forage, and pellets, maybe even some fresh greens, and let your bunnies go to town! They will get tons of enrichment by sniffing out their favorite treats.
For larger boxes, put the box on its side and let your bunny explore it! Cardboard is safe for your bunny to chew on, and they may do some box remodeling. If you notice your bunny eating the cardboard, remove the box.
*Also, if the box has a lot of colored ink on it, it's probably not a safe option for your buns to use. (Don't want them ingesting all that ink!)
Things to watch out for:
- Narrow openings in hidey houses where a bunny's head, foot, or leg could get stuck and really hurt them
- Toys with small wooden beads. Just like kids, bunnies can choke, too! Click here to learn more about the Bunny Heimlich maneuver!
- Toys that use paint rather than vegetables for coloring. The pet industry is highly unregulated, and you don't want to give your bunnies anything toxic!
- Always supervise your bunny when giving them a new toy!
Our favorite Bunny Toy/Treat Boutiques - all of whom have partnered with or donated to Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary previously:
- Fun4Bunnies
- Buttercup's Bunny Boutique
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The Binkery
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The Well-Kept Rabbit (And check out their hop 'n flop bed collection, too!)
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