Do Bunnies Get Bored? The Sad Truth!

When I got my first rabbits, they didn't do much all day, so I wondered, "Do bunnies get bored?"

I was surprised to learn that rabbits can get bored when their owners don't provide enough stimulation, which can be bad for their health. 

So, I'm here to talk about how to prevent boredom and keep your rabbit happy with a few simple tricks. 

Just keep reading. 

 

Key Takeaways

• Rabbits can get bored when caged because they're active and smart animals. 
• Bar chewing, thumping, aggression, and biting are common signs of boredom.
• You should provide plenty of toys in the enclosure to keep your rabbit happy and encourage natural behavior. 

Why Do Bunnies Get Bored?

Wild rabbits spend their days exploring, foraging for food, burrowing underground, and making friends. They're sociable animals with a territory ranging from 4,000 to 40,000 m². (1)

Domestic rabbits are a bit different from their wild relatives, but they're not less active, energetic, or friendly. So, the usual reasons these playful creatures get bored are: 

• Small enclosures with no room for natural behavior, such as digging, hopping, burrowing, etc 
• No company. According to vets, it's better to keep rabbits in pairs to prevent boredom, stress, and depression in rabbits. 
• Not enough human interaction. Many novice owners think you can leave bunnies alone, but they need attention and playtime to thrive. 

Unfortunately, many owners consider boredom a minor problem. But you'd be surprised how it can affect your pet's physical and mental health. 

Why Is Boredom Bad For Pet Rabbits?

When pet bunnies are bored, all they do is sleep and eat. They can quickly put on a few extra pounds, especially if you don't feed them a healthy diet. 

Excessive weight gain puts extra pressure on your bunny's cardiovascular system and can shorten its lifespan. It also contributes to a wide variety of other health problems.

Moreover, obese rabbits have problems grooming themselves. Dirty fur could attract flies, increasing your pet's risk of contracting flystrike, a deadly disease. 

Bored rabbits can also get a gut blockage if they overgroom and swallow too much fur. Some bunnies also show frustration by chewing inappropriate items that can cause a blockage.

Boredom is also bad for your pet because it causes stress, depression, destructive behavior, aggression, and anxiety. 

But how can you recognize a bored rabbit? Let's find out! 

Signs of Boredom In Rabbits 

A bored bunny is miserable and frustrated, so you'll quickly notice something wrong with your beloved rabbit. The usual signs are:

• Chewing the cage bars loudly. It's the most common way for your bunny to express that it feels trapped and needs more space, just like in the video below.

 

 

• Lack of energy and acting depressed. Depressed rabbits often do nothing but sit around the cage, refuse food, and stop grooming.
• Some bored rabbits chew inappropriate items to pass the time. Others spend their day grooming and scratching, leading to noticeable bald patches and scratch marks.
• Excessive digging in the litter box. Digging is a natural behavior for rabbits, but shoveling at the litter tray constantly is not normal. 
• Acting aggressively - growing, lunging, or biting to release their pent-up energy.
• However, aggressive rabbits may also have an underlying health problem, so consult your vet. 
• Overeating. It's normal for rabbits to eat a lot of hay, but consuming a lot of pellets on a daily basis will lead to quick weight gain. 

Besides these common signs, bored bunnies may try to attract your attention by doing something they know you'll respond to.

For example, I always come running when I hear my bunnies knocking over their food bowls. Other pets thump loudly, chew the bars, or dig madly because they know you'll check on them. 

The question is how to prevent boredom and keep your bunny happy. Well, it's far easier than you think! 

5 Tips on How to Keep Your Bunny Busy

Experts from the RSPCA say, "Interesting environments provide both mental and physical stimulation and opportunities to perform normal behaviors." (2)

Here are some tips on how to create such an environment.

#1 Spacious Enclosure

Most rabbit enclosures in pet stores are far too small for these playful creatures. And when you keep your bunny caged in such a small space for long periods, it will make them miserable and bored.

The enclosure should be big enough for your bunny to hop at least three times from one end to the other. But the bigger the enclosure, the better.

I use playpens to create a spacious space for my bunnies to hop and still have plenty of room for toys and other rabbit necessities. 

#2 Digging Box

A happy rabbit needs a digging box to satisfy its natural instinct to burrow. It will provide hours of entertainment for your beloved pet and help burn off their energy.

You can make it from a cardboard box and fill it with shredded paper, treats, and toys to encourage your bunny to use it. Check this video. 

 

#3 Lots of Toys

Many people think that bunnies don't need toys. Well, they're wrong. Your furry friends need suitable objects for chewing around the enclosure and something to play with to pass the time.

Here are my suggestions:

Snuffle mats are great for encouraging foraging and keeping bunnies occupied for hours. I'm currently trying LuftPet's snuffle mat, and my bunnies love it. 

• Hay or paper balls  
• Natural toys, such as pinecones
• Chewing toys, such as willow sticks or plastic rings 
• Tunnels, fleece blankets, and liners (I recommend LuftPet's cage liners because they're durable and make a cozy sleeping surface.)

#4 Company

Bunnies are unhappy when they live alone. You should have at least two bunnies so that they can play with each other when you're not around. 

Usually, a mixed-sex pair is the best choice to avoid fights for dominance and territory. But make sure you have your pets fixed to avoid babies! 

#5 Provide Time Out of the Cage

I recommend attaching an exercise pen to the enclosure so that your bunny has constant access to its exercise area. 

Otherwise, ensure you provide at least 2-3 hours of supervised time outside the cage and interact with your bunnies to bond with them. 

FAQs

1. How much playtime should a bunny get?

Bunnies need up to four hours of playtime outside the enclosure. 

2. Do rabbits sleep when bored?

Bored rabbits may sleep or eat all day long to pass the time. 

3. What keeps rabbits busy?

You should provide toys, digging mats, snuffle mats, and other chew toys to keep your bunnies busy and happy. 

 

 

Conclusion

Rabbits space to exercise, lots of toys to keep them occupied, and at least one friend for company. Otherwise, they can get bored and suffer from physical and mental problems.

However, when you introduce a new toy or a new friend, do it slowly to avoid stressing your pet. 

What do you think about bored rabbits? How do you ensure your bunnies don't get bored? Share your tips in the comment section. 

Resources:

1. Maun, V. Rabbit Habitat : All You Need To Know [Cited on June 10, 2024] Available from: https://rabbits.world/en/magazine/habitat-rabbit/
2. RSPCA. Keeping Your Rabbit Happy. [Cited on June 10, 2024] Available from:
   https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/behaviour/enrichment