Are you wondering how to play with your rabbit?
Pet rabbits need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to thrive, so it's vital to play suitable rabbit-safe games with your bunny.
Fortunately, I'm here to share how I keep my bunnies entertained and give you a few rules for playing with your furry friend.
Just keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- Always respect your rabbit's boundaries during playtime to avoid scaring your pet.
- Rabbit tunnels, snuffle mats, and treat balls are a great way to engage your bunny and bond with it.
- You can play tag, hide-and-seek, and other rabbit-friendly games with your pet.
5 Rules for Playing with Your Rabbit
Before sharing my favorite rabbit games, I'll give you a few tips on how to play with your rabbit to avoid scaring your furry friend.
#1 Learn the Body Language
Rabbits have unique body language, so it is vital to pay attention to it to ensure your pet is enjoying the activities. Here is how to tell whether your furry friend is having fun:
- Jumping and twisting in the air
- Running circles around the room
- Relaxed body with upright ears
- Showing curiosity
On the other hand, alert body posture, thumping, and running to hide are signs that something is wrong, and you need to calm your rabbit down as soon as possible.
#2 Consider What Rabbits Like
Wild rabbits spend their days foraging for food, exploring, digging, burrowing, and playing with their fellow bunnies.
As a rabbit owner, you should encourage these natural rabbit behaviors to keep your rabbit happy. Games that involve digging, finding treats, and exploring are the best for your furry friend.
#3 Avoid Common Mistakes
Rabbits are prey animals, so you can't play with them in the way you play with cats and dogs, or you risk freaking your pet!
Avoid making loud noises and fast movements, as these trigger your pet's instinct to hide. And do not corner your animal!
#4 Be on the Same Level
Many rabbits don't like it when people tower over them. To make your rabbit feel comfortable and not trapped, it's best to stay on the ground and interact with it.
Experts from the Rabbit Welfare Organization also say, "Because rabbits are preyed upon by many other animals, they're naturally shy, quiet creatures who don't like being picked up and carried." (1)
#5 Don't Force Things
Domestic rabbits are social animals, and they like playing with humans. But some bunnies will play with you for a couple of minutes and say, "That's tough!"
It is important to respect your rabbit's boundaries and not force them to interact with you because it can damage your bond and lead to aggressive behavior.
Now, let's see the best games to play with your rabbit!
11 Games to Play with Your Rabbit
What I like about bunnies is that each has a unique personality and likes different games. So, don't be quick to despair if your furball is not interested in all of these rabbit games.
#1 Fetch
Do you know that bunnies like to toss objects around? Give them a willow ball with holes, toilet paper tubes, wooden blocks, or bottle caps, and they have a ton of fun picking with them.
#2 Hidden Treats
I recently discovered LuftPets' snuffle mats and regretted not getting one sooner. They are an excellent way to engage your bunny's sense of smell and make it work for its food.
Foraging mats are also easy to use—just fill them with your pet's favorite food, and you're ready for playtime! You can also use treat balls!
#3 Obstacle Course
You can create an excellent obstacle course with a few cardboard boxes, cardboard tunnels, pillows, and a throw rug. It's fun for rabbits and a great agility exercise to keep them healthy.
It's also a good idea to make your bunnies a cardboard castle where they can play and hide!
#4 Training
Dogs are not the only animals you can train. It's also possible to teach your pet bunny to jump in your lap, come when called, or run an agility course. It's a matter of patience and time!
Check this video for more tips on how to teach your indoor rabbit tricks!
#5 Petting
Do you have a shy bunny? Then try petting. It's the simplest way to bond with your pet and build their confidence around you. And your pet will love the extra attention!
#6 Get Toys
A happy bunny needs plenty of toys to keep them entertained, such as rabbit tunnels, cardboard tubes, toilet rolls, chew toys, paper towel rolls, and plastic balls.
Rotate your bunny's toys everyfewf days and stay near your pet. It's a great way to spend extra time with your furry friend and bond with shy animals.
#7 Play Tag
My outgoing bunny loves tag. When he is in the mood, he comes to me and nudges me a few times to make me stand up and pretend to chase him around the room.
#8 Find the Treat
If you want to play, find the treat with your pet rabbit, but don't have a treat ball or a snuffle mat, and you can hide the tasty food in your hand. Then, let your bunny follow its nose until it locates the treat!
#9 Ball Roll
Some curious rabbits love ball rolling. It's a game in which you roll a ball toward your bunny to encourage them to follow the ball and roll it back to you.
#10 Digging Box
Digging is a natural bunny behavior you can use to play funny games with your pet. Fill a shallow tray with soil or hay and bury treats or toys inside.
It's an excellent way to entertain your bunny for long periods of time and burn off some bunny energy.
#11 Hide-and-Seek
Finally, you can play hide-and-seek with your pet. Just hide and call your rabbit to come and find you. And don't forget to reward your furry friend when he finds you with an apple slice or another treat.
FAQs
1. How to tell if a bunny is bored?
Bored rabbits often chew bars, gain weight, and overgroom. Some bunnies also get depressed and stressed due to boredom.
2. What do rabbits like to play with?
Rabbits like playing with rabbit toys like willow balls, sticks, snuffle mats, etc.
3. How do you play with a baby bunny?
You can play various rabbit games with a baby bunny. But babies tire quickly, so keep the games short - no more than a few minutes.
Conclusion
How do you entertain a rabbit? Bunnies like exploring, foraging, and digging, so you must provide plenty of engaging toys to engage these instincts.
Moreover, bunnies like playing with their humans and can learn cool tricks if you have the patience to teach them. Just ensure you avoid unexpected noises and fast movement.
What do you think about entertaining rabbits? How do you play with your rabbit? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Resources:
- Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund. New to Rabbits. [Cited on June 20, 2024] Available from: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/new-to-rabbits/