As any rabbit owner knows, these furry little creatures love to chew. And, unfortunately, your possessions might sometimes get caught in the crossfire of their chewing tendencies.
While it’s tempting to scold your furry friend for their bad habits, it’s important to remember that chewing is a natural instinct for rabbits. Chewing helps keep their teeth clean and sharp, and it also provides them with mental stimulation.
So if your rabbit has put a few holes into your favorite felt blanket or split a few cables in half, this might mean that your furry friend simply has no other options. (It is also important to note that some rabbits can be incredibly picky and might not “vibe” with the hay and chew toys you got them).
So how do you keep your rabbit from chewing through your things?
First, make sure your bunny has enough hay. On average, rabbits need to chew through their weight in hay every single day. That is quite a lot and if your bunny buddy doesn’t get enough, suddenly your possessions will start looking pretty appetizing. If your bunny has plenty of hay but doesn’t seem to be particularly interested in it, try switching brands and see if that does the trick.
Second, your bunny might just be bored. A lot of pets have this problem of being destructive when they have nothing to do so they are forced to seek entertainment by chewing/clawing through your things. But if your rabbit will have plenty of toys and interactive games, they’ll forget all about your clothes and things that are lying around.
So let’s take a look at some of the toys you can give your bunny that’ll keep them happy, entertained, and as far away from your stuff as possible.
Stacking cups
When it comes to toy options for rabbits, these stacking cups can be one of the best choices. These little cups may appear to be geared towards young children, but rabbits absolutely love stacking and tossing them about!
Playing with these adorable toys can help to keep your rabbit active and engaged, as they seek out creative ways to interact with their new beloved toy. This simple activity can provide your bunny with emotional and intellectual enrichment they would otherwise seek out in chewing through your things.
Origami foraging mat
One great way to keep your rabbit entertained is to give them an origami forage mat. These mats are designed to stimulate a rabbit’s natural foraging instincts, and they can provide hours of fun. Plus, foraging mats are often used to slow down fast eaters and prevent digestive tract issues.
The mat pictured here has 25 compartments for hiding treats and hay. So go ahead and let your rabbit loose on a foraging adventure. Just be sure to supervise your bunny closely at first to make sure they’re not eating through the mat.
Hidden bunny treat toy
Bored rabbits often resort to chewing on furniture or digging up carpets, you’ll need to provide them with plenty of diverse toys. So if you’re looking for a new way to add some excitement to your bunny’s life, this fun-filled toy should do the trick!
Simply hide a dry treat underneath one of the three dowels and watch your bunny try to find it. Not only is this a great way to stave off boredom, but it also provides your rabbit with important emotional and intellectual enrichment.
DIY hay box
Creating an enjoyable environment for your bunny doesn’t have to be costly or require a bunch of unnecessary purchases. In fact, you can make an amazing treat for your bunny using only a few simple ingredients and following the recipe from The Bunny Hutch.
Essentially, all you need is a regular heat-sealed box, some hay, and a few treats. This combination creates the perfect DIY rabbit toy – one that is sure to entertain your furry friend for hours on end. And best of all, you don’t even have to break the bank in order to do it!
In order to prevent your rabbit from chewing your things, there is one rule you need to remember: a bored rabbit is a destructive rabbit. While there may be other underlying issues that cause your bunny to sink their teeth where they don’t belong, lack of stimulation and play is usually the main culprit.
Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas for what toys you might get your little chewer in order to diversify playtime. Your bunny is certainly going to enjoy them and forget about chewing through your blanket.