5 Easy DIY Rabbit Toys (step-by-step instructions and pictures)

Do you want to make your rabbit’s life more exciting and enriching? Get ready to hop to it and create some DIY toy magic! This guide will teach you how to easily transform basic household items into thrilling playthings that will keep your furry friend entertained for hours. With just a toilet paper roll, sock, cardboard box, and other simple materials, you can craft interactive chew toys that appeal to your rabbit’s natural digging, chewing, and foraging instincts. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions and pictures to make toys like a challenging treat puzzle, swinging tubes your rabbit can crawl through, and more. Read on to give your beloved bunny the gift of fun with toys you can make in minutes!

The Importance of Chew Toys for Rabbits

Chewing is a natural behavior for rabbits that serves several purposes. Here are some of the top reasons chew toys are so vital for your bunny:

Good for Rabbit Teeth

Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. The act of chewing wears their teeth down to a healthy length and prevents overgrown or misaligned teeth. Chew toys provide a safe outlet for this need.

Good for Your Rabbit's Mental Enrichment

Chewing also satisfies a rabbit's natural foraging instincts. Having chew toys to dig into and shred gives them an engaging activity to pass the time. This prevents boredom and destructive chewing of household items.

Toys You Can Buy or Find in Nature

There are many great chew toy options you can purchase for your rabbit. Apple tree branches, natural loofahs, cardboard tubes, and willow balls are examples. You can also keep an eye out for safe chewing items when outside, like untreated wood pieces or pine cones. Providing a variety of textures and materials will keep your rabbit interested.

Now let's get into the DIY rabbit toy projects! Each includes step-by-step instructions and pictures to help you create fun handmade toys using simple materials.

DIY Chew Toys

1. Simple Food Dispenser with a Toilet Paper Tube

This food dispenser toy provides mental stimulation as your rabbit has to move it around to get treats out.

Materials Needed:

• Empty toilet paper tube
  -Your rabbit's favorite treats or hay
  -Scissors

Instructions:

1. Gather materials. Cut about 2-3 slits along the length of the toilet paper tube with scissors.

2. Place treats or small pieces of hay inside the tube. Make sure some pieces poke out of the slits.

3. Give the tube to your rabbit and watch them nudge and dig at it to get the treats out!

This toy is quick and easy to make, plus you can continually add treats to keep your rabbit engaged. Change up the size and number of slits to increase the challenge.

2. Hidden Treat Ball

Treat balls are challenging and rewarding for rabbits to play with. Follow these steps to make one filled with your bunny's favorite snacks.

Materials Needed:

• Clean sock (preferably with small holes)
  -Your rabbit's treats or hay
  -Scissors

Instructions:

1. Grab an old sock and cut off the foot portion, so you're left with a tube.

2. Fill the sock tube with treats and a little bit of hay or paper to block the treats from immediately falling out.

3. Tie a knot in the open end to seal it. Make sure it's tight so your rabbit cannot easily untie it.

4. Give to your rabbit and watch them toss it around to get the treats out of the small holes!

For added difficulty, use a thicker sock material or add more hay to block holes. This forces your rabbit to really shake and work at the toy.

3. Hanging Tubes

Tubes make great cheap rabbit toys. Hang them around your rabbit's space so they can bat them around and crawl through them.

Materials Needed:

• Paper towel/toilet paper tubes
• String, ribbon or twine
• Hole puncher
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Gather tubes (paper towels or toilet paper rolls both work well).

2. Use a hole puncher to punch holes near the ends of each tube. Cut string or ribbon into pieces that are about 18 inches long.

3. Thread the string through the holes in each tube. Tie it so the tube is secured at the center of the string.

4. Hang the tubes at varying heights around your rabbit's cage or play area. Watch your rabbit playfully bat the tubes and run through them!

Change out the tubes periodically to keep it interesting. You can also sprinkled treats inside the tubes to reward your rabbit's exploration.

4. Hidden Treat Puzzle Platform

This project results in a fun puzzle toy your rabbit will love digging into and solving to find treats.

Materials Needed:

• Small cardboard box
• Non-toxic glue or tape
• Your rabbit's treats or hay
• Scissors or box cutter

Instructions:

1. Take a small cardboard box and cut doors, windows, and openings into four of the sides. Make the openings big enough for your rabbit to fit their head or paws inside.

2. Smear a little glue around the inside edges of the box openings. Place treats and crunched up hay randomly throughout the box, sticking some loosely to the glue so they don't immediately fall out.

3. Let the glue dry completely before giving the toy to your rabbit.

4. Place the toy in your rabbit's habitat and watch them explore the box through all the cut out openings. They'll have fun digging out all the hidden treats!

You can continually add more treats each time to keep this toy engaging. Vary the patterns and openings you cut for added interest.

5. Digging Box

Rabbits love to dig – make an engaging digging box toy for yours with just a cardboard box and some bedding or shredded paper.

Materials Needed:

• Medium to large cardboard box
• Hay, straw, or shredded paper for digging medium
• Your rabbit's treats (optional)
• Scissors to cut box flaps

Instructions:

1. Take a cardboard box and cut off the top flaps so the box has one open top side.

2. Fill the box almost to the top with a digging medium like hay, straw, or shredded paper. Mix in a few treats if desired.

3. Place the digging box into your rabbit's habitat area and let them hop in to dig and burrow in the shreddings! They'll have a blast searching for treats and tunnels.

Start with a packing box sized appropriately for your rabbit. Monitor them closely at first to ensure they don't chew and ingest any cardboard pieces. Change the digging medium periodically to keep it fresh and appealing.

Those are 5 engaging DIY chew toy ideas to keep your rabbit active and entertained. Providing a variety of chew textures and mental challenges is important for your pet's health and happiness. Monitor them closely when first introducing new toys. Have fun getting creative with materials around your home to make new toys for your beloved bunny!

Related Questions

How many treats can you give a rabbit?

It's recommended to limit treats to about 1 tablespoon per 2 lbs of your rabbit's body weight per day. Treats have higher fat and calories than their regular diet, so moderation is key. Too many treats can lead to obesity and other health issues.

How can I keep my rabbit from chewing on wires?

Bitter sprays designed to deter rabbits from chewing on wires are available. But the most effective solution is blocking their access to wires completely. Protect cords by running them through PVC piping or other chew-safe tubing. You can also bundle up excess cord length and tuck it behind furniture. Provide plenty of appealing chew toys to redirect your rabbit's chewing instincts.

The post 5 Easy DIY Rabbit Toys (step-by-step instructions and pictures) appeared first on Rabbit Breeders.