Do they learn to play?

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 9sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 8 months ago by Zombie-Sue.

Viewing 9 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 07/19/2011 at 7:39 AM
  Zombie-Sue
  Participant
  875 posts
  Tank isn’t much of a toy rabbit. So far, the only toys he likes are things he can eat (cardboard and paper.) All he wants to do is shred them and dig holes in them and eat them.
  
  I’ve tried the baby keys and perscription bottles for him to toss around, but he’s indifferent to it. If I switch his boxes for cardboard with different textures or switch a phonebook for a news paper here and there, (and of course toilet paper rolls!) he’ll be entertained for a while.
  
  But after about six weeks he gets bored with them and wants to chew on the bars of his cage. In a week or two he’ll get back into them, but in the meantime he’s eating his cage. I don’t like that. I don’t want him to be bored! I let him out to exercize for about four hours every day (which I think he spends maybe ten to twenty minutes of actually exercizing and the rest loafing around in his cage anyway, lol) but he won’t play with anything else !
  
  Has anyone ever heard of a rabbit eventually learning to play with stuff? Maybe if I leave certain toys in there, he’ll get it eventually?
- 07/19/2011 at 8:12 AM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  For rabbits, digging and shredding *is* play and I think most of them look at us like we’re loony when we try to make them play our way. They’re not predators like dogs or cats, so they aren’t usually into chasing things or attacking. For a prey animal, practicing digging burrows and running about is the favorite kind of play.
  
  Changing up his habitat and getting him new boxes, phone books, and other things to destroy will keep him from being bored. Mine sleep the majority of the day, but when they’re up and active they’re often ripping up something.
- 07/19/2011 at 9:08 AM
  mia
  Participant
  617 posts
  Your bun is playing. I actually have a bun, which, when described to the vet, was told that most likely, he never learned to play his entire life. She told me he probably grew up in shelters and will never learn since he’s an adult now even though his wifey loves to play.
- 07/19/2011 at 9:14 AM
  Stickerbunny
  Participant
  4128 posts
  My male doesn’t play as in throwing things, but he loves to chew cardboard and run around and he’ll chase me if I run through the house with him. My female throws her toys and plays with them, but my male just prefers to play his own way.
- 07/24/2011 at 11:23 AM
  Zombie-Sue
  Participant
  875 posts
  @Elro;
  
  but I want him to play other ways too! Like tossing stuff! First person to write a book on how to get rabbits to bend to your will instead of the other way around will make a fortune! xD
  
  I tried putting some towels down. He likes to move those sometimes.
  
  @Mia;
  
  That sounds like Tank. He came into my life around 5ish. I don’t think that he got a lot of care before that.
  
  @Sticker;
  
  lol cute!
- 07/24/2011 at 11:42 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Rabbits play by performing instinctual actions over and over. This is very different than a cat/dog who will play in more prey-driven ways (i.e. chasing string, fetching a ball). While it may not as “fun” and interactive for you, digging and chewing and shredding are very important ways that your bunny plays and if given the opportunity to do this, they will be entertained.
- 07/24/2011 at 2:09 PM
  Zombie-Sue
  Participant
  875 posts
  @Beka;
  
  Is chewing on his cage bars part of that? It seems like something he shouldn’t want to do unless he’s very bored.
- 07/25/2011 at 11:34 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Yes, chewing the cage bars indicates that he does enjoy chewing. My suggestion in that case would be to get him some willow toys. A favorite of Sammy’s turned out to be the huge unpeeled willow bark ball, or the big willow cube, that you can order online. (Here or other rabbit supply stores.)
  
  It was the only time I saw her stand up and toss. She loved grabbing the ball that was as big as she is, lift it, toss it down, then chew off a piece of it. It takes her a couple of weeks to completely dismantle it. Meanwhile, the pieces are chewed, pulled around the floor, and generally good for teeth and fun.
- 07/25/2011 at 2:45 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Monkey loves the willow cubes. They are bigger than she is It’s funny watching her play with them
- 07/26/2011 at 9:19 AM
  Zombie-Sue
  Participant
  875 posts
  Willow cube! That sounds like a fantastic idea, thanks everyone!
Author

Messages

Viewing 9 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.