How do buns play?

[prince dorian the bun]

I have had Dorian for almost two years now, and we have most things figured out. But one I just not sure about still is how to play. How do bunnies play with each other? I will get on the ground with him and he gets all excited and we sort of try playing, but I always feel he is disappointed with me for getting it all wrong.

[Wick & Fable]

Rabbits don’t really ‘play’. My opinion is, although I will use the word ‘play’, I interpret it more as a rabbit expending its energy. I do “play time” with Fable, where she will pester me in the morning to be her toy holder: https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/pbsvjm/redirect_chewing_energy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

I try to think of creative ways to help them expend energy, like pellet balls, snuffle mats, teaching tricks (like spin), and yes, just holding toys in front of them constantly so they keep tossing it out of the way in potential frustration, haha.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[prince dorian the bun]

Thanks @Wick & Fable! That video is too cute! We do that type of play, rearranging toys so that he has to put them in their proper place is an ongoing game. For a while he would bring me his ball, it was adorable, but he decided it was no longer cool. Occasionally we do a little game where I fluff his bunny bum and he runs from me and then runs back to have it fluffed again.

Sometimes in the evening I get on the ground with him and he gets so excited and runs through a tunnel and then looks expectantly at me, after a while he just looks disappointed (yes I am reading a lot into these looks but it’s the look/energy I get when he wants food, then I give him something he doesn’t like), but I just can’t fit in the tunnel and not sure what it is he wants! Do bunnies not play with other bunnies? One day I hope to get him a real bunny friend, but for now he is stuck with me. We at least have the whole snuggling and grooming figured out, well his idea of grooming which is cheeks only… combing him properly is a challenge!

[Wick & Fable]

Since Wick and Fable aren’t bonded, I can’t answer the question from personal experience unfortunately, haha. My understand is rabbits mainly express love and playfulness through cuddling and grooming… but. Unsure, and we can await other’s responses!

He might want a little chase, based on what you’re saying, in which case you can beat him to the other side of the tunnel, haha.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[DanaNM]

My observations of my pairs “playing” together are zoomies, binkies, and working on “projects” together (chewing on the same toy). Or Bun Jovi is chasing Myra around trying to mount her (LOL).  It’s actually pretty rare for me to see my current buns zooming or binkying together, but I used to see it more with Bertha and Bunston. My current pairs mostly just hanging out together.

Bunston would roll a small ball back to me if I rolled it to him (it was one of those little cat toy balls). 🙂 Once he rolled it back to me 30 times in a row!

I’ve also heard of buns that love those toy bowling pins, and will knock them over basically as many times as their human will set them up. I haven’t tried that one yet, but mine have liked knocking down stacks of stacking cups (which reminds me, I should dig those out and start using them again!).

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LBJ10]

Yes, bonded pairs can “play” together by doing zoomies, binkies, etc. together. And, as Dana mentioned, they will often enjoy the same toy together… although sometimes that turns into a tug of war where one bunny grabs it and the other bunny takes it back. Mine loved working on puzzle toys together, but that too would turn into a shoving match. 🙄

[prince dorian the bun]

Thanks! Maybe based on that he wants me to run about like crazy with him 😀 , I can try and mimic that… the chewing his toys with him is going to be less likely!

@LBJ10 that sounds like any two little kids playing together!

Bunston rolling his little ball sounds adorable!

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