How to Play with Your Rabbit

Rabbits are social animals that enjoy bonding and playing with humans. If you've recently adopted a rabbit or are simply struggling to engage your pet in playful activities, there are several tricks to help keep your bunny entertained. It's important to consider your pet's personality, as this will guide you in choosing the best forms of entertainment and ways to interact with them.

Understand your pet. A rabbit's personality determines what toys they will enjoy and which ones they may not. Before buying toys, take time to observe your rabbit's traits and preferences. Knowing what excites your bunny will help you plan engaging playtime activities.

• Start by allowing your rabbit to leave its cage and come to you on its own. Let them explore a safe space freely.
• Watch how your rabbit interacts. Some rabbits enjoy tearing paper and tissue, while others may prefer tossing toys around or chasing them. Some may even like knocking over objects. Pay attention to these behaviors to figure out what kind of games your rabbit enjoys.
• Rabbits are easily frightened, so avoid sudden movements. Never scold your rabbit, as this will cause them to avoid you.

Choose toys when you're at home. Select a variety of toys that you can use to play with your rabbit at home. You should base your choice on your rabbit's personality to find the most suitable toys.

• If your rabbit loves throwing objects, you can buy safe toys at pet stores or local department stores. Bird toys are also a great option as they are designed to be easy to hold. If you want to save money, you can use cardboard tubes like tissue paper rolls or toilet paper rolls.
• Rabbits tend to chew and dig, so you can channel these behaviors into play. Hay mats or cardboard boxes filled with shredded paper or scrap paper can entertain your rabbit for hours. Additionally, you can use children's toys and plastic balls, as they are typically durable and will last before needing to be replaced.
• Logic toys are perfect for curious rabbits, and you can find them at pet stores. These toys often include plastic or cardboard boxes containing enticing items like rubber balls or food. Your rabbit will have to figure out how to open the box to get the reward inside.
• If your rabbit enjoys knocking things over, you can buy them a set of child-safe bowling pins. Your rabbit will enjoy knocking them down, and then you'll need to set them back up for more playtime.

Choose toys when you're away. Playing with your rabbit is great fun, so you need to make sure your rabbit stays entertained even when you're not at home. This way, your rabbit won't get overly stressed when you're out and won't act by chewing, gnawing, or destroying things.

• Many rabbit owners recommend building a cardboard castle for your rabbit. You can do this by gathering several old cardboard boxes, stacking them together, and then cutting holes to create passages and doors. Rabbits who love to chew or are naturally curious will be especially drawn to this castle. If you keep your rabbit in a room or enclosure instead of a cage while you're away, this toy will be a perfect fit. If the rabbit is locked in a cage all day, it could become a source of stress for them.
• If your rabbit enjoys digging, you should scatter wood shavings or hay inside the cage when you're gone. If your rabbit gets bored, they can entertain themselves by digging.

Set a regular play schedule. Rabbits tend to follow a routine, so the best way to encourage playtime with your rabbit is to set specific times for fun activities.

• Rabbits are usually most active in the early morning, so this could be a great time to play with them if you're free. On the other hand, many rabbits will also be active during the evening hours.
• You should be mindful when starting playtime. Rabbits prefer to be alone when eating, using their litter box, grooming, and sleeping. If you notice your rabbit engaging in these activities, it's best to let them finish before starting playtime. However, you should open the cage or barrier when your rabbit signals that it's time for play, and they can leave their enclosure when they're ready.

Bend down to your rabbit's level. You need to make sure your rabbit feels safe and comfortable seeing you as a companion. You don't want your rabbit to feel like you're a giant.

• You should lower yourself to your rabbit's level. You can sit, bend down, or even lie on the floor.
• Allow your rabbit to choose whether to sit on your lap or interact with your body. Some rabbits enjoy snuggling and curling up in their owner's arms, but most prefer to stay independent while playing.

Be patient. Rabbits may show signs of shyness, especially if it's their first time. Avoid forcing playtime or pushing toys if your rabbit seems uninterested. Allow them to adjust at their own pace.

• Don't be rough with rabbits as you might be with cats or dogs. Rabbits are naturally timid, and such behavior could make them feel scared in your presence.
• Greet your rabbit in a friendly manner before opening the cage. You can call their name and say things like, "Good morning." This helps your rabbit feel comfortable and encourages them to interact with you.
• Pet your rabbit while offering other positive signals, such as a friendly voice or a treat. This will help your rabbit associate your touch with safety and fun.

Use food to attract your rabbit. Rabbits can become anxious when first playing, which may lead to aggressive behavior. To keep them entertained, you can use food to entice them out of their cage.

• Many rabbit treats found in pet stores are high in calories and not ideal for long-term health. Instead, choose other options like raisins, small pieces of apple, pineapple, celery, strawberries, or unsweetened wheat cereal.
• While food is a great motivator, don't overfeed your rabbit. Offer light snacks before playtime, but refrain from feeding them every time they ask for food.

Handling Biting Incidents. Rabbits may occasionally bite you. However, this behavior doesn't always indicate aggression. Sometimes it's a response to stress or even an expression of affection, but it can still pose a challenge for the owner.

• Never scold your rabbit. Rabbits are naturally sensitive, and scolding them will only cause harm and won’t stop the biting behavior.
• When your rabbit bites, gently push them away. Speak softly to them and continue to pet them. This repetitive approach is necessary until your rabbit stops biting.

Let the rabbit decide when playtime ends. Rabbits are independent animals, and it's important to respect their autonomy. Let your rabbit decide when it's time to stop playing.

• Your rabbit will signal when they’re ready to play. They may circle your feet or tug at your pants. Wait for the signal before you bring out the toys.
• When your rabbit loses interest and attempts to return to their cage, you should respect that. Rabbits often prefer solitude and won't want to play if they feel coerced.
• If your rabbit is engaged in other activities, allow them to finish before calling them out to play.
• Rabbits don't play for fixed amounts of time. Some days they might want to play for an hour, while other days it might be just 10 minutes. Don't force them to play more or less than they desire.

• If the rabbit runs away from people who have just picked it up, let the rabbit do so.
• Allow the rabbit to lick you, and don't shoo it away, as the rabbit simply wants to play and isn't trying to hurt you.
• Let the rabbit come to you rather than forcing it to play. You can bond with your rabbit in many ways, such as lying on the floor reading a book next to them, and many other methods like that.
• Never hit or harm the rabbit.
• Feed the rabbit fresh vegetables and fruits. These are the best treats for them.
• Limit the number of treats, especially fruit, as it contains a lot of sugar. No more than a few pieces per day.
• When speaking to the rabbit, keep your voice calm and gentle.
• During playtime, always have food and water available in case the rabbit gets hungry or thirsty.
• Allow the rabbit to explore freely, but make sure the play area is free of electrical wires or objects that could harm the rabbit while moving around.
• Don't try to pick up the rabbit on the first day it comes home unless it has already gotten used to being held daily.

• Ensure that all toys are safe for rabbits and only allow them to use new toys under close supervision.