Rabbits are curious and active creatures and DIY rabbit toys can help provide mental and physical stimulation. While it may be tempting to purchase ready-made toys from the pet store or online, many of these products can be expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of simple and inexpensive rabbit toys that you can create from common household items. In this article, we will discuss 5 fun and creative DIY rabbit toy ideas that you can make at home.
1 – Cardboard Tubes
Most households have some sort of cardboard tubes that usually end up in the recycling. Instead of tossing these tubes, you can make one of the simplest and most inexpensive DIY rabbit toys. You can use any type of cardboard tube, like toilet paper and paper towel rolls. To make the toy, stuff the tube with hay or other treats and fold the ends closed. Your rabbit will love chewing and digging at the tube to get the goodies inside. If you don’t feed your rabbits hay you can leave the tube empty and your rabbit will still enjoy it this way. Repurposing some of the things that typically get tossed makes us feel good and keeps our rabbits busy – a win-win!
2 – Cardboard Boxes
Another easy DIY rabbit toy is a cardboard box. Boxes have become a very common household item with how often people have packages shipped to their houses. Instead of throwing them away, you can make a toy that will keep your rabbits busy for hours. Rabbits love to dig, chew, and explore, and a cardboard box provides them will all three activities. Simply take a cardboard box, remove any tape or staples, and let your rabbit have fun! You can also add some hay or treats to the box to make it even more enticing. Once the boxes are soiled you can easily add them to your compost pile and that way they will never make it into the garbage.
3 – Willow Balls
Willow balls are a popular toy for rabbits because they are safe to chew and provide a fun and natural activity. You can purchase pre-made willow balls from pet stores or online, or you can make your own by weaving together willow branches. To make a willow DIY rabbit toy, simply cut some willow branches and soak them in water for a few hours. Then, weave the branches into a ball shape, and let them dry in the sun. Your rabbit will love chewing and playing with the ball. Other types of rabbit-safe woods can also be used to make these balls. If you do not have willow trees in your area you can research the trees near you and choose one that will be safe for your rabbits. This is a simple and all-natural rabbit toy that your kids will love to help make!
4 – Digging Boxes
Rabbits love to dig and digging boxes are a very easy DIY rabbit toy that will be very entertaining for them. To make a digging box, take a plastic container or cardboard box and fill it with soil or sand. You can also add some hay or treats to the box to make it even more exciting. Rabbits love to dig and burrow in digging boxes. If you use plastic make sure to supervise your rabbits so they do not eat the plastic. Cardboard is a better option if you want to leave the box in with your rabbits.
5 – Wooden Chew Toys
Wooden chew toys are a great way to satisfy your rabbit’s natural urge to chew. You can make your own wooden chew toys by taking some untreated wood, such as apple branches or pine cones, and adding them to your rabbit’s cage. These wooden chew toys can be purchased from pet stores or online, too. But, they can be fairly expensive when purchased online. You likely have rabbit-safe wood in your area and you can make these toys for free. Just make sure the wood is safe for rabbits before giving it to them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many fun and creative DIY rabbit toys that can be made from your everyday household items. Whether you create a digging box, willow ball, or wood chew toy, your rabbits will appreciate the effort you put into keeping them happy and healthy. Part of caring for and breeding rabbits ethically is giving them the needed mental and physical stimulation that they need to stay healthy.
