The Bunny Chat Thread - For Bunny Owners

[chickentrains]

Lop ears are so cute! Mine is a meatie mix. She is an absolute sweetheart though when she isn’t trying to chew up the sofa cushions.

I sure hope a rabbit won't just destroy the house <.<.. I've always wanted one, and I feel like getting one before I get dogs and cats will be helpful, so make sure the cats and dogs are raised around a rabbit. So a rabbit will be my first pet as an adult. I hope him/her doesn't put me through hell.

 

[CSAchook]

I sure hope a rabbit won't just destroy the house <.<.. I've always wanted one, and I feel like getting one before I get dogs and cats will be helpful, so make sure the cats and dogs are raised around a rabbit. So a rabbit will be my first pet as an adult. I hope him/her doesn't put me through hell.

I am sure it will be great. Niven was an unplanned rescue (a cat dragged her into our yard and we saved her). So we weren’t able to do any rabbit proofing or research ahead of time and are just learning as we go. I would not trade her for the world though.

 

[chickentrains]

I am sure it will be great. Niven was an unplanned rescue (a cat dragged her into our yard and we saved her). So we weren’t able to do any rabbit proofing or research ahead of time and are just learning as we go. I would not trade her for the world though.

hoping for rabbits who treat me kind.

If I distract them with clutters of toys maybe they'll lay off my stuff

 

[CSAchook]

hoping for rabbits who treat me kind.

If I distract them with clutters of toys maybe they'll lay off my stuff

Distractions are good. So far we are having pretty good success distracting Niven from the lure of the couch cushions using a pile of crinkled paper and a box.

 

[chickentrains]

Distractions are good. So far we are having pretty good success distracting Niven from the lure of the couch cushions using a pile of crinkled paper and a box.

Do they in general like cardboard?

I've been looking at big cardboard castles and tunnels. What else do they seem to favor? I know it varies between rabbit to rabbit, but I've gotta start out with a good base of enrichment

do you switch out toys? hiding some and then re-introducing? That's what I do with my dog, He acts like he's never seen the toy before even though he's played with it times before, I just took it and hid it.

 

[CSAchook]

Do they in general like cardboard?

I've been looking at big cardboard castles and tunnels. What else do they seem to favor? I know it varies between rabbit to rabbit, but I've gotta start out with a good base of enrichment

do you switch out toys? hiding some and then re-introducing? That's what I do with my dog, He acts like he's never seen the toy before even though he's played with it times before, I just took it and hid it.

I think most of them like cardboard. I know @EverythingDucks has made some cool DIY cardboard toys. Niven has never shown any interest in cardboard toys though.

Tunnels and box hides are great. Wooden toys are good too. Niven has a couple big apple branches she loves. She loooves balls. I have to rebuy this 3 pack at least once a month.
https://www.chewy.com/naturals-by-rosewood-trio-fun-balls/dp/232286

I do rotate out the small toys in her crate every couple days to keep things more interesting.

You can also buy various other enrichment items like stacking toys, fillable toys, snuffle mats etc. lots of options on Etsy too.

Or you can make stuff pretty easily. This is Niven playing in a pile of newspaper and junk mail.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Harlequin (are those a breed, or just a color?), and any sort of lop mix. To be honest though, I just want a sweet rabbit. I don't care the breed.

Harlequin is a breed but also a color. You could get a Mini Lop in the Harlequin color.

 

[vintage]

I sure hope a rabbit won't just destroy the house <.<.. I've always wanted one, and I feel like getting one before I get dogs and cats will be helpful, so make sure the cats and dogs are raised around a rabbit. So a rabbit will be my first pet as an adult. I hope him/her doesn't put me through hell.

Just make sure any and all cords are hidden away. Bunnies can be destructive, they love to chew, especially when bored! If you bunny proof a space and offer plenty of stimulation, it won't be as much of an issue.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Here are some of the DIY toys I've made

Some of the things I've used: Cardboard, toilet paper tubes, paper towel rolls, paper bags, and twine.
Other supplies: a nail (for poking holes) scissors, and non toxic glue (I've only used this once or twice to keep a toy from falling apart. I only used a tiny bit in an area that would be very hard to get to for bunnies).

A lot of toys I have just stuffed with hay, some I put treats of pellets in.

One of their favorites are the ones with layers of different textures pieces of cardboard.
For those I just cut out different speed peices (or used scrap peices) and stabbed them with a nail until it piked through. Then I made a mess of the end of the twine so I could use the nail to string it through.
Sometimes I have to widen the hole with scissors.
The just repeat the process until you get it to how long you want.

For some peices I'd roll them up or fold them, for others I'd pull apart the layers (there's three: the top layer, the middle layer that look like waffle fries, then the bottom one. I keep the middle and bottom together most most times).
Sometimes I'll braid strips of the paper bag (just leave the end together, then cut two lines down it so end end up with three strips to braid). Sometimes turn the braided paper into a wreath like toy. Other times I'll put it into the other toy with the twine.

Here's what they end up looking like

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Harlequin is a breed but also a color. You could get a Mini Lop in the Harlequin color.

*gasps* there are mini lops?!!!!