Bunnie House
Breeders of Quality Mini Lop & French Lops. Rehoming & Boarding Services. BRC Registered.
Why Toys?
Rabbits Need to Chew
Because of their constantly growing teeth, rabbits will seek out items to chew on. If you do not give your bunny something to chew, something will be found, and you may not always agree with the choice! Chewing satisfies both physical and psychological urges by exercising the jaws and by occupying the mind.
Toys Provide Exercise for Pudgy Bunnies
Domestic rabbits do not have to run from predators, search for food, or dig burrows like wild rabbits, so they do not get the amount of 
exercise they need. Sedentary rabbits can quickly become obese rabbits! Toys encourage bunny to exercise.
Toys Can Relieve Boredom
Rabbits in the wild are always busy, many pet rabbits become bored. A rabbit left in his cage with nothing to do may even become depressed.
Toys Reduce Stress
It is stressful for a little bunny to learn to adjust to indoor life, get used to the other pets in the house, learn what can be chewed on and what can't, and all the while making sure everyone knows where his territory is. There is no better way to let bunny aggressions out than on a defenseless toy!
Toys Give Bunny the Opportunity to Interact with You!
You are a very important figure in your rabbits life. He views you as one of his own and wants to play with you like one of his own. A game of keep away is always fun as well as hiding the toys in various places in the house for the bunny to find. You may even get your bunny engaged in a Game of Fetch!
Variety of Play
The Miners
A dirty little group who like to get in to trouble with the local houseplants. Many domestic rabbits like to dig and burrow, and this instinct is inbuilt. Place Hanging toys near the bottom of the cage. This gives Miners something to dig their nails into.
Major Leaguers
They think they make their living as professional pitchers. They spend all day tossing and flinging unwary toys about. It is essential that Major Leaguers have the means to pick up their toys. 
Don't worry too much about weight, even baby rabbits can pick up some of the heaviest toys and toss them! Give Major Leaguers toys that contain sisal for easy pick up. Most toys that remain loose on the floor are the best choices.
Bullies
Hitters have to take their frustrations out on something! Bullies like hanging toys most since they box back when attacked. This gets the Bully all worked up and keeps him busy for hours. He has just GOT to defeat that toy! Pick toys that can hang. These toys are best hung in the middle of the cage so that a lot of movement is possible.
Busy Beavers
Chew Chew Chew, that is number one on the Busy Beavers list of things to do today. Beavers love to chew and their favorite things to chew are sticks and bark covered wood. Real Heavy chewers take advantage of anything they can get their teeth on! Most hanging toys are great for Beavers, just try to match the size of the toy with the ferocity of the Beaver. Choose toys with hardwoods that will last longer than soft pine.
Renovators
Renovators like to push, bunch and pile anything that moves. They can spend hours rearranging their cage! Toys that lay on the cage floor are great for Renovators.
Cliff Hangers
A weak and timid bunny he is not! The Cliff Hanger takes daredevil leaps and breathtaking bounds. There is no box too high nor couch too low. They thrive on being king of the hill and use their high perches as look outs. Find some cardboard or wooden structures for your bunny. A piece of furniture your bunny can call his own!
Safety
The most important point to remember is to know how your bunny plays. Even safe toys can be made dangerous if your bunny plays with them incorrectly. Do not assume that just because a toy is safe for birds or cats, that it is safe for your bunny. Similarly toys safe for babies and toddlers may not always be safe for your bunny.
Materials commonly found in rabbit toys. Plastic - not all plastics are good. When choosing a plastic toy for your bunny choose hard instead of soft. Acrylics are fine, and most plastic baby toys are suitable. Soft, flimsy plastics are easily chewed and swallowed which may cause a health issue. Always keep an eye on your bunnies plastic toys, if there is any indication of chewing large quantities, take the toy away.
Rope - can be dangerous for your bunny. Stay away from synthetic and cotton ropes. These 
ropes can easily entangle your rabbits intestines if consumed. Sisal rope is safe since it can be chewed and digested, not posing any threat to the bunnies digestive tract. Another safe rope is Seagrass rope. It has an almost papery texture to it and bunnies just love the salty flavour. Both of these ropes can be chewed and consumed without any danger to bunny.
Dye - a safe dye for rabbit toys is non toxic food coloring. Paints can be safe but be sure they are paints intended to be used around small children. These are usually certified as non-toxic. However if you can not determine the safety of the paint, stay away! 
Wood - wood safety is complex and should be left up to the experts. However, some known safe and non toxic woods are: Willow, Maple (not red), Oak (w/o bark), Apple, Pear, Ash, Birch, Hickory, and kiln dried pine. Never use fresh pine, or any evergreen, or bark covered wood from pit fruit trees. If you do not know what the wood is, DO NOT USE IT!
