Enrichment: Encourage Natural Behaviours

DIGGING

Digging is a very natural behaviour for bunnies as in the wild they dig warrens. These warren systems house populations of wild bunnies; where they will raise young and hide from predators. Here are some ways to encourage your bunnies to express these behaviours in a safe, natural way.

Digging Box - First, you will need a large plastic storage container, or a box to contain the material. You then need to fill it with soil, sand, hay, shredded newspaper or a mixture of these and let your bunny enjoy! The simple act of digging will amuse your bunny and help them satisfy their need to dig.

Towels & Blankets -  If your bunny lives indoor you may like to reduce the amount of mess they can make, so instead of the above, offer your bunny a towel or blanket to scuff and dig on. They will enjoy having a rummage around, though, the bunny may tear or damage the town/blanket so I recommend using old ones!

Ball Pit - The ball pit will still give your bunny the space to dig/move/throw/rearrange all they want without the mess of shredded paper or hay.

FORAGING 

Your rabbit may rely on you to feed them a healthy, balanced diet, but in the wild bunnies do not get careful selected, washed (if veg), chopped food presented on a platter! Its important for your rabbit forage to for it’s food will not only keep them occupied, it will also encourage them to tap into the food gathering instincts. 

Cardboard toilet rolls - You can stuff the toilet roll full of hay, dried forage and other yummy treats. Another way for your bunny to have forage toilet rolls, would be hanging the.; this will inhibit your bunnies natural urge to sit on their hind legs and stretch to reach the food.
 
Paperbags - A very simple, fun way for your bunny to forage! I like to stuff my brown paper bags full of forage and hay- so your bunnies can dig around to find their tasty reward!

Forage Box - yYou will need a large plastic storage container, or a box to contain the material. You then need to fill it with lots of hay, dried herbs (flowers, veg etc)- then mix mix mix! Once the treats for your bunnies are fully mixed into the hay pile, it is time to let your furry friend loose!

Forage Brands I recommend!

• Lottie's Little rabbitry
  
• Healthier Hops
  
• ​Burgess Excel (Mountain Meadow & Country Herb Mix)
• Rosewood (Herbal Garden)
• Natures Own Pets (Dried Flower Mix of marigold; rose petals; cornflowers and sunflowers)

BURROWING

As rabbits are natural prey animals, it is extremely important for the to have a space where they can go and hide to feel safe. This is even more important if you have multiple bunnies as they may need space to hide from each other if they have a disagreement to give each other space.

Castles/Hides - Bunnies love hides, It gives them a safe space to hide an it also gives them a lookout points so they can hop up and survey their surroundings as they would in the wild. I get all my castles for my bunnies from Manor Pet Housing 

Cardboard Boxes - Cardboard boxes are a really good enrichment tool. I like to it a small hole in cardboard boxes and fill them with hay, this encourages your bunny to use it as a hide to be a safe space for them

Flower Pots - This is the perfect quick hide away, whilst not taking up too much space. Be careful your rabbit doesn’t chew too much on the plastic though! This hide, works best being half sunken into the garden to give them a cosy place to retreat.

Baskets - Seagrass and wicker (non treated) baskets make great hides for your bunnies, you can stuff these with hay and turn on their side. beware though; your bun may destroy the baskets!

Tunnels - Plastic or cardboard tunnels mimic the dirt tunnels of rabbit warrens perfectly! Tunnels give bunnies a way to safely travel around and add interest for them when they're out playing.