Just like us, rabbits can get bored quite easily so need lots of stimulation and changes to their environment. And also just like us, they like to watch TV! It's thought they're attracted to the moving images on the screen but don't let your bunny get square eyes, they need exercise too – just like us.
Objects to play with or throw - such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots. Solid plastic baby toys such as 'key rings', rattles, stacking cups and some robust cat and parrot toys can make good rabbit toys.
Rabbits do enjoy, or at least show a positive response, to certain types of music. Mellow, soothing, and repetitive music (like classical or pop) has been shown to have a calming effect on rabbits. However, you should be aware that loud, or jolting music (like rock music) can frighten and stress rabbits.
Any fast or sudden movements, loud noises, unfamiliar smells or larger creatures – including their owners – can trigger a fear response. 'We're predators from a rabbit's point of view,' explains clinical animal behaviourist Rosie Bescoby, who runs animal behaviour consultancy Pet Sense.
Rabbits find classical music calming. Also, rabbits enjoy repetition. If your pet hears the same song over and over, the beats start to become more familiar. Your rabbit will respond to that familiarity.
Just like us, rabbits can get bored quite easily so need lots of stimulation and changes to their environment. And also just like us, they like to watch TV! It's thought they're attracted to the moving images on the screen but don't let your bunny get square eyes, they need exercise too – just like us.
Signs that your rabbit might be bored
Much like children, they also find repetitive things to do – usually things they shouldn't be doing! Rabbits might start chewing things that they shouldn't, destroying their pen, or trying to dig out. They might also start to over-groom themselves to give them something to do.
If rabbits live in small hutches with nothing to do and no space to move, they get bored. Boredom can cause some serious health problems: Bored rabbits will fill their time by eating. If they eat too much and don't move around they'll put on weight.
Like all mammals, rabbits experience of a range of emotions, both basic and complex. A domesticated pet rabbit will understand and mirror the emotions of their owner. If you're happy, you'll find your rabbit reflecting this joy. If you are withdrawn and depressed, a rabbit will express concern for your predicament.
They also lose much of their depth perception at close ranges, seeing in two dimensions (instead of the three that we are used to). Their vision also isn't as sharp as humans' vision. This grainy vision is why it's so easy to startle your bunny – they might not always recognize your shape.
Rabbits are capable of a wide range of emotions including jealousy, anger, fear, grief, love, irritability and insecurity. Understanding what is really going on in any particular rabbit's head may take months or even years of patient observance, particularly when you do not know the history of the rabbit from birth.
Unwanted Cardboard boxes and newspaper always make fun toys. Cut rabbit sized holes in two sides of a large cardboard box, then at the bottom fill with scrunched up newspaper, hay or anything rummage-worthy. Your rabbit can burrow through, searching for perhaps a few treats amongst it all.
Top 10 tips to keep rabbits cool in summer
A fan can be used to keep the air cool and create airflow, however, do not blow the fan directly onto the rabbits and ensure they have enough room to move away if they wish.
Provide your rabbit with a variety of quiet toys
It's good to make sure your rabbit has a lot of fun toys to keep them occupied throughout the night.
At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.
Just like people, rabbit's are not meant to live alone. Rabbits who never get enough attention and are left in isolation all day will end up becoming lonely and depressed. They'll stop being curious and active, and instead they'll sit around all day with no interest in the world around them.
Ideally, rabbits should be able to exercise whenever they want to but a minimum of four hours free run a day is recommended, ideally split into two exercise periods morning and evening of about two hours each.”
Locking your rabbit up
Keeping them in these tiny cages can cause a range of health problems, including obesity and even deformities if they're not able to move around naturally. It's also cruel. Rabbits are smart, social and highly curious, and they need to be able to explore their surroundings.
It is usually safe to kiss a rabbit, and many pets enjoy this display of love. Rabbits do not kiss each other, but can learn what kissing means. If grooming precedes the kiss, your intention will be clear. Many rabbits enjoy being kissed on the top of the head.
While rabbits cannot understand human language, they can be trained to understand what we say through gestures and verbal cues. Rabbits understand words using cues. These can be conscious cues, such as verbal commands and gestures. These can also be unconscious cues, such as body language and tone of voice.
Rabbits are social and intelligent creatures. They'll know that you love them; you just have to learn how to say “I love you!” in a way they'll understand. You can show your rabbit you love them by giving them gifts such as toys and yummy treats.
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.