Tips to keep your rabbit healthy and happy over Christmas plus easy, healthy rabbit present ideas!
With Christmas approaching, I wanted to share some important pointers to keep your bunny joyful and stress-free during this festive season. The holiday period is an exciting, busy time for us, but our bunnies can't quite grasp all the hustle and bustle. To help them cope, here are some key tips and present ideas to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.
- Maintaining Routine and Reducing Stress
Christmas excitement can sometimes cause stress for our rabbits, as they thrive on routine. It's important to keep their daily schedule as normal as possible:
**Visitors** - If you have guests coming over, place your bunnies in a quiet room to avoid overwhelming them, unless they are familiar with the visitors.
**Feeding and Playtime:** - Stick to your regular feeding times and allow for their usual playtime. Consistency is crucial as rabbits are creatures of habit and can sense when it's time for their activities.
- Diet During the Festive Season
It can be tempting to spoil our pets with treats, but it's important to be mindful of what we offer them. Opt for natural treats where possible to avoid a tummy upset and don't offer them lots of treats or foods that they aren't used to eating - you don't want an expensive vet visit over the Christmas period due to a blockage or gut stasis.
- Presents for your Bunny!
RABBIT FORAGE BOX - It can be fun to make a DIY Rabbit Forage Box for your bunny either as a fantastic Christmas gift for your bunny, providing both mental stimulation and nutrition, or to keep them busy when you are busy coming up to Christmas!
Use a clean, plain cardboard box and fill it with varieties of hay like meadow hay and readigrass. Add a few safe treats such as banana chips, nibblots, and barley rings. You can also include shredded vegetables like peeled carrots, or small pieces of kale, herbs or salad leaves.
1. Use a plain cardboard box free from tape and markings.
2. Fill it with different kinds of hay.
3. Add a few healthy treats like banana chips, nibblots, and barley rings.
4. Include toys and chewy items to keep them entertained.
5. Supervise your rabbit while they play and inspect the box regularly to ensure they're safe.
TOYS - Toys make excellent presents as they help prevent boredom and discourage unhealthy chewing behaviors, and are better than treats that may upset their sensitive tummies, if you want to spoil your fur baby.
Baby Toys -Many baby toys are safe for rabbits. Items like plastic key rings and solid rattles can be entertaining, as long as they do not have small parts that can be ingested. Check them regularly to make sure they aren't too chewed and supervise while playing. If you are buying baby keys, be careful they don't have teething gel or electronics in them - you just want the 'from birth' ones that are just basic plastic. Watch my Youtube video on games you can play with your rabbit with baby toys! -Watch it here!
Cat Toys- Cat toy balls and wooden bells are also popular. Verify they are safe and intact to prevent swallowing small pieces. Your bunny will also enjoy chewing corrugated cardboard from cat scratching boards - make sure there is no cat nip on them as this is harmful for rabbits. You can hide treats or pellets inside the corrugated cardboard as well!
Forage - Add dried chamomile or echinacea to your rabbit's toys for extra fun. These herbs are beneficial for calming and boosting the immune system. You can buy these from hay delivery companies and often in pet shops, you can also often buy teas that are made from these dried herbs, but you need to be careful that the only ingredient is that herb, and nothing else.
Willow and Apple Sticks - Offer natural sticks for chewing, which helps maintain dental health.
Homemade Toys - can be just as enjoyable for your rabbit. Check out my video on Youtube for ideas on toys to make from Toilet Roll Tubes:
Hay Bales - You can purchase these, they are made with dried flowers for a healthy treat. Be mindful of any ribbons of paper on them as these can get caught around your rabbit's neck and aren't really safe to be eaten, so remove before giving to your rabbit.
Grass Houses / Small wicker houses / Wicker balls can provide hours of entertainment.
By keeping your rabbit's environment predictable and providing safe, stimulating activities, you can help them navigate the holiday season happily and healthily.
I hope these tips help you and your bunny have a wonderful Christmas together. Enjoy the festivities and take care!
By Fiona Murphy, The Bunny Coach
PS You and Your Bunny might enjoy this class - Homemade toys and treats for your Rabbit
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