Rabbits can make excellent pets and thankfully it is no longer acceptable to keep a rabbit in a hutch with minimal stimulation. Research has shown the benefits of incorporating enrichment into captive and domesticated animals’ daily lives and rabbits are no exception.

What is animal enrichment? Enrichment is learning about animals' natural behaviours, and then stimulating and providing an outlet for these behaviours on a daily basis. Rabbits are more closely related to their wild counterparts than dogs, so an ability to express these natural behaviours is vital to their physical and psychological well-being.

In the wild, rabbits can live in large social groups that forage together. Solitary domesticated rabbits can become bored and lonely. They are highly social and deserve rabbit companionship. When adopting a rabbit, take at least two and ensure they are sterilised!

Eighty-five percent of a rabbit’s diet should be grass or hay. Most of a rabbit's waking hours will be spent grazing. Therefore, we need to provide access to grass or fresh hay throughout the day. Grass is best, but hay is a great substitute. Indoor rabbits can be provided with grass grown in a plastic tub if there is no access to grass outside. Ensure fresh hay is added daily and separate from the hay your rabbit uses to sleep and toilet. When a rabbit eats a large amount of kibble they get full and then does not want to graze. This leaves many hours of activity to fill and will lead to boredom, so ensure kibble only makes up five percent of their daily food allowance.

Cardboard boxes are a great source of enrichment. Rabbits are a prey species, they have many predators. Hiding reduces stress if they perceive a threat is nearby. Rabbits also use objects to gain height, rearing up onto their hind legs to look for potential threats. Save your boxes, let your imagination go wild and build a bunny fort, with tunnels and levels. This will also provide great exercise and chewing opportunities.

Rabbits love to dig. This natural behaviour can become problematic to their guardians when they dig under fences and in flower patches. Instead of trying to eradicate this natural behaviour, provide suitable alternatives. Fill a shallow box with soil. Hide some fresh greens inside to encourage exploration.

In the wild, rabbits forage for wild plants. Whilst you may not have an abundance of suitable plants and herbs in your own garden, you can go forage for rabbit-safe options in your neighbourhood. Bring them home, hide them in the grass or tie them up with string and hang them from a bush.

Rabbits do not need to use food bowls. Make them explore their environment for their food. Mix fresh herbs in with their hay. Hide some kibble in the grass or in an empty toilet roll. Many dog toys are suitable for rabbits. Balls with holes in the back can be filled with kibble and many of the Nina Ottosson dog food puzzles can be used by rabbits.

Start implementing some of these ideas with your own rabbits today and you will see happier, healthier and more fulfilled companions. 

Oday Vets is committed to educating pet guardians on all aspects of companion animal care. We have created a fear- free, pet-centred veterinary clinic in Centurion. With a certified animal behaviourist on the team, we can assist with behaviour issues companion animal guardians may be experiencing. On Fridays we host Veterinary Ophthalmologist Dr. Lo-an Odayar at our Centurion site, who can aid your pets with any eye problems. Follow us on social media @odayvets or our website www.odayvets.co.za for more information.