Do Lionhead Rabbits Like to Play?
If you are a proud new owner of a lionhead rabbit, you are probably wondering how to entertain it. As opposed to pets such as dogs and cats, about which many of us know already know to handle during playtime and exercise, rabbits still make one of those that leave many questions open. One of them certainly is: do lionhead rabbits like to play at all?
These furry creatures are really intelligent, sociable and do not like spending their time alone. They need regular exercise and playtime in order to grow healthy. Lionhead rabbits are extremely playful pets, which makes them a really good choice for kids.
How to Play with a Lionhead Rabbit?
There are infinite ways of playing with your lionhead rabbit. They are extremely curios little animals and will accept almost any game you propose, as long as it is interesting and new.
The most important thing is to start from the ground, as they tend to decline playtime if owners are not at their levels. So, sitting down is usually the best way to start. Once your pet approaches, you may either use toys or training session as part of the game.
Some great toys can be purchased at any better pet store, but many owners still prefer crafting their own. Rabbit toys can sometimes be as simple as a tiny hay ball, they do not cost anything and will only take a few minutes of your time. Adding to that, your rabbit can play days and days using the same toy.
Other fun solutions include setting some sorts of runways, either outside in the garden (if you have the space) or alternatively in some unused corner of your home. Such runways are a great way to keep them playful, and you can additionally add tunnels or other cool hiding spots.
Last but not least, training sessions are a great way of playing with your rabbit. Anyone up for a trick?
Here is a cool video on how to train a lionhead rabbit:
What Kind of Toys do Lionhead Rabbits Like?
Toy options for lionhead rabbits are infinite. These furry pets enjoy digging, tossing away, chewing, and exploring.
They are so curios and can get extremely playful when they are happy, so sometimes a simple tiny tree branch can become their favorite toy of the day. Try offering them anything that they can dig in or throw around or even chew.
For instance, an empty toilet paper roll filled with a few food pellets and stuffed with hay at the center can keep your pet entertained for a while. Alternatively, try with some cool digging toys: fill an empty cardboard box with shredded paper and watch your rabbit getting crazy playful.
Toys like these are super easy to make with already available items around the home. Additionally, you may want to re-use some of your old toys sometimes. How about an old stuffed toy? It can become an amazing chewing item for your pet.
For those owners who wish to try with commercially available toys, there are numerous options, and they all come at pretty affordable rates. Such toys usually include hay mats and balls, wooden rolling toys, hide & seek tunnels, and many more.
Whichever toys you choose to craft or buy for your quality playtime, make sure not to offer them all at once, but to rather rotate them occasionally. This will ensure for your pet not to get bored soon but to always feel entertained instead.
How Often Should You Play with Your Lionhead Bunny?
It is highly recommendable to play with your lionhead bunny on a daily basis. Especially if you own a single bunny. They get bored very easily so offering them motivating playtime each day is the best way to prevent boredom and, ultimately, depression. It is also suggestable to keep a similar schedule each day, and the most active times of the day for rabbits are both morning and evening hours.
When playing with your pet, please keep in mind that rabbits require at least a three-hour period of activity or exercise each day.
Do Lionhead Rabbits Like to Play with Other Pets?
Lionhead rabbits can get along simply fine with other pets, as long as they feel totally safe around them. This is valid for playtime, too. They will play both with their humans but also other pets which they trust.
When owners spend some effort and time in introducing the various species properly and keeping an eye on both during the first days, everything is possible.
Rabbits seem to function well with cats, dogs, and guinea pigs around some households.
When it comes to outside enclosures, they have been spotted getting along well with chicken.
Do Lionhead Bunnies Like to Play with a Ball?
Lionhead bunnies like to play with a ball, as long as the size of such ball does not exceed the size of the bunny itself. Small straw or hay balls are a great way to start and bunnies seem to literally roll them around the entire house.
Also, they can spend hours playing with plastic or rubber balls which have bells inside, similar to cat toys.
Surprisingly, some bunnies can even be trained to play fetch! Although, they generally seem to prefer tossing balls around.
Do Lionhead Rabbits Like to Play in Water?
Some bunnies like to play in water, but this is usually not the case with lionhead rabbits. They do not really seem to enjoy getting wet and, most importantly, they dry with difficulties because of their heavy fur.
Many lionheads can get into shock when placed into water, so the best is never to do that, unless they decide to get wet on their own.
Wrapping Up
Lionhead rabbits are not only extremely timid animals, but social as well. Indeed, they love playing both with their owners or rabbit mates. And they love doing so for hours and hours.
Rabbits are sociable, interactive, curios and playful. That is why quality playtime is essential, not just to keep them active but also mentally healthy.