Rabbits are one of the most playful animals that you can acquire on your own. If given the chance, they will provide you with a lot of entertainment and happiness for the short period they will be with you.
Suppose you have a cat and recently got a rabbit to add to the family. You already have plenty of cat toys, so instead of investing in other rabbits, you might wonder: can rabbits play with cat toys?
Rabbits can indeed play with many cat toys, but it is important to note that they must be appropriate and safe before providing them. This is because certain toys that have small parts can become a choking hazard for your rabbit.
This article will discuss what cat toys are best for your rabbit to play with and what are unsafe.
We will also review some commonly asked questions you might need answers to. We recommend reading for more information if you need to know these things, especially if you have both animals.
Are Rabbits Allowed to Play With Cat Toys?
Technically speaking, rabbits are most definitely allowed to play with cat toys. If you already have a cat with plenty of toys, you can easily share some with your rabbit!
On top of this, you can go to your local Walmart or a pet store nearby and get toys for a relatively affordable price, especially if no rabbit toys are available. However, some toys may not be safe for your tiny fur baby to play with, which we will delve more into below.
What Cat Toys Can Rabbits Play With?
There are many wonderful cat toys that rabbits can play with! These toys are as follows:
- Slinkers
- Hard plastic toys
- Natural marerial toys
- Natural mats and basket toys
1. Slinkers
Slinkers are incredibly bouncy, so your rabbit can find plenty of stimulation from these toys. Some rabbits might fetch or cuddle with slinkies. It will provide endless entertainment for them!
We recommend getting a pack of slinkers to ensure you do not run out of them fast. Also, to make things more interesting, you could put part of a Timothy hay stick inside one of a couple to create a puzzle-like toy for your rabbit to work at. In doing so, it provides them with hours of entertainment.
Plus, because these slinkies come in a pack of 60, they can last long, especially if you first put one or two in their enclosures. You can also tie a string to a couple of slinkers and let them hang to see if your rabbit would be interested.
2. Hard Plastic Toys
Rabbits are allowed to play with plastic toys within reason. Many cat toys you get are made out of hard plastic. For example, many rabbits might love using cat puzzles like this fun and interactive board. These games help challenge your rabbit’s brain and contain multiple difficulty levels, entertaining and engaging them for countless hours!
In addition, consider getting plastic rolling cylinders. If you choose this, remove the small ball and replace it with Timothy hay or another favorite treat your rabbit loves.
3. Toys Made Out of Natural Materials
Many cat toys are made from natural materials, which would be good for rabbits because the material should be made without dyes and chemicals. On top of this, natural wood is suitable for your rabbit’s teeth as they are continuously growing. Plus, you do not have to worry if some of the wood was accidentally ingested.
One thing to point out is that many natural wood cat toys contain silvervine and catnip. Although catnip is not an issue for rabbits, silvervine may cause digestive issues. Still, you can give a rabbit dried apple sticks, bamboo, willow, and some other wooded plants.
4. Toys Made Out of Natural Mats and Baskets
Suppose you have a cat basket or mat made out of natural materials. In that case, you can easily give this to your rabbit and place hay, other rabbit toys, or treats there. Just like natural wood products, make sure the mats and baskets do not contain any fragrances, dyes, or chemicals. On top of that, you can even make a DIY natural basket, like the video below!
What Cat Toys or Material Should Rabbits Avoid?
Some cat toys contain small parts that rabbits should not even remotely play with. For example, you might notice that many cat balls have a tiny little bell inside, which is supposed to mimic what small rodents would typically do if a cat were out in the wild.
Unfortunately, some bells may come apart, especially since rabbits will inevitably chew on them, causing a hole in said toy. Because of this, your rabbit might accidentally ingest them, which can cause blockages in their digestive tract.
Examples aside, there are other types of toys that rabbits should avoid. They are metal, carpet, and fabric. Let us find out why below.
1. Metal
If a rabbit ingests metal, especially toys that contain metal, it might cause lead toxicity, especially with metals that contain lead. Although cat toys do not typically have metal in them, it is still vital that you keep any metal substance away from your rabbit.
Please note that if your rabbit is chewing on its cage, it is a sign that it is bored and needs mental stimulation to alleviate it. Another critical factor is ensuring you immediately address this particular issue to ensure no harm comes to it.
2. Fabric
There are quite a few cat toys that have fabric in them. For example, bouncing cat toys typically have a piece of cloth. Rabbits will gladly eat almost anything that you give them, but unfortunately, even a tiny piece of fabric can easily get stuck in their stomachs, which may lead to GI tract obstruction. This could lead to a lot of health complications or even death.
3. Carpet
A rabbit’s instinct is to dig and burrow. It is very similar to a cat in this regard. However, carpet is typically made out of tiny little fibers that can harm a rabbit’s health. Firstly, ingesting carpet can cause your rabbit to have a blockage in their intestines, which can also lead to death. Secondly, carpets can contain chemicals such as VOCs, PFAS, phthalates, and more. This is especially true for shaggy carpets that rabbits can easily pull apart.
Note: If you suspect your rabbit has ingested carpet, especially if it is allowed to roam freely in your home, immediately take it to the veterinarian for care.
4. Toys With Tiny Pieces That Break off Easily
Toys with tiny pieces that break off easily are not recommended for your rabbit to play with. As mentioned earlier, these little objects can be ingested, even accidentally, which can cause a blockage in their intestines. If you want to provide small cat balls for your rabbit, we recommend removing the tiny pieces it may swallow and replacing them with hay or something safe to play with.
Something else to consider is if a cat toy contains a tiny bell on a string. Keep that away from them, as the bell may break off while you are not paying attention or get lost somewhere in the cage.
5. Soft Rubber
One of the greatest reasons not to go with soft rubber toys for your rabbit is the possibility of them breaking into smaller pieces and fragmenting into your rabbit’s enclosure. There is also the off-hand chance that your rabbit will accidentally eat some.
While cleaning up these small pieces can prove challenging or, at the very least, problematic, they can also be incredibly dangerous, if not outright deadly, if ingested by your bun.
The danger lies in how your rabbit’s digestive system functions and the complications that would arise when the fragments make their way through its stomach. These fragments can cause extensive intestinal damage and give you a pretty extensive bill with your vet to clear things up, so you’d be wise to avoid them.
What Are Some Safe Toys That Your Rabbit Can Play With?
Aside from cat toys, there are other excellent and safe toys for your rabbit. Remember that the ones we mention are specifically designed for rabbits to play with. Getting these toys will provide you with many options for your rabbit to enjoy!
1. Grddaef 20 PCS Bunny Chew Toys for Teeth
These toys are made of natural material and Timothy hay, which promotes dental health, digestion, stress relief, and exercise. This particular set of toys is extremely affordable, coming just under $10 and will last your rabbit quite a long time.
2. Mechpia Rabbit Toys
If you are looking for something fun, entertaining, and exercise-promoting, this pet tunnel is the perfect solution for your rabbit! The tunnel is said not to tear easily, and it comes with multiple small toys like the ones seen in Grddaef. At just under $14, you will not be disappointed!
3. KATUMO Rabbit Chew Toys
For our last toy, we have Katumo rabbit chew toys. This 64-piece toy set is just under $12, which is a steal! These toys promote dental health and curiosity and help your rabbit be entertained. Plus, they will last a long time, meaning you are saving money in the long run!
4. DIY Rabbit Toys
You can most definitely make some pretty fascinating DIY toys for your rabbit, but the key takeaway is to only utilize safe-to-chew materials that won’t hurt your bun’s gut or mouth.
A few safe, craftable materials include cardboard, paper, toilet paper, and untreated wood. For those of us with a talent for weaving, you can even use the various hays available (that are safe for rabbits to eat) to make unique toys that probably won’t stand the test of time. Still, they’ll make for a phenomenal two-in-one toy/treat for your rabbit to nibble on and play with.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are a select few cat toys that your rabbit can play with safely, but the smartest choice to keep your pet healthy would be to invest in toys marketed explicitly for them and guaranteed to keep them safe and happy. We hope this article was helpful to you. If you have more questions about caring for a rabbit, we recommend checking out our other articles to ensure you get all the information you need!
