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What do rabbits like all day?

Rabbits are popular pets that are fun to watch and interact with. As prey animals, rabbits have some unique behaviors and needs compared to other pets like dogs and cats. Understanding what rabbits like to do all day can help rabbit owners better care for their bunnies.

Do Rabbits Sleep All Day?

Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk and tend to sleep more during the day. In the wild, rabbits need to hide from predators and forage for food at prime times when predators are less active. As crepuscular animals, pet rabbits maintain this natural rhythm and prefer to be most active in the morning and evening.

During the day, rabbits alternate between short napping sessions and being alert. Rabbits often close their eyes and appear to be sleeping, but their ears will remain upright and ready to detect any potential danger. True rabbit sleep involves the rabbit laying down with eyes closed and ears relaxed.

On average, rabbits sleep 8-12 hours per day. They usually take short 15-20 minute naps sporadically throughout the day and night. At night, rabbits will have longer, uninterrupted sleep sessions typically lasting 1-3 hours.

Do Rabbits Play With Toys?

Yes, rabbits enjoy playing with toys, especially interactive toys they can manipulate with their paws and mouth. Good rabbit toys provide mental stimulation, which is important for rabbits when they are awake and active.

Some popular toys for rabbits include:

  • Tunnels
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Wooden chews
  • Balls
  • Digging boxes
  • Treat dispensing toys

Tunnels and cardboard boxes allow rabbits to satisfy their natural instinct to burrow. Chew toys appeal to their drive to gnaw. Balls and interactive treat toys provide mental exercise. Digging boxes full of paper or soil let rabbits dig.

Do Rabbits Play With Other Rabbits?

When housed together, rabbits will play together. Rabbits are very social animals and enjoy having a bonded rabbit companion. Bonded rabbits will playfully chase, groom, nuzzle and cuddle together.

Some interactive games rabbits like to play together include:

  • Nipping and chasing
  • Following each other around
  • Circling
  • Boxing with their front paws

Always monitor play between bonded rabbits. While they are usually just having fun, sometimes nipping or chasing can escalate to fighting.

Do Rabbits Like to Explore?

Absolutely! Rabbits are curious animals that love to explore new environments. In the wild, rabbits constantly patrol their territory looking for food, water, hiding spots, and mates.

Pet rabbits enjoy exploring rabbit-proofed rooms or exercise pens. Allowing your rabbit supervised playtime to explore stimulates their mind. Be sure to rabbit-proof the area by removing electrical cords and anything hazardous or valuable they could chew.

You can enrich your rabbit’s environment and encourage natural foraging behavior by hiding small treats or toys around their space to find. Place cardboard boxes, tunnels, and willow balls around for rabbits to examine during free time.

Do Rabbits Groom Themselves?

Rabbits are fastidiously clean animals and devote a good amount of time each day to self-grooming. They meticulously lick their fur to keep themselves clean, distribute skin oils, and check for any parasites or skin irritations.

Rabbits groom themselves more extensively during shedding seasons to control all the excess fur. They also lie in the sun at times to sunbathe and loosen up their coat for easier grooming access. Depending on the breed, rabbits spend 30 minutes to 2 hours a day grooming.

When Are Rabbits Most Active?

Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during twilight hours at dawn and dusk. In the wild, this protects them from nocturnal predators like owls and night-hunting mammals. It also gives them prime foraging time with limited larger predators.

You will notice pet rabbits being most energetic right when they wake up in the morning and again in the evening. Rabbits will play, explore, forage, groom, and interact with owners during their natural active periods.

Do Rabbits Eat Throughout the Day?

Rabbits are natural grazers and continually eat small amounts throughout the entire day. In the wild, rabbits spend a good part of their day foraging for grasses, weeds, leaves, bark, and other vegetation while remaining alert for predators.

Pet rabbits maintain this natural grazing behavior if allowed. Provide your rabbit with unlimited hay so they can nibble frequently. You can also sprinkle small amounts of fresh greens or pellets in a feeding toy or hide them around your rabbit’s space to encourage natural foraging.

In addition to grazing, rabbits will eat more substantial sized meals twice a day. Feed 1/4-1/2 cup fresh vegetables and a small amount of pellets to adult rabbits each morning and evening.

Do Rabbits Like to Dig?

Digging comes naturally to rabbits. In the wild, rabbits dig underground burrows and tunnels to create nests and hiding spaces away from danger. Some behaviors rabbits exhibit in captivity give clues into their innate digging instincts:

  • Digging at flooring or litterbox
  • Tossing toys into the air
  • Ripping up paper
  • Digging in digging boxes
  • Rearranging blankets or towels

Provide safe outlets for your rabbit’s digging drive. Fill a box with shredded paper or organic potting soil and watch your rabbit happily dig to their heart’s content!

Do Rabbits Binkly and Play Dead?

Rabbits have some amusing behaviors you may witness, especially when they are excited or happy. A binky is a joyful hop, twist, or jump rabbits do when delighted. Rabbits also sometimes flop over on their side pretending to be dead. This feigning death behavior is an instinctive reaction to extreme fear.

What Do Rabbits Like In Their Home?

There are some key elements to include in your rabbit habitat to keep them happy:

  • Litterbox – Make sure litterboxes are large enough and cleaned often
  • Water bowl – Heavy ceramic bowl they can’t tip
  • Hay feeder – Keep hay off floor
  • Hiding house – Box or tunnel for privacy
  • Toys – Rotate variety of safe toys
  • Dig box – Container of soil or paper to dig

Rabbits also appreciate floor time and exercise space outside their enclosure to explore and play.

What Vegetables and Fruits Do Rabbits Like?

Rabbits enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits in moderation. Here are some common favorites:

  • Dark leafy greens – kale, parsley, cilantro
  • Broccoli and broccoli leaves
  • Carrots
  • Bell peppers
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Cucumber
  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries

Avoid iceberg lettuce, which is low in nutrients. Introduce new vegetables slowly and limit sugary fruits.

What Plants Do Rabbits Like?

In the wild, rabbits eat a diverse selection of grasses, weeds, shrubs, vines, twigs, flowers, and crops. Some plants pet rabbits particularly enjoy include:

  • Grass
  • Dandelion greens
  • Clover
  • Basil
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Cilantro
  • Roses
  • Willow

Be cautious introducing new plants and monitor for any digestive upset. Also be aware some houseplants and outdoor plants can be toxic to rabbits.

What Treats Do Rabbits Like?

Rabbits go crazy over treats! Use healthy commercial treats made for rabbits, or offer small amounts of fruits, vegetables and herbs as treats. Some favorites include:

  • Dried fruit with no added sugar
  • Unsweetened cereal o’s
  • Carrot tops
  • Dill sprigs
  • Rose petals
  • Thyme
  • Papaya
  • Pineapple

Treats should make up no more than 10% of a rabbit’s diet. Moderation is key!

Do Rabbits Like Being Pet?

With proper handling, most rabbits enjoy being pet by their owners. Here are tips for safe petting:

  • Start by letting them sniff you
  • Pet forehead, cheeks, shoulders
  • Use gentle stroking motions
  • Avoid back legs and tail area
  • Watch body language for discomfort
  • Offer a treat after to reinforce positive association

Over time and with positive reinforcement, rabbits can become very affectionate with petting.

Conclusion

Rabbits make charming and interesting pets for those committed to providing proper care. Now that you know a little more about what rabbits like to do all day, you can better meet your bunny’s needs!