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Mental stimulation is just as essential as physical exercise for rabbits. When rabbits get bored, they’re more likely to become destructive, which can include scratching or chewing on furniture. While they don’t need traditional scratching posts like cats, most rabbits will happily use scratch-friendly toys or surfaces if provided. Offering these items allows your rabbit to satisfy their natural scratching and digging instincts, stretch their muscles, and stay mentally engaged.
Read on to find out more.
Do Rabbits Like to Scratch?
Yes. Rabbits have a natural love of digging and burrowing and often do so to keep themselves entertained, fend off stress, and keep their claws in good shape. Sometimes, they do it in an attempt to hide from something they’re afraid of.
For this reason, you might spot your bunny digging and scratching at items around your home, like your furniture or clothes. This is especially common in rabbits without any kind of outlet for their digging and scratching urges. Boredom is one of the most common reasons rabbits resort to scratching furniture instead of something more appropriate.
If you’re fed up with having to replace scratched-up items or just don’t share your rabbit’s enthusiasm for shabby chic furniture, you can try offering a scratching post, board, or toy.
Types of Scratching Posts for Rabbits
Scratching posts aren’t just for cats—you can very easily track down ones made just for rabbits, too. This is great because not every rabbit will like the same posts or toys, so you’ve got some variety to work with. Here are some of the types of scratching posts we came across in our research:
1. Rabbit Scratching Boards/Pads
- Our Recommendation: Litewoo Rabbit Scratch Board Claws and Teeth Care
These are simply boards made of materials like wood or lava pumice for rabbits to chill out on and scratch whenever they get the urge. Some also double up as chew boards to help rabbits wear their teeth down, which is very important for them.
2. Rabbit Scratching Posts
- Our Recommendation: BNOSDM Rabbit Scratch Post Toy
These are more similar to standard cat scratching posts, and they allow the rabbit to stand up and stretch as well as scratch. We found a wide variety of scratch posts ranging from standard upright posts, sloping posts, posts with toys connected, and even a funky carrot-shaped post!
3. Rabbit Scratching Toys
- Our Recommendation: Fhiny Rabbit Scratch Toy
Scratching toys are great for providing extra mental stimulation for curious bunnies. The most common type we found was a raised ball covered in sisal rope that rotates while the rabbit scratches it. We also found a seriously adorable toy that was shaped like a tree with carrots dangling from it—the options are endless.
Ways to Mentally Stimulate Your Rabbit
In addition to providing scratching and chewing toys, boards, and posts, there are plenty of ways to enrich your rabbit’s environment to prevent destructive behavior.
- Create an obstacle course in which treats are waiting for your rabbit at various points.
- Make sure your rabbit’s exercise pen is as large as possible to give them plenty of space to roam.
- Provide hiding spots in the hutch and pen (some rabbit hideouts are also designed to be chewable, which is a bonus!).
- Rotate toys—don’t offer them all at once or provide permanent access to them as your rabbit may get bored quickly.
- Provide interactive toys that get rabbits to act out their natural digging or foraging instincts, like toys you can fill with bits of food (carrot pieces are good for this purpose).
- Spend time playing with your rabbit.
- Groom your rabbit to bond with them while taking care of their fur.
- If you have a single rabbit, consider getting another rabbit as a companion.
- Train your rabbit to perform simple tricks, like standing up on command or touching their nose to an object to get a treat.
Final Thoughts
While the need for scratching in rabbits is different to that of cats, rabbits may enjoy using scratching posts due to their natural instinct to wear down their claws and dig. You can find various types of scratching items specifically designed for rabbits, so have a look around—we’re sure you’ll find something your rabbit will love.
The salvaging of your furniture is another major bonus of these much-loved rabbit items!
Featured Image Credit: Amazon
