Our lack of rabbit toy reviews reflects the relative poverty of rabbit toys available to the rabbit owner. Toys for rabbits fall into two categories- items that can be rolled, bounced, chewed and eventually deconstructed and items that can be rolled, bounced, flung and not destroyed. RABBITS LOVE TOYS. I will even make a point to state that RABBITS NEED TOYS. If rabbits are not provided with suitable items on which to unleash their energy they will make do with what is available to them in their environment. If the rabbit is a house rabbit available items may include television remote controls, wires and cables of any kind, furniture, drywall, rugs and whatever is left within their reach. Even perpetually caged rabbits will attempt to find some fun in flinging food dishes, dismantling water bottles and mangling litterboxes. Rabbits do have a propensity to chew and certainly household items that could pose a danger to them should be "rabbit-proofed" for their protection but what's a rabbit to do when its environment is rendered sterile? The fortunate rabbit has an interested owner that is willing to provide fun and mental stimulation in the form of toys.
Within the category of rollable, bounceable, flingable toys that can't be destroyed we can include toys that dispense treats. These are a particular favorite of my rabbit, Pooka. We have used Small Animal Treat Balls for years to dispense Pooka's daily ration of alfalfa pellets. Sadly, I haven't been able to find these in stores for a while now. The balls have an adjustable opening to allow or restrict the exit of the pellets. These balls can be rolled but not flung or bounced and have served their purpose as a basic treat dispensing toy. Could Nina Ottosson perhaps come up with any improvements? Well, yes she could as a matter of fact. It's called the Cat Pyramid. Despite the name it is also labeled for other small pets such as the rabbit and guinea pig.
The Cat Pyramid is hard plastic and the base is weighted so that the toy will always right itself. There is one hole into which treats/ alfalfa pellets are inserted (like the Dog Pyramid). In my previous review of the Dog Pyramid I noted that my reviewers found that toy to be very challenging. One hole that is always at the top of the Pyramid did not allow the escape of very many treats. My dogs soon lost interest in the meager payback. I was keen to see how a rabbit would approach this toy.
The Cat Pyramid is a hit with Pooka right out of the gate. She found that flinging the toy immediately produced results. One problem with the Small Animal Treat Ball is that it tends to roll under furniture where Pooka is unable to reach it. Happily the weighted bottom of the Cat Pyramid prevents it from rolling away so it tends to stay put when it is flung. Because the toy always rights itself with the hole at the top it compels the rabbit (or cat or guinea pig) to actively engage in moving it. A simple nudge will not elicit treats.
Playability is rated Excellent by my reviewer. We have not had the toy for very long but Durability seems also to be Excellent. Safety is also Excellent if used according to the directions. Warning on the packaging states that this toy is to be used under supervision so the rabbit is not to be left alone with the Cat Pyramid. I suspect that Pooka would lose interest in the toy once she had been successful at extracting all the pellets but you just never know what a rabbit will choose to chew.
This is the tip of the iceberg for rabbit toys. We will continue to explore and review. Pooka is currently experimenting with Clicker Training (Karen Pryor Clickertraining) and enjoying the heck out of it. Can Rabbit Show Jumping be far behind?
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