Toys &Treats for Mini Rex Show Rabbits

[jbrabston]

We have raised Californian rabbits (for meat pens) and have recently added Mini Rex rabbits to our rabbits. Our plans are to show both of these breeds at state rabbit shows. Our Californian rabbits have always been pretty mellow and usually just sit around. However, several of our mini rexes really seem to want to play and I'm afraid they will be bored just sitting in their cages with nothing to do.

This is probably going to be a really stupid sounding question, but do you give toys & treats to your show rabbits or does this ruin them for showing? I have read all sorts of suggestions about toys and pet rabbits but I haven't come across anyone who talks about toys & treats for show rabbits. If you do give your show rabbits toys or treats, what do you find is the best for them? What is an absolute no-no for show rabbits.

Yes, I am a real softie when it comes to animals but I love the fun and challenge that comes from showing rabbits. Mini-rexes are just so much more active than our Californians ever were...

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I raise Standard Rex. I don't know of any no-nos for show rabbits, other than something that might get them dirty- such as pine cones with sap on them or things like that.

I give my rabbits TP and paper towel tubes, paper egg cartons, and chunks of 2' x 4's to chew, and apple branches when I have them. You could also give them cardboard boxes with holes cut in them so they can get inside, or oatmeal canisters with the plastic parts cut off. Mine had ping pong balls, but some of them would chew them, so I took those away. I am going to give them golf balls instead, but haven't gotten around to it yet. The hard plastic balls marketed for dogs that are mega-chewers or large animals work too. They also like to toss tuna cans around- just be sure to crimp any sharp edges down so they don't cut themselves.

Food is also great entertainment- hay in particular keeps them busy. I have dried sunflower stalks and heads that they really enjoy, and they also love dried artichoke stems and heads, but those are all gone now.

Good luck with your bunnies, and welcome to RabbitTalk!

 

[Bill]

We give our's toys to play with. Cardboard tubes from paper products are good for them to chew on, toss around etc. Some will even play tug of war with you. Most of our's also have a hard plastic "Wiffle Type" ball with a bell inside that they love to toss around. I think these are intended for cats but the vendors at most of the shows have had them. Also we have chew sticks hanging in the cages that the buns have to reach up to chew on. It's entertaining to watchthem playing so hopefully all of these things are interesting to the buns!

Bill

 

[Rustina]

I always used regular sized wiffle balls....just make a trip to your local dollar tree store and you can get 4 of them for a buck !!! My rabbits loved them and they are more fun when you put apple tree twigs through all the holes to munch on !!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I always used regular sized wiffle balls....just make a trip to your local dollar tree store and you can get 4 of them for a buck !!!

Hah! I am beginning to think that is a RabbitTalk Urban Legend! :lol: I have been searching the Dollar Tree (s) for months, and they never have the wiffle balls!

It is getting rather frustrating, actually... my poor abused and deprived bunnies...