Rabbits have a natural need to burrow, which helps them feel safe, gives them exercise, and protects them from predators. It also provides nesting space for baby rabbits.
A good digging box can help you redirect this destructive behavior, but it needs to be built correctly. Choose a box that is deep enough for your bunny to dig, but not so big they can escape.
Size
A digging box is an ideal way to encourage your rabbit’s natural digging instinct. It helps keep your bunny physically active and avoids them digging up carpet or other flooring in your home. It can also be useful in helping to prevent your bunny from chewing or scratching up wicker furniture and peeling wallpaper.
The size of your dig box will depend on the size of your rabbit. Ideally, it should be twice as wide and tall as your rabbit to allow them to move around in it easily.
It should also have walls that are several inches above the surface of the digging material to ensure that any dirt or sand doesn’t get onto your rabbit’s fur. If your rabbit is a large one, it might even be necessary to add ramps for them to use.
Some people recommend using sand as it mimics the digging behaviours of wild rabbits better than soil, however, this isn’t always an option when a rabbit lives indoors and it can be messy. It can also cause respiratory problems and irritation to the paws of pet rabbits, so it’s best not to use sand for an indoor dig box.
Another type of filler that can be used is shredded paper. This is a good idea because it’s reusable and it’s easy to clean up.
You can also use wood, although it should be a smooth piece of wood that isn’t treated in any way. You can find wicker baskets in most charity shops that don’t have varnish on them, so these would make a good digging box.
A digging box is a great way to help your rabbit stay mentally and physically healthy while having fun. It can be a great addition to your home and you’ll love seeing how much fun your rabbit has!
Materials
Dig boxes are an excellent way to satisfy your rabbit’s need for digging while providing them with some much-needed exercise. They also help keep your bunny mentally stimulated.
There are many materials that can be used to make a digging box for your pet, including paper and cardboard. You can also add treats and toys.
Shredded paper is an ideal choice for a dig box because it can be easily cleaned and doesn’t pose any health risks to your pet. However, you can also use other types of paper to fill your rabbit’s digging box.
Newspaper is another common choice for a digging box. But be sure to avoid newspapers that are coated with polyethylene (PE), which can cause serious injuries to your pet if they eat it.
Plain, brown paper is a good choice for your pet’s digging box, as it’s not coated or printed with any kind of ink. It’s also free and easy to replace if it gets chewed up by your rabbit.
The paper should be thick enough to provide your rabbit with plenty of fun, yet not so thin that it can get ripped apart easily. It can also be cut into small pieces to create tunnels for your rabbit to explore.
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate material for your digging box, you’ll need to find a suitable container. A cardboard box is a popular choice since they’re inexpensive and sturdy, but you should be careful to remove any tape or staples before your rabbit starts playing with it.
You should also pick a place for your digging box that’s comfortable and quiet, because rabbits are natural prey animals that startle easily. In addition, you should avoid placing the box near any areas that have a lot of foot traffic or direct sunlight.
Stuffing
If your bunny spends a lot of time digging at the back of the couch or trying to organize the rugs in your home, you may need to make it a priority to provide a digging box. It will prevent them from pawing at furniture or ripping up carpets, and will allow them to dig in a safe, non-destructive way.
You can easily provide a dig box by creating one yourself or picking up a sturdy, wooden or plastic container at the store that is at least twice the size of your rabbit and filling it with a variety of stuffing. These include shredded newspapers, old magazines or junk mail, natural fabrics (such as cotton), clean dirt, hay and small pieces of fabric that don’t have any nap.
Another good idea is to mix edible treats in with the stuffing for additional enrichment. This can include aromatic flowers or dandelion greens, but you also have the option of mixing dried treats into the digging box.
Many bunnies love to toss things around, and there are a wide range of toys for them. Keys, batta balls, Slinkys and baby toys are all good options for playing toss with your rabbit.
The toys should be safe for your pet to chew on, as you never want a rabbit to swallow something toxic or break their teeth. For example, Niteangel’s Trio of Fun Balls are made from water hyacinth, seagrass and rattan, all of which are non-toxic.
The best digging boxes are filled with a mixture of shredded materials, and you can also add some hay or dry treats to the stuffing. But keep in mind that not all bunnies are diggers, so you’ll need to wait for them to try the box before deciding whether or not it is worth the investment.
Treats
If you have a rabbit that likes to dig, a digging box is a great way to provide them with an outlet for their natural instinct. The best digging boxes are sized to your rabbit’s size and are made from materials that your bunny can safely ingest.
When choosing a box, make sure it is large enough to contain any mess that your rabbit might create while playing in the box. Cardboard is a good choice, as well as plastic washing up bowls and wicker baskets.
Once you have decided on the size and material of your digging box, you should also think about what kind of filler you will use to stuff it. Shredded paper, old toilet rolls, straw, hay, and your rabbit’s bedding substrate are all safe options for filling your digging box.
Your rabbit will likely chew and eat a bit of this filler as they play in the digging box, but it won’t harm them or their health. This is especially true if the filler is unprocessed and has no odors.
You can also mix in other types of treats to keep your rabbit’s interest piqued. Treats like aromatic flower petals, dandelion greens, and pellets are a popular choice for digging boxes since they’re safe to eat even when your rabbit is digging inside the box.
Once you have the materials and the filling in place, you should make the digging box safe by securing it with a lid. This will keep the contents of your digging box from escaping and ruining your carpets or furniture. The lid will also prevent your rabbit from getting trapped inside the box while they’re digging.
Cleanup
Rabbits love to dig and it is a natural instinct that they need to express. This is why a rabbit digging box (or even just a sand pit) is so much fun for your bunny.
To keep your bunny’s digging box clean, it is a good idea to swap out the contents every so often. This keeps your bunny interested and will also help to prevent soiling.
You can use plastic washing up bowls or even wicker baskets. However, make sure they are hard wearing plastic and not brittle as broken containers can be dangerous for your rabbit.
One option for the box itself is to simply fill it with something your bunny will like to dig through, such as shredded newspaper or other types of paper litter. You can also fill it with hay or other food that your bunny enjoys to eat.
Another option is to put your bunny’s digging box on a tray or in a shallow kiddie pool. This way, any dirt your bunny kicks out will be caught in the tray or pool and not on your floor.
Lastly, it is important to keep your rabbit’s litter pan clean and deodorized. If urine is accumulating in the pan, spritz it with white vinegar and let it soak. Then, rinse the pan and wipe it clean.
Rabbits can be messy and will poop in almost any place they feel comfortable, so it is important to keep your bunny’s living area tidy. Depending on how many rabbits you have, this may require cleaning the living area at least once per week.