What is a dig box for a rabbit? Bunnies digging boxes aim to replicate rabbit burrows. These are designated areas where rabbits can safely express their natural behaviours in digging. Rabbit digging box commonly comes in the form of a box filled with shredded paper, straw, and other good digging fillers.
A rabbit digging box is a practical solution for keeping your bunny from digging up the flooring and carpets in your home. If you want to try crafting one on your own, here are 6 DIY indoor rabbit digging box ideas.
1. Size Matters.
Rabbit digging boxes must be spacious enough for bunnies to hop around in. The general measurement guideline to follow digging box should be twice as wide and deep as your pet’s body.
If you own a small or medium-sized rabbit, find a box measuring around 2ft x 1ft x 6in. For large breeds, the ideal rabbit digging box measurement is 2ftx3ftx6in. If you own multiple smaller rabbits, this size is a good reference too.
2. Cardboard boxes are your best friend.
Cardboard boxes are the most cost-effective and easy-to-find materials for making a DIY rabbit digging box. Since you can get them for free, they can be easily replaced with new ones if your pet rabbit has tattered them to pieces.
Choose plain cardboard boxes with high sides to contain the mess. Avoid ones with coating or printed inks, as they can potentially poison your pet if she ingests them. Also, double-check cardboard boxes for tape and staples. Make sure to remove them all since they are choking hazards.
Plastic bowls and wicker baskets are popular choices as indoor digging boxes for rabbits too. If you opt to use plastic bowls, they should be robust and hard-wearing. Thin plastic containers can easily break and leave sharp edges that can injure your pet.
A wicker basket makes a good wooden rabbit digging box. It has a tough texture which helps wear down your rabbit’s teeth faster. When selecting wicker baskets, look for ones that are not slathered with varnish.
3. Go for paper.
Many pet owners ask: “What should I put in my rabbit digging box?” A rabbit digging box needs to be filled with materials that bring out your bunny’s burrowing instinct. There’s no need to spend wads of cash as you can easily find them inside your home.
Shredded paper, toilet roll tubes, and paper bags are great options. Do not use papers from magazines and newspapers since they contain ink, which has chemicals that can harm your rabbit.
Bubble wraps and foam-based materials are harmful to use as rabbit digging box fillers too. They are difficult for your bunny’s stomach to digest and may cause impaction.
4. Skip sand and soil.
Wild rabbits have a natural habit of digging in soil and sand. As much as it is encouraged to mimic rabbit burrows, sand and soil fillers are too messy for indoors.
Even if your pet rabbit regularly grooms herself, bits of soil and sand can remain on her fur. You may need to wipe her down after each digging session to remove the grime and debris completely.
For this reason, it is best to choose straw and hay instead of soil and sand as rabbit digging box fillers. They are easier to clean off the floor and your pet.
5. No rabbit litter in the digging box.
Avoid using rabbit litter materials like litter substrates or wood shavings as fillers. If you don’t, your bunny might confuse the rabbit digging box as her litter tray and makes it her second bathroom.
Moreover, most rabbit litters are unsuitable for digging. For example, litter substrates contain dust which can cause respiratory issues when inhaled. Wood shavings, on the other hand, can chafe and damage your rabbit’s feet.
Some pet owners use hay or shredded paper as rabbit litter. If this is the case for you, exclude them as fillers even if they are considered safe. Placing them on the rabbit digging box will only hinder your pet’s litter box training.
6. Hide surprise presents.
Some bunnies are not inclined to burrow in the rabbit digging box. A quick and easy solution to this dilemma is to scatter wooden chew toys, willow sticks, and delicious treats inside. Cover them with the fillers afterward so that your bunny will be enticed to dig in search of these delightful surprises.
Do rabbits need a digging box?
A rabbit digging box provides additional enrichment for bunnies, but it is not always necessary. Most rabbits are fine with having regular playing sessions. However, if your pet loves to dig frequently, consider providing her with a rabbit digging box.
In the wild, rabbits burrow under the ground to protect themselves from predators. Domesticated rabbits have this natural behaviour too. If they are not given a proper outlet, their digging instinct will become a big problem at home. They may end up chewing holes in furniture, rugs, carpets, and plants.
Preventing behavioural issues is not the only benefit of rabbit digging boxes. They keep bunnies’ teeth and claws short, lowering the risk of health issues and saving you from expensive medical bills.
How to make an outdoor digging box for rabbits
The first thing you need to do is find a soft ground for rabbit digging. Ideally, it has to be in a shady area to prevent your rabbit from overheating. Make sure to remove any rocks, as they can cause injuries or trap your pet.
Then dig a hole around 12-14 inches deep and twice as wide as your pet. This ensures that she has plenty of space to move in.
Place durable wooden boards along both sides of the digging pit to prevent it from caving in. Get another wooden board and use this as a ramp for easy and safe access to the digging pit.
Soil can be used to fill the digging pit but sift it thoroughly first to remove pointed stones and other sharp foreign objects. Keep toys and treats hidden inside the digging pit using fillers.
Your bunny will need time to get acquainted with her outdoor digging pit. So, let her explore around for an hour or so.
