What is a rabbit digging box? Do rabbits need a dig box? What happens if you don’t have one for your rabbit?
Rabbits are known for two things: breeding and burrowing. Digging is a natural instinct in all rabbits, whether in the wild or your home. The only difference is that domestic rabbits don’t get the same opportunities to exercise that habit.
But not being able to dig and chew does not mean the instinct will ever go away. Keep reading to learn more about dig boxes and how to make a DIY dig box for your rabbit!
What Is a Dig Box?
A rabbit digging box or dig box is a great enrichment tool to help your rabbit exercise his natural habit to dig and chew things up. It is a simple box full of shredded paper or other types of substrate, but don’t let looks deceive you. This one simple tool can save you tons of stress and money, and it’s a no-fail way to make your rabbit happy.
Why Your Rabbit Needs a Dig Box
Rabbits are natural burrowers, meaning they love to chew and dig things. In the wild, this would be for housing and safety purposes. They live, breed, and nest in these burrows. And, if you have a colony near you, you may have even seen this network of holes and tunnels.
Even in domestic rabbits, this urge to dig and chew runs strong. This instinct dulls when your rabbit’s fixed, but it never really goes away.
When a rabbit doesn’t have a designated space to exercise this instinct, he will most likely try to exercise it somewhere, like his litter box, bedding, or even your floors. This can become extremely stressful (and expensive if it’s so bad you’re replacing things).
Before I discovered dig boxes for rabbits, my rabbit would dig in his enclosure, and I always came home to a mess. And I also couldn’t trust him around expensive or nice things, so I held off on replacing my flooring for years. But, once I gave him his own place to dig, I only had to correct him twice before he got the hint, and we haven’t had an incident since.
But aside from the stress and mess, giving your rabbit a way to exercise a core instinct in a non-destructive way is extremely important. If your rabbit doesn’t respond by chewing and digging the house, suppressing this instinct may result in your rabbit becoming stressed or depressed.
Benefits of Giving Your Rabbit a Digging Box
Here are the main benefits of giving your rabbit a digging box.
Prevents Household Destruction
Again, having a digging box gives your rabbits a way to dig and chew without destroying your house and making a huge mess.
A Safe Place to Dig & Chew
Not only can the burrowing instinct be harmful to your household items, but it can actually be very dangerous for your rabbit, depending on what he gets into. And rabbits don’t often like digging in the wide open, so the box can also provide a sense of security.
More Exercise & Enrichment
Giving your rabbit another enrichment option will help him stay fit and active. So, if your rabbit needs a little more “get up and go,” a digging box is a great motivator.
An Overall Happier, Healthier Rabbit
Giving your rabbit this fun way to exercise a strong urge without wreaking havoc is good for keeping him active and physically healthy. But it’s also beneficial to his mental health because it prevents your rabbit from becoming stressed or depressed.
How Big Should a Rabbit’s Digging Box Be?
A rabbit’s digging box can be as big as you’d like it to be and what you’ve got space for, but the recommended minimum size is the size of a cat’s litter box.
Of course, this is completely dependent on your rabbit’s size. The rule of thumb here is for your rabbit to have enough space to move around and actually be able to dig without making a huge mess.
What is the Best Kind of Box for a DIY Rabbit Dig Box?
A large cardboard box or cat’s litter box is the best type of box to start with. If your rabbit is cramped or needs more room, size up to a cat carrier.
You can also get creative and use a large woven basket. Another option is a spacious plastic tote, but you’ll need to cut a hole so your rabbit can get inside and sand down the edges. Keep the top open to allow the air to circulate.
My rabbit Chillé loves the cat carrier because it’s already like a burrow, so I made a low bar to slightly close it in and filled it with crumpled paper and some hay to entice him. He absolutely loves it since there’s more room and privacy than the cat litter box option.
What Do You Put in a Rabbit’s Digging Box?
You’d think that sand and dirt would be what a rabbit really wants to dig, and you may be right, but dirt and sand can be extremely messy. Even if it never comes out of the digging box, your rabbit will track it all over your house. I learned that the hard way.
Here are some other rabbit digging box materials to use instead:
- Shredded or crumpled paper or newspaper
- Chunks of cardboard
- Toilet paper rolls
- Rabbit bedding
- Aspen shavings
- Hay
How to Set Up a DIY Rabbit Dig Box
The first thing you need to do is make the rabbit digging box, which you simply do by placing the materials in the box.
If you decide to use a cardboard box, remember to cut one side to ensure it can hold all the materials while allowing your rabbit to easily hop in and out.
Place your rabbit’s digging box in an area where you have observed him digging or chewing the ground before. If you haven’t noticed any specific area, place it near his station or enclosure. You can also sprinkle some treats inside to encourage him to use it.
What to Do if Your Rabbit Isn’t Using the DIY Dig Box
If your rabbit isn’t using the dig box, it may be because he doesn’t like its placement. Rabbits can be quite particular about their environment, as you may have experienced during litter box training. Sometimes, keeping all of your rabbit’s belongings together can be overwhelming.
If this is the case, try relocating the dig box away from your rabbit’s usual spots or other toys. Additionally, if your rabbit doesn’t seem to enjoy the digging material, try different options until you find one he likes.
Lastly, if your rabbit seems unsure about how to use the dig box, tempt him with treats to encourage exploration. Once he gets the hang of it, he will likely enjoy it. Trust me!
Conclusion
A rabbit’s dig box is a valuable tool for enrichment. DIY rabbit dig boxes are easy to create and cost-effective, providing a way for your rabbit to express natural behaviors that promote both physical and mental well-being. Not to mention, it saves you time and stress. Who wouldn’t appreciate that?