Are you looking for the best hideout toy to provide your rabbit with a place to shelter and keep them from getting bored?
We have reviewed the most popular types of grassy wood or plastic hideouts, pop-up tents, tunnels, and cardboard castles, detailing their pros and cons.
We tested these toys with our rabbits to share their reactions and rated them based on value for money, mess, and noise nuisance.
In this guide, we explain how these toys can help control unwanted behaviors like hiding under your bed or couch, and how the shelter provided can help keep your rabbit healthy and happy.
Don't waste money on a toy that might be ignored; check out our shortlist of hideouts we believe your rabbit will love, so you can choose the right one.
Fun:
Value for money:
Mess: No mess!
Noise:
Activity tunnel toys are excellent for exercising your rabbit’s instinctive burrowing behavior, and they can be easily stored when not in use.
Find out more
Fun: Irrisistable!
Value for money: A bit pricy
Mess: No mess!
Noise:
This is a brilliant toy that will bring a new dimension to your rabbit's living space. Best of all, it can be easily packed away when not in use.
Find out more
Fun: Enjoyable
Value for money: Affordable
Mess: Very tidy
Noise:
These toys are a fantastic way for your rabbit to explore safe areas. They are essential for bunnies that tend to hide under furniture.
Find out more
These large toys can easily be set up to enrich the areas where your rabbit plays. They can then be neatly folded away when not in use.
They are made from tough fabric stretched over a wire spring. This makes them much less messy than cardboard, wicker, or grassy tubes, which tend to spread debris.
The material is not absorbent and can be wiped clean if your rabbit makes any mess.
Collapsible tunnel rabbit toys often have a hole in the middle for your rabbit to peep out of and are great for hiding a few treats.
Your rabbit will enjoy playing inside this toy, sitting alongside it, and jumping over it. It’s also great for breaking up large open spaces to offer your rabbits shelter.
Always ensure that you select a collapsible tunnel designed for rabbits. Some cat tunnel toys are sold alongside these, but they may not be suitable for rabbits. Cat tunnels often come with pom-poms at the entrance that could be chewed off and eaten.
We were initially worried that our bunnies might chew through the cloth and expose the metal wire inside. Fortunately, they didn’t show any interest in chewing it.
This toy does take up quite a bit of space, which is one reason our bunnies enjoy it. However, it is easy to step over, and when we accidentally stepped on it, it seemed to spring back well
We eventually replaced this tunnel with a three-way tunnel warren system. The three interconnecting tubes helped keep it stable when our bunnies played, and it still packs away easily.
Rabbits love to explore in narrow spaces, such as behind your couch, which can lead to damage that goes unnoticed.
These tight spaces can also be dangerous, as a couch might shift and crush your rabbit. Worse, your pet might chew its way inside, creating a rescue nightmare.
Providing your rabbits with safe spaces to play is crucial for keeping them out of harm’s way and tunnel toys are ideal for this.
Activity tunnel toys are excellent for exercising your rabbit’s instinctive burrowing behavior, and they can be easily stored when not in use.
Fun:
Value for money:
Mess: No mess!
Noise:
If you want to treat your rabbit to something special, consider a tent and tunnel system. This fantastic toy lets you combine various tunnels, interconnecting sections, and tents to build a complete warren for your rabbit to play in.
These systems are made from tough fabric stretched over wire springs, which is also nonabsorbent, making it easy to clean.
They do take up a lot of space, but can be folded away when not needed.
It's also worth checking that the toy you are looking for is a tent and tunnel system design for rabbits. They are sold alongside cat toys that may be unsuitable. These cat toys often have a pompom at the entrance that may be unsafe if chewed.
This toy will appeal to a rabbit who likes to investigate spaces and can turn an otherwise boring room into somewhere they can explore.
This toy has been fantastic for keeping our bunnies entertained. Each time we set it up differently, our rabbit finds the urge to explore irresistible especially when treats are involved.
While it takes up some space, it’s easy to step over, and the novelty keeps it much more exciting compared to regular activity tunnels. It was a lot less messy than other constructions made from cardboard boxes and chew tubes.
A bored rabbit can become a destructive rabbit, and this toy serves as an excellent boredom buster, keeping your rabbits engaged and out of trouble.
It also helps entice rabbits that like to hide under your couch or bed, which can be unsafe environments for play.
This is a brilliant toy that will bring a new dimension to your rabbit's living space. Best of all, it can be easily packed away when not in use.
Fun: Irrisistable!
Value for money: A bit pricy
Mess: No mess!
Noise:
A wooden rabbit hideout can serve as a simple, durable shelter. They are tough enough to keep out in a room or enclosure to offer shelter.
They are typically constructed from birch plywood and come either pre-assembled or in a flat-pack format.
If you are placing them on carpet it's best to find one with a base to avoid chewing damage and staining.
Always ensure it's large enough for your rabbit to move about inside comfortably. And if it is in an enclosure, check that it still leaves enough room for your rabbit to stretch out.
We have tried several rabbit hideouts, and the best one for us has been the more natural wooden kind.
Since we have a solid floor, we prefer the models without a base, which allows us to keep them clean.
We also tried a grass-covered hideout, but it didn’t seem that much more fun to our rabbits and created a lot of mess. We got rid of this eventually in favor of a simple wooden one.
Bunnies need places to find shelter, and providing a suitable hideout is essential. It is the best way to keep them from getting under your bed or couch, where they can cause damage.
A permanent hideout can help them feel more relaxed and discourage them from hiding under furniture, where their activities can go unnoticed.
These toys are a fantastic way for your rabbit to explore safe areas. They are essential for bunnies that tend to hide under furniture.
Fun: Enjoyable
Value for money: Affordable
Mess: Very tidy
Noise:
The Wooden Rabbit Bridge is a versatile wooden toy that can be used as a hideout or a chew toy. Is can also be very handy for bunny proofing around the home.
It consists of thick wooden sticks joined together that can be bent into various shapes.
You can create an arch for your rabbit to hide in or, as the name suggests, form a bridge. However, it is flexible, and larger rabbits may bend it out of shape.
The soft wooden bark is chewable, and your rabbit will enjoy nibbling at this. Below the bark is tough wood, making this toy durable enough to serve as a permanent shelter.
Wooden Bridge or Ladder rabbit toys come in different sizes, so opt for a larger one if you want it to function as a hideout. We recommend choosing a natural-looking Wooden Bridge or Ladder with bark rather than the more colorful, stained varieties.
We have several of these Wooden Rabbit Bridges and have found many uses for them as toys and for bunny proofing our home.
One clever way to set them up is by bending them into a semicircle and placing them on their side. Our rabbit enjoys tucking his rear inside for a snooze.
We also discovered that we could use them as foraging toys by scattering treats over the surface, which would fall into the ridges. Our bunnies loved fishing them out, making the treats last much longer.
Sometimes the simplest way to bunny proof your home is to protect it from chewing damage by blocking access, and this toy is perfect for that purpose.
It is heavy enough to remain in place while being flexible enough to fit against areas that need protection.
You can use the Wooden Rabbit Bridge to wrap around a table or chair legs. That can also be used to lean it against baseboards or furniture to keep them out of reach.
It can be bent around furniture corners to safeguard soft wooden edges or laid on carpets to prevent your rabbit from tugging it up.
This toy is sturdy enough to leave out and can be easily stored away when not needed.
Wooden Rabbit Bridges make a solid shelter and chew toy. It is also handy for bunny proofing, like wrapping around furniture legs or protecting baseboards.
Fun: Enjoyable
Value for money: Affordable
Mess: No mess!
Noise: Silent
Most pet stores stock cardboard chew tubes because they offer excellent value for money, combining a tunnel toy, shelter, and chew toy all in one.
These colorful tubes are made from thick cellulose board, which is safe for your rabbit to chew.
Rabbits quickly discover they can strip the layers of papery material off, providing endless entertainment.
Chew tubes come in various sizes, so make sure you choose one big enough for your rabbit to hop through comfortably, especially if they are a larger breed.
You can leave them out as an activity toy for your rabbit to jump through. They also make great hideouts for your rabbit to relax in when they want some shelter.
Since they tend to roll around it's best to push them against a wall or wedge something next to them for stability.
We got one of these when we set up a room for some baby bunnies, and it became an instant hit.
Hopping through it quickly became part of their routine, which they loved. Although the chew tube does create a bit of shredded paper mess, it’s easy to tidy up.
As our rabbits grow older, they discard the tube as a tunnel toy and use it primarily as a giant chew toy, which they enjoy.
We also tried alternatives like alfalfa-coated tubes, thinking they would be more entertaining.
However, they didn't attract any more attention than the basic cardboard ones and created a lot more mess that quickly spread around the room.
A common issue with bunnies is chewing on wallpaper. They can't resist getting their teeth under the paper and tugging it off in strips.
While it's difficult to completely prevent this habit without fencing off your walls, providing your rabbit with fun and acceptable alternatives can help.
Cardboard chew toys are ideal as they are made from multiple layers of papery material.
The cardboard chew tube serves as a simple hideout and a chew toy. Your rabbit will love sheltering in it as well as shredding the layers of paper off.
Fun:
Value for money:
Mess:
Noise: Silent
Snuggle Tunnel combines a pet bed and a small tunnel, providing your rabbit with a comfortable place to relax that makes them feel safe.
They feature soft padded sides and a base, keeping your rabbit warm and insulated from cold floors.
They are more stable than cloth and wire activity tunnels which can spring about a bit if your rabbit crashes into them.
These toys are generally on the small side making them better suited for smaller breeds.
They are machine washable, which is helpful as they can get messy over time.
We have hard floors in our home, so we purchased one of these to provide comfort for our rabbits.
Our rabbits enjoyed sitting in it, often half in and half out, which seemed to suit them somehow.
It's natural for rabbits to seek safe places to relax.
Unfortunately, many narrow spaces, such as under or behind your couch may have rough, unfinished surfaces or exposed materials that can be dangerous.
Staples and nails that poke out can cause harm, plastic covers can contain long strands of synthetic material that would cause harm if eaten.
This is why it is essential to provide your rabbit with plenty of safe and acceptable shelter options is important.
The Snuggle Tunnel is a perfect toy for playing in and laying on. It offers comfort, especially in areas with hard floors.
Fun: Enjoyable
Value for money: A bit pricy
Mess: Easy to clean
Noise:
These appealing hideouts are not only fun for your rabbit to play in, but the soft twigs are also great for chewing. This top is a guaranteed favorite.
They come in various materials such as wicker and willow, and you can choose between a full-tube or a half-tube shape. We recommend the half tube because it is much more stable.
Consider getting the largest size available, as this will provide more comfort if your rabbit wants to use it as a shelter.
Ensure you buy a Woven twig tunnel rabbit toy specifically for bunnies or other small animals. Home decorations are unsuitable as they cam be treated with varnish or flame-resistant chemicals.
This toy was a special treat since it was relatively expensive. Our bunnies loved it, so much so that we had to put it away and bring it out only when we could supervise them. Otherwise, they would have attempted to chew through it in one go!
It did create quite a mess when it eventually fell apart, so that was a bit disappointing.
Chewing toys can act as a distraction to help prevent your rabbit from chewing on furniture, baseboards, and wallpaper.
This toy is ideal because not only does it offer a tempting source of fiber, but it also provides a shelter to relax in. It will help satisfy their instinctive need to customize their environment through chewing.
This is a fun toy to chew and play inside, however, they can be expensive. If your rabbit loves chewing on them, don’t expect it to last very long.
Fun: Very exciting
Value for money:
Mess:
Noise:
Folding plastic tunnel rabbit toys are made from tough corrugated plastic that is easy to clean. They make ideal hideouts to enrich your rabbit's indoor and outdoor play areas.
These colorful, rigid tunnels can be stretched and bent into interesting shapes for your rabbit to explore. When not needed, they can be collapsed neatly and packed away.
You can leave folding plastic tunnel rabbit toys out permanently in your rabbit enclosure. The rigid plastic is more resistant to chewing damage compared to cloth or cardboard tunnel toys.
Additionally, they make great outdoor toys because the plastic material does not absorb moisture; if they get dirty, they can be easily washed.
Folding plastic tunnel rabbit toys vary in size, often marketed for smaller pets like hamsters. Always check the sizes and choose a larger foldable plastic tunnel that is suitable for rabbits.
We have found these toys are a good way of providing shelter in our rabbits' enclosure. They come into their own before our rabbits were fully litter trained, as they are easy to keep clean.
We can simply scrub away messes from stray droppings that tend to stick to everything at this stage.
We found these Folding plastic tunnel rabbit toys to be much more stable than regular cardboard chew tubes. They can be bent into shapes like L or S, preventing them from rolling around when our bunnies crash into or run through them.
However, the only downside is that they can be a bit noisy. The rigid corrugated plastic tends to amplify the sound of scratching paws, which can scare the bunnies when the tunnels are stretched out. To avoid this, we would typically stretch them in another room.
A great trick we discovered was that they were ideal for making cardboard box hideouts more fun by inserting them in a hole cut in the side.
Plastic tunnel toys like these are ideal for outdoor areas. They can be left out to provide shelter, helping to distract your rabbit from its instinct to burrow.
They are perfect for enriching your rabbit’s pen when they are being litter trained. This process can be messy and these toys can be easily scrubbed clean.
A hard wearing tunnel toy that is wipe clean and ideal for use outside. Your rabbit will love exploring the different shapes it can bent into.
Fun: Enjoyable
Value for money: Great value
Mess: No mess!
Noise: Annoying
Grass chew toys are a favorite for rabbits, and this one is big enough for your rabbit to sit inside. Grass hideouts are designed in a box shape, making them much more stable than grassy tunnels.
They are made from natural edible grass, such as sea grass, and feature an entrance at one end. While the entrances may be small for larger rabbits, customizing the entrance, floor, and walls can provide plenty of fun.
These hideouts tend to be on the small side as they are also suitable for gerbils and other small critters. Be sure to check the measurements and select one appropriate for your rabbit’s breed.
Our rabbit was not particularly interested in going inside this toy, however, it quickly became a favorite giant chew toy.
We prefer using a large cardboard box as a hideout, which is big enough for our rabbit to lie down and turn around comfortably.
Despite our rabbit's lack of interest in entering, the Grass house rabbit toy became a go-to toy, and our rabbit would often lie next to it.
As with most grassy rabbit toys, it created some mess that spread out, and once it started to break down, it fell apart pretty quickly.
This toy combines chewing and exploring sheltered spaces, making it ideal for those who struggle to keep their rabbits from getting under the couch or bed.
It’s often sensible to block off these spaces, which can make your rabbit's environment a little boring.
A toy like this can satisfy your rabbit's need to explore and seek out new food sources. This can help ensure they stay healthy, happy, and out of harm’s way.
Rabbits love grass chew toys, and this one is big enough for smaller breeds to use as a hideout, making it perfect!
Fun: Very exciting
Value for money: A bit pricy
Mess: Compleat destuction
Noise:
If you’re building an enclosure for your rabbit, a wooden rabbit castle can serve as an attractive and durable shelter.
These sturdy hideout toys are strong enough for your rabbits to jump on and can be left as a permanent feature in their enclosure.
Typically constructed from birch plywood, these castles come either pre-assembled or in a flat-pack format.
They are available in various shapes and sizes, and some models feature interconnecting platforms that allow your rabbit to explore.
When installing a wooden castle in an enclosure, ensure that your rabbits have enough space to hop around and stretch out.
We have larger breeds of rabbits, and while these toys sometimes seem to serve more as large chew toys, our bunnies enjoy them.
We prefer using large cardboard boxes, which allow our bunnies to move and stretch more freely.
Although the wooden castles look better than a chewed-up cardboard box, it appears that our bunnies prefer the latter.
If your rabbit tends to pull up carpet or chew on baseboards, a wooden castle can help.
Positioning it against the areas being damaged can redirect your rabbit’s chewing behavior to the toy, protecting your home and providing an acceptable alternative.
While the castle will take the brunt of the damage over time, it is replaceable and can save you from costly repairs.
The wooden rabbit castle is an attractive and durable shelter that enhances the fun of your rabbit’s enclosure.
Fun:
Value for money:
Mess: No mess!
Noise:
We understand how important it is to give your rabbit a variety of hideout toys to explore and relax in.
Rabbits naturally seek out places to shelter and prefer spending time in areas that feel safe and secure.
Providing your rabbit with several hideout toys can help them feel more relaxed and can serve as a safer alternative to less suitable hiding spots. For instance, under your bed or couch.
We created this review to help you navigate the wide range of hideaway toys available.
They come in various materials, shapes, and sizes, each with its own merits.
Wooden shelters can be safely jumped on and also serve as chew toys.
Small tents can be easily popped up and packed away for space-saving convenience.
Some systems even allow you to connect tunnels and tents to create a warren!
In this guide, we review popular types of hideaway toys and discuss their pros and cons. We focus on how they benefit your rabbit's health and happiness.
Our reviews prioritize the well-being of your bunny. We understand that providing toys that satisfy your rabbit's natural instincts for shelter is essential for encouraging them to relax and feel safe.
We closely analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each toy type to help you make an informed choice.
We consider safety factors, including how well they hold up to rambunctious rabbits that may jump in and out of them or chew on them. We avoid reviewing toys that are glued together or made from harmful materials.
This guide also explains how each shelter type can help bunny-proof your home.
It's natural for rabbits to seek out places to explore and rest. However, many tight spots, such as under couches or behind furniture, can have rough surfaces or exposed materials that may pose risks.
Staples, nails, or plastic covers with long synthetic strands can be harmful if ingested. Damage can accumulate in these areas, often unseen until expensive repairs are needed.
We aim to match your bunny proofing challenges with the appropriate toys, ensuring you provide safe and acceptable alternatives that meet your rabbit's instinctual needs.
Our goal is to help you avoid costly home repairs and keep your rabbit out of the veterinary clinic.
We have tested all of these toys with our rabbits here at Bunnyproof HQ, where we have cared for house rabbits for over 20 years.
We share their reactions in our guides and provide insight into how each toy performed over time.
Recognizing that every rabbit is unique, we have also gathered input from our bunny-proofing Facebook group, which has over 50,000 members.
This feedback has been invaluable in identifying favorite toys and potential issues.
To help you compare each chew toy, we rated them based on four criteria, value for money, fun, mess, and noise nuisance.
Value for Money - How the cost of a toy compares to its longevity.
Fun - How interesting the toy is and how quickly it loses appeal.
Mess - The amount of mess created and space it takes up.
Noise - The potential nuisance from the toy, especially if left out at night
We created these reviews of rabbit tunnel toys to enhance the well-being of rabbits.
Our organization operates independently, with no affiliations to other companies or organizations.
Each selection is based on our experiences and feedback from the 50,000 members of our bunny-proofing Facebook group.
Yes, it is essential for your rabbit's well-being to have places where they can explore and rest. Providing a hideout toy encourages rabbits to spend less time in unsuitable areas, like under the couch or bed.
Rabbits dislike being cornered or trapped, so the best hideout toys are those that offer ample space to turn around and feature multiple exits. Additionally, rabbits enjoy jumping on top of their hideout toys, so ensure that any toy you choose is sturdy.
Wooden hideout toys are sturdy and safe for jumping. Willow and grassy shelters promote fiber intake, while cardboard boxes can serve as free hideouts that allow rabbits to customize their environment.
Yes, rabbits require shelter to feel safe and relax. Hideout toys provide this necessary comfort in their pen. Ensure there is enough space for both the hideout toy and your rabbit to hop around and stretch out.
No, you should avoid giving cat toys to rabbits. Many cat hideout toys contain synthetic materials, such as crinkle cloths or string, which could harm your rabbit if ingested. Only use toys specifically designed for rabbits.
No, dog toys are also unsuitable for rabbits. They often contain synthetic materials that could be harmful if eaten. Always opt for hideout toys that are designed for rabbits.
Place the hideout in a quiet area, away from busy corridors, and in a room that is not too hot, cold, or drafty. Since rabbits have sensitive hearing, avoid placing their hideout next to TVs, speakers, or other noisy appliances.
A rabbit hideout should be spacious enough for your rabbit to turn around comfortably, with an entrance wide enough for easy access. Larger shelters are preferable, as they allow your rabbit to jump safely on and off.
Yes, bunnies like having a place to shelter and rest. If your bunny's enclosure has enough room for a shelter and space to hop around, a hideout will serve as a safe haven for them.
Absolutely! Rabbits enjoy exploring and resting in hideouts, which provide them with a sense of security. This also prevents them from playing in unsuitable places, such as under furniture.
A cardboard box is an excellent start for a rabbit hideout. Add an entrance and an exit, and your rabbit will quickly learn to customize it further. Use a clean box without heavy ink markings, and be sure to remove any tape or staples.
Rabbits prefer to sleep in sheltered areas where they feel safe and can observe their surroundings. They enjoy hiding in toys that offer multiple escape routes and are positioned away from noisy or busy areas.
No, you should not allow your rabbit to eat their hideout toy extensively. Consuming non-digestible materials can lead to health issues. If you notice your rabbit eating their hideout toy, it is important to remove it immediately.
You should not let your rabbit eat too much of their hideout toy, Eating too much non digestive material can cause them to be unwell. If you do discover your rabbit is eating its hide out toy you need to remove it.