If you have a pet rabbit, you might be wondering if you can provide them with some cat furniture, such as cat trees, cat towers, or cat condos. After all, these structures seem to offer a lot of benefits for cats, such as scratching posts, perches, hammocks, and toys. But are they suitable for rabbits too?
Should you get cat trees for pet rabbits?
Let’s explore the pros and cons of using cat trees for pet rabbits. We’ll give you some tips on how to choose the best ones for your furry friend. We’ll also give you some recommendations to help you start your shopping process should you choose to try one with your bunny.
Understanding cat trees, cat towers, and cat condos
Cat trees, cat towers, and cat condos are terms that are often used interchangeably. They describe multi-level structures that are designed for cats to climb, play, rest, and scratch on. They are usually made of wood or cardboard covered with carpet or sisal rope. These structures have various features such as platforms, tunnels, caves, baskets, ladders, ropes, balls, and bells.
Reasons to use cat trees for pet rabbits
Cat trees for pet rabbits can provide some benefits. Such benefits include:
- Enrichment: Rabbits are curious and active animals that need mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and depression. Cat trees can offer them opportunities to explore, climb, jump, hide, and play with different textures and toys.
- Exercise: Rabbits need regular exercise to maintain their health and well-being. Cat trees can help them burn calories and strengthen their muscles and bones by encouraging them to move around and use different levels.
- Security: Rabbits are prey animals that may feel vulnerable in open spaces. Cat trees can give them a sense of safety and comfort by providing them with elevated perches and cozy hideouts where they can observe their surroundings or retreat from stress.
- Territory: Rabbits are territorial animals that like to mark their own space. Cat trees can allow them to express their natural behaviors by rubbing their chin glands or scratching their nails on the surfaces.
Potential drawbacks of using cat trees for pet rabbits
Cat trees for pet rabbits are not without risks or challenges. Some of the possible drawbacks are:
- Injury: Rabbits are not as agile or graceful as cats when it comes to climbing or jumping. They may fall off or get stuck in the cat tree if it is too high, unstable, slippery, or has gaps or sharp edges. They may also hurt themselves by chewing or ingesting parts of the cat tree that are not safe or digestible for them, such as nails, glue, or staples.
- Damage: Rabbits are notorious chewers that can destroy anything in their reach. They may damage the cat tree by gnawing on the wood or cardboard base, the carpet or sisal covering, or the toys or accessories attached to it.
- Cost: Cat trees can be expensive to buy or replace if they get damaged by your rabbit. They may also take up a lot of space in your home and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
How to choose the best cat trees for pet rabbits?
If you decide to use cat trees for pet rabbits, you need to consider some factors to ensure that they are safe and suitable for your bunny. Here are some tips on how to choose the best cat trees for pet rabbits:
- Size: The cat tree should be large enough to accommodate your rabbit’s size and weight. It should also fit in your available space and not block any windows or doors. Avoid cat trees that are too tall or narrow for your rabbit to climb up or down safely and comfortably.
- Stability: The cat tree should be sturdy and stable enough to support your rabbit’s movements without wobbling or tipping over. It should have a wide and heavy base that prevents it from falling over. You can also secure it to the wall or floor with brackets or screws for extra stability.
- Material: The cat tree should be made of materials that are safe and durable for your rabbit. Avoid cat trees that have metal parts, such as nails, glue, staples, or wires, that your rabbit can chew on or swallow. Choose cat trees that have natural or synthetic fibers, such as carpet or sisal, that are soft and gentle on your rabbit’s paws and teeth. You can also cover the cat tree with fleece or cotton fabric to make it more comfortable and cozy for your rabbit.
- Features: The cat tree should have features that are appealing and beneficial for your rabbit. Look for cat trees that have multiple levels, platforms, tunnels, or caves. Baskets, ladders, ropes, and balls are additional features that can stimulate your rabbit’s curiosity and activity. Make sure that the features are spacious, accessible, and secure for your rabbit to use. Avoid cat trees that have features that are too small, high, or tight for your rabbit to fit in or get out of.
- Scratching Posts: The cat tree should have enough scratching posts for your rabbit to sharpen their nails and mark their territory. Scratching posts can be made of wood or cardboard covered with carpet or sisal rope. Make sure that the scratching posts are thick and sturdy enough to withstand your rabbit’s chewing and scratching.
Cat Trees For Pet Rabbits: Our Recommendations
So, you’ve decided to give a cat tree a try. Here are some we would recommend you consider, as well as our reasons for liking them. Remember to not only consider our thoughts but also your bunny’s age and abilities while making your choice.
OTLIVE 30” Large Cat Tree
We appreciate this choice for its size, overall simplicity, and amount of things for your rabbit to enjoy. With a tunnel to navigate and two rooms for hiding, there is plenty to engage your bunny’s exploration instinct. As well, the top of the platform is a great place for a nap. Its one drawback may be its height, which is about 34 inches. That’s not out of range for what a bunny can handle, but if you have concerns over your rabbit’s agility then maybe consider something shorter.
Pesofer Cat Tree
We like this small cat tower for being simple yet still engaging. At just over 25 inches high, it’s not too tall for your bunny, and he or she should be able to easily navigate the jumps between platforms. The toy ball as well as the enclosed room at the bottom will allow for plenty of play and exploration.
Girwor Cat Tree With Sisal-Covered Scratching Post
We adore this wonderful cat tower for its accessibility. At a height of just under 20 inches, virtually any rabbit should be able to jump and enjoy! The room at the bottom, the toy ball, and the scratching post should all be engaging for your bunny.
BYPASS Modern Cat Tower with Sisal Scratching Posts
This creatively constructed cat tower really has a lot to offer for bunny engagement. We like how the room is raised from the ground. Not only does your bunny get to climb the ramp to get into it, but they’ll get to explore under the room as well! With a platform to jump on, posts for scratching, and a top bed for napping, this one has a lot of ways to keep bunny busy for a long time. At around 24 inches tall it’s also very accessible.
Conclusion
Cat trees for pet rabbits can be a good idea if you want to provide your bunny with some enrichment, exercise, security, and territory. However, they can also pose some risks or challenges for your rabbit’s safety and health. Therefore, you need to choose the best cat trees for pet rabbits that are safe and suitable for your furry friend. You also need to supervise your rabbit when they use the cat tree and check it regularly for any signs of damage or wear. By doing so, you can ensure that your rabbit enjoys the cat tree without any problems.
