Pinecone toys have a number of benefits. First and foremost being the “boredom buster”. These toys are perfect for your bunny’s enrichment. Another benefit is for dental health. And of course the price factor…$0!!!
There seems to be a great divide about the safety of pinecone toys, however wild rabbits love to chew on pinecones as a means of keeping their teeth filed down. My opinion is, if mother nature produces it, they are organic and pinecones are safe for wild bunnies, then as long as we prepare them properly, pinecone toys can be great for our domestic friends.
The Benefits of Pinecone Toys
Rabbit Enrichment
By now you know that rabbits are very smart creatures and like any pet, or child, need constant stimulation and enrichment. Providing them with a large variety of toys is necessary to keep them from becoming bored, but you don’t have to break the bank to do so. Look no further than your backyard
Pinecone toys can provide hours of entertainment for your bun. They can toss them in the air, chase them, chew on them, shred them and if you have that one super smart bunno, maybe even play fetch! You may be thinking “do I just give them a pinecone and that’s it?” Well, you could, but there are a variety of toys you can create out of pinecones.
The open scales of a pinecone make it the perfect vehicle to be a foraging toy. You can nestle herbs and flowers down inside for them as a treat. Tying rope such as hemp or jute around the stem and hanging it on their enclosure wall can make them reach stetching their body to pull on it. Mobiles made from pinecones are another great hanging toy. Creat a digging box with multiple pinecones, shredded paper and cardboard.
Dental Health
Did you know that a rabbit’s teeth grow 2 mm a week? Multiply that by 52 and “Wow”! A rabbit instinctively knows it has to chew on hard items in order to grind those continually growing teeth down. Wild rabbits seek out hard wood branches and pinecones in order to do this. That’s why suppling your rabbit with pinecone toys are practical.
Note: If your bun doesn’t continually chew and grind their teeth down, the teeth can overgrow. This can lead to your bunny not eating it’s healthy diet, developing stasis or other disorders. If the teeth become too overgrown, they will have to see the vet to have them filed down which is stressful for your bun and expensive for your wallet.
Pinecones can be a good source of fiber and nutrients if ingested which is beneficial to a rabbit. (However, they are not meant to be part of their diet, but a toy that can supplement especially if you add in healthy wholesome forage and fresh fruits and vegetables)
Cost Effective
Making your own pinecone toys is not only inexpensive, but it is fun, rewarding, and allows your creativity to flow. Plus this is an activity that you can include your whole family and children love it! Besides the pinecones themselves, I keep a variety of bunny safe craft items on hand: hemp rope, untreated jute rope, apple sticks, balsa wood blocks, plain paper and more. You only have your imagination to guide you!
The Risky Side of Pinecone Toys
I would be remiss if I didn’t inform you of the potential hazards of pinecones. This information is to help educate you so you can decide if pinecone toys are the right choice for you and your rabbit.
Safety
Pinecone toys are inexpensive, great for mental stimulation and dental health, however, it is extremely important to remember that preparing the pinecones properly is essential in keeping your bunny safe. Follow the directions below for proper preparation.
Sap
Pinecones are covered in sap. There is no definitive research on sap being harmful itself, but because it is so sticky, there are other things that can be stuck to the pinecone. Sap is a resin and that can be harsh on the digestive tract.
Bacteria
They can contain harmful bacteria or parasites which if ingested by your rabbit can upset it’s digestive system. That can lead to a whole host of issues from diarrhea to stasis. You just never know what else has been near that pinecone.
Mites
White fur mites can live inside the scales. Without proper cleaning, these mites can leap into your rabbits fur infecting them. They could develop walking dandruff (irritating their skin) which is contagious to other animals and you!
Chemicals
And of course depending where you forage your pinecones from, there is always a chance of pesticide and insecticide residue. Even if the tree is on your property and you do not treat your trees or grass, make sure your neighbors don’t as well.
Hazards
While the pinecone is not harmful as far as diet is concerned, it can become harmful in other ways. Pinecones can wear down over time. Be sure to inspect them regularly for signs of damage or small parts that may have broken off. Unfortunately the broken pieces could become a choking hazard or create a gastrointestinal blockage. I recommend learning the Heimlich Maneuver as a safety precaution…it’s good to know anyway.
Although pinecone toys are meant to be played with, we all know bunnies tend to chew and eat. Practice supervision when your bun is playing and make sure to remove them when you are not around.
DIY Pinecone Toys
Prepared pinecones can be safe for rabbits as long as they are properly cleaned and free of any potentially harmful substances.
Preparation
Foraging Pinecones:
October is the perfect time of year to forage pinecones. Heading outside after you have had a few nice days will allow you to choose the perfect pinecones. Search near healthy robust pine trees and look for somewhat dry open cones (not green closed ones). Only take pinecones from trees that have NOT been treated with chemicals, pesticides, or other contaminants. Err on the side of caution if you are unsure. Keep in mind too that fertilized grass can contaminate pinecones that have fallen on it. You can typically find safe pinecones in your untreated yard or a local state park.
Foraging Tips:
Wear disposable gloves or gardening gloves. Pine sap is very sticky and hard to remove. In fact, if you have work shoes or old sneakers, I’d advise wearing those as well. Bring some large paper bags to put your pinecones into. Try to get as much dirt, needles and leaves off the pinecones while gathering. Pro-tip: fill your bag 3/4 of the way then roll down the top. Let it sit on your deck or in your garage overnight. This will help kill off any critters that might be hiding amongst the cones.
Don’t fret if you live in a large city or an area that does not have coniferous trees, you can purchase safe pinecones relatively cheaply. These non treated colorado Just Plain Old Pinecones from All Things Bunnies are very inexpensive and no prep is required. You get 5 for $6.95!
Clean and Dry:
Before giving pinecones to your rabbit, you must clean them thoroughly. Remove any dirt, debris, or loose pine needles that didn’t fall off outside by gently brushing or shaking the pinecones you collect. Soak them in equal parts water and white vinegar for 20 minutes to a half hour. Pro-tip: Use a disposable deep foil pan to soak your cones….Sap that comes off can stick to your good bowls and is hard to remove. (I learned this the hard way!
Another cleaning and sanitizing method is to boil your pincones in water for 15-20 minutes. (I have read of people boiling in a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol, however I am not a fan of this method. Rubbing alcohol is not safe so you would have to be very prudent about getting it out of the pinecones.
Bake the cones in the oven at a low temperature (around 200-250 degrees) or a food dehydrator for several hours until dry. Baking will help kill any potential pests and remove excess moisture. An alternative drying method is to put them in the sun for 3-4 days.
Cool Down:
Allow the pinecones to cool down completely before giving any to your rabbit. You want to ensure that they are safe to handle and chew on.
Toy Ideas
Chew Toy: The most obvious thing a bunny will do is chew on a pinecone. They are known to toss them, chase them, and sometimes play fetch.
But hey, why give your bun friend a plain pinecone when you can kick it up a notch! Stuff the open scales with little bits of fresh veggies, fruits, herbs or dried flowers. Wrapping Cilantro or Parsley around and through the scales will give them something to hold on to.
Try rolling the pinecones in mashed fresh fruit like bananas or blueberries or mashed veg like canned pumpkin or steamed carrot, then roll in forage mix and dry in a dehydrator or in the oven on a low temperature.
Pinecone Mobile: Mobiles are a fun interactive way for bunnies to play with pinecones. You can use a single pincone or multiple and hang them on the side of their enclosure.
Digging Box Items: Bunnies love to dig so creating a special box will give them hours of entertainment. Add the pinecones along with shreded paper, cardboard tubes, hay and forage to a box large enough for them to sit in.
Final Thoughts
In the long run the benefits of pinecone toys far outweigh the downfalls as long as you practice proper preparation and supervision. Now is the perfect time to get out in nature, forage a whole bag of pinecones then come home and let out your inner creativity. Let me know if you come up with a new idea for some pipnecone toys!
If you are looking for other toys or necessities for your rabbit, be sure to check out the mercantile!
