Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets are intelligent, active animals, without something to chew, forage and explore they get bored, and bored pets often turn destructive (chewing the hutch, pulling fur, fighting cage-mates). A handful of well-chosen toys keeps them mentally stimulated and stops boredom in its tracks.
What kinds of toys work best?
A good mix: something to chew (wooden gnaws, willow balls), something to hide or tunnel in (corrugated tunnels, fabric snuggle tents), and something to forage with (carrot holders, treat balls). Variety matters, different toys exercise different instincts.
Are wooden chews really essential?
Yes. A rabbit or guinea pig's teeth grow continuously, and they wear them down by chewing. Safe wooden chews, willow balls and untreated nibble sticks give them something to gnaw besides their hutch and help keep their teeth at a healthy length.
What's safe, and what should I avoid?
Stick to toys made from natural, untreated wood, willow, sisal, hay or pet-safe fabric, like the brands in this range. Avoid anything with paint, varnish, small plastic parts or sharp edges, and supervise the first time you introduce a new toy to make sure your pet plays with it sensibly.
Will these toys work for guinea pigs as well as rabbits?
Most do, chews, tunnels, hides and foraging toys all suit both. Guinea pigs particularly love tunnels, snuggle hides and treat-stuffed wooden carrots; rabbits enjoy bigger chews and things they can throw around. Each product page notes which species it best suits if it's specific.
How often should I swap toys around?
Rotate them. Even the best toy gets ignored after a while, so a simple trick is to keep two or three out at a time and swap them for another set every week or two. Reintroducing an "old" toy after a break makes it interesting again.
Are the treats healthy for them?
Treats are exactly that, an occasional extra, not part of the main diet. The bulk of a rabbit or guinea pig's diet should be unlimited hay, fresh greens and a small amount of pellets. Treats from this range use natural ingredients but should still only make up a small share of what they eat.
How do I introduce a new toy?
Place it somewhere familiar, near where they already nap or feed, and let them investigate in their own time. Some pets pounce straight in; others take a day or two to warm up. A dab of their favourite food on or near it usually does the trick.
How do I clean toys, and when should I replace them?
Wooden chews and willow toys just need a dry brush-off; replace them once they're heavily gnawed, soiled or soggy. Fabric tunnels and snuggle hides can be shaken out and spot-cleaned, or washed if the care label allows. Bin anything with sharp edges or broken pieces.
Delivery and returns?
Toys and treats ship to the UK mainland with free delivery on orders over £100, and our 90-day no-quibble returns cover anything that isn't right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
Why do my small pets need toys?
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets are intelligent, active animals, without something to chew, forage and explore they get bored, and bored pets often turn destructive (chewing the hutch, pulling fur, fighting cage-mates). A handful of well-chosen toys keeps them mentally stimulated and stops boredom in its tracks.
What kinds of toys work best?
A good mix: something to chew (wooden gnaws, willow balls), something to hide or tunnel in (corrugated tunnels, fabric snuggle tents), and something to forage with (carrot holders, treat balls). Variety matters, different toys exercise different instincts.
Are wooden chews really essential?
Yes. A rabbit or guinea pig's teeth grow continuously, and they wear them down by chewing. Safe wooden chews, willow balls and untreated nibble sticks give them something to gnaw besides their hutch and help keep their teeth at a healthy length.
What's safe, and what should I avoid?
Stick to toys made from natural, untreated wood, willow, sisal, hay or pet-safe fabric, like the brands in this range. Avoid anything with paint, varnish, small plastic parts or sharp edges, and supervise the first time you introduce a new toy to make sure your pet plays with it sensibly.
Will these toys work for guinea pigs as well as rabbits?
Most do, chews, tunnels, hides and foraging toys all suit both. Guinea pigs particularly love tunnels, snuggle hides and treat-stuffed wooden carrots; rabbits enjoy bigger chews and things they can throw around. Each product page notes which species it best suits if it's specific.
How often should I swap toys around?
Rotate them. Even the best toy gets ignored after a while, so a simple trick is to keep two or three out at a time and swap them for another set every week or two. Reintroducing an "old" toy after a break makes it interesting again.
Are the treats healthy for them?
Treats are exactly that, an occasional extra, not part of the main diet. The bulk of a rabbit or guinea pig's diet should be unlimited hay, fresh greens and a small amount of pellets. Treats from this range use natural ingredients but should still only make up a small share of what they eat.
How do I introduce a new toy?
Place it somewhere familiar, near where they already nap or feed, and let them investigate in their own time. Some pets pounce straight in; others take a day or two to warm up. A dab of their favourite food on or near it usually does the trick.
How do I clean toys, and when should I replace them?
Wooden chews and willow toys just need a dry brush-off; replace them once they're heavily gnawed, soiled or soggy. Fabric tunnels and snuggle hides can be shaken out and spot-cleaned, or washed if the care label allows. Bin anything with sharp edges or broken pieces.
Delivery and returns?
Toys and treats ship to the UK mainland with free delivery on orders over £100, and our 90-day no-quibble returns cover anything that isn't right.
What People Are Saying...
Wonderful product & great company
It was such a great experience!
I was concerned that it would not be possible for me, an 82yr old lady,no good at DIY. to put it together - but it just needed a Philips screwdriver and it was easy!
They were so helpful with advice and instruction and wow - British made - wonderful - superb bird feeder and cheap!
J
J DEMIRDJIAN
Verified customer
Both the hutch and run are fantastic
We purchased the 6ft Chartwell Double Rabbit Hutch along with the 6ft Heavy Duty Rabbit Run with Burrow Portal and Tunnel for our two rabbits.
Both the hutch and run are fantastic – excellent quality, very spacious for our bunnies, and easy to clean.
Thanks again, James!
A
Adam Harris
Verified customer
Best hutches around
Best hutches and cat hideouts around I was led to believe when buying flat pack cages that they would all break in a month or so which is normally been the case.
But since using home and roost with them being A British made company everything Is a lot better quality all the panels are solid they are easy to put together but we definitely ordering more from you in the future❤️
R
Rosie Stubbs
Verified customer
Quality product, quality customer service!
We are extremely impressed with the service and products from Home & Roost. We were in urgent need of our new hutch, so upon speaking with customer service.
They arranged to send our hutch on an order separate to the rest of our ordered items, at no extra charge!.
A quality product, with quality customer service.
M
Micric
Verified customer
Thank you, Home and Roost, for making my bunnies happy.
Excellent professional service, quick, reliable. Also hutches good value for money.
I am the proud owner of 1 double 6ft chartwell block and 4 6ft single chartwell. Extremely robust and well made and so easy to put together.
A
Author's name
Verified customer
High quality item with high quality service
Initial issue with delivery date, but this was sorted quickly and professionally. The catio is well made and survived all the storms we’ve had in the recent months - it never moved.
The quality is much higher than others I’ve seen, I would definitely recommend purchasing from them. Excellent product and excellent service.
M
MsL
Verified customer
All Round Great Company
I ordered the wrong hutch (I wanted a double but ordered the 2 tier) and also without realising I ordered the wrong size vinyl flooring.
The warehouse staff anticipated I had made a mistake with the flooring size and sent the one I needed.
The after sales service was excellent with helping me get the hutch I wanted
C
Caroline Fry
Verified customer
High quality item with high quality service
Initial issue with delivery date, but this was sorted quickly and professionally. The catio is well made and survived all the storms we’ve had in the recent months - it never moved.
The quality is much higher than others I’ve seen, I would definitely recommend purchasing from them.
Excellent product and excellent service.
M
MsL
Verified customer
Couldn’t fail this company
Their website, delivery, instructions everything was beyond perfect. Note, wood is very strong so you will need a small drill. Can do by screwdriver though not recommended.
Hutch is beautiful and especially the design. Definitely using this company over pets at home from now on, wish I knew of you guys earlier!
S
St Ap
Verified customer
Great product and fantastic customer service
Brilliant to find a Made in Britain company. I can be pretty sure that the making processes will do least harm to the environment, help protect our wildlife and countryside, and support local UK businesses.
Something made in China probably fails to meet any ethical standards that we consider vital . Well done Home and Roost. I'll be back!
T
Tean Mitchell
Verified customer
Solid well-made hutch
The order process was straightforward - initially, the hutch was shown as back-ordered, but it was fulfilled and dispatched earlier than the website said.
Regular updates for the delivery - so I was able to reschedule to a convenient date.
B
Bluevalhalla
Verified customer
Excellent order and delivery service
Found exactly what I was hoping for having failed with most companies. Very easy to order and the package arrived quickly and safely. Easily assembled and is up waiting for its first Sparrow residents!
A
Amanda Harris
Verified customer
Great customer service
After finding out I had made an error on ordering, I was able to contact the company easily and the response was prompt. The problem was sorted out straight away and the product then arrived in good time. Thank you
D
Denise BUTLER
Verified customer
Don't look anywhere else you'll get everything you need here
Every internet interaction we've had with Home and Roost has been marvellous.
The website is clear, and efficient, for which we are really grateful to them. The customer service has been excellent.
A great company!
B
Boz Perry
Verified customer
Service and professionalism
Great product and keenly priced, swift dispatch, but let down by the courier, who managed to damage a key component.
A quick email exchange of some photos and Alan and his team had a replacement on its way the same day!!
I cannot fault the service and professionalism of Home & Roost.
A
Alan Hutchins
Verified customer
Returns and replacement - Super efficient
Unfortunately, the product arrived damaged, but customer service was excellent and better than expected!
They replaced and picked up the damaged one the next day!
The product is fantastic and of exceptional quality. Thankyou
A
Amy P
Verified customer
The best hutch company!
This is the best company I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.
We have had multiple hutches from them, and they are really efficient and quick with dispatch.
We have also been given so much help and support from James he is always really friendly and more than happy to help.
I would highly recommend this company!!
A
Ali Watt
Verified customer
Great quality! Great customer service!
Having studied the best hutches on the market we decided to purchase the 6ft Chartwell hutch. Very well made, quality materials, lots of space for both of them and our bunnies seem very settled and safe…
All the products we have purchased are good quality and built to last.. These are built to be good for years to come!