By now you know that your pet rabbit loves to have fun and engage in stimulating activities. Even though they are quiet creatures, they are highly intelligent. They are also inquisitive and love trying new stuff! You may have wondered “Do rabbits like to watch TV?” and whether you can add this to your list of fun rabbit pastimes.
Do rabbits like to watch TV?
Yes, rabbits find television quite stimulating. They are intrigued by the colours and the movement of the characters on screen. They also use TV time to snuggle up and spend time with you. You can use the time to pet your rabbit and really enjoy each other’s company. Your bunny will see your TV watching time as you lavishing your attention on her.
You may wonder if your pet rabbit is understanding what they are watching on the TV, the answer is they are being stimulated by the sights and sounds, but they certainly are not understanding language and plot twists. They will watch with rapt attention and may seem to go in a trance-like state.
What colours to rabbits see?
Rabbits do see in colour. They see most colours, but they are red-green colour blind. This does not seem to affect their ability to enjoy a good show. While your rabbit’s vision is not as good as yours, they see pretty well. They have both monocular (seeing out of one eye) and binocular (both eyes) vision. They also see better in poor lighting. As such, we recommend that you dim the lights when you and your rabbit are watching TV, you may enhance her TV watching experience.
Do all rabbits like to watch TV?
Like us, rabbits have preferences, some rabbits are not fond of TV. If your bunny has a tendency to be nervous, she may be suspicious of the TV. She simply might just see it as a device that flashes lights and makes loud noises. It may start out as being a source of anxiety and fear for your rabbit.
If your rabbit turns his back to the TV, that is a clear indication that he is not a TV fan. He may also lower his ears.
If you really want to watch TV with your rabbit you can try this useful technique:
- Step 1 – Take your rabbit out of his hutch and give him his evening meal.
- Step 2 – Engage him in a little playtime on the ground. You can offer his favourite toys. The goal here is to get your rabbit to his happy place.
- Step 3 – Let your rabbit sit in your lap and get comfortable.
- Step 4 – Wait for your rabbit to start purring that means he is happy and relaxed.
- Step 5 – Turn on the TV, but on a low volume.
- Step 6 – Keep petting your bunny to keep him relaxed.
You should be patient with your bunny. Introduce TV watching gradually and if your rabbit does not seem to like it at first. Don’t push. The process may take some time. Eventually, your rabbit may become less suspicious of the TV and both of you can start enjoying shows together.
Can TV scare my rabbit?
Yes, it can. Firstly, your rabbit may not understand that these are static images. They may think that people or animals can actually come towards them. Remember, a TV may confuse your rabbit. It is a device that may be pretty hard to comprehend. As such it can be scary. So, choose your content wisely. If you are watching an animal show or wildlife show and there is a lot of predator chasing prey type scenarios. Your pet rabbit may become afraid. Remember, rabbits are prey animals as such anything that could be perceived as a threat will be unnerving. Remember a rabbit may still not understand that the images on the screen can’t leave that medium.
Loud sounds are also very scary for rabbits. So, movies with a lot of loud bangs, explosions, and gunfire may not be the right show choice for your bunny.
Additionally, if you have a surround sound system that gives you the sense that sounds are coming from all around the room, you may want to turn it off when you are spending time with your rabbit.
You should seek at all times to keep your rabbit calm since fright can have an adverse effect on your bunny’s health. In fact, rabbits have been known to die from fright. Your rabbit’s wellbeing should always be paramount.
What type of TV shows will my rabbit enjoy?
Rabbits have varying viewing tastes.
Here is a list of some of the genres that may be safe and enjoyable for rabbits.
- Cartoons – Rabbits love cartoons. Cartoons are colourful and lively. There are many moving characters that will hold your rabbit’s attention.
- Music Videos – Videos are usually very colourful and stimulating to rabbits.
- Sports – You may see your rabbit’s ears perk up if you are watching a football match or a basketball game. They like the movement of the players moving up and down the field.
- Action movies – Rabbits love the movement. However, be sure that the volume is not too loud.
Your rabbit will probably not like the news, soap operas and chat shows. They are likely to be too boring to hold your rabbit’s interest. She may hop out of your lap and find a new activity that is more interesting. Once your rabbit loses interest in a program, it is better to leave her to her own devices. She has probably had enough.
How much TV should my pet rabbit watch?
The amount of TV that a rabbit can watch is linked to its attention span. Rabbit’s do not have a particularly long attention span. They may remain engaged for an hour or so. We recommend maybe an hour when you get home from work or school when you are winding down after a long day.
We recommend that you limit your rabbit’s TV time. If you go to work, you should not leave your TV on for your rabbit. That could be anywhere between 8 to 10 hours. This is certainly too much. You do not want your bunny becoming addicted to TV.
If your rabbit is seeking out TV time, it means that your rabbit is watching too much TV. If your rabbit prefers to watch TV instead of hopping around and exercising, we consider this concerning behaviour.
Too much TV may cause overstimulation in rabbits. Overstimulation is dangerous for rabbits. Their heart rates may become elevated and they suffer a heart attack or stroke. It is not something to take lightly.
If you find your rabbits staring at the TV for hours on end, your bunny may be depressed or physically ill. You should take your rabbit to the veterinarian if this behaviour pattern persists.
Why do some rabbits bite while watching TV?
Some pet owners complain that sometimes their rabbit may bite or nip them while watching TV. This could mean a few things.
- If your rabbit bites you while watching TV, it may mean that they have had enough and want to change the activity.
- Nips may also mean that your rabbit interprets your TV watching as them being ignored. They may be trying to get your attention.
- Biting might mean that your rabbit is anxious or scared, they may not like the content or maybe the noised from the TV show is causing some type of agitation.
You should also now that biting is a last resort response for rabbits. It means that your rabbit has had enough. Before biting your rabbit may have nudged you or run around your feet. So look out for the signs that your rabbit is not enjoying TV time.
Does the size of the TV screen matter to my rabbit?
The bigger your TV screen is the better. As we mentioned before a rabbit’s eyesight is not as keen as a human. So, the larger the images are, the better your rabbit will perceive the images.
Smaller devices for instance iPad and phones are unlikely to hold your rabbit’s attention.
Can my rabbit learn from watching TV?
The answer is no. Some pet owners try teaching their rabbit tricks from videos and hope that the rabbit will catch on. However, there is no evidence that any rabbit has ever learned visually. TV watching is mainly a stimulating activity for rabbits.
Are there any breeds of rabbits that like TV more than others?
There is no evidence that any particular type of rabbit gravitates to TV watching. However, we can say indoor breeds like the Mini Rex and the American rabbit probably end up watching more TV, than the breeds that are predominantly kept outdoors.
So, while is perfectly safe for your bunny to watch TV, moderation is the key. Watching TV with your rabbit can be a time for bonding. So, if you are thinking of introducing your rabbit to TV, you are welcome to give it a go!
