Enrichment for Senior Dwarf Hotot Rabbits

Nine years old in a Dwarf Hotot — that's a genuinely impressive age, and it means you're dealing with a rabbit whose joints, energy and senses have all changed quite a bit. The goal at this stage isn't stimulation for its own sake, it's keeping their mind gently ticking over without asking anything physical of them. Is your rabbit mostly resting in a fixed space, or do they still move around a fair bit on their own terms?

That's really helpful. Reduced vision changes everything — you want enrichment that's scent-led and tactile rather than visual. Foraging is perfect for a rabbit like her because it works at her own pace, requires no jumping or effort, and keeps her nose and brain engaged. What does she currently eat — pellets, hay, fresh veg, or a mix?

That's exactly right for her age. So she already has a good relationship with foraging through her diet — we can build on that directly. What I'd recommend is a simple willow activity ball, specifically the kind you can stuff with hay, dried herbs or small pieces of veg. She can nose it, nudge it gently, and forage from it at ground level without any climbing or effort. It's scent-led, which suits her reduced vision perfectly, and the willow itself is safe to chew. The Supreme Petfoods Tiny Friends Farm Willow Ball is a well-made, consistently available option — it's designed for small animals, it's the right size for a Dwarf Hotot to interact with comfortably, and you can stuff it with whatever she already loves.

Yes — it's lightweight enough that even a gentle nudge sends it rolling, which actually makes it more engaging, not less. She doesn't need to work hard. One thing worth doing is placing it on a non-slip mat or in a corner of her pen so it doesn't roll too far out of reach when she's not feeling energetic. You can also just leave it static stuffed with herbs on lower-energy days — it works as a simple sniff-and-graze toy even when she's not nudging it around.

The main thing is keeping variety in scent rather than variety in toys. Rotate the herbs you stuff into the ball — dried chamomile, dried rose petals, fresh coriander — so it always smells a little different and keeps her curious. At nine, novelty through scent is far more valuable than new physical objects. Beyond that, your presence and gentle handling is enrichment for a rabbit this age. She knows you well and your smell and voice genuinely count.