Focus on natural materials

Imagination knows no bounds when it comes to developing toys and accessories for small animals. On a positive note, gaudy plastic products seem to be reaching the end of the road.When looking at what's on offer from international manufacturers, owners of small pets have plenty of reasons to be cheerful: natural, often unadulterated materials, and specifically lots of wood, are now a common feature. Products made of brightly coloured plastic are gradually disappearing. After all, it isn't so long ago that a French manufacturer came to notice with a system of tubes through which hapless small rodents were stimulated to scurry at top speed by light reflexes and noises.
Bunny Fun Tree by Rosewoodpet is a successful example of how a toy for small animals should look, featuring "swinging vegetables to challenge your pet, natural sea grass cord for chewing and a grass mat floor for scratching and pulling." Another such product is the activity zone structure from Happy Rabbit Toys, made from safe, non-toxic materials: "Bunnies will play on top of it, hide under it, and play with all the toys. It can be put in the bunny enclosure or kept in the living room as bunny furniture."

To combat boredom in the small animal enclosure, German manufacturer Bunny Nature brought out its Interactive series two years ago. It includes the so-called Snuffle Mat: "The mats consist of soft felt and come in two colour combinations. They promote natural behaviours, permit close involvement with pets and increase their level of trust."