If rabbits didn’t chew, what would they do all day? I, for one, don’t know, so it’s a good thing that there are lots of materials that are safe for them. Read on for rabbit-safe chewing materials and some cautions on what they shouldn’t chew on.
Grass hay
Grass hay is the number one safe and beneficial thing rabbits can chew. It wears down their continually growing teeth and keeps their digestive systems working correctly. Timothy hay, orchard grass, brome, oat hay, and meadow grass are all examples of types of grass hay. Alfalfa is another, but for adult rabbits (older than six months) it should only be given as an occasional treat. Grass hay should always be available to your rabbit in its loose form, but look for cubes, mats, and toys such as balls, huts, twists, and rings to give your rabbit fun and enriching experiences too!
Cardboard and paper
Paper and cardboard are great materials for rabbits to chew on – as long as they’re not actually eaten in large amounts, that is, since too much can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset or even may lead to an obstruction. Cardboard boxes and tubes serve as great enrichment items since they are so versatile – rabbits can hide in them, hop on or over them, push them around, and of course chew on them! Paper towel and toilet paper rolls are great toys to throw around, and you can stuff them with hay for an extra-fun option. Packing paper – that brown crinkly stuff that comes in a really long sheet in delivery boxes, can be bunched up for rabbits to hide in, run through, and paw at.
With cardboard, you have to watch out for tape since it can cause a blockage if eaten, so check for it and remove it before giving your rabbit a box. With paper, be cautious of too much ink/writing on it. It’s hard to know which inks are unsafe for rabbits, so give blank paper when possible. Blank sheets scrunched up into balls make great toys.
Wood
Many types of wood, as long as the wood hasn’t, such as with weather-proofing, stain, or paint, are safe for rabbits to chew. Plywood and pieces of lumber are two examples. You can often buy houses and huts for critters made out of these items. Just be cautious that your rabbit is just chewing on it and not actually ingesting much of it, since eating it can cause digestive issues; sometimes the glue they are made of can be unsafe too.
If you choose to make your own houses and toys, be sure to use a child-safe glue. Don’t use quick glue, wood glue, Gorilla™ glue, or any industrial glue. Also, if you want to give your rabbit sticks to play with, it’s a good idea to not just pick some up outside since the type of wood may be toxic to rabbits or the sticks may have insecticides, mold, dangerous bacteria, or bugs on them. There are lots of types available to buy instead (see below).
Plants
Purchasing toys, sticks, mats, and other objects from a trusted source is a great option for your rabbit. Dried apple, mulberry, and willow sticks are really popular items. Items made out of dried grasses such as bamboo, seagrass, sisal, jute, hemp, wicker, and straw are also good choices. These grasses are comprised of fibers that break down easily, so they don’t cause digestive issues if eaten in reasonable quantities.
Never give your rabbit wood or toys from trees that produce fruit with a pit, such as peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and avocados. All parts of these trees, including the branches, leaves, and pits, are toxic to animals. And while bamboo is safe, “lucky bamboo,” which is not really bamboo, is not. In addition, avoid branches from evergreen trees such as pine, cypress, fir, and spruce. These contain oils and other compounds that may be toxic.
Rubber and plastic?
Any plastic and rubber items that are soft or pliable should not be offered to rabbits. These are not digestible and in rabbits can cause dangerous GI blockages. However, plastic toys such as cups and baby keys and rubber dog toys made for aggressive chewers may be okay, as long as you supervise your rabbit to ensure he or she isn’t eating them.
Fabrics?
Fabrics are not safe to chew on; however, I wanted to bring this topic up because there are a few things to know. Cotton is safer than polyester (polyester includes fleece and carpet). This is because cotton can move through a rabbit’s GI system more easily in case it gets eaten.
One-hundred percent cotton towels and mats can be used for rabbits to lie on (and in the case of one of my rabbits, bunch up and hide under!). Just make sure that there are no strings or holes, as strings can get wrapped around paws and paws can get stuck in holes. Also, there should be no type of backing to mats if used.
Please let me know if there is a specific item you wonder about!
Copyright 2025 Amy “Brem” Bremers, DVM
