Here we can see, “What Kind of Wood Can My Rabbit Eat?”
Rabbits require constant chewing to keep their teeth trimmed and healthy. Wood is a common and natural choice for rabbit owners, but not all types of wood are safe, so keep that in mind when selecting wood for a rabbit hutch or rabbit toys.
Plants that many people have in their yards can provide good chewing material for rabbits. This list of safe woods, vines, and other plant materials for pet rabbits may be found here.
This list is provided for educational purposes only, and the author cannot be held liable for any negative consequences of consumption.
Rabbit’s Safe Woods (and Wood-like Substances)
- alfalfa
- apple (seeds are toxic)
- arbutus
- ash
- aspen
- apricot (only when dried for at least one month)
- bamboo cane
- basil
- blackberry
- blackcurrant
- borage
- carrot (no seeds)
- cat-tail
- chickweed
- chicory (wild)
- cholla
- cilantro
- clover (red and white)
- coconut shell
- common comfrey (dried)
- cottonwood
- crabapple
- dandelion
- dogwood
- grapevine
- hackberry
- hawthorn
- hazelnut
- jewelweed
- kiwi
- kudzu
- lambs-quarters
- lemon balm
- linden
- mallow
- manzanita
- maple (sugar and silver)
- mesquite
- mint (do not give to pregnant or nursing does)
- mulberry (white)
- parsley
- peach (only when dried for at least one month)
- pear (no seeds)
- pecan
- pigweed
- pine – kiln-dried white only
- plantain
- purslane
- poplar
- Queen Anne’s lace
- quince
- radish
- raspberry
- redroot pigweed
- rose (any above-ground parts including hips)
- shepherd’s purse
- sow thistle (annual, spiny annual, perennial)
- stinging nettle (dried)
- strawberry
- squash
- sunflower
- sweet potato
- sycamore
- willow
- wingstem
- yarrow
Rabbit’s Toxic Woods
- abale/esia
- alder
- almond (can produce cyanide)
- apricot (freshly cut branches are toxic)
- balsam fir
- beech
- birch
- black locust
- blackwood
- bogwood
- boxwood
- buddleia
- cashew
- cedar
- cherry
- citrus (all citrus woods including lemon, orange, etc.)
- cocobolo
- cypress/bald cypress
- dahoma
- ebony
- elang/mukulungu
- elder/elderberry
- elm
- eucalyptus
- fig/cape fig
- fir
- goncalo alves
- greenheart
- hemlock
- horse chestnut
- iroko
- juniper
- kapok
- laurel
- magnolia
- mahogany
- mansonia
- maple
- mimosa
- mopane/mopani
- myrtle
- nectarine
- oak/cork
- obeche/abachi
- okuhaba/yungu
- oleander
- olive
- opepe/kussia
- paduak
- pau ferro
- peach (freshly cut branches are toxic)
- peroba rosa
- pine (fresh pine is toxic as are pinecones)
- plum
- plywood
- prune
- purpleheart
- quebracho
- redwood
- rosewood
- satinwood
- sassafras
- sequoia
- snakewood
- spruce
- teak
- walnut
- wenge
- yew
- yunnan
- zebrawood
Other rabbit-safe options can be found in pet stores. Woods sold for chinchillas and other rodents are generally safe to give to your pet rabbit, but check the list of poisonous woods before putting it in your rabbit’s cage. The same can be said about the material used to construct his hide box and cage (if they are made of wood). Any items in his cage are fair game for his teeth to gnaw on, so make sure they’re secure!
If you suspect your rabbit has eaten poisonous wood, contact your exotic veterinarian right away.
User Questions
Is it safe for rabbits to chew on wood?
Untreated wood is OK for rabbits, but never offer them sticks or tree branches found in the yard. They could contain poisonous mould spores, parasites, bacteria, or insects. Applewood sticks that are commercially available are safe for rabbits to gnaw on.
Is walnut wood safe for rabbits?
These forests have cyanide in them. Even if it’s only a small amount, it could be enough to injure a rabbit. Tannin-containing woods include redwood, walnut, and others.
Can bunnies chew pine cones?
Pinecones are a healthy natural chew toy for rabbits and “nature’s toothbrush.” The House Rabbit Society and many others advocate dried and cleaned pinecones.
Is it OK for rabbits to eat cardboard?
Plain cardboard is safe for rabbits to consume and chew on, but not cardboard with printed images or any form of ink. Chewing on plain cardboard helps the rabbit’s teeth and gives cerebral stimulation, both of which are beneficial.
Is it OK for my bunny to eat paper?
Intestinal blockage is the biggest risk of a rabbit consuming paper. The digestive tract of a rabbit does not break down paper. It can cause constipation if not taken in little pieces and volumes. Rabbits can die from constipation.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
