Is Eating Paper Bad for Rabbits? | USA Rabbit Breeders

Your rabbit nibbling the occasional sheet of paper may seem innocent enough. But are those adorable paper-munching sessions safe or setting your bunny up for health issues? Many devoted rabbit owners are shocked to discover that their furry friend’s favorite pastime could be harmful. From hidden toxins in inks to dangerous blockages, paper poses surprising risks that every rabbit parent should know. But not all papers are created equal when it comes to safety. Discover what types of paper products are risky, which are relatively safe, and how to curb your rabbit’s appetite for paper without limiting their need to chew. Once armed with the facts, you can confidently monitor your rabbit’s chewing habits and divert their penchant for paper toward healthier alternatives. Join us as we delve deep into the debate – is eating paper bad or benign for the discerning rabbit? The answers may surprise you!

Why is My Rabbit Eating Paper?

Rabbits often chew and eat paper for a few different reasons. One of the main reasons is that they enjoy chewing – it is a natural behavior for them. Rabbits' teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, so they have an instinctual need to chew on things to wear their teeth down. Paper provides a nice chew texture and surface for them. Eating paper or cardboard also provides fiber, which is important for their digestive health. In some cases, a rabbit may eat paper due to boredom if they don't have enough enrichment materials in their environment. Providing your bunny with plenty of hay, cardboard tubes, tunnels, toys, and time out of their enclosure for exercise can help curb this behavior. If your rabbit is new to your home, they may also chew paper as they explore and investigate their surroundings. With time and training not to chew on important documents, this often diminishes.

Will Eating Paper Make My Rabbit Sick?

Eating small amounts of plain paper generally will not make a rabbit sick. Rabbits have evolved to digest high fiber diets, so they can break down cellulose fibers like those found in paper. However, there are some risks to be aware of when rabbits ingest paper. Eating too much paper, especially thicker items like cardboard boxes, can potentially cause an intestinal blockage or impaction. This can be life-threatening and requires emergency veterinary care. Small pieces of paper are not as much of a hazard, but can still collect in the stomach and intestines. It's best to limit paper consumption to avoid this risk. Another consideration is the chemicals in some types of paper, like newspapers or magazines. The inks, dyes and other processing chemicals can be toxic to rabbits if ingested. Overall, plain paper in moderation is not harmful, but paper eating should be discouraged and excess ingestion can be dangerous. Monitoring your rabbit's litterbox habits and getting veterinary care if their appetite or poops change is important.

How Can I Stop My Rabbit Eating Paper?

There are a few methods you can try to discourage your rabbit from eating paper:

Provide plenty of hay, grass mats, cardboard tubes and wooden chew toys to satisfy your rabbit's natural chewing drive. Rotate new items to keep them interested.
Use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to coat surfaces like baseboards that your rabbit chews – they dislike the taste.
Block access to rooms or areas with important paper items if your rabbit is free-roam. You can also use baby gates or X-pens to restrict access when you can't supervise.
Try spraying paper items with bitter apple spray deterrent or sink your important papers in it briefly. The unpleasant taste helps curb the behavior.
Consider spraying attractive papers like magazines with non-toxic pet repellent spray to make them unappealing.
Provide dig boxes with rabbit-safe shredded paper or junk mail they're allowed to chew and make it less tempting to nibble your valuables.
Use positive reinforcement training to teach your rabbit the "leave it" command when they attempt to chew paper. Reward them with a treat when they obey.

With persistence and by providing abundant alternatives, you can break your rabbit of their paper eating habits. Get them checked by your exotic vet if they ingest a large amount.

Can Rabbits Eat Paper with Ink?

It's best to avoid letting your rabbit eat any paper that contains ink, such as newspapers, magazines, or printouts. While small ingestions may not cause major issues, the inks and dyes used on these papers could potentially be toxic to rabbits. Newspapers in particular use inks high in volatile organic compounds and oils that are not meant for consumption. Chewing newspaper as a boredom buster or source of fiber comes with risks if the ink rubs off while they chew. The same goes for color printed materials, as the pigments and chemical coatings on glossy magazine pages may contain heavy metals or be indigestible. Plain, unprinted white paper is the safest option for occasional nibbling, but should still be limited. If your rabbit does ingest ink, call your exotic vet, as treatment may be needed if enough was consumed to potentially cause poisoning. Prevent access to important printed documents and magazines to keep your bunny safe from ink exposure.

Is Newspaper Ink Toxic to Rabbits?

Yes, the inks used in newspaper printing can potentially be toxic to rabbits if consumed. Newspaper ink is different from the non-toxic inks used in pens and markers. It contains solvents, pigments, resins and other compounds that allow it to dry rapidly on newsprint paper during high-speed printing. These can include volatile organic compounds like refined petroleum oils plus added varnishes or polymers. The black ink has historically used compounds like carbon black or pitch, while colored inks often contain pigments with heavy metals like chromium, lead, cadmium or cobalt to achieve bold hues. Even modern “safer” soy-based or UV-cured inks have risks if eaten, since they are not designed for consumption. While accidental ingestion of small amounts of ink won’t immediately poison a rabbit, it’s best to keep rabbits from chewing newspaper to prevent toxicity and blockages. Monitor ink exposure and call your exotic vet if you notice symptoms like lethargy, poor appetite or diarrhea after they’ve chewed newspaper.

Can You Put Shredded Paper in a Rabbit Hutch?

It's fine to put certain types of shredded paper in a rabbit hutch in moderation. Shredded paper can be a fun enrichment activity for rabbits to dig through and forage in. However, there are some precautions to take when using shredded paper as rabbit bedding:

Use only plain, ink-free shredded paper. Avoid glossy, colored or printed paper which may contain dyes or inks harmful if ingested.
Opt for organic, chemical-free paper whenever possible to reduce risk of exposure to bleaches or pesticides in the pulp. Unscented, environmentally-friendly paper cat litter is a good option.
Avoid using newspaper, magazines, or junk mail as these contain inks and chemicals that can be toxic to rabbits if ingested. Stick to clean, unprinted white office paper.
Change out the shredded paper regularly, at least weekly, to prevent ammonia buildup from urine. Rabbits may also try to eat soiled paper.
Use shredded paper sparingly or mix with hay. Too much can cause intestinal blockages if eaten. Hay provides nutrition rabbits don't get from paper.
Monitor your rabbit's interest in the shredded paper. Remove it if they try to eat it excessively or pass undigested pieces in their stool.

So feel free to add some shredded ink-free paper for digging enrichment, but remove it if your rabbit shows signs of overconsumption to prevent potential health issues. Monitor their litterbox habits closely.

Can Rabbits Eat Paper Bags?

It's generally not recommended to allow pet rabbits to eat paper bags. While small amounts of paper won't necessarily harm rabbits, paper bags can pose some dangers:

Ink/dyes – Printed paper bags may use non-toxic inks, but they are still not intended for consumption. Ingesting large amounts of ink or dyes could potentially cause toxicity.
Glues – Many paper bags use glues along the seams that help hold the bag together. These glues could be indigestible and cause blockages.
Contaminants – Paper bags may have residues from what they previously contained – food particles, oils, pesticides, etc. Rabbits can get very ill from eating contaminated materials.
Blockages – Bits of paper bag can collect in the stomach and intestines. Paper has little nutritional value and is difficult to fully digest.
Choking hazard – Parts of paper bags or handles can pose choking risks, especially for smaller rabbits.

It's better to redirect chewing to healthier alternatives like hay, grass mats, and untreated wood toys. If your rabbit does get hold of a paper bag, take it away immediately. Call your vet if they show signs of illness like digestive upset after ingesting paper. While not highly toxic, vets recommend keeping paper bags out of rabbits' reach to be safe.

Can Rabbits Eat Toilet Paper?

It's not recommended to let pet rabbits eat toilet paper. While toilet paper is designed for human use, it can pose some risks when ingested by rabbits:

Toxic inks – Many toilet papers have printed designs, ink patterns, or colored pigments that could be toxic if consumed in large amounts.
Irritation – The perfumes and scented oils used to make some toilet paper smell nice could potentially irritate a rabbit's digestive system if ingested.
Blockages – While toilet paper can pass through a human easily, it does not breakdown well in a rabbit's intestinal tract. The paper fibers could clump together and cause a dangerous blockage.
Contaminants – Toilet paper has been used by humans and may have traces of chemicals, cleansers, bacteria or viruses if the rabbit eats soiled portions. This contamination can make rabbits sick.
Nutritional value – Toilet paper has no nutritional value and is mostly indigestible fiber. Eating large amounts could interfere with proper nutrition.

While a curious nibble likely won't harm them, it's best to keep toilet paper out of reach of pet rabbits. Provide plenty of healthier chew alternatives like hay and safe wood toys instead to satisfy chewing urges. Monitor their appetite and stool if they do ingest some. Call a rabbit-savvy vet if you have any concerns after toilet paper consumption.

Can Bunnies Eat Paper Towels?

It's not recommended to let pet rabbits eat paper towels. While they may seem harmless, paper towels can potentially cause some health issues for bunnies:

Bleaching chemicals – Many paper towels contain bleach or whitening agents to make them bright white. These chemicals could be toxic to a rabbit if ingested.
Dyes – Some patterned paper towels have printed designs using inks or dyes that may be unsafe if consumed in large amounts.
Blockages – Paper towels can ball up in the intestines if eaten, leading to a dangerous blockage. They do not break down well during rabbit digestion.
Nutritional value – Paper towels lack nutrients and are mostly indigestible fiber. Eating them may fill up a rabbit without providing vitamins and minerals.
Contaminants- Paper towels may have chemicals or bacteria on them if they were used to clean. Consuming contaminants can make rabbits very sick.

While a small nibble likely won't harm them, it's better to keep paper towels out of rabbits' reach. Provide healthier alternatives like hay, willow branches, and cardboard to chew on instead. If they do ingest paper towel, monitor appetite and stool closely. Call your exotic vet with any concerns after consumption. With vigilance, you can help keep your bunny from making paper towels a habit.

Is Cardboard Safer for Rabbits to Eat Than Paper?

Yes, most veterinarians consider cardboard a bit safer for rabbits to chew and ingest than plain paper in moderation. There are a few reasons why:

Cardboard is more digestible than paper because it contains some fiber that breaks down from the wood pulp. Rabbits can pass small amounts of cardboard without blockages forming.
It provides some nutrients. Plain cardboard contains trace amounts of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates from the wood pulp that paper lacks.
It wears down teeth. The fibrous texture gives rabbits something coarser and more abrasive to gnaw on, helping file down ever-growing teeth.
It's more tear-resistant. Cardboard tends to come in larger pieces rather than loose shreds, making it less likely to bunch up in the intestines.
No loose fibers. Paper bits can detach during chewing while cardboard usually stays intact longer. This lowers risks of blockages.

Of course, excessive consumption should still be avoided and inked cardboard carries toxicity risks if eaten. But as an occasional boredom buster, plain cardboard generally carries less hazards for rabbits than loose paper. Provide healthy alternatives like hay and wood, but cardboard can be a safer paper option in moderation.