Are natural fiber rugs rabbit safe?

[drwil]

Our bunny chewed on a synthetic rug and had a very bad bout of stasis six months ago. She recovered and one could tell from her droppings rug fibers were the culprit.

Got rid if the synthetic and bought a full natural cotton and sisal rug. Everything went fine until 4 days ago when the exact same thing came up. We acted quickly and she recovered in 2 days. Now some of her droppings are strung together with vegetable fiber…not fine bunny fur. This is rough vegetable fiber one sees in ropes.

Just because a rug is natural does that make it bunny safe? Are some vegetable fibers too tough for gut bacteria to break down?

This is an important one for every inside bunny because this carpet chewing thing seems to have sent so many of our furry buddies into stasis.

Thanks.

[BinkyBunny]

While in it’s regular state sisal should be okay, but being that it was made to be a durable rug, they may have created it in such a way that it’s too tough. (and too much at one time) Yes, some vegetable fibers can be too tough. Just an example — celery should be cut down to to little pieces as the fibers in celery can cause issues if there is too much. Not that a rug would be made out of celery fibers, but that is just an example of just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.

I have a bunny that is a big rug or blanket chewer. (Thankfully we do have hardwood floors most everywhere and she seems to avoid rugs and blankets that have our scent on it) But in her space, we placed industrial floor carpet tiles that she has unsuccessfully been able to really get at, but I also distract her with sea grass mats that she can chew up to hearts content. She shreds those and consumes the mats made for bunnies, (in BinkyBunny Store).

[drwil]

Thanks for the advice. Those mats sound like a good idea. There must be some connection to the rugs because we have bunnies who live with cats in a wonderful garden house. They never have this problem even though all rabbits are related.

Kudos to bunykybunny to tell owners to act quickly when bunnies stop eating. This is the third time a rabbit’s life has been saved with this advice.

[Author]

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