Cardboard/paper alternatives

[OverthinkingBun]

I feel like kind of a bad bunny parent, but here goes:

I had been giving Polly Oliver (young rabbit) paper and cardboard to chew on and shred, in addition to her store bought rabbit toys.  She really, really liked shredding paper.  But eventually I realized that she had started swallowing it rather than shredding, and eventually her paper/cardboard consumption was interfering with her regular diet.  So I took all of it away, but I’m trying to find safe things she can destroy without hurting herself.  I’ve tried woven timothy/seagrass toys, but those are very expensive for how fast she eats them.  Anyone have some ideas for the rabbit who eats everything?

Do you think eating the cardboard and paper is a phase that she will grow out of?  She is about 6 months old, and I’m going to schedule her to be spayed, but I haven’t done so yet.  

(FYI, don’t worry, she has unlimited hay/food 24/7, and so isn’t eating the paper out of hunger)

[sarahthegemini]

I’m not sure. I have to be careful with cardboard items because one of mine will not just shred but also actually ingest it. I *think* it’s Buttercup though usually it’s Peanut eating naughty things! It’s been so long since I gave them anything cardboard I’ve forgotten which rabbit is the culprit!

I would suggest anything Willow. Mine love willow dumbells and I’ve just bought them a willow carrot and a willow corn. Of course it’s not a cheap option seeing as they get through them so quick. I’m not sure what else to suggest so I’ll be watching this thread for ideas myself 

Forgot to mention, mine are over a year old and I’m sure if I offered paper or cardboard, the rabbit in question would still try and eat it so I don’t think it’s just a phase 

[OverthinkingBun]

Hahaha, your bunny sounds just like mine. Polly Oliver loves willow toys and baskets, too, but I had to take them away from her once I realized that she was EATING them, too. Why would you eat that? Do you know if willow twigs are safe for them to eat? (as far as the bulk and texture, not whether or not they are toxic)

[ThorBunny]

Yes willow is safe to eat for bunnies. Thor’s almost eaten her entire willow ball I got her last month. How much is your bunny eating? I would think that at some point, they could eat too much willow if it was interfering with her eating other foods. Anyone else know how much willow is ok to eat?

[joea64]

My own two buns like willow just a little *too* much. I got them a willow ball last month (one of the ones with noisemakers inside) and within 24 hours they’d chewed it to flinders! I also got them a sisal ball, but they don’t seem to be very interested in it so far.

[OverthinkingBun]

Good to know about the willow. Polly Oliver wasn’t eating much of it, because I kept snatching it away from her when she ate it But she was eating enough paper and cardboard bits to interfere with her real food, as it turns out. She started eating more food almost immediately and has gained some weight since I took it away.

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