Safe Toys

The most important point to
remember is to know how your  bunny plays.  Even safe toys can be made dangerous if your bunny plays  with them incorrectly.   Also do not assume that just because a
toy  is safe for birds or cats, that it is safe for your bunny. Below is a list  of items often used on toys and their pros and cons:

5  materials commonly found in rabbit toys and their safety.


1. Rope - 
Many Ropes can be dangerous for your bunny.  Always stay away from  synthetic and cotton ropes.  These ropes can easily entangle your  rabbits intestines if consumed.

Sisal rope is safe since it can be chewed  and digested,
not posing any threat to the bunnies digestive tract.  
Another safe rope is Seagrass rope.  It has an almost papery  texture to it and bunnies just love the salty flavor.  Both of these  ropes can be chewed and consumed without any danger to your bun.  But as  with anything,  moderation
is the rule.  (None of the vets we talked to mentioned any HEALTH BENEFITS from consuming a full roll of sisal  rope!) 


2. Dye

A safe dye for rabbit toys is non toxic  food coloring.  Paints can be safe but be sure they are paints intended  to be used around small children.  These are usually certified as non toxic. However if you can not determine the safety of the paint, stay away! 

Food coloring is always a much better alternative.
Many  people worry about the toys staining their carpeting or worse, their  pets!  The only way the color will come off of toys
colored with food  coloring is when the toy is wet. 

If your toys do happen to get wet  and stain your carpet, chair, pet, etc, do not panic,  it is a water soluble dye.  A little bit of soap and water and it will come right  out.


3. Wood

The subject of wood safety is complex and should  be left up to the experts.  There are some woods listed as safe when they are in fact dangerous and their are some listed as dangerous  when they are in fact safe. 

Example: 
Cherry wood always  seems to make the dangerous list. 
However, cherry wood is not  dangerous, it is the SEEDS, LEAVES, and BARK that are dangerous.  So  never give your bunny a cherry limb direct from the tree but cherry wood 
without the bark is just fine. 

See, gets a bit  confusing! 

It took us years to determine which types of woods were  safe and which were not.  We compared many lists and did a lot of  in-depth research.  We now have a list of woods that we have found safe  and non toxic. 

Here are some on our list : Willow, Maple (not  red), oak (w/o bark), apple, pear, ash, birch, hickory, and kiln dried  pine.  Never use fresh pine (or any evergreen for that matter) or bark  covered wood from pit fruit trees. 

Remember this is not an all  inclusive list and if you do not know what the wood is, DO NOT USE  IT!

4. Plastic

Plastics, they are everywhere.  But not all  plastics are good.  When choosing a plastic toy for your bunny choose  hard instead of soft.  Acrylics are a great way to go and most plastic  baby toys are also suitable. 

Soft, flimsy plastics are too  easily chewed and swallowed which may cause a health issue.  Always 
keep an eye on your bunnies plastic toys, if there is any
indication he  is chewing large quantities, take the toy
away from him. 

5.  Glue 

Many manufactures use a variety of glues and unless you  know exactly what glue is used, it is impossible
to determine its  safety.  The safest glue is Elmer's Glue. 
That's right, good old  humble Elmer's Glue.  Only buy from a toy company that can guarantee  what kinds of glues are used.  If they can't or won't tell you, don't  buy the toys!

www.pet-rabbit-toys.com