Towel in his cage...

[marymac]

I put a towel in Humperdink's cage yesterday. He seemed to appreciate it. Today, I changed out the towel and when he got into a playful mood, he started chewing on it. I don't want to give him anything that could make him sick? Is it okay for him to chew on his towel? If not, can anyone suggest a good substitution that would be safe? He has an edible hidey-hut he likes to lay in sometimes, but I'd also like to give him a soft option if possible.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Towels are only ok if the rabbit won' chew them. The threads can unravel and end up in the digestive tract which is dangerous as it can cause a blockage or get tied up in there.

Fleece is generally a better option. They can chew a hole in it and it won't unravel. While it is not good if eaten, smaller pieces should pass through without too much fuss. I use fleece blankets that are about 50X60" and I fold them up to about 1/4 that size in the cage. I haven't had issues with them and have used them for about 3.5 years now.

You can also try pet beds, but they are a pain to wash (and get to the right fluffiness again) as well as no good if chewed as the stuffing can all come out (also a pain in the wash).

 

[marymac]

Thanks! I will go get him some fleece. :coolness:

 

[Byfuzzerabbit]

My rabbit has a blanket also. I haven't had a problem with it but she does get moody when I change it out with a clean one. I got a Fleece one also with some cotton stuffed into it so it is comfortable.

It's easy to wash and I feel like it's better then dealing with bedding. The only down side so far is shaking the hay off it. don't want that getting into the washing machine.

 

[marymac]

I think this might have been Humperdink's issue with the towel. He didn't chew the first towel I put in, but chewed the new one when I changed it out. He's still getting used to the whole litterbox idea, so it was necessary.

 

[petalfuzz]

I gave mine a towel but she chewed holes in it. The last straw was when I found her with the towel stuck around her neck from having chewed a hole in it. I switched her to polar fleece blankets and she hasn't chewed since. Maybe the fabric doesn't appeal to her chewing instincts.

 

[goneforbaroque]

One of my rabbits loves nibbling on towels. Fortunately he doesn't eat the bits but instead scatters them all over the floor. I bought some fleece pet beds and they haven't seemed to want to chew on that though they do dig in it a little which pulls up some fluff. They haven't tired to eat the fluff though so I'm hopeful!

This was the towel after a few minutes. It had to be thrown away after a weekend since it was more hole than towel! I'm so glad he didn't eat any of it though. You can see some of the collected bits off to the side...