Can Rabbits Eat Toilet Paper? What you need to know.

Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

An empty toilet paper roll is probably the most common and accessible toy for rabbits out there.

Everyone has one, and not to mention, rabbits love to play with them.

Toilet paper rolls are safe for rabbits as long as the paper is not heavily inked and your rabbit is not eating toilet paper in lieu of hay.

Most rabbits will only eat small amounts of toilet paper due to their curiosity.

But, if your rabbit is eating too much, limit the amount you give them or switch to wood-based toys.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain in more detail why rabbits can eat toilet paper:

What kind of paper can rabbits eat?

Rabbits can eat paper in small amounts.

Just make sure that the paper you’re letting your rabbits play with is not heavily inked.

Heavily inked papers like magazines and mass-produced pamphlets are not recommended for rabbits.

The ink used in them could be toxic.

The only ink a rabbit can safely digest is ink that’s vegetable-based, like what most newspapers use.

WARNING: Although rabbits can eat small amounts of paper, if you notice that your rabbit is eating a lot of it in lieu of their normal diet (hay), stop giving your rabbit paper-based toys.

Risk of overfeeding toilet paper to rabbits.

Toilet paper is mostly made out of wood pulp, so there’s not a lot of danger when a rabbit ingests small amounts of it.

It becomes a problem when your rabbit is eating too much toilet paper in lieu of hay.

Here are some of the problems your rabbit might encounter when eating too much toilet paper instead of hay:

Diarrhea

Diarrhea happens to rabbits when a sudden shift in diet happens.

So when a rabbit suddenly eats an excessive amount of toilet paper, it’s possible for them to develop diarrhea.

If you notice any changes in your rabbit’s stool after they ingest a lot of toilet paper, immediately bring them to a veterinarian.

Diarrhea in rabbits is an emergency and could lead to death extremely fast.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Another possible digestive distress when a rabbit is fed large amounts of toilet paper is GI stasis, or the slowing of the passage of food.

GI stasis happens when there’s an imbalance of bacteria in your rabbit’s gut.

If not treated immediately, this could lead to painful gas that would eventually lead to organ failure and death.

If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your rabbit to a veterinarian:

• Depressed
• Hunched posture
• Bruxism
• Decreased appetite/anorexia

Intestinal blockage

Intestinal blockage mainly happens when a rabbit has eaten too much cardboard or toilet paper in lieu of hay.

A rabbit’s gut needs fiber for it to induce movement.

Without it, your rabbit could develop dangerous digestive conditions like an intestinal blockage.

Alternatives to toilet paper as chew toys.

The best toys for rabbits are those they can use to grind their teeth.

As we know, rabbits’ teeth continuously grow; that’s why they need to constantly chew on things to help grind their teeth.

In the wild, this isn’t really a problem because wild rabbits have an abundant supply of fallen branches to chew on.

Pet rabbits need to rely on us to provide them with chew toys to prevent dental problems.

Here are the best toys to give to rabbits as an alternative to toilet paper:

• Willow balls
• Willow bridge
• Willow sticks
• Wooden dumbbells
• Twig Tunnels
• Ka-Bob Chew Dispenser Toy

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Conclusion

Toilet paper can be eaten by rabbits in small amounts.

Just make sure that it’s not the only thing your rabbit is eating.

Most rabbits would only eat it out of curiosity.

If your rabbit is eating excessive amounts of toilet paper, switch to wood-based toys and monitor their stool for any changes.

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