Why Does My Pet Rabbit Chew On Cardboard Christmas Boxes And How To Stop It

It’s the holiday season. You’ve wrapped gifts with care, placed them neatly under the tree—and within hours, your rabbit is gnawing on a cardboard box like it’s a gourmet treat. While this behavior might seem odd or even destructive, it’s actually quite common among domestic rabbits. Understanding why your rabbit is drawn to cardboard—and more importantly, how to redirect that instinct safely—is essential for both your pet’s well-being and your peace of mind.

Rabbits are natural foragers and chewers. In the wild, they spend much of their day gnawing on fibrous plant material to wear down their ever-growing teeth. When brought into a home environment, they adapt this instinct to whatever chewable materials are available—including the seemingly irresistible cardboard Christmas boxes left around during the holidays. Left unchecked, this habit can lead to intestinal blockages, ingestion of inks or adhesives, and damage to household items.

This article explores the biological, behavioral, and environmental reasons behind this chewing behavior, offers practical solutions to prevent harm, and provides humane alternatives that satisfy your rabbit’s natural needs.

The Biology Behind Rabbit Chewing

Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives—at a rate of about 2–3 millimeters per week. Without constant wear, their molars and incisors can become overgrown, leading to painful malocclusions, difficulty eating, drooling, and weight loss. Chewing is not a pastime for rabbits; it’s a physiological necessity.

Cardboard, while not nutritionally beneficial, provides resistance that helps wear down teeth. Its fibrous texture mimics the coarse grasses and bark rabbits would naturally consume in the wild. This makes cardboard an appealing, albeit risky, substitute when appropriate chew materials aren’t readily available.

In addition to dental health, chewing plays a role in digestive function. Rabbits require high-fiber diets to maintain healthy gut motility. Gnawing on fibrous materials encourages saliva production and stimulates gastrointestinal activity. When fiber intake is insufficient, rabbits may seek out alternative sources—like cardboard—to fulfill this need.

“Chewing is as vital to a rabbit’s health as eating and drinking. Preventing access to safe chewables often leads to redirected behaviors on inappropriate objects.” — Dr. Rebecca Nguyen, DVM, Exotic Animal Specialist

Behavioral and Environmental Triggers

Beyond biology, several behavioral factors contribute to a rabbit’s attraction to cardboard boxes:

• Curiosity: Rabbits are highly inquisitive animals. A new object like a decorated gift box introduces novel textures, smells, and shapes to investigate.
• Exploration: Rabbits use their mouths to explore their environment much like humans use their hands. Touching and tasting are part of their sensory processing.
• Nesting instinct: Cardboard boxes resemble burrows or dens. Many rabbits will chew the edges to “customize” the space, making it feel safer and more enclosed.
• Boredom: A lack of mental stimulation or physical enrichment can lead rabbits to develop destructive habits. Holiday clutter offers temporary novelty, making it a prime target.
• Stress relief: Chewing releases endorphins, which can calm anxious rabbits. Changes in routine during the holidays—guests, noise, decorations—may increase stress and trigger chewing as a coping mechanism.

Tip: Rotate toys and chew items weekly to maintain novelty and reduce boredom-related chewing.

Safety Risks of Cardboard Chewing

While plain, uncoated cardboard is generally non-toxic in small amounts, repeated or excessive consumption poses serious health risks:

• Intestinal obstruction: Large pieces of indigestible cardboard can clump in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to life-threatening blockages.
• Exposure to toxins: Printed ink, glossy coatings, adhesives, and tape residues may contain chemicals harmful to rabbits.
• Dental injury: Sharp or splintered cardboard edges can cut gums or tongue.
• Choking hazard: Small fragments broken off during chewing can be aspirated.

One study published in the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine found that 17% of rabbit GI stasis cases admitted to specialty clinics involved ingestion of non-food materials, with cardboard and paper products ranking second only to carpet fibers.

Common Holiday Hazards Beyond Cardboard

Hazard	Risk to Rabbit	Safe Alternative
Tinsel & ribbons	Linear foreign body causing intestinal tearing	Cotton rope toys
Glitter-coated boxes	Toxic particles ingested during chewing	Plain kraft paper wraps
Pine or cedar shavings (in packaging)	Respiratory irritation and liver toxicity	Aspen or paper-based bedding
Plastic packaging	Obstruction risk, chemical leaching	Woven seagrass baskets

How to Stop Your Rabbit from Chewing Christmas Boxes

Preventing unwanted chewing isn’t about punishment—it’s about redirection, management, and enrichment. The goal is to meet your rabbit’s biological and psychological needs so they have no reason to seek out inappropriate items.

Step-by-Step Guide to Prevent Cardboard Chewing

1. Secure holiday items out of reach: Store wrapped gifts in closed rooms, on high shelves, or inside plastic bins with lids. Treat accessible boxes like you would toxic houseplants.
2. Provide abundant safe chewables: Place multiple chew toys and fiber-rich options near your rabbit’s usual spaces. Rotate them every few days to maintain interest.
3. Use deterrents temporarily: Lightly spray cardboard boxes with a bitter apple solution (pet-safe) to make them unpalatable. Avoid citrus sprays, which can irritate rabbits’ sensitive respiratory systems.
4. Supervise interactions: If your rabbit must be in the same room as holiday decor, monitor closely and gently redirect chewing toward approved items.
5. Enrich the environment: Introduce puzzle feeders, tunnels, and dig boxes filled with shredded paper or hay to channel natural instincts productively.

Tip: Stuff cardboard tubes (toilet paper rolls) with hay and seal the ends with apple slices—your rabbit will chew to access the treat, satisfying both dental and foraging needs.

Rabbit-Safe Chew Alternatives

Instead of trying to eliminate chewing, focus on guiding it toward safe outlets. Here are some vet-approved options:

• Unbleached loofah slices
• Willow, apple, or aspen wood sticks
• Compressed alfalfa cubes
• Untreated seagrass mats
• Hay-filled paper bags (handles removed)
• Cardboard ramps or tunnels made specifically for pets

Always avoid chemically treated wood, plywood, particle board, or any material with glue, paint, or varnish. Even “natural” looking wreaths or baskets may contain hidden adhesives.

Mini Case Study: Bella the Curious Lop

Bella, a 2-year-old Holland Lop, lived in a home where holiday traditions included elaborate gift displays under a large tree. Each year, her owners returned to find shredded boxes and scattered wrapping paper. Concerned after Bella developed mild GI stasis following one such incident, they consulted a rabbit-savvy veterinarian.

The vet recommended creating a “holiday enrichment zone” away from the main living area. They set up a playpen with a tunnel, a cardboard castle made from plain boxes, a hay rack, and several wooden chew toys. Gifts were stored in a spare bedroom until Christmas morning. Additionally, Bella received daily training sessions using positive reinforcement to target a spoon—this helped redirect her attention when she approached off-limits areas.

Within two weeks, Bella’s chewing shifted almost entirely to approved items. On Christmas morning, she was allowed supervised time near the tree, where she sniffed but did not chew the gifts. Her owners reported reduced stress and stronger bonding through structured interaction.

Checklist: Rabbit-Proofing Your Holiday Season

1. ✅ Remove all accessible gift boxes from rabbit zones
2. ✅ Stock up on safe chew toys before December
3. ✅ Use baby gates or playpens to create secure areas
4. ✅ Inspect all chewables for sharp edges or loose parts
5. ✅ Offer extra hay during holidays to support digestion
6. ✅ Monitor for signs of GI slowdown (reduced poops, lethargy)
7. ✅ Train basic commands like “leave it” using treats
8. ✅ Inform guests not to hand-feed or release rabbit unsupervised

Frequently Asked Questions

Is plain cardboard toxic to rabbits?

No, plain, unprinted cardboard without tape or ink is not toxic in small quantities. However, it has no nutritional value and can cause blockages if consumed in excess. It should never replace hay as the primary chew material.

Can I let my rabbit chew cardboard as a treat?

In moderation and under supervision, small pieces of clean cardboard (like toilet paper tubes) can be used as part of enrichment. Always remove tape, labels, and staples first. Limit exposure and discontinue if your rabbit tries to eat large pieces.

What are the signs my rabbit ate too much cardboard?

Watch for decreased appetite, smaller or fewer fecal pellets, bloating, lethargy, or grinding teeth (a sign of pain). These could indicate gastrointestinal stasis or obstruction—a veterinary emergency. Contact your exotic vet immediately if symptoms appear.

Conclusion: Work With Nature, Not Against It

Your rabbit isn’t misbehaving by chewing cardboard Christmas boxes—they’re responding to deep-seated instincts shaped by millions of years of evolution. Rather than viewing this behavior as defiance, see it as communication: your rabbit is telling you they need more appropriate outlets for chewing, exploration, and security.

The holiday season doesn’t have to mean conflict between festive traditions and pet safety. With thoughtful planning, environmental enrichment, and a clear understanding of rabbit behavior, you can protect both your decorations and your companion’s health. Start early, provide variety, and remember: a chewed-up box today could signal a need that’s easily met with a bale of hay and a willow stick tomorrow.

💬 Have a tip for managing holiday-chewing bunnies? Share your story in the comments and help fellow rabbit owners enjoy a safer, happier season!