Safe Wood and Other Plants for Rabbits By Adrienne Kruzer Adrienne Kruzer Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 10/23/25 Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Key Takeaways Not all types of wood are safe for rabbits, and care must be taken to choose non-toxic, untreated wood.Several common plants and wood types are safe for rabbits to chew on, including alfalfa and apple (without seeds).Toxic woods such as cedar, cherry, and almond must be avoided to prevent harm to rabbits. Rabbits need to chew on things regularly to keep their teeth trimmed and healthy. Wood is a popular and natural choice for rabbit owners but not all types of wood are safe, which is something to keep in mind when choosing wood for a rabbit hutch or for rabbit toys. Warning Before just grabbing that tree branch from your backyard or a chunk of wood from the local lumber yard make sure the wood you are offering your rabbit is safe, free of pesticides, untreated, preferably organic, does not include any roots, and is free of paint. Many common backyard plants are also great options for rabbits to chew on. Below is a list of woods, vines, and other plant materials that are safe for pet rabbits. *This list is for informational purposes only, and the writer cannot be held responsible for any ill effects from consumption. Safe Woods (and Wood-like Substances) for Rabbits alfalfa apple (seeds are toxic) arbutus ash aspen apricot (only when dried for at least one month) bamboo cane basil blackberry blackcurrant borage carrot (no seeds) cat-tail chickweed chicory (wild) cholla cilantro clover (red and white) coconut shell common comfrey (dried) cottonwood crabapple dandelion dogwood grapevine hackberry hawthorn hazelnut jewelweed kiwi kudzu lambs-quarters lemon balm linden mallow manzanita maple (sugar and silver) mesquite mint (do not give to pregnant or nursing does) mulberry (white) parsley peach (only when dried for at least one month) pear (no seeds) pecan pigweed pine - kiln-dried white only plantain purslane poplar Queen Anne's lace quince radish raspberry redroot pigweed rose (any above-ground parts including hips) shepherd's purse sow thistle (annual, spiny annual, perennial) stinging nettle (dried) strawberry squash sunflower sweet potato sycamore willow wingstem yarrow Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Toxic Woods for Rabbits abale/esiaalderalmond (can produce cyanide)apricot (freshly cut branches are toxic)balsam firbeechbirchblack locustblackwoodbogwoodboxwoodbuddleiacashewcedarcherrycitrus (all citrus woods including lemon, orange, etc.)cocobolocypress/bald cypressdahomaebonyelang/mukulunguelder/elderberryelmeucalyptusfig/cape figfirgoncalo alvesgreenhearthemlockhorse chestnutirokojuniperkapoklaurelmagnoliamahoganymansoniamaplemimosamopane/mopanimyrtlenectarineoak/corkobeche/abachiokuhaba/yunguoleanderoliveopepe/kussiapaduakpau ferropeach (freshly cut branches are toxic)peroba rosapine (fresh pine is toxic as are pinecones)plumplywoodprunepurpleheartquebrachoredwoodrosewoodsatinwoodsassafrassequoiasnakewoodspruceteakwalnutwengeyewyunnanzebrawood Other safe options are available in pet stores for rabbits. Woods marketed for chinchillas and other rodents are usually okay to offer to your pet rabbit, but make sure the type of wood is not on the toxic woods list before putting it in your rabbit's cage. The same goes for the material that his hide box and cage are made out of (if they are made of wood). Any items in his cage are fair game for his teeth to nibble on so you want to make sure they are safe! If you think your rabbit may have eaten a toxic wood, then contact your exotics vet as soon as possible. Explore more: Small Pets Pet Rabbits