MDF - how can you make it safe?

kugelschreiber

kugelschreiber

New Kit
I just built a wee 'playground' for my indoor rabbits with MDF, as it was the cheapest wood-like material I could think of. I thought I researched beforehand if it was safe, but clearly I didn't, as a friend just pointed out to me that it's toxic to rabbits (confirmed by the internet (including a thread on this forum)). I spent £40 on this and it took me a while to build so I really don't want it to go to waste. Is there any way I could make it bunny proof? We've only had our two girls for two weeks, they seem to not touch some of the wooden play things we've given them, and other than two pillows, they haven't chewed anything in the living room yet in which they're free-roaming during the day (although they're still in the process of familiarising themselves with their new environment...). Perhaps stapling a fabric around the edges, or is there some kind of wood lacquer that could work? Any ideas much appreciated!!
 
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I'd love to see your bunnies little playground. I didn't know about MDF being toxic, so I've had a Google. I'm thinking a lot of free roaming house bunnies must have access to furniture made from MDF. I'd be tempted to give it several coats of paint that is deemed pet safe (eg Cuprinol garden shades) & hope they don't chew. I'd be worried that the fabric would encourage nibbling & then there are the staples.
 
If they don't chew it and eat it, there shouldn't be an issue. I presume the same hazards generically apply to OSB and ply board - both of which are often used to make rabbit hutches. Even cardboard is dangerous if they eat it.

I would paint it anyway, as it will be easier to keep clean and it won't absorb liquids (eg urine, which may contain EC spores, for instance) and therefore won't deform / fall to bits, either.
Cloth is more likely to be chewed / eaten, and staples are a hazard - so I woudn't cover them like that.
 
There's no problem if they just bite chunks out of it, but ingesting card or paper can cause gut blockages, which is really serious. Hay or grass are the best things to keep their teeth worn down properly and provide fibre for healthy guts. Hay should be available all the time for them to eat.
 
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Any standard household paint ought to be Ok. They are water-based these days. It's the ones that are more specialist that may not be suitable (eg old style creosote, fence paints with anti-fungal / anti-parasitic additives).
 
That will be super for them :) I wasn't aware that there is an issue with this type of wood, but have had a look online and there clearly is. It's toxic both by ingesting it and also inhaling the dust.

I think you could make it safe though by painting with something that is pet safe. I'd give it several coats like j&b advised. Then I would keep a watch on what they do with it to make sure they they don't nibble it at all.

Could we see some pics of your two little girls please?
 
Here the final product (painted with cuprinol garden shades and stapled polar fleece to the edges just in case they were tempted to give it a bite) (only just put it out so, as you can see on the photo, tempting the rabbits to explore it with treats :'D) - https://postimg.cc/sB05vGDZ
 
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