Is There A Rabbit Safe Paint You Can Use To Coat A Hutch?

If you want to add a pop of color to your rabbits wooden hutch, then you’re going to need a pet-safe paint.

Why? Well, because rabbits sometimes like to gnaw on bits of timber. And your pets won’t make an exception when it comes to a painted wooden hutch.

Yet, so many different types of paint are filled with fairly toxic chemicals. And that’s not to mention the lung-burning fumes these paints often release into the air.

But, is there a durable rabbit safe paint you can use?

Well, in this post, we dive into what Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) actually are — and why it matters. You’ll also discover which types of paint are completely VOC free.

And keep reading to find out if it’s worth risking using Acrylic or Enamel paints on your pets home.

rabbit safe paint

This post may contain affiliate links to products that we receive a commission for (at no additional cost to you). Learn more here.

Are Paint Fumes Harmful To Rabbits?

Very much so. You see, the fumes in paint, (and other solvents), are often referred to as VOC’s. And they are what causes that cough-inducing smell that comes off paint as it dries.

But, if you’ve ever painted a room, you probably know that even dry paint can continue to release fumes. In fact, paint can release VOC’s for up to six months after it has been applied.

And if those VOC’s are enough to cause you to cough, you can only imagine what sort of harm they’re doing to your rabbits.

Is Acrylic Paint Safe For Rabbits? No, it is not. Acrylic paints are filled with chemical pigments and microplastics. If your pet rabbit were to chew on an Acrylic painted surface, they could ingest those harmful ingredients.

Related Post: Is Pallet Wood Truly Safe Enough For A Rabbits Hutch?

So What Kind Of Paint Is Non-Toxic To Rabbits?

Well, first off, any paint you use on a rabbits hutch needs to be VOC-free. What this means is that it does not release fumes during (or after) application.

Typically, 100% VOC free paints are made from natural ingredients. These ingredients usually include things like essential oils and tree resins.

But, these particular types of natural-ingredient paints can also encourage the growth of mold. Which makes them unsuitable for outdoor wooden structures.

This is why — if you want a durable VOC-free paint — you need to use one that still contains man-made chemicals in it. Nevertheless, those chemical ingredients should not produce harmful fumes or side effects.

So, one of the best VOC-free paints on the market comes from Little Knights.

Their odorless 100% VOC-free paint does not contain dangerous solvents. And this makes this paint safe to have around your pets, and yourself.

You can find out more about this 100% VOC free paint by checking out Little Knights official website over here.

Can Rabbits Eat Painted Wood? If that paint is a solvent-based paint, then no, they cannot. Solvent-based paints contain toxic chemicals in them that are much too dangerous for your rabbit to ingest. Even some natural-ingredient paints may contain certain things that are not a suitable addition to your rabbits diet.

Related Post: Is Plywood Safe Enough To Use For A Rabbits Hutch?

What About Spray Paint? Is It At All Rabbit Safe?

Not even close. Spray paints contain chemicals, such as zinc and lead.

And their airborne application means that they’re an even worse VOC-emitting culprit than other solvent paints.

OK. So Is There A Natural Ingredient Paint That’s Safe Around Rabbits?

If you don’t mind using a less-than-durable paint product, you could consider using Milk Paint.

Milk paint contains milk proteins, natural pigments, and calcium carbonate (lime) in it. So, there are no toxic chemicals thrown into the mix.

What’s more, none of the ingredients in this particular paint will release fumes, so it is 100% VOC free.

It is surprisingly easy to apply too, since it does not need a primer coat before application. You can simply apply it directly onto raw wood.

What’s more, it takes fewer than 30 minutes to dry to the touch. Plus, it doesn’t wash off easily either.

But, best of all, this paint is both biodegradable and eco-friendly.

OK. But What Are The Disadvantages Of Using Milk Paint On Wood?

There are three main problems with using this paint;

1). It Is Not Durable (Especially Outside)

While it may not wash off all that easily, it is not waterproof. So, if it gets drenched by rainwater, a coat of milk paint can become water-damaged.

2). It Is A Thin Paint

It’s all-natural ingredients means that milk paint does not contain the chemical bonding agents that solvent paints have.

So, this means that this fairly watery paint product will need more coats than usual. And it will take 4+ coats of milk paint to get an even coverage.

3). It Is Always A Matte Finish

High gloss paints have the gloss added to them using special chemical additives. Milk paint, on the other hand, does not contain any of those additives.

So, milk paint always leaves behind a matte finish. This can leave the surface of wood looking a touch waxy, rather than shiny.

Is Enamel Paint Safe To Use Around My Rabbit? Nope, it is not. Oil-based enamel paints contain poisonous amounts of methyl alcohol, (which is also highly flammable). While even water-based enamel paints have toxic ingredients, such as white lead, in them.

To Wrap Up, Here Are The 3 Key Takeaways From This Post…

  • 1). Solvent based paints, such as Acrylic Paints and Enamel Paints, can release fumes for months after application.
  • 2). Those paint fumes, (known as Volatile Organic Compounds), are dangerous if they waft around your rabbit.
  • 3). Only use 100% VOC-free paint to coat your pet rabbits hutch.

References

Long-term Impact of Formaldehyde and VOC Emissions from Wood-based Products on Indoor Environments | Sagepub.com

Enamel (Paint) – an overview | ScienceDirect

White Lead | Wikipedia.org