Safe to chew hardwood for cage structure?

[KytKattin]

I have kind of an idea for how I want to build a new cage. It will be an ex-pen, with each panel being 24×24 (I know that seems low, but right now the rabbit is in a pen with only 1ft tall gates, so I know she won’t jump something that is 2ft). The flooring will be linoleum, which I want to have wrapping up about 8 inches to keep everything contained and easy to clean. I have done this in the past, but the problem is that the linoleum is always chewed along the edges that stick up. Doesn’t matter how many other chew toys are offered, that tempting edge is just too irresistible. While I could have it wrap up the outside edge, it ends up making it much harder to clean, plus they can still stick their faces through and chew anyway. My idea is to put a wooden barrier along the top edge, sandwiching the linoleum between the wood and the ex-pen. This will allow me to simply rotate out the planks after they have been chewed. Other chews will still be provided, this will simply save me the trouble of having to remake the entire enclosure when the linoleum is chewed down. 

I could maybe use something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-7-8-in-x-3-1-2-in-x-6-in-Pine-Plinth-Block-P356P/100059131

Or even look at what a pine 2×4 costs?

I am just not sure if pine is safe.

[LongEaredLions]

Pine is actually great and safe to chew in its solid wood form, it’s only unsafe as shavings.
Good luck with your project!

[KytKattin]

Sweet! The link I posted looks like it is untreated, unprimed, just plain old pine wood, but in baseboard thickness so it will be easier for me to cut by hand (I don’t have a lot of tools here!).

Thank you very much, I will definitely be posting pictures once I get everything assembled. As it is I still need to order the ex-pen!

[Author]

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