Chewing is a very natural, and enjoyable activity for a rabbit. It is necessary for not only the dental health of a rabbit but for the psychological health as well. As a pet owner, one of your biggest responsibilities is making sure your rabbit has an ample amount of materials to chew on. While chewing is vital for a rabbit, there are certain materials they should and should not chew for their safety.
One of the most important items for rabbits to chew is hay. They should have this always available to them. Along with fresh grass hay, rabbits can safely chew on certain types of wood and compressed hay cubes.
I will be covering materials that are safe for rabbits to chew on more in-depth. Along with natural materials, there are quite a few toys on the market designed for rabbits to chew on. These will be discussed as well. Lastly, methods to make sure your rabbit grinds their teeth down will be explored.
What Materials Can Rabbits Chew on For Their Teeth? There are Plenty of Different Materials That Are Safe for Rabbits to Chew on for their Dental Health. First and Foremost, Hay, and Lots of It Should be Provided. Most Ideally It Would be Offered as Fresh Grass Hay (Oat, Timothy, Orchard) If You Have an Adult Rabbit. Alfalfa Cubes are Available for Chewing as Well as an Addition to the Plain Hay. Certain Types of Wood Make a Great Option for Chewing as Well.
Following hay, certain types of wood are a great option for a rabbit’s chewing needs. Woods that are good for a rabbit to chew include pine firewood and untreated pine lumber (attach it to the cage so it does not move).
Certain types of tree branches also prove beneficial for a rabbit’s chewing needs. Apple, willow, and aspen branches are safe options for a rabbit to chew.
A creative option is to put a willow basket in the cage with hay and let your pet chew the basket as well as the hay.
Rabbits should not be ingesting any baskets other than willow as they are frequently treated with harmful pesticides. Carpet is a common interest for rabbits when it comes to chewing as well, however, excessive carpet ingestion can lead to blockages and gastrointestinal distress.
What Toys Can Rabbits Chew for Their Teeth? While Materials Found in Nature can be A Great Organic Option, The Convenience of Grabbing a Toy While Out and About is Appealing to Many Pet Owners. There Are A Variety of Toys Which Are Safe for Rabbits to Chew. A Few Examples Include Hay or Grass Mats, Willow Bridges, and Willow and Grass Balls. These Toys Are Fairly Priced and Made from Natural Materials.
These toys are some of the highest rated toys. If you do choose to purchase a toy for a pet rabbit, make sure it is from a trusted pet store.
Also, make sure the ingredients are all natural. If the materials are treated it is best to steer clear as chemicals are harmful for a rabbit.
Grass Mats
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Pet owners enjoy getting grass mats for their pets because they are made from natural ingredients and they distract rabbits from other materials in the home. The grass mat enables your pet to sit on the mat while they chew, which may alleviate the desire to chew on carpet.
Since the materials are safe and there is not a choking hazard, there is no worry about leaving the rabbit alone with the mat.
One small drawback is that the grass mat may become messy as it becomes worn down. As the rabbit chews it more and more it may result in small pieces all around the rabbit’s living space.
Willow Bridges
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Willow Bridges are a favorite toy among many rabbits because they can chew on it, but they can also lay under it as a hideout. These can be placed against furniture or door frames to encourage rabbits to chew on toys rather than furniture.
Made out of natural materials, this toy can be left with pets when you are not around.
One downfall is that once the middle is chewed the bridge is not a feature.
Willow and Grass Balls
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Rabbits love to chew on these willow and grass balls because the shape is very easy for them to bite into, as well as nudge around the room while they play.
These come in a variety, in terms of shape and detail. The simpler ones may be more beneficial for rabbits because they can sink their teeth into a simpler design more easily.
Make sure to get one specifically made for pets and not a decoration as it can be treated with harmful varnishes.
One complaint is that these can often get messy when they get used a fair amount.
Apple Orchard Sticks
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Apple wood is safe for rabbits to chew so these convenient apple orchard sticks are a great option to keep teeth trimmed down. They prevent boredom in rabbits as well as keep them from chewing in areas they should not.
They are also a very fair price for the toy you are getting.
One comment that has been mentioned about this product is that picky rabbits may not chew them.
How Can You Make Sure Rabbits Chew for Their Teeth? While We Already Touched on the Importance of Chewing for the Health of Rabbits, it is Important to Understand How to Make Sure Your Pet is Chewing. This is a Natural Instinct to Rabbits for the Most Part. However, If They Are Not for Some Reason, This Can be Detrimental as Their Teeth Need to be Worn Down. Your Pet May Not be Chewing Enough if They Do Not Have Enough Materials Available to Them. Make Sure They Have Plenty of Materials Available to Chew.
It is vital to constantly keep hay stocked up in your pet’s living space. This is a constant source of healthy fiber as well as a simple way to keep the rabbit chewing. A healthy grass hay is the best for your adult rabbit.
Having the materials discussed previously such as branch pieces, wood, or toys available is also important. If they have plenty of materials to chew, they are much more likely to keep their teeth trimmed down.
Making routine checkups to have your pet’s teeth looked at is also a vital part of their dental health. If there does happen to be something wrong with the rabbit’s teeth, discovering it as soon as possible will give them the best chance of recovering.
How Can a Rabbits Chewing Affect the Health of Their Teeth? Well, the Health of a Rabbit’s Teeth is a Very Complex Matter. It is More Than Just Making Sure the Teeth Aren’t Too Long Because it Feels Uncomfortable for the Rabbit. If Teeth Are Not Kept Short Enough Not Only Will the Rabbit Face Discomfort Associated with Teeth that are Too Large, but they Face the Risk of Gastrointestinal Problems and Infection as Well.
Lack of dental care can result in complications such as spurs, which is a result of the teeth becoming too long and meeting abnormally to form small hooks. These spurs can cause cuts in a rabbit’s mouth which can result in painful abscesses.
Since rabbits are prey animals and by nature hide their pain, you may not realize they are in pain or their health is compromised until it is too late to treat.
Signs that your pet may be in pain include a lack of interest in food or digging at mouth.
If a rabbit is in pain from their teeth and is refusing to eat, this can cause serious gastrointestinal distress. If they are not getting enough fiber flowing through their body, this may cause what is known as “gastrointestinal stasis,” (GI stasis). This leads to a blockage in a rabbit’s intestines.
GI stasis is an extremely uncomfortable and potentially deadly condition.
Make Sure Your Rabbit is Able to Chew for Their Teeth. It is Imperative that Rabbits Are Able to Chew for Their Well-Being. There are Plenty of Materials to Choose from to Give Your Pet Options Regular Check-Ups with Your Local Veterinarian Are Vital to the Health of Your Rabbit as Well to Ensure Their Dental Health is Where it Should Be.
As a rabbit owner, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you are providing all the necessary materials for your animal’s health. This includes material for chewing. Whether you choose safe materials from nature, or toys made for rabbits, it is important to provide variety.
Should your pet get bored or become uninterested in the materials you are providing, try mixing it up and offering a different toy or material. Always make sure fresh grass hay is offered though.
Regular check-ups are a necessary part of rabbit care even if you are providing necessary materials for chewing. If your pet is in pain or experiencing some type of ailment, you may not know until it is too late. This is why it is crucial to get your rabbit checked on from time-to-time.
Overall, making sure your rabbit is chewing is not that difficult of a process. There are plenty of materials to choose from, and your rabbit will find something they enjoy and keep chewing as long as you do your part.
