Rabbits are unique creatures with many curious phenomena related to them. There are plenty of things that animals can do, but rabbits cannot. For example, a rabbit cannot vomit or burp and can barely pass gas.
However, rabbits have one thing, and other pets do not. A rabbit’s teeth are ever-growing! As long as a rabbit lives, its teeth will keep growing. Unlike hair, you cannot trim a rabbit’s teeth artificially. A bunny requires chewing to trim its teeth on its own. So, what can rabbits chew on for their teeth?
Rabbits have fragile stomachs and cannot eat or chew everything in sight. Pet owners must consider this factor before providing chew toys or items to their rabbits. Many kinds of wood, toys, vegetables, etc., can help bunnies keep busy.
As a pet parent, knowing what is good and bad for your precious pet rabbit is a must. Bunnies will chew anything in sight without caring about the reaction it can cause in their bodies. Keep scrolling to learn more about the healthy chewing of rabbits and how to avoid any unwanted mishaps.
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Why Do Rabbits Chew On Things?
A rabbit’s health is delicate as they are not as strong as their other furry friends. A dog or cat can eat almost everything without experiencing severe health issues but not rabbits. A bunny instantly reacts to any hard foods and materials. Besides food, your rabbit is prone to skin allergies and fur disorders.
Rabbits need certain things to maintain their health to the best of their ability, which includes chewing on harmless things. Here is why:
Dental Health
Rabbits are known for their cute long ears and their goofy front teeth. A bunny’s teeth are high maintenance as they grow in length till the bunny breathes its last breath. A rabbit needs to chew on things to trim its teeth naturally.
A rabbit’s teeth rub against a considerably hard chewable element, which helps shorten the animal’s teeth. If your rabbit has overgrown teeth, it can cause it to face health issues. It will be painful for your rabbit and create eating difficulties.
Avoid Boredom
Rabbits are hyperactive animals and love to stay occupied. If your rabbit has done its daily routine of playtime, eating, and napping, it mind look for other opportunities of staying busy. Chewing things is one of the favorite hobbies of your precious furry baby. It keeps the animal busy, happy, and entertained.
Stimulation
Rabbits need physical activity to keep their bodies healthy. A hopping bunny is a healthy bunny, and so is a chewing bunny. If your rabbit chews on things, it stimulates its teeth, gums, mouth, and face. It can help your bunny feel like it has done enough physical activity and help it with a good night’s sleep and calmness.
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What Is Safe for Your Rabbit To Chew?
Bunny rabbits cannot chew on everything available. These fragile creatures have sense organs and bodily functions that can accept specific things from the environment. It is best to scrutinize what your rabbit can access regarding your precious bunny’s chewing habits.
As a new pet owner, you might need clarification on what to give your rabbit to chew. Not to worry, we have got you covered. Here is a list of things that are safe for your rabbit to chew on and economical for you:
Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are the safest and most economical chew toy for your bunny rabbit. Rabbits love the texture of the boxes and chew their hearts away. You can give your rabbit a cardboard box or a tissue paper roll to enjoy. A box will be a better option, as your rabbit can use it for multiple purposes like nesting and chewing.
Safe Wooden Sticks
Rabbits cannot chew on all wood and trees. There are a few trees that are toxic for your pet. However, you can give your bunny safe wooden sticks of trees that will suit the little guy’s gut. For instance, you can give your bunny apple sticks or bamboo. Your bunny will love the taste and texture of these woods.
Wooden Bridge
There are bunny-approved toys in the market that can serve as chew toys for your rabbit. One of these toys is a wooden bridge. You can use this toy as a training ramp, a tunnel to higher ground, or a chew toy for your rabbit.
To avoid buying a wooden bridge, you can create one with bunny-friendly wood. It will be a fun project for you and a great chew toy for your precious furry friend.
Dry Grass Mats
Rabbits can eat high-quality dry grass. If you get your bunny an all-natural dry grass mat, your pet will have a blast nibbling on it and enjoying a little snack while trimming its ever-growing teeth at the same time.
Chew-safe Balls
Rabbits have sharp teeth that can grind through rigid elements as well. There are chew-safe balls available in the market that will be perfect for your bunny’s remarkable teeth.
These balls can contain dry grass, willow, seagrass, water hyacinth, and rattan trio. Your rabbit will love chewing and throwing its chew-safe balls all over the place, making it a fun and entertaining activity.
Chew Tube
If you are into watching your pet rabbit conquer a maze, chew tunnels are the best item for you. These are tunnels made of chewable material, which makes them twice as charming for your bunny. Rabbits love to crawl through tunnels and chew. Provide your bunny with a chewable tunnel and watch it play in it for hours.
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What Should Your Rabbit Never Chew?
Everything has its pros and cons. Yes, chewing is fantastic for your rabbit’s dental health, but only some things will benefit your bunny.
Being chewable does not mean something is suitable for your bunny’s digestive tract. You must be cautious when providing your rabbit with chewable toys and ensure none contain harmful substances.
Here are a few things your rabbit should never chew:
- Shiny, colored, printed, and foil-covered cardboard should not be in your rabbit’s access. This cardboard contains harmful substances like ink, wax, plastic, foil, and metal.
- An excessive amount of paper can block your rabbit’s digestive tract if swallowed in large quantities. Avoid giving your rabbit too much paper.
- Only provide some kinds of wood to your rabbit, as many are poisonous for your pet. Never give your rabbit any stone fruit tree sticks, cedar wood, pine wood, oak, redwood, and a walnut tree, as they contain cyanide and phenols.
- Rabbits can chew on ropes but not ones made of cotton and synthetic material. These ropes do not digest and can get entangled in your rabbit’s guts.
- Carpets are harmful to your rabbit as they contain synthetic fibers and chemicals, which can cause GI blockage for your poor bunny.
- Plastic is sharp and indigestible for your precious furry friend. You must keep it away from your pet rabbit to avoid gut disruption.
What Will Happen If Your Rabbit Does Not Chew Enough?
If your precious bunny does not chew enough to trim its teeth, the teeth will overgrow and cause trouble for the animal. Rabbits with overgrown teeth experience a loss of appetite as it is difficult to chew. Furthermore, longer teeth attract bacteria and viruses to your rabbit, which can cause sneezes and other diseases.
A bunny that does not eat properly can suffer from GI stasis. It is an intestinal disorder that causes a blockage of the digestive tract. If your rabbit cannot digest and defecate the food at a natural pace, it will build painful gas and increase your poor bunny’s mortality rate.
Final Word
Rabbits are complex creatures, and you need to research more about them before deciding to raise one. Bunnies require unique things to match their needs.
If you do not provide them with the specific conditions they thrive in, your rabbit will be unhappy and sickly. As a new pet owner, knowing about your bunny’s needs, wants, food, and safety is best.
These furry animals have fragile bodies and organs, which need extra care and a healthy environment. Ensure your precious furry baby has a healthy choice of chewable items to keep its teeth trimmed.
It is also beneficial if your rabbit is entertained and occupied with its chew toys, not destroying your home furniture or other elements.
Give your pet bunny loads of attention, care, love, and playtime to ensure it does not get irritated and frustrated enough to retaliate by unintentionally harming itself. A healthy bunny means a carefree life for you!