Maintaining healthy teeth in a non-chewer?

[Deleted User]

Hi all,

I was reading through another thread about some issues a bun was having and the possibility of dental issues entered the playing field. Until this moment, I haven’t even thought about the fact that my Ophelia really isn’t a chewer! I get some apple chew sticks from small pet select and she likes to chew them down, but that’s about it. I have seen some REALLY gnarly pictures of overgrown teeth, and the thought of having to have teeth clipped makes me shudder all over! Is eating hay and having chew sticks enough to keep her teeth healthy, strong, and “normal”?

[Tim&Alfie]

My buns only really chew on apple sticks, too. I’m working on getting more willow and things like pine cones. Their teeth seem healthy so far, and I wouldn’t worry too much. Hay does a good job of keeping teeth healthy. Maybe try offering her different materials and woods to chew on. Some buns just don’t go for certain things. Like – for some reason – my rabbits won’t TOUCH mango! Idk why, I just offer them other things instead. I’d also suggest that when you give her treats, try for hard, solid, ones. Oxbow has some pretty good crunchy treats. If you really want to encourage chewing, rub some banana on a chew. This sometimes works. Also, this is where I buy my chews from in case you wanted to know:

http://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/chew-sticks/apple/

There are tons of options, and some come in bulk. Hope this helps!

[Wick & Fable]

Rabbit teeth never stop growing, so unfortunately, it’s pretty common to get a dental procedure done, whether it’s every 3mo (like Wick), or once after 7-8 years for some.

Different breeds/rabbit sizes will affect the frequency and likelihood, due to genetics and general bone structure. Wick is a runt (smaller than usual), Netherland Dwarf (known for teeth issues), and he doesn’t chew anything except hay, so he’ll be getting teeth done every 3mo for a while.

I expressed a similar concern, and a lot of people told me, including my vet who I trust very much, that a healthy hay diet will do a good job keeping teeth relatively in check for a while. Chew toys and other items will further maintain them.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

@ Tim&Alfie I’ll check out the link for chews! She loves banana, it’s funny that I never thought of rubbing it on the chew- that’s a good suggestion! Personally, I try to give fresh fruit treats. I’m just not a fan of commercially produced products, and I try to always give her organic fruits/veggies and that’s why I buy all my treats/hay/pellets from small pet select. I’m a big believer in the philosophy of putting good things into your body. Not to detract from the subject, but that’s why I don’t buy commercially produced products for my buns!

@Wick I was afraid you would say that!! Hopefully I don’t come across any issues. Is it only netherland dwarfs that are more subject to dental issues? Because I have a mini lop, so if it’s a small breed thing I will have to keep a look out (although he’s chewing the $h!t out of my baseboards right now…. so keeping those teeth filed down). My other bun is a dutch.

[Tim&Alfie]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 7/25/2017 3:19 PM

@ Tim&Alfie I’ll check out the link for chews! She loves banana, it’s funny that I never thought of rubbing it on the chew- that’s a good suggestion! Personally, I try to give fresh fruit treats. I’m just not a fan of commercially produced products, and I try to always give her organic fruits/veggies and that’s why I buy all my treats/hay/pellets from small pet select. I’m a big believer in the philosophy of putting good things into your body. Not to detract from the subject, but that’s why I don’t buy commercially produced products for my buns!         

I agree about commercial products, I was just suggesting in case you needed a last resort. If you became too worried and Ophelia was refusing chews, treats would possibly be the only way to attempt to keep her teeth in check. That’s why I suggested Oxbow, because I find that the quality is at least higher than other brands on the market. The banana trick seems to work well usually, I hope it does for you. 

@Wick I was afraid you would say that!! Hopefully I don’t come across any issues. Is it only netherland dwarfs that are more subject to dental issues? Because I have a mini lop, so if it’s a small breed thing I will have to keep a look out (although he’s chewing the $h!t out of my baseboards right now…. so keeping those teeth filed down). My other bun is a dutch.  
 

Lol, hahaha! My rabbits seem to love snacking on my baseboards, too!

[Tim&Alfie]

wow i really can’t seem to figure out this quoting thing! XD

[Wick & Fable]

Netherland Dwarves are notable due to their squashed faces, so I think the lop structure is more forgiving, though that’s a guess on my part.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[ThorBunny]

Someone posted this interesting thing on grass a while back:

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2011/10/07/grass-hay-tooth-wear/

The gist is that, while other chewing may be helpful, grass it the main way that teeth in buns are worn down. It seems like most of the problems that occur are when the skull is slightly too small (dwarf buns) or buns don’t eat enough hay, leading to overgrowth. If neither of these things are an issue she may be just fine with eating hay to wear her teeth down. I know Thor doesn’t chew on much except hay, but the vet says her teeth are in good condition. She’s never had anything done to them, although she is only 2 now.

[Deleted User]

Tim&Alfie that’s why I never quote lol!!! I just respond by using their names. Oxbow is a good brand, and I will keep it in mind as she ages that it may be more beneficial to give a crunchy snack over squishy fresh foods. Mine doesn’t stop at a baseboard snack, he wants a full meal!!! Lol. I’ve rubbed lime juice on the problem spots every few days and it seems to deter him from that spot but then he finds another one lol.

@wick I will mention it to my vet when he goes for a neuter and see if it’s something that I should be monitoring for him.

@thor I always thought that hay should be enough, but considering that their teeth just don’t stop growing I began thinking that it could be a problem.

[Tim&Alfie]

hahaha, maybe that’s the best way to do it!

[Q8bunny]

Ivory soap often works a treat for protecting baseboards and furniture – just lightly rub a bar on reachable areas.

As for teeth, one thing you can try that has double benefits is well-washed/scrubbed pineapple peel. Woody tooth-wearing item that also helps with fur digestion.

[Deleted User]

Q8 I didn’t know about pineapple peel!! That’s a good idea for a natural chew

[Author]

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