Bunny chewing

[Sorrel]

Lily isn’t much of a hay eater unfortunately… we’re trying to encourage her to eat more at the moment. Until she does that, to help her (genetically bad + lack of hay doesn’t help) teeth it’s important she gnaws a lot. I think it’s laziness, but she’s never really chewed her toys as much as she should and I’d love her to chew more to help her teeth. Has anyone got any advice on encouraging bunnies to chew more?

[Wick & Fable]

Bearer of bad news, but outside experimenting with new toys and chew-safe materials, if your rabbit is not a chewer, she’s not a chewer.

You do need to encourage hay eating though, as that’s the best avenue for teeth maintenance. Trying different kinds, how much is presented (small or large handful), how fresh the hay is, etc. will all affect hay consumption. Don’t think you can’t trick your rabbit into eating more hay! What have you tried and how is hay presented and cycled through currently?

I find increasing hay consumption to be a sport. Many people know Wick does not chew anything at all, in addition to his bad genetics, runt size, and under bite. He has needed a teeth grinding every 2mo thus far (he’s only 1 yr old!), so I’ve spent a lot of time making him a hay monster to elongate that time window.

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.

[Sorrel]

Okay then, I’ll just keep offering her new toys. I think I’ve figured out that she only chews her toys when she’s in the mood, because yesterday she had no interest whatsoever, but right now she’s savagely chewing some willow sticks. If I annoy her with some toys eventually she’ll start chewing them. Thank you!

Well, we’ve been placing hay all around her hutch, next to where she likes to sit, and we’re putting in more into her bed area (hay) everyday. We’re also putting a big handful in her food bowl and I also bought a hay rack. We’re also only giving pellets in the morning and when she goes to bed, so when she’s hopping around throughout the day all there is to eat is hay, alongside hay treats and a foraging mix made mostly of hay and leaves. I usually put in a mixture of two hays into it. She’s being a bit snooty about it, but I’m sure she’s eating a little more than before – not a lot, but something, so that’s good. She also loves her timothy hay treats, which are at least something even if they’re not a lot, certainly better than before her teeth started getting bad. We’ve got about three different types currently – timothy, meadow, and another grass-type one… we’re gonna keep offering her different types each time. I give her fresh in the bowl every day.

Wow, only a year? Poor sweetie. Lily’s seven now and the vet reckons she”ll need an op every six months if we can get her eating hay. Eventually she’ll realize hay’s all she’s gonna have throughout day, so maybe she’ll start eating more soon. Hope your bun keeps eating his hay!

[Sorrel]

Okay then, I’ll just keep offering her new toys. I think I’ve figured out that she only chews her toys when she’s in the mood, because yesterday she had no interest whatsoever, but right now she’s savagely chewing some willow sticks. If I annoy her with some toys eventually she’ll start chewing them. Thank you!

Well, we’ve been placing hay all around her hutch, next to where she likes to sit, and we’re putting in more into her bed area (hay) everyday. We’re also putting a big handful in her food bowl and I also bought a hay rack. We’re also only giving pellets in the morning and when she goes to bed, so when she’s hopping around throughout the day all there is to eat is hay, alongside hay treats and a foraging mix made mostly of hay and leaves. I usually put in a mixture of two hays into it. She’s being a bit snooty about it, but I’m sure she’s eating a little more than before – not a lot, but something, so that’s good. She also loves her timothy hay treats, which are at least something even if they’re not a lot, certainly better than before her teeth started getting bad. We’ve got about three different types currently – timothy, meadow, and another grass-type one… we’re gonna keep offering her different types each time. I give her fresh in the bowl every day.

Wow, only a year? Poor sweetie. Lily’s seven now and the vet reckons she”ll need an op every six months if we can get her eating hay. Eventually she’ll realize hay’s all she’s gonna have throughout day, so maybe she’ll start eating more soon. Hope your bun keeps eating his hay!

[Sorrel]

[Sorrel]

What just happened? Sorry about the three replies… the PC was buffering and I kept hitting the button!

[Wick & Fable]

If she enjoys oat hay, it’s much more crunchy and may help maintenance a bit. It sounds like you’re doing a good job

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.

[Sorrel]

Thank you!

[Author]

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