I've heard they should be allowed to chew on wood but I have a few concerns:
1. We had loads of wood sitting in our basement but how can I tell if it's untreated or not? My guess is that it is untreated; theres no paint or anything on it but if there a way to be sure?
2. What if my rabbits eat the wood instead of just chew on it? Is it okay for them to injest it?
3. I've heard that it is possible for rabbits to get splinters from wood, how do I avoid/minimize this risk?
2007-02-19 04:14:53 · 7 answers · asked by Liz 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
They have a cage and run around upstairs during the day. I just meant that the wood was stored in the basement, the rabbits do not have access to it.
They are house rabbits...I'm fostering for the House Rabbit Society....not sure what kind though
2007-02-19 06:18:04 · update #1
Untreated wood is okay to have them munch on. HOWEVER If it is cedar, it is not good for their stomaches. I believe it can cause cancer. If you want to get wood for them to chew on... try apple wood. You can usually get it at your local grain store. ( I am glad that you specified that your rabbits were not running free unsupervised in the basement) You should consider a rabbit to be like a young child. They love to gnaw on things even if they aren't good for them. Ex. wires etc.. )
2007-02-19 15:02:36 · answer #1 · answered by Patsfan34 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you saying the rabbits are loose in the basement?
If so that is the first safeguard I would take. There are gates (attach and form a octagon shape) that are meant for outdoor play for toddlers that work great. I am not sure how many you have but I assume a cage is something you would have already ruled out.
In the wild rabbits chew on wood, tree trunks, branches etc. It is something they need to do in order to keep their teeth from growing too long. If they don't chew like this their teeth will grow too long and they will not be able to eat properly and could die.
I have owned rabbits most of my life and never have any of them been harmed by chewing on wood.
By the way, what kind of rabbits do you have?
2007-02-19 12:28:06 · answer #2 · answered by Threeicys 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is great for your rabbits to chew untreated wood. In fact rabbits teeth grow constantly throughout their lives, without something to chew on....they have a higher risk or dental issues. We give each of our rabbits a large piece of wood to sit on and chew on...this is also reccomended to get your bunny off the wire cage floor--helps protect their hocks.
2007-02-19 20:22:16 · answer #3 · answered by Morgan S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just fine if its untreated but a way to find out if it is treated or not is out it in water and see what happens after a few days if the liquid is any other than water with a chunk of wood in it I saw its fine.
2007-02-19 15:36:33 · answer #4 · answered by cute_hawt_rockerchick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have six rabbits and I bought them wood its good for them to chew on wood there teeth can over grow if they don't chew on sum thing
2007-02-19 14:18:56 · answer #5 · answered by Robin S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be ok for rabbits to chew on the wood...i mean what do wild rabbits eat? rabbits are over populated bacause they can survive. I think it's ok
2007-02-19 12:21:37 · answer #6 · answered by CrazyCatGirl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
wild rabbits eat wood all the time.
2007-02-19 12:23:30 · answer #7 · answered by Barb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋