Branches help prevent overgrown teeth but check which are safe to be given to rabbits:
- Willow, spruce, ash (tree), maple (sugar and silver), juniper, poplar, apple, pear, hawthorn, hazel and citrus trees are all safe branches for rabbits to chew on.
- Always provide these in moderation. Too much can be unhealthy.
- Steer clear of branches with stone fruit as these are toxic (e.g. apricot, plums, cherries, peach, nectarines)
Can rabbits eat spruce?
Trees carrying drupes – single-seeded fruits (including plum, cherry, apricot and peach) are toxic to rabbits. Safe trees or bushes: willow, spruce, ash-tree, birch, maple, juniper, poplar, apple, pear, hazel, rose, and hawthorn.
What trees are poisonous to rabbits?
Toxic plants in rabbitsIris. Iris plants are also toxic for bunnies and can cause gastrointestinal irritation and salivation.Yew. Yew trees can be fatal if eaten by rabbits and cut branches are even more toxic than fresh ones. ... Lily of the valley. ... Ivy. ... Rhododendron. ... Elder. ... Deadly nightshade. ... Woody nightshade.More items...
Is pine wood safe for rabbits?
Pine that has undergone a certain drying process is safe for rabbits to chew on. This generally means that planks and furniture made with pine are fine, but not pine shavings or pine-based litters. You also want to avoid any fresh pine since this contains phenols that can cause liver damage in rabbits.
What wood is safe for rabbits hutch?
Most untreated wood is fine for example pine, for sheets - plywood is fairly commonly used to build outdoor rabbit housing.
Can rabbits eat evergreens?
Rabbits prefer Apple, Plum, Cherry, Pine, Maple, Baldcypress and several nut trees in addition to Cotoneaster, Sumac, Euonymus, Autumn olive. Juniper and Redcedar trees are least susceptible to rabbit damage, but damage can occur to these plants as well. Evergreens do not resprout from the base.
Do rabbits avoid poisonous plants?
Rabbit Poisonous Plants It is said that wild rabbits tend to avoid plants poisonous to them. The same cannot be said for rabbits kept as pets. Since they live off of a limited variety of foods, when allowed to roam and forage on their own, they will most likely be happy to try just about any “new”, green plant.
What bedding is bad for rabbits?
Shredded paper, straw, and paper pulp bedding are not great choices for the litter box. Pine and cedar shavings should be avoided for use in bedding or litter for rabbits. They are toxic and can lead to liver complications.
What is the safest bedding for rabbits?
A rabbit's bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds, specialist litter or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
What can I give my bunny to chew on?
Items that are safe for rabbits to chew on:hay!apple, willow, aspen branches.pine firewood.cotton towels.untreated fresh pine lumber attached to cage so it doesn't move–piece of molding, 1″x2″s, or 2″x4″s.basket with hay in it–let the bun chew the basket as well as the hay.compressed alfalfa cubes.
What kind of wood is used for rabbits?
In addition to well-known products such as lumber, furniture, and plywood, wood is the raw material for wood-based panels, pulp and paper, and many chemical products. Finally, wood is still an important fuel in much of the world.
What do you put in bottom of rabbit cage?
But if your cage or enclosure has a wire or plastic floor, then you'll need to take measures to protect your bunnies' feet. Cardboard, hay, and paper make excellent flooring for a cage or hutch. You probably already have some in your home right now. Wood bedding, marmoleum, and fleece work well, too.
Is cedar wood toxic to rabbits?
The phenols in the softwood (pine and cedar) shavings causes changes in the liver's enzymes. Your rabbit's liver tries to remove the phenols by producing more of certain enzymes that destroy these chemicals; this is a natural part of you and your rabbit's defense against enviromental toxins.
How do you tell if a rabbit has been poisoned?
Poisoned rabbits often become lethargic and weak, and may lose their appetite. Some develop obvious abdominal pain and breathing difficulties. Rabbits with these signs may die, even with treatment.
Can rabbits eat oak leaves?
Poisonous plants Although we see squirrels collecting acorns, both acorns and oak leaves are toxic to our bunnies.
What foods are poisonous to rabbits?
Avocados. Though an excellent, healthy snack for humans, avocados contain a compound called persin which can be dangerously toxic to rabbits. ... Chocolate. ... Fruit Seeds/Pits. ... Raw Onions, Leeks, Garlic. ... Meat, Eggs, Dairy. ... Broad Beans and Kidney Beans. ... Rhubarb. ... Iceberg Lettuce.More items...•
Can rabbits eat elder tree?
However, most parts of the elderberry plant should not be fed to rabbits, and the fruit itself should only be consumed on occasion as a treat. Most parts of the elderberry plant are toxic to rabbits due to the presence of cyanide-inducing substances in the plant. These include the stem, leaves, and seeds.
What to use for rabbit bedding?
Some alternatives to soft and hardwood bedding for use in your rabbit's pen are cat litter, wheat pellets or paper. The advantage of using either clay or wheat-based cat litter is that these absorbent materials also absorb or cover the smell of ammonia from rabbit urine, however, they can be more costly. The advantage of using either paper pellets or paper strips as bedding for your rabbits is this bedding material is very low cost, however paper does not cover odours and must be changed frequently.
What is the best bedding for rabbits?
One advantage of using soft wood bedding is its price. You can purchase a large bag of pine shavings from a pet store or farm store for under ten dollars. Another advantage of using pine for rabbit bedding is that the plant chemicals present in pine can cover the ammonia scent given off by the excrement of your rabbit. However, a major drawback to using pine is there is a potential link between liver failure and cancer in rabbits and the use of pine as their bedding. Cedar is another soft wood that may cause illness and premature death in rabbits.
Is spruce bedding safe for rabbits?
Spruce is listed as a non-toxic plant for rabbits, and has in no way been linked to causing illness in rabbits when used as a bedding. Spruce bedding can be found as either shavings or in pellets, alone or mixed with other hardwoods. The advantage of using spruce is that this plant does not exude volatile plant chemical like pine does.
What wood is safe for rabbits to chew?
Even better, it’ll also provide the sort of boredom-busting mental stimulation that every rabbit loves. But when you’re searching for the best rabbit chew toys, how do you know which wood is safe for rabbits to chew? Safe wood for rabbits is untreated and pesticide-free, with popular choices including willow, apple and spruce.
What wood do bunnies like to chew?
Some popular woods that are safe for bunnies to chew and that rabbits like to chew on include: Apple. Arbutus. Ash. Aspen. Bamboo cane.
Why do bunnies chew?
Chewing serves more than one purpose for bunnies. You’re probably aware that rabbit teeth constantly grow throughout their lives. Chewing safe items like wood helps trim their teeth down and maintain good health. Chewing also provides an outlet for your playful and energetic rabbit.
What are the best foods for rabbits?
Check out our latest video! 1 Wood from stone-fruit trees. Wood from apricot, peach, cherry, avocado and plum trees is toxic to rabbits. While some sources say branches from some of these trees are OK when they’ve been dried for at least a month, they’re generally best avoided. 2 Cedar and fresh pine. Cedar and pine contain phenols, which are chemicals that give the woods their distinctive odor. These phenols have been linked to liver problems in rabbits, so these woods should not be given to your pet.
Can rabbits eat balsa wood?
Yes, rabbits can eat balsa wood. Some bunny chew toys are even made from balsa wood.
Can bunnies chew on furniture?
Finally, giving your bunny safe items to chew will ensure that he doesn’t turn his attention to his hutch or your furniture. This will not only prevent him from damaging your belongings, but it’ll also stop him from chewing anything toxic or dangerous. Wooden and wicker furniture could be treated with a wide range of harmful chemicals, so be sure to stop your bunny chewing these items.
Is chewing wood safe for rabbits?
Final Thoughts. Chewing is an important way for your rabbit to stay healthy, so ensuring that your pet has safe items to chew on is vital. When choosing wood for your bunny, make sure it’s from a tree that’s non-toxic to rabbits and that the wood is untreated and free of any dangerous chemicals.
How Do I Stop My Rabbit Chewing?
You can’t stop them from chewing, but you must ensure that they don’t che w on anything dangerous.
Why Do Rabbits Like Chewing?
Most new rabbit owners are surprised to discover how much rabbits love to chew. Rabbits are herbivores (not meat eaters), but they will chew anything.
Why do rabbits chew cardboard?
Rabbits are drawn to paper for the same reason rabbits chew cardboard: the cellulose is irresistible to them. Cellulose helps rabbits’ digestive systems to work smoothly. This is why a rabbit’s diet should mostly be made up of fibrous foods, such as hay.
How to stop rabbits from chewing on table legs?
For best results, place chew toys near areas where your rabbit likes to chew. For example, a toy near your dining table can distract your rabbit from chewing on the table legs. If you divert your rabbit’s attention, your problem should quickly resolve itself.
What woods are toxic to rabbits?
Certain woods, such as cherry and oak, are toxic. Keep these items out of your rabbit’s reach. Instead, offer your rabbit hay, or chew toys made from safe woods such as willow. We’ll look at why rabbits like to chew, and why it’s crucial for their health.
What to use to file rabbit teeth down?
You may have come across wooden chew toys for rabbits. Wood is sturdy, durable, and great for helping to file rabbits’ teeth down. And as a bonus, it’s all-natural.
Why is plastic bad for rabbits?
Plastic poses a problem for two main reasons. If the piece of plastic ingested is sharp, it may cause intestinal perforation. If your rabbit consumes an excessive amount of plastic, or a large piece, it may cause an obstruction.
What to do if your rabbit doesn't like to chew on wood?
Rabbits will all have their favorite types of branches and twigs. Different types of wood taste different, so if your rabbit doesn’t like to chew on one variety, try another. You can also check what type of material your furniture is made out of, so you can be sure the type of wood is safe if your rabbit chews on it.
What are rabbit toys made of?
Many rabbit toys are made with willow twigs. These are often a lot of fun for rabbits to chew on.
Why do rabbits chew?
Why do rabbits need to chew? Chewing is mainly a behavior in rabbits because it helps them to keep their teeth trimmed down. Since their teeth grow continuously, it’s important to a rabbit’s health that they always have something to chew on. In the wild, rabbits have plenty of roots, twigs, and bark to chew through, but as house pets, we need to give our rabbits more options.
What are some good things to give bunnies?
Just be sure that these are untreated if you want to give them to your rabbit to chew on. 2. Apple and pear. Apple and pear trees are safe for rabbits. They can have twigs, branches, or leaves fresh from a tree if you have one in your yard. Apple sticks can be commonly bought in bundles to give to rabbits.
How do you know if a rabbit is active?
It’s easy to tell when a rabbit is active when they zoom and binky around the room , but that’s not the only way to know your rabbit is happy and content in your home. You can watch your rabbit's...
What is the best toy for bunnies?
Maple. Some bunny-safe toys that are sold online and in pet stores are made of maple. They are also sold in bundles of sticks for your rabbit. This is a slightly sweeter wood, making it a more tempting type of chew toy for most rabbits.
Can rabbits eat blackberry bushes?
Branches, twigs, leaves, and even fruit from raspberry and blackberry bushes are safe for rabbits to chew and eat. If you have any of these bushes in your backyard, you can cut a few twigs off and give them to your rabbit fresh. Just be sure to wash them first.
Why do rabbits prefer to live near domesticated animals?
Pets: Pets provide some deterrence, but rabbits may prefer to live near domesticated animals because it means they are relatively safe from the more dangerous wild animals. Still, a dog or cat will help keep the rabbit population in check. Barbara Rich / Getty Images.
What are some good deterrents for rabbits?
Types of Deterrents. Fertilizer repellents: Blood meal and bone meal are natural soil amendments that make very good rabbit deterrents. Rabbits are herbivores, and the scent of these slaughterhouse by-products is usually enough for them to look elsewhere for food. Both are available as fertilizer, in garden centers.
What are some good plants to eat with rabbits?
In my yard, pansies, hydrangeas, blueberry stems, pea plants, bean plants, young pepper plants, beet greens and Swiss chard are the most favored plants, besides clover and violets.
How to protect free standing plants from rabbits?
To protect freestanding plants, encircle them with two- to four-foot-high fencing. You don't have to bury it, but make sure there is no access at ground level. And keep the fencing several inches from the trunk of the plant. Remember that snow cover will allow the rabbits to reach higher up on the plants.
What is Barbara Gillette's job?
Controlling and Deterring Rabbits in the Garden. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Cute as they are, rabbits can do a lot of damage in the garden. Since there is always more than one rabbit, ...
Do rabbit repellents work?
Rabbit Repellents. It would be nice if we could just figure out what rabbits avoid and place that throughout our yards. Repellents only work part of the time. If an animal is hungry or even too young to know better, they will munch on anything.
Can rabbits eat grass seed?
Overseeding your lawn with clover will provide them a ready source of food and it will even feed your lawn since it is a legume and fixes nitrogen. Clover seed is often available next to the grass seed.
What Do Rabbits Eat & Drink?
Rabbits are herbivores, and their daily diet should consist mostly of hay. Feed an unlimited amount of grass hay each day, such as timothy, oat hay, or orchard grass; avoid alfalfa hay. You can simply pile the hay in the enclosure, or put it in a special feeder called a hopper. Just make sure there's always some available.
Why are rabbits not good pets?
Rabbits are not ideal pets for children, partly because rabbits usually do not like to be picked up (though they do like being stroked and are quite social). Rabbits will usually be destructive if deprived of attention and appropriate toys.
How long should a rabbit be in a cage?
When not being directly supervised, your rabbit should be kept in a crate or cage at least 3 to 4 feet long .
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits do best on a diet that is based on grass hay such as timothy, oat hay, or orchard grass; avoid alfalfa hay. In addition, rabbits need green leafy vegetables; good choices include lettuces (except iceberg), herbs, watercress, carrot tops, cucumbers, and sprouts.
What to do if you don't want to give your bunny the run?
If you'd rather not give your rabbit the run of the house, you can provide it with an exercise pen. Pens designed for puppies are ideal: they provide plenty of exercise space without giving your bunny the option of exploring potentially dangerous spaces.
What to expect from a rabbit?
As long as you know what to expect from a pet rabbit, they have the potential to be wonderful pets. The ideal owner for a pet rabbit is an individual or family with the time and space to dedicate to an active pet that enjoys cuddling and playing and requires a bit of maintenance. Whether it involves daily interaction with owners or other rabbits, ...
Do rabbits respond well to litter training?
Rabbits also have the great advantage of responding well to litter-training. 1 They also do well with clicker training and can be trained to do special behaviors and tricks. All of these qualities mean that rabbits do require a great deal of interaction with their owners and/or other rabbits.
