Do Bunnies *Need* Chew Toys?

[Jenk]

Does a rabbit absolutely require edible toys for teeth (and mental) health?

My Zoe has a very touchy digestive system (possibly megacolon). The last time that she chewed all the bark off of a small chew stick (maybe 6" in length), she stopped pooping (or at least her gut slowed way down). It may have beena coincidence, but I'm leery of giving her toys that she could regularly ingest (e.g., chew sticks, wooden bird toys, cardboard huts, etc.).

Jenk

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

My rabbits don't have chew toys because they don't use them. Hay also helps to wear down the teeth, so if they're eating hay then she should be ok.

You could also give her a toy, but not let her chew it all up at one time, like you mentioned that she does. Give it to her maybe once a week or so, and she would probably be fine.

Emily

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Yeah, I agree with Emily. Because I've been there. Some buns won't chew anything, some buns will chew everything!

The cheapest toy to try is a toilet roll stuffed with hay!

 

[Jenk]

I'm glad that you've both said bunners don't necessarily need chew toys as long as they have hay. (My girls are rollin' in hay. )

I've been feelingas though I'm depriving them of a form of mental activity. But Zoe chews everything (and was hospitalized for the recent Zoom-Groom incident); and Emma's been having repeated stasis issues since May. Thus, I stopped givingZoe chew toys long ago;I've takenaway Emma's chew toys more recently.

Emma still has her wooden hut (which she doesn't chew); Zoe still has her big rubber ball to shove around. Both girls still have their plastic baby rings and chew toys, whichthey mostly fling around rather than chew.

 

[Becca]

I give mine hay in a cardboard tube with the ends folded down and little bits of hay sticking out becuase they throw it around to get the hay out and wollah you get a fun toy which helps dijestion!!