Gus, the Amazing Maloccluded Rabbit!

[plasticbunny]

Well, due to bad breeding, it appears that my little Gus Pocket may have some major teeth issues in the future. His front incisor is slightly crooked, and his molars are already have teeny points on them. His vet says that it looks like he likes to chew on one side more than the other. She recommended trying to get some 2nd or 3rd cut hay, as it may be stiffer. I think his hay is pretty stiff already, but I'm looking if I can find something better. He has plenty of chew toys, and he especially loves his baskets. I have gotten him apple branches... but they're not as easy to come by where I am, and I'm wondering if crab apple branches would work?

Anyone have any further suggestions? And any thoughts on the crab apple branches?

 

[tamsin]

It's really roughness rather than stiffness you need in hay/grass. So when you run a blade between your fingers it catches.. that's what wears the teeth. Although grass feels fairly smooth, the surface is actually quite like a scrubbing brush if you look under a microscope!

I'm not sure which cut would have the rougher surface but you can compare by feeling the blades like that. You definitely what the leafy part of the grass rather than the stems.

 

[mishalaa]

Crab apple is acceptable. I planted four crab apple trees last year to let grow for my furkids to chew, but the wild bunnies stripped a lot of the bark off the trunks this winter. I should have put guards around them, but I know better now for the next batch I planted.

But yes, crab apple is just as good as apple.

 

[gmas rabbit]

You can also use willow, raspberry and cherry.

 

[gmas rabbit]

oops apparantly not cherry according to the online site I just seen. But they listed alder, birch, spruce, rowan, hawthorn, aspen, ash, willow, maple, goat willow, popalar, hazel, juniper, gooseberry, red currant, apple, pear, black currant. They suggest that you stay away from any type of tree with small stone fruits - cherry, plum, apricot, peach.

 

[plasticbunny]

Thanks for the advice! Hopefully this will help his teeth :biggrin: