Why Do Bunnies Chew a Lot?

When it comes to the world of bunny rabbits, chewing is a major pastime. The furry, floppy-eared creatures simply love to sink their teeth into things. Note, however, that rabbit chewing isn't simply a fun hobby for them, but rather a behavior that helps keep their teeth in tiptop condition, for life.

  1. Nonstop Growing Teeth

    • Bunny teeth never cease growing as long as they're alive. Their perpetually growing teeth actually can increase by as much as 4 inches in length annually. This constant growth is because their teeth lack real roots. What they have, instead, are lengthy crowns. Left to their own devices, rabbit teeth could technically just grow and grow and grow -- not exactly a pretty sight to envision.

    Importance of Chewing

    • The importance in chewing is directly related to the growth of their teeth. When rabbit teeth get into contact with things that have dense textures, it helps to grind them down -- and therefore keep their length in check. Without this occurring, excessive growth becomes a serious risk, along with malocclusion. Malocclusion is a condition that involves the bottom and top teeth not lining up correctly. This can prevent rabbits from being able to normally consume food, and without veterinary intervention can sometimes lead to fatalities due to starvation. In short, malocclusion is an extremely serious hazard to rabbits.

    Things to Chew

    • If you want to keep your bunny content and healthy, you must make sure she always has plenty of safe and appropriate things to chew, like apple tree twigs and willow branches. Some branches are hazardous to bunnies, however, such as those from cherry and apricot trees. Never give your rabbit any chewy item unless you're 100 percent sure that it's totally safe. Always consult with your veterinarian beforehand to be sure.

    Diet

    • Diet also can give your bunny the necessary chewing she needs to stop her teeth from growing overly long. Fiber-packed foods like grass hay are beneficial for bunnies, as are green vegetables -- think dandelion greens and kale.

    Safety

    • The more appropriate things your bunny has to chew, the more entertained she'll be -- and the less likely she'll be to chew on things around your household. Not only does chewing serve a practical purpose for rabbits, they enjoy doing it, too. Make your home as safe as possible for your chew-happy pet, and that means making sure that all electrical cords and potentially toxic plants are totally out of her access. Plastic tubing over cords can go a long way in protecting your rabbit and belongings. In many cases, you can simply conceal these things, perhaps below thick rugs.