Chap 5: Growing Pains
Posted on November 1, 2007 - Filed Under BitBit, Bunny Care |
2007: A little message for you guys who want to keep a rabbit: Please pay attention on your rabbit dental care. Bitbit is suffering from tooth problem which affects his health. Rabbit teeth are open-rooted, which means they grow continuously throughout their lives. His tooth doesn’t meet properly leading to abnormal growth and eventually encourage the development of sharp edges or points. Sharp tooth edges are painful and can get long enough to cut the tongue, or can cut the inside of the cheeks, causing soft tissue abscesses. This problem started when he was just few months old. Everytime when I reached home, he would bite on his cage and yank to call for attention. Moreover, he was such a choosy rabbit who only eat pellets (insufficient fiber) which unable to properly wear down its teeth. In time, his tooth has grown flat and become unusual. Finally, Bitbit has difficulty eating. His out of shape tooth giving him problem to scoop the pellets from his bowl. Therefore, he would chew up his own fur to feed his empty stomach. Ended up, he looked like a strain rabbit with patches of missing furs. He is still having this problem up till now. I’m planning to bring him to vet for a full check-up and seek advice on his dental issue. Hopefully doc can help!!!
For more information about Rabbit Dental Care, please visit Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue!
Violent cage biter…:(
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2 Responses to “Chap 5: Growing Pains”
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Oh man, those cages are really, really bad for rabbits. It hurts their feet and they can break toes or even legs in wire bottom cages. You should cover it with something solid or get a new cage with a solid bottom or else you’ll hurt your rabbit.
Furthermore, have you been giving your rabbit hay? 80% of a rabbit’s diet should be hay. You should provide it in limitless supplies, it’ll help them wear down their teeth too to prevent problems as you described. Also it will help them feel full, rabbits should always have something in their belly. If a rabbit doesn’t eat for 24 hours the bowels will stop working and the rabbit will die. Hay is very important!
The remaining percentage should be 18% fresh vegetables and a tiny bit of fruit, pellets and mixed food isn’t as important for rabbits.
In fact they’re originally developed for meat rabbits so they’ll gain weight fast, you wouldn’t want Bitbit to get fat and unhealthy right?
Also, next time you get a rabbit, please check your local shelters or pound. There’s often many rabbits looking for a new home and the staff will be able to give you expert advice. 4 weeks really is MUCH too young for a rabbit baby to be removed from it’s mother’s care, they should be with their mother until they’re at least 8 weeks old! But pet stores will get really young rabbits because they’re cuter and sell better, they don’t care of the rabbit dies when you get it home.
There’s lots more information here: http://www.rabbit.org/
Good luck with your bunny, from me and my 3 rabbits.
@ Thaily
Oh thank you for your advice. Bit Bit is a fussy eater and he don’t really eat anything besides pellet. It may be because of this teeth. Tried giving him fruits but he does not even bother to try them.
Would love to see your rabbits pictures. Thanks for visiting too.