Do buns need WOOD to chew, specifically?

[bunnnnnnie!]

To keep a bun’s teeth worn down, do they need access to wood to chew, specifically?  Or does the combination of hay, pellets, and plenty of boxes to tear apart work ok?

I was just wondering because the only actual wood Zeus has in his cage is on one of these:

 

And he pretty much ignores it.  I also give him timothy cubes which are really hard, so I’m sure those help.  But I was just wondering if buns absolutely NEED access to wood, specifically, to keep their teeth in good condition? 

[MissKris&Koji]

I read somewhere it’s the grinding of tooth on tooth that keeps teeth in condition, not the hardness of whatever they’re into (I guess even wood is not really hard enough for that usually?) so as long as they eat plenty of hay that will do the trick.

I can’t remember where I read that, though, but I believe it was a reputable source and not yahoo answers. And I hope it’s right – I gave my rabbit a variety of things to destroy and he’s ignored them, so here’s to hoping.

[jerseygirl]

I read somewhere it’s the grinding of tooth on tooth that keeps teeth in condition, not the hardness of whatever they’re into

Exactly! And it’s the side to side motion of chewing. So hay takes care of that. Pellets…not so much.
Wood isn’t vital but can be a natural part of their diet. It adds fibre. Plus some find it entertaining to chew it. It also can divert them from something they’re not meant to chew. I find mine will chew heavier items they can really tear at. Wood chew type toys are ignored by them. I’m sure they’d have a go at the flavoured ones though.

If Zeus is munching away on his hay then you needn’t worry.

@misskrisnyc, I read some info just last week from a science journal on teeth wear. I’ll post the link when I find it. It did mention it’s not the hardness of the food (silicates etc) that contributes to teeth wear. So even if you did read it on yahoo answers, the info was probably good.

Edit: Here it is. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science  I might post this in it’s own thread also. Enamel being the hardest tissue in the body, it makes sense that enamel on enamel causes wear. It’s how it happens in humans anyway. I think hard plants have their place though as it would take more chewing to grind them down, so therefore more tooth on tooth action.

[LoveChaCha]

Hay is yummy to bunnies! I recommend different varieties.
My bunny really has taken a liking to Meadow Grass Hay. The BB store offers it!

Wood toys that bunnies like .. there is a 3 wood block chew that have been in juice (bunny safe) that are IRRESISITBLE to bunnies! I got a set for my bunny and she couldn’t stop munching it. Also, unpeeled/peeled willow toys are great.

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