Excess calcium: carrot tops may have more calcium than we expected

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

People who have buns struggling with bladder sludge or excess calcium: carrot tops just may contain more calcium than we thought. If you’ve excluded medical problems and eliminated all other suspected foods but nothing worked, try to eliminate carrot tops.

 

We always gave it as a daily veg because we thought it to be low in calcium. A couple of weeks ago we ran out of fresh veg during a sudden snow storm. Breintjes calcium dumps stopped completely! They returned as soon as we tried feeding carrot tops again.

Rabbits release excess calcium through their urine. A calcium dump is a very concentrated thick paste with a strong smell. It’ll froth if you spray an acid like lemon juice or vinegar on it.

 

Breintje has always had an occasional calcium dump, up to thrice a week at times. The vet couldn’t find any problems with him and told us to avoid high calcium veggies.

By accident we found out that carrot tops were the problem all along. We’ve been pee-free for two weeks now!

He won’t have to go without veggies: we’re slowly going to reintroduce them one by one, and monitor his health.

 

[Bam]

Wonderful discovery, thank you for the warning! Many rabbits cope well with calcium-rich greens, but others don’t – and it’s of course especially important to be extra vigilant with buns who are getting on a bit in years ☺

Myb bun Bam was forbidden calcium- rich greens by his rabbit vet, due to high blood calcium. We barely ever get carrot tops here, but I cut out kale and cavolo nero from his diet. Luckily he was crazy about fennel too, both bulb fennel and herb fennel, so he could have that as a staple instead.

 

[DanaNM]

That’s very interesting!

At the rescue we had this spreadsheet with calcium content of veggies. I should have someone snap a photo of it and send it to me.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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