Grinding down teeth methods

[Wick & Fable]

Wick is a Netherland Dwarf, so he’s more prone to feeling irritated by his molars due to his skull/jaw shape. At 6mo, he had his first molar grinding already because they started to bother him.

Does anyone have advice on ways to keep teeth grinded down. I know I’ll have to go to the vet no matter what every few months, but something to elongate the time in-between would be great. He does have a healthy hay diet, but I’m wondering if something else may encourage him to chew as well.

Wick does not chew or dig, nor has showed any interest in doing so. He’s not aggressive in general. Honestly, laptop cords and such are just around the living room and the most he does, if anything, is clamp on them gingerly to try and move them out of his way. He’s always been like this, and he’s currently 1-week post his neutering. He’s not interested in cardboard, plastic, the hay balls/wood sticks, etc.. I’ve also tried soaking the wooden items in fruit juices or putting food in them/on them, but he’s not interested. The only thing he -tugs- at lightly, so not really a bite at all, is the rubber buttons on a remote, so that doesn’t really work health wise nor does it encourage chewing.

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.

[jerseygirl]

Oh, little Wick. <3

What about the type of hay he eats? Does he go through much of it?
Im thinking something like oat hay would take a bit more chewing action. Or the coarser cuts of other grass hays.

[Wick & Fable]

Wick does get Oat hay, but his mixture is majority timothy. Oat hay is only sold in small bags, as well as orchard, while timothy is sold in very large bags. He does love oat hay though— the seeds drive him nuts. He actually gets some ‘tude with oat hay because he starts just wanting seeds, haha.

Where are some good places to get coarser cuts of hays? Also, I’m unsure which terms are associated with the coarser cuts. (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

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.

[jerseygirl]

Generally the 1st cut is the tougher, more stalky hay. 2nd cut is more a mix of stalk and softer leaf, 3rd cut is the softest.
With thicker stalks, im thinking they have more chewing action and teeth wearing on teeth. But if they just decide to eat less because they don’t like it, then nothing is gained!
Fresh grass is good too. This is an interesting read: http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2011/10/07/grass-hay-tooth-wear/

[Q8bunny]

Chewie is not a big chewer either aside from his cardboard diggy fortress and his hay (and he prefers orchard grass, which is quite soft). BUT I did discover that he’s far more likely to chew proper chew toys IF I hold them up for him or prop them up securely somehow. I think it’s the resistance he enjoys, so maybe Wick ‘wood’ too?

[Wick & Fable]

Thanks for the suggestion Q8. I’ve tried that in the past, but once Wick realizes it’s not food, he moves on to prowl for where food may be, haha. I hope Wick ends up enjoying playing with toys or toy-like things, but I think he’s content just moving from one lay-spot to another when he’s not eating or using the restroom.

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.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Q8bunny on 7/07/2017 1:44 PM
Chewie is not a big chewer either aside from his cardboard diggy fortress and his hay (and he prefers orchard grass, which is quite soft). BUT I did discover that he’s far more likely to chew proper chew toys IF I hold them up for him or prop them up securely somehow. I think it’s the resistance he enjoys, so maybe Wick ‘wood’ too?

Yes! I think rabbits would be much more interested in chew toys if they are anchored in some way. Wild rabbits chew on tree trunks and saplings and larger tree trunks. They don’t flop around.

[Azerane]

Posted By jerseygirl on 7/07/2017 12:34 PM

Fresh grass is good too. This is an interesting read: http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2011/10/07/grass-hay-tooth-wear/

Oh good, something I can link to when people call me out on grass being just as good for tooth wear, haha. Where do you think hay comes from?

[Q8bunny]

From the hay fairy, of course!

[jerseygirl]

Uh-uh. Princesses make it out of gold.

[Q8bunny]

Ooooh…. fan-cy!

[jerseygirl]

Yep. The fairy is the delivery chick.

[Author]

Messages