Pumice Stone Block for gnawing

[Deleted User]

Does anyone’s rabbit like this type of gnaw stone?

My mini rex (also known to chew rusty metal if given the chance) started to like it all of a sudden after I’d left it in their hay storage box for a month. I wonder if they shouldn’t  be allowed to have it all the time b/c it may actually wear down their teeth too much. What do you guys think, any experiences?

[RabbitPam]

Hi,
I haven’t experienced this, but I would be leery of letting him gnaw on it since stone is quite hard to break down in the digestive tract. Bunnies have delicate stomachs, so fiberous grains are better for them to use their teeth on. Simple wood toys are for that purpose. I would hate to see you bunny get a little piece of rock in his system that he couldn’t pass. It looks tiny to us, but is rather large for a bunny. It’s possible that a piece of stone could also get caught in his gums between his teeth and cause a problem as well. There are many absolutely safe made-for-bunnies toys you can order on line.

[Deleted User]

hmmm. I wonder why they advetised it as a rabbit toy? I was hoping it was safe because it said for rabbits on it. It grinds into a powder when they gnaw it, but I don’t want to take any chances; maybe I will ask my vet next time i go in.

[BinkyBunny]

There are many things that are advertised as rabbit toys that may not be good for them. I really don’t know much about pumice stones. I know mineral blocks etc are not needed, and pumice being from volcanic glass just doesn’t logically sit well with me but I don’t know enough either way without just basing it on my own personal opinion. So I researched for a bit, went to etherbun too and found that for the most part people just felt the same way I did – how could this be any good? But I don’t have any hard facts that I have found. I am waiting for a call back from my rabbit-savvy vet regarding something else, so I will ask her about this when she calls and let you know what at least she says.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, BB. I took mine away from my rabbits today. I just want to ask my vet too because they are selling it in their supplies section.

[jerseygirl]

I do wonder if would even be hard enough to wear the teeth. I also wonder how hard their teeth actually are. For us, the enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and the teeth wear from abrading against each other. So I figure it’s the same with rabbits (?) So anything that encourages the chewing action – like eating hay- causes the teeth to abrade. Suitable woods are soft in comparison to teeth also, but it allows chewing and is safe to ingest.
So that make sense in my head for the molars but what about the incisors – can they really be worn down be comparitively soft materials?

[Deleted User]

I agree JG.
That pumice stone is a joke in my estimation now.
*Maybe tooth purrs wear down the incisors* j/k!

[KytKattin]

A breeder told me that they use a Pumice stone thing for brushing. I need to ask her about it the next time I see her. I don’t know how well it would work, but it could be worth a try.

[Deleted User]

I have seen bar-shaped pumice stones to buy for grooming, they have rounded edges, though. Not like that block thing that I have. — You know what? I have started using this block recently for stripping branches!!!

Please share what you find out from this breeder about grooming with a pumice stone.

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, I forgot to answer this – I also forgot to ask my vet about it. But I did get an answer back from Dana Krempels:

It was short and sweet:

Dear Jennifer,

Pumice stones? You mean to chew? Not harmful, but I wouldn’t think they’re necessary.

[KytKattin]

The girl got back to me and gave me a link to a rabbit supply website (for those who breed rabbits, so be warned!). It’s under grooming stuff. She also said that if she ever ordered from this place that she would give me her old one so if that day ever comes (I’m not getting my hopes up) or I use it at her house then I will post and tell how it works and whatnot. I’ll also get a better idea of if it is just like the $2.87 pumice stones at my local Walmart that I use on my feet. It is item number 6371 and is supposedly for Rex and Mini Rex rabbits. The website is http://www.kwcages.com

[Deleted User]

I tried it. My mini rex is molting again and it does strip off the hairs well. I prefer a damp cloth, though, it is more gentle.
Thanks, Kytkattin!

[Deleted User]

Thanks, BB for asking your great vet! I was worried that my rabbits could have swallowed something bad.

[shlbysmom]

shelby had one but she dosnt really do anything with it she dosnt like it

[Author]

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