salt licks

[mvmdlg]

My wife and I had bought a salt lick thingi for shadow @ petsmart, she said she has heard buns need it/like it.  I don’t beleive shadow has even looked/licked at it.  Waste????

 

 

[Sarita]

Pretty much – this is a very old fashioned thing – rabbits get all the nutrients they need from their hay, veggies, and pellets.

[MooBunnay]

Unfortunately yes, it isn’t necessary (good thing they are not TOO expensive!) – everything I have read said that bunnies do not need salt licks. I have 8 bunnies, and I have one that really loves them, but other than her none of them even look at them except to throw them out of the way if they are in their path. If your bunny is getting a nice healthy diet of grass hay, dark leafy veggies, and a little bit of pellets here and there, they have all they need

[FluffyBunny]

Hmm…Interesting. PetSmart told us we needed mineral carrots and salt licks too… Mr. Bunny’s never touched his…

[MarkBun]

Actually, some professionals feel that the licks are not only unnecessary but could be an issue with a build up of excess minerals. Maryann LOVED her salt lick – especially after having her rasins. Needed something salty after having something sweet.

[KatnipCrzy]

Especially for older rabbits with possible heart conditions I would think that the sodium would be detrimental.  I know that in humans, dogs and cats that low sodium diets are necessary with heart conditions. 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I have different thoughts on salt licks. Although some say they are necessary they are not dangerous (although true katnip, heart conditions you don’t want to be messing around with salt licks!)

But all livestock who are grazers require access to salt licks. Horses and cows must have salt blocks. They use them only when needed. They hypothalamus regulates cravings for food, and when you need salt you look for salt. If they don’t need them they won’t use them.

Sooo I offer them. Chuck uses his from time to time, Rupert and kahlua barely touch theirs. Most at the shelter do not use them, but some do seem to need them sometimes-especially the bigger hay eaters.

The pellets we feed are supposed to have salt contents in them, and they should provide enough. But grazers will use salt if it’s necessary and that’s why I prefer to offer them.

Their is also another reason I offer them. A medical case we read about in school this boy who ate salt. Literally ate it, boxes a week. They took the salt away and he died. Turns out he had an inbalance, so he was craving it to make up for it. So I feel if they need it they’ll use it.

Just my opinion, I know some people don’t give them

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