What type of tree branches can rabbits chew?

[Riley101]

I have a huge woodline behind where I live. For my guinea pigs i cut off thick branches off of trees, mainly crab apple , for them to chew on. I want to do the same with my rabbit , because many store bought chews do not work for him.Therefore, his teeth are getting a little to long and with the branches i think it will keep his teeth trimmed down as it does for my guinea pigs.  I just dont want to cut off a branch and find out that he can’t have that type of wood. Are theyre certain types of trees that rabbits can’t chew on? If so what type of trees are toxic and which ones are safe? I must sound crazy but i just worry about Riley { my rabbit } getting sick.

 

Thanks!

[FrankieFlash]

I’m not an expert on this but I would use this site for reference until you get more recommendations from members on here: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/chewing.html (if you scroll down it lists safe type of branches and stuff they can chew)

[Monkeybun]

Hmm hay is what keeps bunnies teeth trimmed down, he may need a trim if his teeth grow faster.

Apple, willow, peach branches are safe, not sure about any others.

[Riley101]

Okay thank you guys!

[bunnyfriend]

You must dry out the sticks first, that gets rid of harmful chemicals in some of sticks.

[Roberta]

Riley is a very handsome Rabbit, Thanks for asking this question, I was wondering the same thing as I have Mulberry and Peach trees in my garden. Also Elderberry but I am not giving them those I’ve already checked and they’re toxic.

[jerseygirl]

Willow and apple can be fed fresh, the leaves, twigs, wood. I think maybe pear also. Not sure.
The rabbits probably like the newest growth best. If they’re not used to it don’t give too much. Drying it is good as you can keep it longer and they shouldn’t have problems eating it either.

Some woods of fruit trees should be avoided. Easiest way to remember is all single stone fruit trees (i.e.peach, plum, apricot…) and any redwood should be avoided.

[bunnyfriend]

I think there’s a list on the House Rabbit Society rabbit.org

[Bunnehs]

How do you dry the branches? In the oven or just leave it out.. 😮

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

OI!! Peach is NOT safe unless completely dried-all trees that have pitted fruit and all hardwoods have arsenic in the wood. IF they eat this uncured (and I wouldn’t trust it period, you’d have to be darn sure it’s dry) they will die quickly.

So willow and apple only in my books.

[RabbitPam]

Also be sure that the trees are not maintained by anyone else (a neighbor, local person) who sprays them with pesticides. I am concerned that the toxins may be added, even airborne from a nearby orchard, farm or lawn, rather than having toxins themselves.

[Chris Norlund]

 Regarding the ‘stone fruit’ wood/trees—- Just FYI,  IF they do have arsenic in them (and I’m not sure if  the stone-fruits do) arsenic is a ‘heavy metal’ and as such can NOT be removed from the wood by drying or baking the wood. If you were to completely burn the wood—if there is arsenic in it, it would still remain in the ashes even.  I’m not sure that arsenic is really the problem. (?)   However most of the stone fruits DO HAVE the main component of cyanide in their pits/stones.  

Poisonous resins and phenols (in fir, pine, etc) can and will ‘bake out’, making them safe though.  I’ve baked maple branches for our parrot in past (making perches, chew toys), and let me tell you—–the obnoxious smell coming from my oven was a bit nauseating to me. House was well-ventilated, but still I wonder if doing  it outside (dehydrator? closed BBQ using indirect + low heat?) would’ve been better.

More questions than answers…..sorry.  I’m still researching a good source for more info on this myself.

–Chris

[Sarita]

Chris, thank you for the info, HOWEVER this post is over 2 years old and we request that our members DO NOT respond to old posts. I am going to lock this.

[Author]

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