minerals from drinking water

Question
I would like to know if there is a relationship between a rabbit's drinking water mineral content and the development of urinary calculi. In some livestock species there seems to be a connection between these two.

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Gina

There is no strong evidence linking diet (including water) and urinary calculi or sludge in rabbits.  Some vets even believe that withholding calcium from rabbits this condition can do more harm than good, since the problem is usually due to metabolic bone disease, not to dietary excesses in minerals.

Rabbits have calcium metabolism that is quite different from that of other herbivores, so at this time, I would say that you don't have to worry about minerals in the water predisposing your bunny to stones or sludge.

Hope that helps.

Dana