Salt/Mineral Wheels

Question
I've been raising rabbits for the past ten years. Recently, I've been buying vitamin supplements and other health aids for my 4-year old netherland dwarf silver marten (it's more of a pet and i'm looking to prolong its life), including the recent addition of a salt wheel. However, instead of licking the salt wheel, he spends hours rubbing his chin against it. I know rabbits do this as a way to mark their trrirtory, but I was curious as to why he might do this, and if he's getting any nutritional aid from out. Thank you!

Answer
Hi Nicole

There is absolutely no need what so ever to give your bunny a salt/mineral wheel.  The only thing a rabbit needs is a good balanced diet of pellets, veggies, fresh drinking water and hay.  Since he is a pet and you obviously want him to live a long healthy life and you aren't trying to beef him up for the meat market then you want to make sure he is getting pellets that are high in crude fiber with about 16 - 17% and low in protein.  Since he is a dwarf I am assuming he is not long haired so anywhere between 10 - 12% protein but absolute not more than 15% is good.

It doesn't hurt to give him a good variety of rabbit safe vegetables and less pellets.  The HRS has great recommendations for pet rabbits.  Although I wouldn't suggest their diet for herd rabbits I really do use them and recommend them for pet rabbits.  They tend to make friendlier and healthier animals but they don't generally have the desired quality of fur for show stock.

I would take the minerals away from him.  I don't know what is in them besides the sodium but if there is calcium in there it can really wreak havoc with his kidneys.  The people that sell them say that rabbits need them but they really don't have any clue what they are talking about.

Here are a few sites that might help you with a healthy diet.

http://members.tripod.com/ppaezine/id6.html
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html
http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html

With a loving home and proper care a house rabbit can live well over 10 years.  Just remember that since he is going to be a house pet that it is very important to get him a yearly exam with a qualified veterinarian.  This way they will know all about him and you won't have to hurry to find a vet in an emergency.  They will have his complete history and baseline information.  

It is so nice to know that other breeders out there have pet rabbits too.  I could not live without my pet rabbits they are like my kids.

Good luck with him.

Pam