A new study published in the February issue of The Veterinary Journal suggests that rabbits may obtain a steady source of calcium by ingesting the fine powder resulting from the natural grinding of their continuously growing teeth.
This finding challenges the previous assumption that rabbits primarily rely on calcium-rich foods, such as leafy greens, to meet their mineral needs.
To investigate whether tooth wear could serve as a calcium source, researchers conducted a two-week feeding experiment on eight female European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The rabbits were fed food pellets containing either a standard calcium supplement or ground-up rabbit teeth. Analysis of fecal samples revealed that rabbits on the tooth-powder diet digested 33% of the calcium they consumed, compared to 20% for those on the standard supplement. There was no significant difference in water intake, body mass, or fecal output between the two groups.
The study did not directly observe rabbits swallowing their own tooth fragments, nor did it measure tooth loss during the experiment. However, the findings suggest that the fine powder produced by the natural grinding of their teeth may provide a continuous internal source of calcium, potentially reducing the need for external calcium sources in their diet.
