Is plum wood safe?

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jaxmarblebuns

jaxmarblebuns

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I have done quite a bit of trimming around the property and have some old (dead, dry, but not infested) Italian plum tree limbs. I'm trying to figure out if this would be safe for the rabbits to chew on, but I'm finding mixed results.

Most of the people saying no have ever actually tried it, but uve seen a few people say they've used it fpr years with no issues.

I also have some cherry wood that has been sitting for about 3 years drying out, does anyone kkownif its safer if it's dried.

I know that most people say not to use stone fruit wood because there is a chance of arsenic in the wood itself, but has anyone been able to prove this?

If anyone knows the answers (or better yet, research on this or has tested it themselves) please let me know. If I xan get some free chews that would be awesome.
 
Arsenic? Never heard of that, but I've heard the theory about cyanids - because that can indeed be found in the stones of the fruit. But IMHO extrapolating that the whole plant is toxic is kind of hyperbole, like that apple seed scare. They are of the Rosaceae familiy too, I don't know of anything of that rabbits can't eat. Also, even if there are traces, that stuff can be tolerated well to some degree, it's a very common defense in the plant world and our bunnies are top predators.

So I don't think that's an issue, and my rabbits definitly like all fruit tree branches, actually killed one new plum tree that wasn't fenced properly. I wouldn' switch their diet entirely to this though but just offer additionally - they'll know how much they can stomach if they are used to forage and different stuff.

Mine like their branches rather fresh, they don't chew on old, dred ones.
 
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If they eat everything you give them, maybe consider it more. But If they're already picky, then they probably haven't had their foraging instincts bred out of them; they'll decide what is good to eat and what is not. They also might just chew and not eat; sometimes it's a toy to them and not food.

I currently have a bunch of little foragers that found a way into my fiberglass insulated walls. No deaths, no illness, just a cursing bunmom finding pink itchy fluff everywhere. And upset bunnies watching me take away their fun.
 
Preitler said:
Arsenic? Never heard of that, but I've heard the theory about cyanids

I wouldn' switch their diet entirely to this though but just offer additionally.
Click to expand...
I meant cyanide, I always get the two words mixed up.

I am not looking for it to be part of their diet just something they can chew on for tooth health/boredom.
 

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