Most people prefer cats and dogs as their in-house pets. These animals are carnivores and omnivores, respectively. Fresh greens do not mean as much to them as herbivore animals.
A rabbit is a grazing animal that survives only on a plant-based diet. If you have a rabbit, you must constantly question what greens your furry friend can eat and what veggies it cannot. A common question among bunny raisers is can rabbits eat bok choy?
Yes, your rabbit can munch on bok choy. The leafy green has plenty of minerals and vitamins for your bunny’s benefit. If fed in moderate quantity, bok choy can be very healthy for your pet. However, overfeeding bok choy can drastically affect your poor bunny rabbit.
Bok choy is a Chinese cabbage that many people love. Many dislike the flavor despite its great taste and a dozen health benefits. Similarly, in bunnies, bok choy is an acquired taste.
There is a chance your bunny might not approve of this tasty treat. Before introducing bok choy to your bun, gather all the necessary information. Keep reading to become a bunny-feeding expert.
Also Check Out: Can Rabbits Eat Beet Greens?
How Much Bok Choy Should You Feed Your Bunny?
Bok Choy has high water content. Mix it with other leafy greens containing different nutrients to balance your bunny’s diet. Give your furry friend Bok Choy one time per week, as it can cause some rabbits to experience painful gas.
The dominant part of your bunny’s diet should be hay, that is 80-90%. The rest should be 10-15% greens and 5-10% fruits or flowers as treats. Always give a mixture of greens instead of one vegetable for a perfect balance.
How to Introduce Bok Choy to Your Bunny Rabbit?
Introducing a portion of new food to your furry pet can be a scary thought. However, not much can go wrong if done in a controlled manner. When you feed your bunny, consider a few things before letting your precious pet munch on it. It would help if you did the following before serving Bok Choy to your pet:
- Do your best to get in touch with a farmer and buy organic Bok Choy.
- If you get store-bought Bok Choy, be sure to wash all the possible pesticides and insect repellents.
- Check the leafy green for any insects, worms, or molt.
- Throw away any wilted or yellowing leaves of Bok Choy.
- Break the Bok Choy into smaller pieces to prevent your bunny from choking.
- Leave a little water on the leaves, giving your bunny a fresh feeling.
- Observe your bunny afterward if it was its first time eating Bok Choy.
- If you think your bunny is behaving differently, stop giving the vegetable and contact your vet.
How Can Bok Choy Benefit Your Bunny Rabbit?
Bok Choy is one of the vegetables with enough nutrients to keep your furry baby healthy and well-fed. In moderate amounts, Bok Choy can be your bunny rabbit’s new best friend and its favorite treat.
Rabbits love to eat the soft leaves and munch on the crunchy stems. It is the best of both worlds for them. Apart from the taste and crunchiness, Bok Choy has plenty of health benefits for your furry little friend:
Low Calcium
Bok Choy does carry a large amount of calcium. Therefore, you can give it to your bunny with many other greens that carry calcium. This quality of Bok Choy makes it one less vegetable that can cause your poor rabbit bladder stones.
Fewer Oxalates
Bok Choy has fewer to no oxalates present in its composition. You will not have to worry about accidentally poisoning your bunny with a natural food toxin.
Antioxidants
This leafy green has plenty of antioxidants. It will help your precious furry rabbit to keep its blood clean and prevent many diseases. Plus, with Bok Choy, you will not have to worry about your bunny’s sugar intake for the sake of antioxidants, like with fruits.
Plenty of Vitamins
Bok Choy contains a lot of essential vitamins needed by your bunny. It carries vitamins A, C, and K. These help your bunny maintain a healthy gut, fresh blood, and a robust immune system.
Low Calories
Bok Choy has very few calories. Humans use it in their diet plans when they want a healthier weight. You can do the same for your precious bunny rabbit. Obesity is not a friend of a rabbit. They have difficulty hopping and grooming themselves if they are overweight. You will not have to worry about a chubby bunny with Bok Choy.
Exciting For Your Rabbit
The texture of Bok Choy is fascinating for rabbits. Its leaves are soft, but the thick stem has a punch of crunch. Your precious pet rabbit would love a mixture of flavors and textures in its diet once a week with an added Bok Choy to its meal.
Also Check Out: Can Rabbits Eat Spinach?
The Risks of Feeding Bok Choy to Your Pet
Every food with plenty of benefits is bound to have a few risks. You can balance these by controlling the amount of Bok Choy portion in your bunny’s diet. Where Bok Choy has unique health gifts for your precious furry friend, here are a few things that might not work well for your bunny:
High Water Content
Bok Choy is like a cucumber; it is mostly water. If your rabbit overeats this leafy green, it can get diarrhea and watery stool.
Low Fiber
Bok Choy has minimal to no fiber in its composition. Low fiber can harm your bunny, as rabbits need fiber for smooth bowel movements. Too much Bok Choy can lead your bunny to develop GI stasis and other constipation issues.
It Does Not Help Trim Teeth
Bok Choy does not contain the necessary properties that help your rabbit wear down its teeth. Rabbits have ever-growing teeth, and they need natural trimmers in the form of food. The low fiber in Bok Choy will not prevent your bunny’s teeth from growing too long.
Low Protein
This delicious leafy green does not have enough protein for your bunny. Rabbits have fragile bone structures and weak muscles. They need an extra protein kick in their daily diet to maintain muscle strength. With Bok Choy, your bunny would need other vegetables to help it with its protein requirement.
Gassy Rabbit
Some bunnies react to Bok Choy and can experience painful gas. Not every rabbit can digest Bok Choy’s many nutrients all at once. Your pet rabbit has a sensitive digestive tract that can only take so much. Bok Choy might be a bit too heavy for your precious furry baby.
Also Check Out: Can Rabbits Eat Weeds?
Other Greens Your Rabbit Can Munch On
If your bunny does not approve of Bok Choy, do not worry. There are plenty of vegetables in the market that your bunny would love to try. Here is a list of delicious leafy greens and tasteful treats for your bunny’s next foody treat:
- Parsley
- Kale
- Green pepper
- Squash
- Brussel sprouts
- Escarole
- Swiss chard
- Mustard greens
- Beet greens
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Carrot tops
- Watercress
The rule of thumb for every food you give your bunny, apart from hay, is to give it a moderate amount. Do not give an excessive amount of any leafy green or fruit to your rabbit, as it can be hard on your bunny’s stomach, kidneys, heart, intestines, or lungs.
If you ever notice your bunny acting strange after you have introduced a new food to it, stop feeding the new food and contact your vet.
Final Word
Bok Choy is a great leafy green for your pet rabbit. It has a soft leaf and a crunchy stem. When you feed your rabbit anything, be sure to give it less amount unless it is hay. Buy organic and fresh food for your precious pet, as it will save you money in the longer run.
A healthy bunny means fewer vet visits. As a pet owner, your priority should be your little guy’s health, happiness, and prosperity.
Animals are innocent and voiceless. We must observe them and look into their behavior to decipher their needs and discomforts. After all, having a pet is like having a kid. We should do everything in our power to keep them happy and healthy!