Herbivore animals love to eat every plant that comes their way. Most people love having dogs and cats as their pets. Feeding these animals is expensive but easier. You can buy them processed food, and they will enjoy it plenty.
However, rabbits are a bit different. Bunnies are grazing animals and love to eat fresh greens and hay. Rabbits cannot eat every vegetable out there due to their sensitive stomachs. So, can rabbits eat rockets (arugula)?
Arugula or rocket is a safe vegetable for your rabbit to eat. It contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your precious pet’s health. Like all greens and fruits, you should not feed too much rocket to your rabbit for a healthy metabolism.
Bunnies are herbivores and love to eat all things plant. They are unaware of what is good and bad for their fragile bodies. That is where you come in with the responsibility of keeping your pet rabbit safe and healthy till its last breath.
Never feed anything to your precious pet without researching its benefits and risks. Keep reading more about rockets or arugula and your bunny’s eating!
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Nutritional Value of Rockets or Arugula
Before diving into rockets or arugula’s benefits and disadvantages, you should know what the vegetable contains. Every vegetable has a list of nutrients that make it valuable for your precious rabbit.
Rockets or arugula contain fewer carbs and fats, which makes it one of the best veggies for your cute rabbit. A hundred grams of arugula contains 1.5g of carbohydrates and less than 0.5 grams. A low-carb and low-fat diet benefits your bunny’s digestive system as it cannot break down complex foods.
Arugula or rockets contain many vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E, K, etc. Vegetables that carry a lot of minerals can harm your rabbit if you feed too much to your furry friend. Always feed highly nutritious greens in a moderate amount.
Why is Arugula or Rocket Beneficial for Your Rabbit?
Leafy greens contain many great things that can benefit your bunny. As a pet owner, you are responsible for providing the most nutritious food to your furry little rabbit.
Arugula or rocket has many benefits for your rabbit:
Vitamin A
Arugula is an excellent source of vitamin A for your furry friend. Rabbits need vitamin A to maintain healthy eyesight and powerful eyes.
Vitamin C
Rockets have an adequate amount of vitamin C. This vitamin has anti-inflammatory properties that help keep your bunny healthy and non-swollen. Furthermore, Vitamin C is an antioxidant for your rabbit.
Vitamin K
If you have a female rabbit and would love to have a litter of cute bunnies, vitamin K benefits your soon-to-be-mom bunny rabbit. This vitamin promotes reproductive health and eases your bunny’s birthing process.
Iron
Your fragile rabbit needs extra help to stay healthy via nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Iron is an essential mineral to help your bunny maintain healthy blood. It regenerates blood cells and keeps your bunny healthy and happy.
Magnesium
Rabbits have fragile bone structures. When you have a rabbit as a bet, you must be extra careful about keeping your bunny safe from breaking its tiny bones. Magnesium is a mineral that can significantly aid you and your bunny. It has properties that help strengthen your rabbit’s bones and skeletal muscles.
Copper
Copper is not beneficial if given in large quantities. However, if you give arugula in moderation, your bunny can benefit from the copper component of the rocket. Rabbits love to hop and run all the time, and for that, they require plenty of energy.
Copper in arugula gives a boost to rabbits. Furthermore, rabbits are susceptible to anemia, and arugula can prevent your bunny from getting sick.
Potassium
A rabbit runs and hops all its life. Too much exertion can stress the circulatory system and heart of your precious baby pet.
Potassium intake is a must to ensure your bunny stays strong and healthy. The arugula has the right amount of potassium to maintain healthy blood pressure and a whole heart.
Calcium
Arugula or rocket contains calcium, essential for your precious friend’s teeth and bones. Plus, calcium helps with blood clotting to prevent unnecessary hemorrhaging of your bunny.
Water
This delicious leafy green has high water content. Rabbits stay hydrated by drinking water or eating veggies with perfect water content. Arugula is the most suitable vegetable for your furry rabbit friend to stay hydrated.
Plenty of Minerals
Arugula contains various vitamins and minerals. It has vitamins C, K, A, and B complex. When it comes to minerals, rockets carry folate, potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, copper, zinc, thiamine, manganese, phosphorus, etc. Rabbits require all these minerals and vitamins for average growth, a healthy body, and a long lifespan.
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How Much Arugula Should You Give to Your Bunny Rabbit?
All leafy greens and other vegetables should be given in moderation to fragile animals like rabbits. A rabbit’s main diet should be 80-90% hay, 10-15% greens, and 5-10% fruits or flowers as treats.
It would be best if you fed arugula to your rabbit as a treat once a week. Baby rabbits should not eat arugula as it will be too complex for their fragile digestive system.
However, you can feed rockets to your adult bunnies without worrying too much. Give two leaves of arugula to your furry friend as a treat. Always mix it with other low-oxalate vegetables to provide all the necessary nutrients to your bunny.
How To Feed Arugula or Rockets to Your Precios Furry Friend
When feeding your pet rabbit, you should be extra careful. The slightest rotten or unclean vegetable can cause severe health issues for your precious furry baby.
There are a few things you should do when giving your bunny rabbit any greens for the first time:
- Get organic arugula from a trusted farm.
- If you cannot find a trusted far, give store-bought arugula or rockets to your bunny with care. Wash it thoroughly with water to eliminate any pesticides or insect repellents.
- Always check rockets for bugs or molt. They can be toxic for your rabbit.
- Do not give your fragile bunny wilted or rotten leaves, for their sensitive stomach will not be able to handle toxicity.
- Choose the freshest leaves of arugula to feed your bunny rabbit. Chop them into smaller pieces, so you do not have to worry about choking hazards for your precious bunny.
- After introducing arugula or rockets to your rabbit, keep it under observation for the next 24 hours.
- Notice your bunny’s behavior for any unusual activities or low behavior.
- If your bunny seems low, stop giving arugula to your rabbit and contact your vet at once.
Also Check Out: Can Rabbits Eat Brussel Sprouts?
Risks of Overfeeding Arugula to Your Bunny Rabbit
Too much of anything can harm your rabbit’s health. Your job is to give arugula to your pet in moderation, so it does not mess with your rabbit’s digestive system.
If your give too many rockets to your rabbit, the following may happen:
- Arugula is rich in calcium. Consuming too much calcium can cause urinary stones in your rabbit. It is a painful experience for your rabbit and can cause immense anxiety.
- Rockets have a high level of vitamin C in them. Rabbits do not require an external source to give them vitamin C as they create their own. Too much vitamin C can cause kidney stones in your rabbit.
- Arugula might be low in calories, but it should still not be given to your rabbit in high quantity due to the risk of obesity.
Final Words
Arugula or rockets are one of the safest leafy greens you can feed your precious bunny friend. They have plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can benefit your bunny. However, excess of anything can be harmful to your bunny rabbit.
Give arugula or rockets to your rabbit in moderation. Always check for any changes in your rabbit’s behavior after introducing new things to your bunny. Stop giving it the new food if you notice anything odd about your bunny.
Contact your vet immediately and book an appointment. While you wait for your vet’s visit, make your rabbit comfortable. When a bunny gets sick, it gets emotionally tensed.
Ease your bunny by rubbing its nose or head or scratching between its ears. Your pet relies on you for comfort and safety. Give it all the love, care, and attention in the world to make it feel important and heard.
