As grazing animals, rabbits love to eat all grass, vegetables, weeds, flowers, and fruits. However, that does not mean everything will suit their sensitive digestive system. Having a backyard would be lovely for your pet rabbit. It will have plenty of space to hop and play. However, sometimes gardens are riddled with weeds. Can rabbits eat weeds?
Yes, rabbits can eat some weeds. Weeds growing in your backyard will help your pet rabbit trim teeth and keep their lives engaging with texture. However, not all weeds are suitable for your bunny. There are some poisonous weeds as well.
Having bunnies and a backyard is a win-win situation for you. Your precious pet will have plenty of space to play, and by eating weeds, your bunny will help you keep your yard tidy.
There are a few things to know about weeds. Some are benefits, and others are cautionary measures. Keep reading to become knowledgeable about weeds for your bunny.
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How Many Weeds Can Your Rabbit Eat?
Rabbits require a balanced diet to maintain their health. These fragile creatures need plenty of nutrients to keep their bones and immune system strong. Weeds have a high fiber content, which could be great for your rabbit. However, only eating weeds will not provide your bunny with everything it needs. Bunnies need vitamins and minerals as well.
A balanced diet for your precious pet rabbit should have the following consistency:
- 80-90% hay
- 10-15% greens
- 5-10% fruits or flowers as treats.
Weeds should occupy the greens section of your pet rabbit’s diet. Fiber is suitable for your furry friend as it keeps digestion and bowel movement in check. However, too much fiber can cause trouble in your precious pet’s gut flora and create an imbalance of bacteria. To avoid that, balance the weeds with other foods.
Benefits Your Bunny will Enjoy from Eating Weeds
Weeds have a different texture than hay. They are a bit more textured and tough to chew. Your precious bunny would love to munch on something chewy as it will help your furry friend trim its teeth and keep its gums calm.
Furthermore, the texture of the weeds will keep your rabbit occupied and entertained. It will thoroughly enjoy the mixture of softness and crunchiness simultaneously.
A bunch of weeds provides nutrients and benefits to your rabbit. Before feeding your bunny any weed, know what is good and bad. Here is a list of weeds that are advantageous for your pet rabbit:
Borage
If you have a stressed-out rabbit, borage is the key. This weed acts as a relaxant in bunnies. Your anxious rabbit would love to eat borage and chill for a bit. Plus, borage also helps nursing bunny rabbits as it increases milk flow.
Chamomile
A rabbit suffering from a weepy eye can have a traumatic experience. Rabbits get easily anxious. Any illness causes their anxiety to double and stresses their timid hearts and minds. Chamomile can reduce your bunny’s stress and help with stains caused by the weepy eye disease.
Chickweed
Chickweed has multiple benefits for your precious pet. Rabbits shed their fur seasonally, and this weed makes this process smoother for them. Moreover, chickweed contains anti-inflammatory features that can help your bunny in the healing process when it gets cuts or bruises. Rabbits are fragile creatures and would love an extra kick of help when it comes to healing.
Coltsfoot
Bunnies hop and run as a hobby. Often you would see your precious pet zooming about the house or in its playpen. It is necessary for your bunny’s health that it has the respiratory capacity to uphold its daily routine of physical activity. Coltsfoot is an excellent weed that naturally encourages the respiratory functions of your precious rabbit pet.
Comfrey
For humans, avocado is a superfood. Comfrey has the same pace in a rabbit’s life. It is a superfood packed with nutrients to ensure your bunny stays in optimal health.
Dandelions
These fragile-looking plants might not look too helpful, but they are a fantastic source of diuretics for your rabbit. Bunnies have sensitive organs and systems.
There is a higher chance of your bunny catching a UTI because of bacteria or dehydration. Feeding dandelions to your bunny can take care of that while enhancing your pet’s respiratory functions.
Goosegrass
If you observe your rabbit’s fecal matter getting too hard or struggling to defecate, give it a little goosegrass. Goosegrass is a laxative for bunnies and will clear that digestive tract painlessly.
Lavender
Lavender is a tricky herb to feed your rabbit. It is a great herb to calm your bunny’s nerves. However, your precious pet might not approve of the intense aroma of this beautiful weed.
Nettles
These weeds have anti-inflammatory properties that help lower and maintain your precious furry baby’s blood pressure. Plus, they are great at boosting your rabbit’s immune system: the more robust your bunny’s immune system, the fewer visits to the vet.
Nasturtium
When your pet gets injured, it increases its stress levels and your sadness to see your precious baby wounded. Nasturtium is a weed that has antiseptic properties. It is a great natural way to prevent your furry friend’s cuts, wounds, and grazes from getting infected.
Plantain
Watching a voiceless animal in pain is a harrowing sight. It would be best if you let your furry pet munch on a little bit of plantain to reduce its fever and remove any urinary tract infections.
Shephard’s Purse
If your rabbit has had diarrhea and is still in the recovering phase, feed this weed to your little guy. It will ease your bunny’s stomach, relieving discomfort and preventing recursion of diarrhea. Beware of feeding it in minute quantities, as too much of it can cause digestive issues for your pet.
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Weeds that Are Poisonous for Your Rabbit
Even though bunnies want to eat as many plants as they want, there are a few that can cause severe damage to your furry friend’s health. As a pet owner, you must scrutinize poisonous weeds from beneficial weeds. Do not worry, for here is a list of weeds that are a must-not-eat for your precious furry bunny:
- Azalea
- Bittersweet
- Buttercups
- Daffodils
- Deadly Nightshade
- Figwort
- Foxglove
- Hemlock
- Meadow Saffron
- Poppies
- Ragwort
Avoid the weeds mentioned above, or you will have a severely sick bunny on your hands. These weeds are poisonous to your precious furry pet, and ingesting them can be fatal.
What Else to Look Out for While Feeding Weeds to Your Rabbit?
When it comes to feeding your bunny beneficial weeds, there are some things you need to take care of to avoid any health hazards for your pet. Here are a few things listed to bear in mind when you let your baby bunny lose on those garden weeds:
- Be sure that the weed your precious pet is about to munch on is not poisonous to it in any way. Rabbits cannot tell what is healthy and unhealthy for their fragile bodies. They rely on you to keep them safe in this regard.
- Avoid weeds near roads, factories, or traffic. These plants would have pollutants that can harm your rabbit once ingested.
- Do not let your pet rabbit eat weeds growing in areas using weedkillers. Better yet, avoid areas near them as well. Ensure the weeds your rabbit is eating contain no traces of weedkillers.
- Remember to wash the weeds like all vegetables before feeding them to your bunny rabbit. Other animal secretions like fecal matter or urine can be present in weeds besides weedkillers and dirt. Washing the weeds would ensure your bunny’s safety from any digestive issues.
Do Not Leave Your Rabbit Unmonitored
Whether it is your backyard or a public playground for rabbits, do not leave your bunny unattended. Rabbits are quick and love to zoom here and there. It would help if you kept a keen eye on your precious ball of fur to ensure it does not eat something hazardous that can cause trouble for you and your pet.
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Final Word
Who would have thought weeds could be so beneficial? Yes, some are harmful to your precious pet, but the majority wins the case! You should plant some if you do not have the listed good weeds in your garden already.
They will help keep your bunny on its toes with joy, help with teeth-trimming, add variety to your precious pet’s daily food routine, and it would be a relief for you to know the source of your bunny’s snacks.
A constant food source is necessary for rabbits as they are grazing animals. Provide your bunny with the best of diets and be the best pet owner.