Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli?

Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli? YES!. Broccoli is one of the good and nutritious vegetables. Rabbits can have Broccoli in moderation. Although broccoli is safe for rabbits, we can’t serve them on a daily basis. We can serve Broccoli leaves and stems in small amounts without any problems. When we feed Broccoli, we must be aware of the health concerns for rabbits. Broccoli flowers and stalks can generate gas. These gases can make your loving rabbits get discomforts. If your rabbits had any digestive issues in the past, broccoli is not good healthy food for your rabbit.

Rabbits are herbivores. But we can’t provide a full diet with herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Rabbits’ major food source must be fresh quality hay and grass. They take almost all the nutrition from hay supplies.

We can serve a small number of leafy greens and vegetables in their daily diet as other nutritional foods. Broccoli can provide extra nutrition to your rabbits as a part of a balanced diet. Broccoli can provide many health benefits to rabbits and also there is a potential health risk to rabbits if we overfeed them. That is because Broccoli can cause gases in rabbits. This article covers all the health benefits, nutrition facts, overfeeding health issues & all other things you should know before feeding Broccoli to your rabbits.

Let’s start without any delay!!!

Extra Information About Broccoli

Broccoli is mainly categorized in the cabbage family. These are grown in the ground and people eat Broccoli flowering heads and Broccoli stalk parts. Generally, Broccoli is green in color but some varieties can be white or purple in color.

Common types of broccolis are Belstar, Destiny, Blue wind, and Green magic, etc. Large stems that connect to the broccoli flower are called florets. They are crispy, crunchy, and have a chewy texture. Broccoli is mainly harvested in early spring but we can buy them all year-round.

Broccoli is also popular as a Supper food. These leafy greens are used as a versatile ingredient in cooking applications. Raw Broccoli mainly contains water. Broccoli is low in calories and because of that, those are safe for animals too. They are rich in vitamin C, carbs, fiber, and other nutrients.

Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, boost collagen production, and reduce inflammation. Broccoli is also a rich source of vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing and contains antioxidants that can help eliminate free radicals, fiber to stimulate the digestive tract.

specialty produce

According to the USDA United States Department of Agriculture, 100g of Broccoli has these nutrients.

Energy	141 kJ
Carbohydrates	6.64 g
Sugars	1.7 g
Dietary fiber	2.6 g
Fat	0.37 g
Water	89.3 g

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A	31 μg
beta-Carotene	361 μg
Vitamin B6	0.175 mg
Vitamin E	0.78 mg
Vitamin K	101.6 μg
Calcium	47 mg
Manganese	0.21 mg
Phosphorus	66 mg

Types Of Broccolis Safe For Rabbits 

All common Broccoli varieties are safe to serve for rabbits. But keep in mind to only feed them a limited amount in moderation. If your rabbits had digestive issues in past, avoid feeding Broccoli to your rabbits. When you buy Broccoli, always look for crispy stems and Broccoli flowers that have a bright green color.

The main varieties of Broccoli are,

• Calabrese Broccoli
• Sprouting Broccoli
• Purple cauliflower

Broccoli is full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. But we must always concern about the rabbit’s health. Keep inspecting whether your rabbits have digestive problems when you feed broccoli for the first time.

Do Rabbits Like To Eat Broccoli

YES, most bunnies like to eat Broccoli. Just like humans, rabbits also like to taste different kinds of flavors. But some rabbits do not like to eat broccoli. It depends on your rabbit’s taste. No matter how much they love to eat Broccoli, we need to limit the daily amount. Most of the rabbits like to eat crunchy foods. If rabbits do not like to eat Broccoli, it’s totally fine. There are plenty of other vegetables we can provide for rabbits.

Broccoli is a very related plant to Cabbage, Cauliflower, Argula, Brussel sprouts, and kale. If your rabbits like to eat these things, they will definitely like to eat Broccoli. All these vegetables are good for rabbits. But we must make sure to limit the amount and follow a proper guide when we feed these things.

Can Rabbits Have Broccoli?

Yes, Rabbits can have broccoli if they did not have any digestive issues in the past. Broccoli contains good nutrients including vitamins and fiber that are needed for the rabbit’s healthy growth. Some rabbits may have digestive issues with broccoli. Some rabbits can digest broccoli than others. But we should only provide them with this vegetable in small amounts. 

The only problem in Broccoli and any other cruciferous vegetables is those can produce gases. Broccoli leaves produce lease gases than stems. It is much safer to feed Broccoli leaves to rabbits than other Broccoli plant parts. If you are going to give them for the first time always look after them for 24 hr. If they show any issues, stop feeding broccoli.

Rabbits that can eat broccoli without any health problems can be fed in moderation. Even Broccoli stalks and florets are good for them. These stalks and florets are also good for rabbit’s dental health because they have a chewy and crunchy texture.

How Much Broccoli Can Rabbits Have?

Broccoli is a good vegetable for your rabbit only if we feed them according to a proper guide. A small amount of broccoli can provide good health benefits for them. Overfeeding can cause bloating and increase gas inside your pet.

You can provide 1 tablespoon of broccoli per 2 pounds of your rabbit’s weight. Rabbits can have 1-2 times per week. That is more than enough for healthy adult rabbits. It is healthier if you can give broccoli with other leafy green vegetables and mix them. It’s much better for rabbits’ health. 

Don’t try to feed those to baby rabbits. 

Proper Guide To Feed Broccoli For Rabbits

As we know now, broccoli is not 100% recommend food for rabbits. If you intend to give broccoli to rabbits you must follow these guidelines 

Before introducing broccoli to rabbits for the first time, you need to start up with small portions. Keep monitoring them 24 hrs & check whether they show some illness such as diarrhea, lethargy, constipation, and loss of appetite.

If they do not show any kind of illness, you can increase the amount slightly to your rabbit. Don’t try to introduce many kinds of foods at the same time & try to give the same food until they are fully adapted to eat. Keep in mind to introduce a small portion of the new food with other regular foods (Mix with other good leafy greens). Follow up the rules for better rabbit health. 

Preparing broccoli for rabbits:

1. Purchase good quality broccoli for rabbits. Try to find organic broccoli, they are much better for rabbits’ health.
2. Carefully wash them to remove any chemicals or wax that could be harmful to the rabbit’s health.
3. When introducing for the first time, cut them into small-sized pieces. You can serve broccoli leaves for the first time.
4. You can also mix with other good vegetables with broccoli.
5. Always provide water for them.

Don’t try to overfeed them. Do not feed broccoli for baby rabbits less than 12 weeks of age. 

Moderation is the key to rabbits’ health.

Is Broccoli Bad For Rabbits?

Generally, Broccoli is safe for rabbits. Broccoli can even be bad for some rabbits. Not all rabbits can tolerate broccoli well. We must introduce a very small amount when we start introducing these vegetables. Veterans also recommend feeding broccoli leaves to rabbits. Broccoli leaves give fewer gases. Always observe whether your rabbits show any signs of gas.

Symptoms Of Your Rabbits In Digestive Discomfort.

• You can hear some noises from your rabbit’s belly
• They are not active like on normal days
• Refuse to eat other food or favorite treats
• Hard Stomach
• Some rabbits keep their belly pressed on the flow.

Can Bunnies Eat Broccoli?

We can’t serve bunnies with broccoli. Do not ever try to feed broccoli to bunnies lower than even 4 months age. Broccoli can generate gases in rabbits’ digestive tract. Even some adult rabbits can’t handle broccoli properly. If you intend to give broccoli to your bunnies for the first time, take some advice from your veterinarian before feeding broccoli.

Till they are old enough to eat fruits and vegetables, try to feed them 100% safe foods for rabbits first. Rabbits will quickly overeat any food without even knowing. We must always be aware of their health.

Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Leaves?

Broccoli Leaves are also safe for rabbits. Broccoli contains vitamin C, vitamin A, fibers, and good antioxidants for rabbits. As we mentioned earlier leaves are much safer than Broccoli stems and florets. But don’t try to overfeed these Broccoli leaves for rabbits. We must always limit the amount of Broccoli and keep the moderation.

Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Stalks/Stems or Florets?

Yes, Rabbits can eat Broccoli stalks and florets. There are no toxic compounds in Broccoli stalks. Broccoli stalks are a little bit thicker than Broccoli leaves. It’s good for rabbits’ dental health too. We can also cut them into small-sized pieces and serve them. Don’t provide large amounts of stems and florets for rabbits. Overfeeding can lead to digestive issues and cause gases.

Other Good Foods You Can Provide To Rabbits

A rabbit’s diet should mainly be covered with quality hay and grass. In addition, we can provide a small portion of vegetables and fruits. We recommend giving two cups of fresh vegetables to adult rabbits daily.

• Bell peppers
• Bok choy
• Brussels sprouts
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Endive
• Green leaf
• Red leaf
• Parsley
• Fennel

Fresh fruits should be served once or two times per week as a treat.

• Grapes
• Banana
• Berries
• Melon
• Peach
• Pear
• Plum
• Watermelon
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Orange

Best Common Healthy Diet To Feed Your Rabbit

We need to make a good meal plan for rabbits. We need to provide them with good quality foods. Before feeding rabbits with new food, check whether it’s good for rabbits. As a good rabbit owner, check whether you cover all the guidelines mentioned below. It’s a general food guide for rabbits.

• Good Quality Grass Hay -I recommend Timothy hay as the most popular/good, all-around unlimited offer to your rabbits. Orchardgrass, and meadow fescues are also good for rabbits. Hay is the main food supply. Hay will help your rabbits to stay healthy and strong and maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Fresh Water – Ensure rabbits can have clean, freshwater 24/7. Water bows are most commonly used to supply water for rabbits.
• Provide Good Quality Leafy Greens – Provide them with 5-6 varieties of safe washed green vegetables, weeds, herbs daily (arugula, basil, kale, cabbage, etc.). Try to introduce new greens in small portions.
• Treats & Fresh Fruits – For the safety of rabbits, only provide 1 -2 tablespoons per day. Feed carrots, apples, blueberries, etc.
• Provide Good Quality Pellets – It is good to have a small number of healthy pellets daily. There are too many products out there, keep it in your mind to supply quality and healthy foods for rabbits.

(source -.https://www.rspca.org.uk/)

Summary

Broccoli is one of the superfoods for humans. Generally, we can provide Broccoli to rabbits in small amounts. But we must always consider the health risks Broccoli can cause for rabbits. These plants can easily cause gases in rabbit’s bellies. We must monitor rabbits when they eat Broccoli for the first time. Keep in mind to avoid feeding Broccoli to your rabbits, if they had any digestive problems in the past.

If your rabbits can eat Broccoli without any health problems, you can simply add Broccoli to rabbit’s diets in a limited amount. They will like to eat crunchy Broccoli for sure. Always keep the moderation. I think this article covers all the things you sound know about Broccoli, before feeding it to your rabbit.

Thank you for Reading Today!!!