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Can Rabbits Eat Rosemary?
Can rabbits eat rosemary? Yes. Rosemary is one of the safest herbs that we can feed rabbits. Rosemary is an aromatic herbal plant that has needle-like leaves. Rosemary contains essential nutrients that help the growth of rabbits. Some of them are dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, B9 calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and copper. Rosemary is a healthy herb for rabbits only if we feed in small amounts. There are no toxic parts in the Rosemary plant. Rabbits can eat the leaves and flowers of the rosemary plants. A small amount of Rosemary can aid your rabbit’s nutritional requirement.
Healthy rabbits need a well-balanced diet with nutrients and vitamins. Don’t try to overfeed them with Rosemary. Rabbits’ diet should be mainly covered with fresh water and good quality hay. Rabbits need a good diet with high fiber, low in sugar and fat. You can add safely limited Rosemary to a rabbit’s diet. Rosemary is rich in nutrition that is good for rabbit’s health. There is a lot more to talk about Rosemary. This article covers all the things you should know about Rosemary before feeding your rabbits.
Let’s get started!!!
Video Credit For StefMyBunny YouTube Channel
Extra Information About Rosemary
Rosemary is related to the mint family plant. These plants are native to the Mediterranean but are now grown worldwide. People commonly use these plant leaves as a spice for cooking. Commercially rosemary leaves and oil are used for medication, perfumes, and also for soaps. Rosemary has white, purple, and blue color flowers. Rosemary’s leaves are small and look like needles.
The Rosemary plant has good medical benefits. It’s popular for improving concentration and draining aging. Rosemary has a range of health benefits like improving digestion, enhancing memory, neurological protection, reducing cancer cells, and many other health benefits.
But this rosemary has bad sides even for humans. Very high doses may cause vomiting, coma, and pulmonary edema.
According to the USDA United States Department of Agriculture, 100g of Rosemary has these nutrients.
| Energy | 131 Kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 20.70 g |
| Protein | 3.31 g |
| Total Fat | 5.86 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.10 g |
Vitamins and Minerals
| Thiamin | 0.036 mg |
| Vitamin A | 2924 IU |
| Vitamin C | 21.8 mg |
| Sodium | 26 mg |
| Potassium | 668 mg |
| Calcium | 317 mg |
| Copper | 0.301 mg |
| Iron | 6.65 mg |
| Magnesium | 91 mg |
| Manganese | 0.960 mg |
| Zinc | 0.93 mg |
Do Rabbits Like To Eat Rosemary
It can change from time to time. Some rabbits like to eat fresh Rosemary leaves. Most of the time rabbits don’t like to eat Rosemary because of its strong smell. First, you can offer them a few Rosemary to check whether they like it or not.
If your rabbits don’t like to eat Rosemary, it’s ok & it’s normal. Some rabbits don’t like the flavor of Rosemary.
Tip: When you introduce new food to rabbits, always give a small portion of it in the rabbit’s daily diet. Make sure to introduce one new food type at a time. These things apply to any type of food. Rabbits’ health is in your hands.
GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT: RABBITS & CAT FOOD
Is Rosemary Good For Rabbits?
Rosemary is a good herbal plant for rabbits. Rabbits can eat rosemary plants including flowers and leaves. Rosemary contains essential vitamins, fiber, minerals & antioxidants for rabbits. But you should offer only a small amount in your rabbit’s daily diet. There are no toxic parts in the Rosemary plant for rabbits. But because of the strong taste and smell rabbits may not like to eat it.
Rabbits’ main food source should be hay. We should prioritize hay in the regular diet plan. Overall nutrition can be covered by hay. Unlike humans, fiber is essential for rabbits. It can prevent bad bacteria from forming in the intestines. Some of the bacteria can lead to critical health issues in rabbits. This is why we should give priority to hay. But rabbits can’t live eating hay all day long. We must add veggies and fruits to their daily diet. At the end of this article, we provide you the general diet plan for rabbits. It will help you to understand.
How Often Should We Feed Rosemary
Rosemary is a good herbal plant for your rabbit. We need to feed them according to a proper guide. A small amount of Rosemary can provide good health benefits for rabbits. Overfeeding can cause gastrointestinal distress and lead to many health issues.
You can provide a small amount of Rosemary safely to your rabbits. We can provide one cup of chopped rosemary with other 5-6 types of good leafy greens for a rabbit of 2 pounds body weight. Provide them fresh raw Rosemary portions once or twice a week. All ways provide them according to the right amount.
Benefits Of Rosemary For Rabbits
Rosemary has many essential nutrients and health benefits for rabbits. It contains carbohydrates, dietary fibers, proteins, vitamins complex B, vitamin A, C, K, and E, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, and calcium, etc. Rosemary can add high dietary fiber to a rabbit’s diet. It avoids gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, gases, and bloating.
Rosemary can improve the performance of your rabbit’s brain. Mint is low in oxalic acid and that is good for rabbits’ health. These plants are suitable for lowering blood pressure, and suitable if your rabbits are in depression.
Vitamin C helps muscle development in rabbits & it helps to maintain a healthy blood system. Vitamin C act as an antioxidant that helps the development of bones, skin, and connective tissues. Vitamin C is essential for rabbits, as lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy disease. This is a common illness among rabbits.
Rosemary is a fine source of Vitamin K. It will help to maintain healthy bones. It increases the efficiency of the immune systems in rabbits. Rosemary provides vitamin E. Vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant in the rabbit’s body.
Fiber helps to increase the efficiency of the digestive systems in rabbits. Vitamin A improves your pet’s vision and develops bones. Rosemary is a good supplier of beta-carotene that helps to prevent age-related blindness.
Rosemary is rich in potassium and magnesium. According to research, these nutrients can reduce the risk of death by heart diseases. Potassium can protect from muscle mass loss and reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
Health Risks of Rosemary for Rabbits
Most of the Rosemary in the market is applied with pesticides. These chemicals are harmful to rabbits. They can lead to serious health problems in rabbits. Wash it thoroughly before feeding to rabbits.
Rosemary is not a bad herb if we feed it according to a suitable amount. Feeding in moderation would not be harmful to rabbits. But if we exceed the correct amount, it can lead to many health issues.
Proper Guide To Feed Rosemary For Rabbits
As we know now Rosemary is a good, natural herbal plant for rabbits. But there is a guide you must follow before feeding Rosemary. Let us check it out.
Before introducing Rosemary 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 amounts 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 (daily diet). Follow up the rules for better rabbit health.
Preparing Rosemary for rabbits:
- Purchase good quality Rosemary for rabbits. Try to find organic Rosemary, they are much better for rabbits’ health.
- Carefully wash them to remove any chemicals or wax that could be harmful to the rabbit’s health.
- Chopp rosemary with other 5-6 types of good leafy greens
- Serve them 1 cup of mixed rosemary according to 2 pounds of your rabbit’s weight
- Always provide water for them.
Don’t try to overfeed them. Do not feed Rosemary for baby rabbits less than 12 weeks of age.
Always provide a small amount of rosemary as a part of your rabbit’s daily diet. Moderation is the key to rabbits’ health.
Can Rabbits Eat Rosemary Leaves And Flowers?
Rosemary leaves are the most nutritious part of the Rosemary plant. They contain nutrients that help the healthy growth of rabbits. Rosemary flowers are also not toxic for rabbits. Rosemary flowers flavor is also like Rosemary leaves.
Alternatives For Rosemary?
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
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Endive
- Green leaf
- Red leaf
- Parsley
- Fennel
Fresh fruits should be served one or two times per week as a treat.
- Grapes
- Banana
- Berries
- Melon
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Watermelon
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Orange
What Rabbits Really Need In Their Diet
Your rabbit’s diet should mainly contain fresh quality hay, grass, and clean water. Unlimited hay supply is extremely important to their health. This guide will give you an overall idea of what should be contained in the rabbit’s diet.
Freshwater: They must have an unlimited supply of fresh water. Use water bowls, it’s easy for rabbits to drink water & easy to clean. Make sure to change the water daily.
Unlimited Quality Hay: Keep feeding fresh grass hays. We recommend giving good types of hays to your rabbit. Such as timothy, orchard grass, etc.
Pellets: For bunnies, you can provide timothy hay pellets in a very small amount. For adult rabbits, you need to provide one-quarter of a cup daily.
Vegetables: Feed them daily 1 -2 cups of fresh vegetables. Some good vegetables are bok choy, carrot, endive, brussels sprouts, basil, mint, green leaf, red leaf, etc.
Fresh Fruits: Give a small amount of about 1 – 2 per week. Some good fruits are apples, bananas, berries, cherries, grapes, papaya, plum, watermelon, etc.
Summery
Rosemary is a good herbal plant that contains essential vitamins, fiber, minerals & antioxidants for rabbits. But you should offer only a small amount in your rabbit’s daily diet. There is no part in Rosemary that is toxic for your rabbits. It provides essential nutrients like vitamin A, Magnesium, Manganese, vitamin K, vitamin B, Folate, Phosphorus, and Thiamine in your rabbit’s daily diet.
Rosemary is not a bad herb if we feed it according to a suitable amount. Feeding in moderation would not be harmful to rabbits. But if we exceed the correct amount, it can lead to many health issues.
I think this article covers all the things you should know about Rosemary before feeding your Rabbits.
Thank You !!!
