Can rabbits eat dandelions? You may need to ask this question at one point or the other when trying to figure out what to feed your pet bunny. Rabbits are delicate animals and you need to watch out what they eat so you do not make the mistake of feeding them the wrong meal. While they are strict vegetarians, some greens do not react well with a rabbit’s sensitive guts.
Before you go about getting greens to make up your rabbit’s menu, keep a few rules in mind. Some vegetables contain compounds that can be harmful to your rabbits. Some examples of such greens include celery and broccoli which are known to cause complications when eaten indiscriminately by pet bunnies.
In this article, we will discuss the effects of dandelions on pet rabbits. Are they a good diet for rabbits or are they poisonous? These and many more we will try to uncover under the following topics:
- What weeds are poisonous to rabbits?
- What part of the dandelion can a bunny eat?
- Can rabbits eat too much dandelion?
Continue reading…
What Weeds Are Poisonous To Rabbits?
Rabbits enjoy a variety of green plants and vegetables. Because they are not very smart to tell one from another, a rabbit left unsupervised can consume poisonous plants which can lead to serious health complications. Some weeds and shrubs kill rabbits instantly especially if they eat their spring shoots. These roots contain dangerous compounds.
To have an idea, here are types of weeds and plants that your rabbits should never consume. (Some of them have been listed alongside their botanical names):
- Common flowering quince
- Doublefile viburnum
- Eastern redbud
- Serviceberry
- Smokebush
- Winged Euonymus
- Japanese flowering quince
- Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum)
- Speedwell (Veronica spp.)
- Stokes’ aster (Stokesia laevis)
- Spiderflower (Cleome hasslerana)
- Mint (Mentha spp.)
- Onions (Allium cepa)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Four o’clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
- Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum)
- Perennial salvia ‘East Friesland’ (Salvia x superba)
- Judd viburnum
- Rose of Sharon
- Sand cherry
- Witch hazel
- Barberry
- Multiflora rose
- Oakleaf hydrangea
- Forsythia
- Fothergilla
- Hawthorn
- Purpleleaf sand cherry
- Juneberry
- Koreanspice viburnum
- Flowering crabapple
- Lilac
- Adam’s needle (Yucca filamentosa)
- Peony (Paeonia hybrids)
- Savory (Satureja montana)
- Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
- Geranium, zonal, and bedding (Pelargonium x hortorum)
- Mexican ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum)
- Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
- Wax begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)
- Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis)
- Persian onion (Allium giganteum)
- Vegetables and Herbs
- Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum)
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo)
- Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
- Meadow rue (Thalictrum rochebrunianum)
- Primrose (Primula x polyantha)
- Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)
- Bulbs
- Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
- Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla verna)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
- Rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum)
Nonetheless, there are types of weed that are safe for rabbits. You may even explore some of them when trying to add some variety to your bunny’s diet:
- Chamomile
- Chickweed
- Calendula
- Daisies
- Dandelions
- Plantain
- Shepherd’s Purse
- Sow Thistle
- Lavender
- Goosegrass (aka Cleavers)
- Clover
- Coltsfoot
- Comfrey
- Borage
- Buttercups
- Mallow
- Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica))
- Nasturtium
- Yarrow
What Part Of A Dandelion Can A Bunny Eat?
Dandelions are a type of plant that belongs to the class Taraxanum found mostly in Eurasia and North America. This plant is particularly nutritious and very rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. It is also a great source for vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, and D.
From all the minerals listed above, you can immediately tell that dandelions are power-packed with almost all essential minerals and also act as a natural toxic for the body. Dandelions have been found to even be more nutritious than spinach and carrots which are still some rabbit favorites.
So is dandelion safe for rabbit consumption? Absolutely yes. Dandelions release stress and help to prevent osteoporosis. The benefits of dandelions for rabbits are simply endless. Dandelions are also good for optimal respiratory health and digestion in pet bunnies.
As for what parts of dandelion can a rabbit eat? Well, all parts of a dandelion plant are edible.
Here are some nutritional values derived from eating different parts of a dandelion:
- Dandelion flowers are known to contain sesquiterpenes, terpenoids, and triterpenes.
- They are also rich sources of caffeic acid and flavonoid apigenin.
- Dandelion greens contain lutein.
- Dandelion roots are a great source of insulin.
- It has been discovered from a study that dandelion leaves are essential in reducing the risk of coronary artery diseases.
- It was also found from the same study that dandelion roots are great in reducing oxidative stress linked to hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis.
One great thing about dandelions is that they do not have an imposter. By imposter, we mean, there is not another plant that has the same looks as dandelion. So the risk of consuming a poisonous look-alike is greatly reduced.
However, there is a rule of thumb when it comes to how you feed your rabbits with dandelions. Dandelions should never be fed to rabbits under 12 weeks old. This is because their digestive tracts at this age are still very sensitive and may have a hard time processing the leaves.
Also, make sure that you never give your pet bunny any dandelions that have been sprayed directly with fertilizer or any chemical herbicides. This can be very deadly if consumed by your rabbit. This is why it is always encouraged that you wash all vegetables thoroughly. Use running water to remove any harmful substances before passing them over to your rabbit for ingestion.
Can Rabbits Eat Too Much Dandelion?
Dandelions are highly nutritious and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. However, what is more, interesting is that, unlike many other plants, all parts of a dandelion plant are safe for consumption by your pet bunny.
A meal of dandelion is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Dandelions are also known to contain phosphorus and vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, and D. So the health benefits of this plant can never go overstated. To maintain a great lifestyle for your pet bunny, it is advised to keep meals balanced with the right nutrients every day.
This is why dandelions naturally come in as a great option when you need to switch up your rabbit’s diet. But the question that may arise is: can rabbits eat too many dandelions. The answer is NO, and we will find out why.
Rabbits can indeed consume dandelion leaves, roots, and flowers but only in moderation. One rule to have at the back of your mind is never to treat dandelions as whole meals. They can view them as tasty treats that should be given to pet bunnies occasionally.
Variety
Another thing to consider is variety. Instead of giving your rabbits only dandelions, you can mix them up with other forms of vegetables to give your rabbit a different feel. It is estimated that a cup full of six veggie varieties is enough for a pet bunny weighing about 2 lbs.
The reason you should mix it up with other vegetables is that dandelions are very high in calcium. Too much calcium can cause sludge in a rabbit’s kidney or bladder which can result in serious health complications. Also, make sure that the other vegetables you are mixing with your dandelions are not also high in calcium so things don’t get out of hand.
Lastly, too many dandelions can cause stomach upset, bloating, and watery stool in rabbits. As soon as you notice any of these symptoms in your pet bunny, you must immediately remove dandelions from their diet and watch the reaction.