Can rabbits eat dandelions and nettles?

Dandelions and nettles are ubiquitous spring plants that many consider weeds, but for rabbit breeders, they are a valuable tool for free vitamin feeding of eared pets. In this article, we look at the benefits of dandelions and nettles for rabbits and how to include them in your pet's diet.

The reason these plants are among the first to appear in spring is due to their perennial life cycle. In autumn, the plant hibernates, but its roots remain alive. When warm spring temperatures hit, the roots instantly put out new shoots and nutritious leaves.

Can rabbits eat dandelions?

Dandelions are reasonably safe for rabbits, as long as you don't collect them from roadsides or pesticide-treated areas and put them in bucket feeders.

First of all, dandelions are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals essential for rabbit HEALTH. They are rich in vitamins A, C and K, as well as calcium, potassium and iron. These nutrients aid digestion, strengthen bones, promote healthy skin and fur, and improve the immune system.

Dandelions also contain beta-carotene, which is normally found in colorful vegetables such as carrots and is converted into vitamin A in the body.

So in the spring, instead of carrots that are stale in storage and have lost their nutrient concentration in many ways, give the rabbits a dandelion. After all, it also contains zinc, magnesium, biotin and phosphorus - anti-stress substances that are important for the breeding season. 

Dandelions are a great source of dietary fiber: the bitter compounds in dandelion leaves help release digestive juices that help break down food more efficiently. For the same reason, it should be remembered that an excess of dandelions in the diet will lead to indigestion, therefore, there are a number of rules for giving dandelions to rabbits.

Most importantly, dandelions must be fresh. Never give wilted or freshly mowed ones that are in the process of fermentation. The consequences can be the most serious: bloating or vomiting, death.

It is better to introduce them in small quantities. Start with one or two bites and see how the animal reacts. If he does not show signs of digestive problems, gradually increase the amount. If you give your rabbit dandelions and notice that his urine suddenly turns orange, don't panic. This is probably the influence of plant pigments. For example, cabbage causes the same reddish tint to urine. This coloration usually disappears over the next few days. However, if you are in doubt about the health of a rabbit, you can always contact your veterinarian for advice.

Wash the greens before giving to the rabbit to remove any dirt or debris, and pat dry. The whole plant with flowers and stems can be chopped, as the dandelion is edible whole. As a treat and top dressing, a healthy rabbit will need one large dandelion a day or two small ones.

Offer dandelion mash along with hay as a supplement to your main diet. Your rabbit should still be getting about 85 percent of their daily diet from hay, not greens.

It is important to understand that dandelions are very high in calcium, which means that they should be given in reasonable amounts. Excess calcium can cause bladder stones or urinary tract problems in rabbits.

Can rabbits eat nettles

With the vitamin qualities of dandelion, nettle has good anti-inflammatory properties, which is certainly a plus if the winter turned out to be frosty and it was cold in the rabbitry. Nettle top dressing is a good prevention of arthritis.

Nettle is rich in antioxidants to protect the immune system and help fight infections. It is rich in silica, which will make the coat shiny and soft.

Spring is the best time to harvest nettle leaves for rabbit food when the plant is fresh out of the ground and the leaves are less bitter. Rinse fresh leaves, pat dry, test for adverse reactions.

Mix nettle leaves with other herbs, such as dandelion or kale, if you have thought to plant it in the garden. Further, the green mixture is added to the hay in order to enrich the diet.