As dedicated herbivores, rabbits get their fill of grass and other greens to their heart’s content. You are well-versed in the standard rabbit diet and are aware of the fact that it occasionally includes carrots and lettuce.
Is arugula an option, though? It doesn’t seem dangerous, does it? These greens are loaded with vitamins and minerals, but can your rabbits digest them?
Absolutely! Arugula is a healthy addition to a rabbit’s diet and can replace some of the pellets or reduce the amount of hay they need.
But there are some caveats to this, and we’ll discuss them below. Nonetheless, to put your mind at rest, arugula is not poisonous. In reality, it’s incredibly good for your bunny’s health.
Can Rabbits Eat Arugula?
Yes. It’s okay to feed your rabbit arugula. Rocket leaves is another name for arugula. The Arugula plant contains no poisonous components. The entire plant, including the leaves, stems, and flowers, is edible to rabbits. As long as we limit their intake, they won’t experience any negative health effects.
These arugulas are an excellent source of nutrients for rabbits, including vitamins C, K, and A, as well as calcium and other minerals.
Unfortunately, rabbits can’t be overfed arugula due to its high calcium content. Many health problems, including gastrointestinal distress and kidney stones, have been linked to consuming too much arugula.
Rabbits can safely be fed small amounts of arugula or rocket in moderation.
Is Arugula Good For Rabbits?
Only freshly raw arugula should be given to rabbits. If you intend to feed your rabbits arugula that you bought at the market, make sure to thoroughly clean it first. (Take away the wax and insecticides).
We can supply arugula by blending it with other leafy greens such as kale, basil, bok choy, spring greens, mint, and others.
You should also remember that if you feed your rabbits a combination of low oxalic acid leafy greens, they will likely die. One of the greens high in oxalic acid is arugula.
When preparing a salad, be sure to avoid combining Arugula with other oxalic greens such as parsley, radishes, spinach, beet greens, and so on. Kidney stones, which are made of calcium in the urine, may form more easily when oxalic acid levels are high.
Hay should make up the bulk of a rabbit’s diet. If we’re going to be following a regular diet, hay needs to be at the top of the list. Hay can fulfill all of a horse’s nutritional needs.
Rabbits, in contrast to humans, require a high-fiber diet. Bad bacteria in the gut can be thwarted by this. Unfortunately, some of these bacteria can cause serious problems for rabbits’ health.
Thus, hay deserves our highest priority. However, rabbits can’t survive on a diet of nothing but hay.
Fruits and vegetables need to be incorporated into their regular diet. Rabbits can benefit from a limited diet of leafy greens, including arugula.
Arugula Nutrition Facts
One-half cup as a serving size
| Calories: | 2.5 |
| Fat: | 0.07 g |
| Sodium: | 2.7 g |
| Carbohydrates: | 0.04 g |
| Fiber: | 0.2 g |
| Sugars: | 0.2 g |
| Protein: | 0.3 g |
| Ascorbic acid: | 1.5 mg |
| The Role of Vitamin K | 10.9 mcg |
Health Benefits of Arugula for Rabbits
By now, you should be well aware of your rabbits’ extreme preference for dark, leafy vegetables. It could be that this is a go-to munchie for them.
The nutritional needs of domestic rabbits can be met entirely by feeding them rabbit pellets, which are not meant to be outdone by any leafy green or vegetable.
But it’s crucial to include foods like leafy greens in your rabbit’s daily diet, as they help with digestion, increase water intake, and provide essential raw vitamins and minerals.
It’s a great way to provide your rabbits with some extra stimulation.
Health Risks of Arugula for Rabbits
The pesticides used on most of the arugula sold commercially are harmful to humans. Rabbits should not be exposed to these chemicals. Rabbits should avoid them because they can cause serious health problems. Be sure to clean it thoroughly before giving it to your rabbits.
To keep rabbits healthy, we need to feed them the recommended amount of Arugula. Bladder slid and kidney stones are possible side effects of eating too much arugula or other high-calcium foods. And for a short time only can the oxalic acid stay green.
More than 90 grams of water can be found in just 100 grams of raw arugula. Overfeeding can cause serious problems, such as diarrhea.
Avoid feeding Arugula to rabbits under 12 weeks of age. Because of this, their digestive tract is more delicate.
Proper Guide To Feed Arugula For Rabbits
We now know that arugula is a healthy, naturally occurring food for rabbits. However, there is some advice you should follow before giving it to Cabbage. Let’s take a look at it.
Arugula rabbit salad preparation:
- Invest in some high-quality fresh Arugula for the rabbits. It’s best to feed your rabbit organic Arugula if you can find it.
- Remove any chemicals or wax that could be harmful to the rabbit’s health by washing them thoroughly.
- When first introducing them, cut them into bite-sized pieces. (Adult rabbits also benefit from a diet that includes arugula leaves.)
- There are five or six other leafy greens that pair well with Arugula (Kale, Basil, Bok Choy, spring greens, mint).
- Don’t forget to give them water.
Do not attempt to overfeed them. Rabbits under the age of 12 weeks should not be fed arugula. A rabbit’s best chance at a long and healthy life is a moderate one.
Do Rabbits Like To Eat Arugula
On occasion, it may shift. Some rabbits enjoy a salad of fresh Arugula or Rocket leaves.
For the most part, rabbits will avoid eating mint due to its pungent aroma and sharp taste. As a preliminary test of interest, you might give them a mint.
Not all rabbits have a taste for Arugula, and it’s perfectly fine and normal if yours doesn’t. While many rabbits enjoy the bitter taste of Arugula, some have aversions to it.
A rabbit’s digestive system is sensitive, so it’s best to gradually increase the amount of new food in its diet.
Introduce only one new food at a time. All types of food are included in these considerations. The welfare of rabbits depends on your actions.
Arugula Concerns for Rabbits
Arugula, while healthy in moderation, can be counterproductive in large quantities. For starters, if your rabbit is only eating arugula, it could lead to diarrhea due to its high water content.
Because arugula lacks the variety of nutrients your rabbit requires, this is not a complete meal.
So, sprinkle in some arugula leaves here and there with other healthy snacks.
Since arugula can be grown commercially, it may have been exposed to numerous pesticides. To get the most out of your money, opt for organic options whenever possible.
If that’s not possible, at least make sure the arugula leaves are clean before giving them to your rabbit.
Toxic chemicals can kill a rabbit in a matter of minutes if it is ingested by the animal.
Put your arugula leaves in a strainer and run water over them for several minutes to get rid of any lingering chemical residue.
How Often Should We Feed Arugula
If we follow the right guidelines for feeding rabbits, arugula can be a healthy addition to their diet. Rabbits can reap the health benefits of arugula in small amounts. Many health problems, including gastrointestinal distress, can be triggered by excessive eating.
An adult rabbit can be fed three or two small Arugula leaves.
The best way to serve Arugula is in a salad with five or six other nutritious greens. For every 2 pounds of rabbit weight, we can supply 1 cup of chopped leafy greens.
Two or three servings of arugula per week should be sufficient for an adult rabbit. Constantly exercise moderation.
Standard Rabbit Diet
It was stressed that a commercial pellet that is complete in all nutritional aspects is best for your rabbit. This is due to the difficulty of providing all the nutrients your rabbits need without veterinary oversight.
Rabbit pellets are specially formulated to provide optimal nutrition for your pet. That’s why you need to make sure your rabbit’s diet has a good foundation.
Their digestive system can be upset by too many vegetables and fruits, and the importance of grains should not be minimized.
Thus, never feed your rabbit muesli but rather a commercially available pellet that is specifically formulated for rabbits.
They spend most of the day munching on Timothy hay, which they need. It’s possible that their struggles will surprise you.
Other Good Foods You Can Provide To Rabbits
High-quality hay and grass should make up the bulk of a rabbit’s diet. We can also supply a limited amount of fruits and vegetables. Adult rabbits should be fed two cups of fresh vegetables per day.
- Peppers, or bell peppers
- Bok choy
- Sprouts of Brussels
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Endive
- In other words, a green leaf
- Red leaf
- Parsley
- Fennel
As a special treat once or twice a week, fresh fruits should be offered.
- Grapes
- Banana
- Berries
- Melon
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Watermelon
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Orange
Best Common Healthy Diet To Feed Your Rabbit
A proper rabbit diet plan is essential. They need to have access to high-quality food products, and we must provide that.
It’s important to research the rabbit-friendliness of any new food you plan to feed them. Be sure you’re a responsible rabbit owner by checking off each of these points. This is an all-purpose rabbit diet manual.
- Excellent Grass Hay — If you want to give your rabbits access to an unlimited supply of the best possible food, I suggest Timothy hay. Rabbits can also eat meadow fescue and orchardgrass. Hay is the primary source of nutrition. Feeding hay to your rabbits will help them grow strong and healthy and will also aid in their digestion.
- Clean, fresh water should be available at all times for the rabbits. Most often, water bows are used to provide water for rabbits.
- Give Them a Variety of Healthy Leafy Greens Give them a variety of healthy leafy greens like arugula, basil, kale, cabbage, etc., every day. To ease your family into trying new greens, start with a small serving size.
- With regards to fresh fruits and other treats, rabbits should only be given 1–2 tablespoons per day. Throw in some apples, blueberries, and carrots.
- Provide High-Quality Pellets — Even a Minimal Amount of Healthy Pellets Per Day Is Beneficial. With so many options, it can be easy to forget that rabbits need nutritious food.
Conclusion
You can feel confident that feeding arugula to your rabbit will have no negative effects on their health. If you can, try to find organic arugula and wash it thoroughly before using it.
Also, arugula isn’t a suitable replacement for your rabbit’s regular diet because it lacks the essential nutrients for proper growth and development. Your rabbit should occasionally be given arugula as a tasty treat.