Are you wondering if you can give broccoli to your little bunny? Can rabbits eat broccoli? If yes, how much can you give them?
Well, there is some good news for you and your furry friend. Rabbits can definitely eat broccoli. Continue reading below to know more about rabbits and broccoli.
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Can bunnies eat broccoli
The truth is that while there are some disagreements as to whether or not rabbits can eat broccoli, many bunnies actually love this and will eat in small amounts. It means that technically speaking, broccoli is among the vegetables that rabbits can consume.
But, here comes the tricky part. Many rabbits do best if treated to only the small stems and leaves of broccoli. The flower part and thicker stalks of broccoli can make your rabbits prone to gas, especially if you will feed him a lot of it at once or you don’t introduce it to them little by little. Since rabbits don’t have the ability to pass gas, the excess buildup can get trapped in their intestines where this can cause intense discomfort and create toxicity.
If your rabbit has experienced digestive problems in the past, his tummy might be more sensitive than usual so broccoli might not really be an excellent treat for him.
Your vet will be able to give you advice and a knowledgeable opinion. If they checked your pet in the past for digestive troubles, it is likely for the vet to be extra cautious and advise you to stop giving broccoli to your rabbit.
Can rabbits eat broccoli stems?
Yes, you can give broccoli stems to your bunny. However, you have to remember that there are pet parents that noticed that broccoli stems can cause more gas in your bunny compared to the leaves or florets.
Of course, there is no assurance that the same thing will happen to your rabbit. You can experiment first by giving the individual parts of the veggie first and observing the results.
Can rabbits eat broccoli stalks?
Broccoli stalks in moderation are a great addition to the food rotation of your rabbit. Again, there were owners that noticed some gassy problems. This means that you need to monitor the way your rabbits respond to broccoli stalks. If ever the stalks cause loose stools or diarrhea, the digestive system of your bunny is giving you the message that you should stop experimenting with broccoli.
Can rabbits eat broccoli leaves?
The short answer is yes, broccoli leaves are safe for your rabbits to eat. Actually, rabbits can eat most parts of broccoli, with the leaves probably their number one preference.
There are some bunny owners who believe that it is less likely for broccoli leaves to cause gas in your rabbit. If your rabbit has been having some gassy issues, you can try giving him the leaves.
As always, make sure you start with small quantities first to see if this is suitable for your pet.
Can rabbits eat broccoli rabe?
While broccoli rabe may resemble broccoli’s leafy stalks, these are actually closer to the family of turnips. These might taste slightly bitter compared to broccoli but these are very nutritious packed with calcium and vitamin A.
You can treat this broccoli rabe similar to how you treat broccoli. Make sure you also limit the quantity to just several tablespoons per week and your rabbit will just be fine. This is perfectly safe for them to eat every now and then and they will surely appreciate the taste.
Can rabbits eat broccoli sprouts?
Broccoli sprouts are fine for your rabbits but once again, they can give your pet gas. This is why it is not really a wise idea to give lots of this veggie at a time, that is unless you have confirmed that your rabbit can handle broccoli. A bunny suffering from a gas can act uncomfortable, have a gurgling tummy, or sit in a meatloaf position while looking unhappy.
Can rabbits eat broccoli florets?
Yes, your beloved bunny can feed on broccoli florets as well other flowers such as rose petals, asters, sunflower, cornflower, common daisy, yarrow, rose of Sharon, dahlia, and common marigold, just to name a few. Make sure you feed the florets only in moderation, possibly as a type of treatment one or two times per week. You also need to correctly introduce it to them and discontinue giving it to them if they end up causing gas pets.
Can rabbits eat broccoli heads?
You can let your rabbits feed on broccoli heads and these are the parts that are least likely to make your pet gassy. You can try giving broccoli heads to your bunny if other parts seem to cause some issues. While broccoli is a great addition to the rotational diet of your bunny, introduce this little by little and observe them for gastrointestinal discomfort.
Can rabbits eat fresh broccoli?
Fresh broccoli contains more nutrients, is crunchier, and is easier to serve to rabbits as well.
Can rabbits eat frozen broccoli?
Feeding frozen broccoli to your rabbit is not really bad. This means that while it won’t cause them to harm to eat something frozen, it will not really benefit them the same way that fresh broccoli does.
Can rabbits eat cooked broccoli?
Yes, it is safe to give cooked broccoli to rabbits although there are more nutrients in raw foods compared to cooked ones. However, it has been reported that a 100 gram portion of cooked broccoli only contains 3.3g of fiber while raw broccoli of tee same amount has 2.6g.
Does rabbits eat broccoli
Yes, most rabbits will be more than happy to eat broccoli and they probably do so because they like its taste. After all, you would never eat food if it doesn’t really suit your palate. The same thing goes for rabbits.
However, just like humans, the tastes and preferences of rabbits are also different. If your bunny refuses to eat broccoli, chances are he doesn’t really like it. But, you can be sure that most bunnies actually love broccoli. In particular, rabbits may like broccoli if it is part of their varied diet suggested by vets.
Is broccoli good for rabbits
| Nutrition Facts | Raw Broccoli |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0.3g |
| Sodium | 30mg |
| Potassium | 287.6mg |
| Net carbs | 3.7g |
| Fiber | 2.4g |
| Protein | 2.6g |
| Vitamin A | 28.2μg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2mg |
| Vitamin C | 81.2mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.7mg |
| Vitamin K | 92.5μg |
| Calcium | 42.8mg |
| Iron | 0.7mg |
| Magnesium | 19.1mg |
| Phosphorus | 60.1mg |
| Zinc | 0.4mg |
| Manganese | 0.2mg |
| Selenium | 2.3μg |
| Thiamine | 0.1mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.1mg |
| Niacin | 0.6mg |
| Folate | 57.3μg |
| Choline | 17mg |
| Betaine | 0.1mg |
| Water | 81.3g |
It is perfectly understandable that you want to know if broccoli is good for your rabbits. You want to make sure that you give your rabbit only the best and most nutritious foods you can give to them.
Your pets are important to you and it is always your top priority to ensure that they are happy and healthy.
The good news is that you can have the peace of mind knowing that moderate amounts of broccoli is an excellent addition to the mealtime routine of your rabbits.
However, it is important to remember that broccoli has higher sugar levels compared to leafy greens. This is why it must never be used as a replacement of these vegetables.
Greens such as broccoli are essential for offering water, some dental wear, variety, and micronutrients.
Can rabbits have broccoli everyday
Bunnies are herbivores and this only means that veggies consist a considerable portion of their diets. It is important for rabbits to have access to some fresh vegetables every day.
But, it is not really advisable that broccoli is used as the primary source of veggies for your bunnies. Just like you, your rabbits will also like it if their diet is varied. Different vegetables offer different minerals and vitamins. So, be sure that you offer variety in the veggies you serve to your pet.
How much broccoli can rabbits eat
People who are big fans of broccoli can eat plenty of this veggie every single day. Sadly, the same rule doesn’t apply to your bunnies. Broccoli must only be consumed moderately even if your rabbit can tolerate it well.
Broccoli should never be given to baby and juvenile rabbits. As for adult rabbits, the maximum amount is one tablespoon of broccoli per day for every 2 pounds of your rabbit’s body weight.
Just like other new foods, you need to introduce broccoli to your bunny slowly over time, especially if you will give him the florets and stalks. You can try one tiny broccoli leaf first to see if your pet likes its taste. Don’t force it if your rabbit turns away from it because of not all bunnies like broccoli in the first place.
Is too much broccoli bad for rabbits
As a part of a balanced and varied diet, broccoli is not really bad for bunnies. Provided that it doesn’t make up a large portion of the diet of your bunny, broccoli is considered to be nutritious and safe. Just be careful every time you feed cooked broccoli to your rabbit. While this is a safe food for them to it, avoid adding other ingredients that you think will make the veggie tastier. These additional ingredients might not really be suitable for your bunnies.
Can baby rabbits eat broccoli
The dietary needs of kits or baby rabbits are different from those of their parents. This is why it is important that you keep a close eye on the diet of your baby rabbits.
It is not really recommended that you feed fresh vegetables to kits up until they reach 6 months old. This only goes to say that broccoli should not be a part of baby rabbit’s diet unless they turn 6 months, which is the time when they can already be considered adults.
In case you are worried that your baby rabbits have been eating broccoli right after they open their eyes, you don’t really have to worry a lot. So, even though it is not really the best practice to let your baby rabbits feed on broccoli, the world won’t come to an end if they managed to get an accidental nibble.
As always, make sure that you talk to your vet first before you make any decisions when it comes to the diet of your bunnies.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02652030600887594
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-broccoli
- https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-broccoli
Shannon work as nurse practitioner in Alliance Health Medical Group. She own pets and she love pets. With her knowledge in medicine, she know what can the pet eat and what can’t
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