Introduction
Hello friends, hope you all doing great with your beloved bunny. Today I will talk about an important topics that every bunny owner should know. Herb for bunnies. First I have to say, herbs are a healthy way to bring variety and balance into your rabbit’s diet. They give your rabbit lots of new flavors to check out every day, making them a great enrichment tool to include in your rabbit’s environment. But herbs are good for more than just their yummy flavor; they also enhance your rabbit’s health with their natural nutrients and medicinal properties.
Are Herbs Safe for Rabbits?
Most herbs that are commonly found in the garden are completely safe for rabbits. They give your rabbit a wholesome diet with a variety of vitamins and nutrients. Many herbs even have mild medicinal properties that help to prevent or alleviate conditions such as:
- arthritis
- and stomach discomfort.
Whether dried or fresh, herbs can make your rabbit’s life a little more vibrant. They don’t need to be rationed the way sugary treats need to, so you don’t have to worry about upsetting your rabbit’s digestion. In fact, there are many herbs that can actually help your rabbit have better digestive health. So, read on to learn all about different types of herbs and how they can benefit your rabbit. You can also read “what kind of lettuce can bunny eat”.
Common Herbs Safe for Rabbits
Basil
Basil is a common herb that you can find in just about any grocery store or farmers market. It contains a high concentration of phytochemicals, giving it a strong flavor and nutritional content. Basil also contains a few chemicals that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This makes basil a mild pain reliever and can help prevent frequent infections in rabbits. It also helps in maintaining the health of rabbit fur and skin.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a fragrant herb that is generally very enticing to rabbits. Many elderly rabbits who are losing their sense of taste and smell will end up gravitating toward these aromatic herbs. Cilantro is also made up of a number of phytochemicals that can help aid in,
- digestion,
- prevent frequent infections,
- reduce stress,
- and help alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections.
- Cilantro is also known to contain geraniol, which helps prevent tumors.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a common flower herb used for its many medicinal properties. It’s known to have calming properties that can reduce stress in rabbits and can also reduce pain, inflammation, and even fever. Rabbits that tend to have a lot of digestive issues can benefit from chamomile because of its ability to reduce gas and the discomfort that goes along with it. Chamomile is a flower and should be given to rabbits in small quantities as a treat.
Dandelion Greens
Dandelion greens are some of the most nutritious weeds we can feed rabbits. They have a high mineral and vitamin content that helps to,
- strengthen the immune system,
- prevent frequent infections,
- and reduce pain and inflammation in rabbits.
Dandelion greens are also known to aid in digestion and help prevent heart disease. However, dandelion greens contain a high level of oxalate acid, so it’s best to feed this type of green in moderation. You can also read “what vegetables can rabbit eat”.
Medicinal Herbs for Rabbits
Echinacea
Echinacea is a well-known and effective medicinal herb that is used for boosting the immune system. It is very useful for rabbits that battle frequent infections and can be used to boost the overall health and vitality of your rabbit. Echinacea does such a good job at rebalancing a rabbit’s immune system that many veterinarians will recommend adding it to a rabbit’s regular diet. Every other day or so, sprinkle a little echinacea on top of your rabbit’s hay or pellets to help them maintain a healthy immune system.
Fennel
Fennel is an interesting herb that some rabbits really enjoy, though the flavor tends to be hit or miss. This herb is good for aiding rabbit digestion by reducing gas, and it can help with symptoms of respiratory illness. There have also been studies showing that fennel seed extract aids in the prevention of kidney disease. You can also read “can rabbit eat tomato”.
Mint
Mint, including peppermint and spearmint, contains a wide variety of vitamins and nutrients. It helps to reduce inflammation, making it good for helping rabbits with symptoms of arthritis. It can also help with,
- digestive disorders,
- reduce fever,
- prevent infections,
- and treat urinary tract infections.
Mint can be a great option for elderly rabbits because of its strong flavor and ability to help alleviate painful joints. You can also read “can rabbit eat cucumber”.
Calming and Healing Herbs for Rabbits
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is another immune-boosting herb for rabbits. It’s an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for rabbits who suffer from frequent infections. Goldenseal also has properties that help in treating bladder infections by acting as a natural antibiotic.
Kava
Rabbits that are frequently stressed out and anxious can benefit from calming herbs like kava. This herb can also help with calming more aggressive rabbits and can be used to prevent fighting when bonding two rabbits. You can also read “how to bond with your rabbit”.
Oregano
Oregano has properties that act as an immune boost for rabbits. It contains geraniol and rosmarinic acid, which work to protect against tumors and carcinogens. They are also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, helping rabbits protect against infections. Oregano can also be used to reduce the likelihood of becoming reinfected or getting a secondary bacterial infection during recovery. You can also read “GI stasis of rabbit”.
Lesser-Known Herbs for Rabbit Health
Lavender
Like cilantro, lavender has the chemical geraniol, which has anti-tumor properties. This herb also has antifungal and blood-thinning properties, reducing cholesterol levels in rabbits. Despite this, lavender is one of those plants that rabbits usually don’t enjoy very much. They’ll often avoid eating it because of its strong sweet scent and unappetizing flavor.
Parsley
Parsley is a very nutrient-dense food that contains many vitamins, nutrients, and minerals beneficial to a rabbit’s health. It can alleviate some pain from arthritis, reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, protect against digestive disorders and urinary tract infections, and prevent frequent infections. Parsley is also very easy to find in grocery stores and easy to grow in an herb garden.
Plantain
Plantain, also known as ribwort, is good for preventing urinary tract infections. It’s also an herb that is good for,
- rabbit’s overall health,
- with qualities that aid in digestion,
- lower fever,
- and soothe inflammation.
It can also be made into a topical medication that can be used as a mild antibiotic.
Rose Petals
Roses also have some health benefits for rabbits. The petals in particular act as an anti-carcinogen and may help prevent the development of cancer. The petals can also aid in preventing infections and respiratory diseases, and they help calm a rabbit by reducing stress and anxiety. Rose hips are also known to aid in a rabbit’s digestive health. You can also read “plants safe for rabbits”.
Powerful Herbs for Treating Ailments in Rabbits
Rosemary
Rosemary is another useful herb with mild medicinal properties that can help a rabbit’s overall health. It’s good for,
- treating arthritis,
- preventing heart disease,
- aiding digestive health,
- and even helping in the prevention of some tumorous cancers.
Thyme
Thyme contains caffeic acid and luteolin, which give it antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has blood-thinning effects that can help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Thyme can also be used to alleviate symptoms of respiratory illnesses and reduce fever in rabbits.
Yucca
Yucca is a very useful herb that has a lot of nutrients and phytochemicals excellent for rabbit health. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol, helping to prevent heart disease. Yucca also works to boost the immune system of rabbits and is a strong anti-inflammatory. It’s often used in the treatment of arthritis. Yucca also reduces the amount of ammonia in rabbit urine and aids in the prevention of liver and kidney disease.
Where to Find Herbs for Your Rabbit
There are two ways that you can give herbs to your rabbit: fresh or dried. Both are safe and likely to be very yummy for a rabbit. When I give my rabbit fresh herbs, I include them with her leafy greens. It’s important to give rabbits a few cups of fresh leafy greens on a daily basis, and many fresh herbs count toward this amount (parsley, cilantro, etc.).
Conclusion
So, that’s all for today. Hope you now got it safe herbs for your rabbits you can provide. If you found this article helpful, please share it with your bunny lover friends and if I miss anything, let me know in the comment box.