Can rabbits eat cilantro and is it good for them
As stated above rabbits can eat cilantro and it is safe for them to eat in large quantities. Some vegetables and leafy greens are not safe for rabbits in large quantities due to the amount of oxalic acid in them.
Health benefits of cilantro
Cilantro is an amazing plant and can give your rabbit a long healthy life if added to his or her diet. Most rabbits like cilantro and it is not very expensive making it a good choice to add to your salad verity. Remember that rabbits should have variety and not eat the same things all the time.
Cilantro is known too:
- Lower stress, anxiety and improve sleep
- Improves blood sugar levels
- Helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTI’s)
- Helps aid digestion
- Prevents inflammation
Cilantro, fiber and your rabbit
Cilantro is high in fiber; this is great news for your rabbit’s health. I cannot stress enough how important it is for your rabbit to get as much fiber as possible.
A rabbit’s digestive system is very different from ours and requires different type food to stay healthy. Most leafy greens do not contain a lot of calories for us humans because we cannot digest cellulose and fiber easily. Rabbits have an adapted digestive system that allows them to extract calories and nutrients from these hard to digest nutrients.
The fiber that they consume is fermented in their gut and then fermented. They then poop out these special pellets called cecotropes and then eat them. Yes, gross I know but this is how rabbits survive. Have you ever heard of a cow chewing its cud? This is when a cow pukes up its food and re-chews it to gain more nutrients.
GI Stasis in rabbits
If rabbits do not get enough fiber or are under a lot of stress their digestive systems slow down, or worse stop. This is what we call GI Stasis. GI Stasis can kill a rabbit very quickly, possibly within 24 hours. It is an extremely painful and cruel death.
Unfortunately, some rabbit owners do not understand how important a rabbit’s diet is. Some owners will feed their rabbit bad foods like bread which contain no fiber and can cause GI stasis.
If your rabbit has not pooped in 12 hours then you may have an emergency on your hands and you need to get to a veterinarian ASAP.
How much should you feed your rabbit
Over feeding can lead to health issues for your rabbit. It is important to keep the following rules in mind when it comes to cilantro or any other type of food.
- Timothy hay should be fresh and available to your rabbit in unlimited quantities.
- Leafy greens should be fed to your rabbit at a rate of one cup for every 2 pounds of body weight.
- Fruits should be used as a treat and no more than 1-2 teaspoons per two pounds of body weight.
- Pellets should be timothy based, hard and fresh. Feed at a rate of an 1/8th cup per 4 pounds of body weight.
Other vegetables your rabbit will love
Verity is key to your rabbits health and this verity should include cilantro and other leafy greens.
- Dark lettuce
- Endive
- Bok Choy
- Carrot Tops
- Kale
- Watercrest
Non Leafy vegetables should be fed in moderation. About one tablespoon per 2 pounds of bodyweight.
- Carrots
- Squash
- Flowers
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
About the Author
My name is Vanessa and I love my buns. My current house rabbit is Mr. Bunny, he is a black and white Dutch that just turned 9 years old.
I believe that rabbits are a magnificent animal that make great pets for SOME people. My mission is to share what I have learned about rabbits over the past 20 years to improve the relationship between our pets and us. Please contact me or comment if you have any questions or comments.