You can have the cutest pet in your home; rabbits are always the first choice for many families. Bearing good-looking fur, they are one of the most charming and adorable pets you can keep in your household.
Well, if you just have decided to get yourself a rabbit as a pet, you will undoubtedly have to think of making it happy and healthy by giving it fresh food and water every day. You need to know the best and most harmful food to maintain your health.
Are backyard bunnies herbivores? Yes, you read it right. As an owner of any rabbit, you might be curious: can rabbits eat basil too? Or maybe you have someone else like a neighbor who asks this question – “Can rabbits eat basil?”
What Does a Typical Rabbit Diet Comprise?
Rabbits are herbivores. They eat only plants and other vegetable matter. Some popular rabbit foods include hay, alfalfa pellets, leafy greens such as cabbage and carrots, and dark, leafy greens such as spinach. Freshwater must always be available to them.
Treats should be given in moderation but are essential for a rabbit’s diet. They can be offered vegetables that are not usually a part of the diet (like potatoes, corn, or root vegetables).
Rabbits do not need any specific vitamins or minerals added to their food. A proper diet will include all the vitamins and minerals needed for proper health.
Is Basil Safe For Rabbits?
Rabbits are herbivores, and they need to eat fresh green leaves, berries, vegetables, and fruits to build a healthy body. So can bunnies eat basil?
Yes, you can feed your rabbit with basil as long as it is an occasional treat and does not replace the nutritional food. This herb is not toxic to rabbits but does not let them have more than 1/4 cup of this herb per day.
Rabbits need to eat fresh food daily because they cannot store nutrition as humans do. If you feed your rabbit with basil every day, they will lose interest in eating other healthy food. Hence, it is best not to give your rabbits too much basil.
How Beneficial is Basil To Your Rabbit
Basil can be bought fresh or dried in a supermarket or grocery store. It has a sharp taste that can bring out the flavor of other ingredients when cooked with it.
This herb is also known for having many health benefits for humans, but what about rabbits? Here are the health benefits of basil for rabbits:
Do You Know?
Can Rabbits Eat Corn? – That’s another question we have answered for you on this blog. Check it out!
Anti-inflammatory properties of basil
There are many anti-inflammatory properties found in basil, which helps reduce swelling of the joints and thus relieves pain and stiffness of the body. It also promotes healthy skin and fur, which are common problems rabbits face.
Antibacterial properties
This herb has been shown to protect against harmful bacteria that cause indigestion, food poisoning, or other digestive tract problems.
Does Basil Scent Affect the Rabbit?
Some herbs have a certain scent that is pungent to some people. But for some others, it’s a matter of getting used to. Basil is one of those scented herbs. However, it does not affect the rabbit.
As much as possible, you should observe your rabbit’s behavior and see any changes after feeding it with basil leaves or other herbs.
The most common sign of toxicity in rabbits is their hyperactivity. If you notice that your rabbit’s behavior changes after consuming basil or other herbs, take them out of the food and consult with your veterinarian.
Basil is safe to feed rabbits. Rabbits are herbivores and eat hay, leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and other plant matter to meet their dietary needs.
They do not need protein, fat, or carbohydrates, and you can meet all of their nutritional requirements with a diet of hay, vegetables, and water.
However, as with any new food for your rabbit, it is always a good idea to introduce it gradually into their diet.
