Most rabbits like to eat basil, while some may not like the taste and smell of basil. Basil is a herb that has many nutritional values, it is low in fat and carbs and high in antitoxins. We use basil daily, such as in different drinks and salads. Due to its potential health benefits, you might be considering it for your rabbits, and this article is all about rabbits and basil, whether we can feed basil to our rabbits or not.
However, can rabbits eat basil? Yes, rabbits can eat basil in moderate amounts as it is very healthy for your bunny because of anti-inflammatory properties and many others benefits of basil herb. Serving two basil stems or ¼ cup of green basil leaves is safe and nutritious for your rabbits. Remember if your rabbit has urinary tract infections or kidney issues, you should not feed basil to your bunnies and never give it to your baby bunny.
Table of Contents
- Health Benefits Of Basil For Rabbits
- How Much Basil Can Rabbits Eat?
- Is Basil Good For Rabbits Every day?
- Nutritional Facts of the Sweet Basil
- Can I Give My Bunny Basil Leaves?
- Can Rabbits Eat Basil Stems?
- How To Feed Basil To Rabbits?
- FAQ
- Is Basil Safe For Rabbit To Eat – Conclusion
Health Benefits Of Basil For Rabbits
Basil has several benefits for your bunny as it is rich in nutrients and minerals, and each has its effect on the health of your bunny. The followings are the benefits of basil for bunnies;
Prevent cell damage: Basil is an antioxidant that protects your bunny from the effect of free radicals and hence prevents cellular damage in your bunny.
Prevent from cancer: Basil just like thyme herb has anti-cancer properties and prevents your bunny from chronic illness.
Calming effect: Basil has a soothing effect, so you can serve this to your bunny while traveling or after some extra physical activity.
Anti-inflammatory effect: antioxidants prevent your rabbit from arthritis. Basil has a compound known as tech that is very good for controlling your bunny from inflammatory bowel diseases.
Age-related benefits: Anti-inflammatory effects of basil can help your bunny with chronic disorders, arthritis, and cellular damage.
Source of vitamin C: Vitamin c is very beneficial for your bunny’s bones, connective tissues, and skin. It also protects your bunny from scurvy disease.
Source of vitamin A: Vitamin A is good for the eyes of your bunny, especially the beta-carotene in vitamin A that improves the eyesight of your rabbit, which may reduce with age.
Source of vitamin K: Vitamin K is best for your rabbit’s bones and immune system as it works as an antioxidant.
Source of potassium and magnesium: They are suitable for the muscles of your bunny and reduce the risk of kidney stones and heart diseases.
How Much Basil Can Rabbits Eat?
Rabbits are herbivores and like other vegetables and fruits, you can introduce new food into their diet such as basil in small amounts. The right amount of basil that you can feed to your rabbits depends upon the age of your rabbit, such as;
- If your rabbit is younger than 3 months, never give them basil.
- If your rabbit is near about six months, you can start feeding basil occasionally
- If your bunny is an adult more than six months old, you can feed two stems of basil two times a week.
If you are feeding basil to your rabbits for the first time, start with 2 or 3 leaves and see any signs of allergy like itching, swelling face, diarrhea, and vomiting, then immediately consult your vet. However, if they behave normally, you can feed them to your rabbits a moderate amount. But always avoid large quantities.
Is Basil Good For Rabbits Every day?
Rabbits can eat basil only as a treat, like feeding basil to your bunnies no more than twice a week is safe. Overfeeding everything is terrible, and they may develop stomach issues like diarrhea, bloating, and vomiting if they eat extra basil. You can feed basil to your bunnies as an occasional treat and mix them in the hay or any fruit and vegetable that you are serving to your rabbit. You can also serve chopped basil to your bunnies if your rabbit doesn’t like to eat it in raw form.
Nutritional Facts of the Sweet Basil
100 grams of raw basil contain the following amount of nutrients;
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Energy | 22 kcal |
| Fibers | 1.6 g |
| Fat | 0.64 g |
| Protein | 3.15 g |
| Carbs | 2.65 g |
| Thiamine | 0.034mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.076 mg |
| Choline | 11.4mg |
| Vitamin C | 18.0mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.80mg |
| Calcium | 177mg |
| Iron | 3.17 mg |
| Magnesium | 64 mg |
| Sodium | 4 mg |
| Zinc | 0.18 mg |
Can I Give My Bunny Basil Leaves?
Yes, rabbits can eat basil leaves and you can serve them both fresh or dried basil leaves. Basil leaves are full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and have medicinal properties as they are rich in antioxidants.
The antioxidants protect your bunny from chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, joint diseases, and many others. Always feed from small amounts because your bunny may be allergic to basil and develop diarrhea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, face swelling, and itching. If you observe these symptoms in your bunny, immediately consult your vet.
Can Rabbits Eat Basil Stems?
Yes, rabbits can eat basil stems, but there are some precautions that you must take before feeding basil stems to your bunny friend. Please ensure the basil stems are completely mature and soft because over-ripen basil stems are tough, and your rabbit cannot choke them easily. Ensure that you have washed the stems before serving them to your bunny to remove toxins.
It would be best if you cut the stems into small pieces so that your rabbit can eat them without worries. Feeding two branches once or twice a week is fine, but overfeeding is dangerous for your rabbit’s health. Keep your bunny away from the basil garden because just like eating blueberries from the garden, eating whole basil plants can make your bunny ill.
How To Feed Basil To Rabbits?
There are some rules for serving basil to rabbits to prevent health issues, such as:
Small amount
Always start with a small amount of basil so your rabbit may accept and enjoy eating them. You can later give them a cup of fresh basil leaves regularly if they like the flavor of basil.
Washing
Always wash the basil before giving it to your rabbits because some pests and toxins can cause digestive tract issues in your bunny.
Cutting or chopping
You can cut or chop the basil to make it easy for your bunny to eat.
Observation
After serving basil to your rabbit, keep an eye on him for 24 hours and notice how they behave.
Check for any signs of allergy.
When your rabbit has eaten basil, you should check for signs of allergy because some rabbits may be susceptible to basil.
Avoid feeding baby bunnies.
Never feed basil to bunnies younger than three months because they have delicate digestive systems.
FAQ
Can Baby Bunnies Eat Basil?
No, you should not feed basil to your baby bunnies because their digestive system is developing, and you should not serve any solid food. However, when your bunny gets 3 months old, you can start to feed it small amounts of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Always start with a small amount you are providing to your bunnies and keep an eye on them for at least 24 hours. If you feed basil to rabbits older than 12 months, always start with a small amount because some rabbits may be allergic to it. So, you should immediately consult your vet if you observe any signs of itching after feeding basil to your bunnies.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Basil?
No, rabbits can not eat cooked basil because they are pure herbivores, and their digestive system is underdeveloped enough to digest it. It would be best to serve only fresh and raw basil to your bunnies.
Moreover, basil loses many of its nutrients during the cooking process, making it less beneficial than raw basil. Always feed fresh and clean basil in small amounts to your loving pets. Another benefit of raw basil is that you don’t need to make an extra effort to serve it, like cooked basil.
Can Rabbits Eat Thai Basil?
Yes, rabbits can eat Thai basil as it has a lot of health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent your loving rabbit from the severe inflammation of various body organs.
Moreover, the antioxidants present in the basal are enough to protect your rabbit from the effect of various infections and also protect them from the impact of heart diseases. So always feed fresh and mature basil leaves to your bunny and avoid overfeeding because it can lead to indigestion, and your rabbit may develop diarrhea and bloating.
Is Basil Safe For Rabbit To Eat – Conclusion
Rabbits can eat basil safely however, moderation is the key. Start with a small amount of serving basil for your rabbits because some can be allergic to them. You can feed your bunnies two stems of basil or one-fourth cup of basil leaves once or twice a week.
Basil has many medical properties, as it protects your bunny from various illnesses. Never feed basil to baby bunnies because their digestive system is in the developing phase, and they can not digest them well.
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