Rabbits love to eat Chicory and also its flowers, stems, and roots. Chicory is rich in Vitamin A(beta carotene), folate, pantothenic acid, and vitamins C, K, and E. However, a rabbit’s routine diet should consist of hay, water, and small pellets, and with these food items, you can also add fresh vegetables like lettuce and fruits for making the diet of your rabbits extra nutritious and healthy. This article will cover all the information about Rabbits and Chicory and whether you can feed Chicory to your rabbits or not.
However, can rabbits eat Chicory? Yes, rabbits can eat Chicory in moderate amounts once a week, but not recommended for baby bunnies. Chicory is a plant with light blue flowers, and your bunny can safely eat one cup of these flowers in combination with 4 to 5 leaves of other green vegetables. Always feed fresh Chicory to your bunnies instead of frozen and cooked varieties.
Table of Contents
Health Benefits Of Chicory
Chicory is very beneficial for the health of your bunny as it is a source of many nutrients and minerals, such as
Source of vitamin A
Vitamin A found in the Chicory improves the eye sides of your bunny.
Source of vitamin K
Chicory has vitamin k, which works as a blood clotting factor in your rabbit’s body.
Source of calcium
The amount of calcium found in chicory is very beneficial for the bones, nails, and teeth of other vegetables.
Source of Folate
Folate present in the Chicory forms blood cells inside your bunny’s body.
Source of Inulin
Inulin is very good for maintaining the metabolisms of the pet rabbit’s digestive system.
Source of dietary fibers
Chicory good source of fiber essential for your bunny’s overall growth and development.
Source of iron
Iron is very good for the teeth and bones of your loving pet.
How To Feed Chicory To Rabbits?
There are certain ways that you must follow while feeding Chicory to your bunnies, such as
- Always start with a small amount of Chicory and see how your rabbits behave. If they develop symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea, you must stop serving them.
- Before feeding Chicory to your bunnies, make sure that you have properly washed them to avoid health problems. After washing, it would be best to chop this leafy green vegetable before serving to your rabbits to prevent choking issues.
- Feed no more than a moderate amount of chicory flowers because overfeeding can lead to digestive issues such as gas and diarrhea.
- Always feed fresh flowers to your rabbits, and avoid feeding frozen and cooked ones because they do not suit the sensitive stomachs of your bunnies.
- Do not feed Chicory to baby rabbits who are older than three months.
Can Rabbits Eat Endive or Chicory Every Day?
No rabbits cannot eat Chicory daily because they contain more calories and may develop diabetes if you overfeed them. Chicory is also very acidic and overfeeding is very harmful to your bunny’s health. If your rabbit eats more Chicory, the more fiber content in them may develop stomach issues, such as bloating and diarrhea. It would be very beneficial for the health of your bunnies if you feed them Chicory as a treat only.
Is It Ok For Rabbits To Eat Chicory Leaves?
Yes, you can serve one leaf of Chicory to your bunny once a week. It is best if you serve the chopped mixture of one chicory leaf and 4 to 5 leaves of other vegetables ( spinach, collards, kale, basil, etc). Chicory leaves are rich in Vitamin A, folate, dietary fibers, and vitamin E. You should not feed chicory leaves more than once a week because they contain more calories that can lead to weight gain and diabetes in your bunny.
Ensure that you are providing fresh leaves because dry leaves can cause choking issues in your bunny. Avoid feeding chicory leaves to baby bunnies younger than three months because of their weak digestive systems.
Can Rabbit Eat Chicory Roots as Chicory Alternative?
Yes, rabbits can eat chicory roots as an occasional treat. The roots of Chicory contain inulin, which improves your bunny’s metabolism and promotes good digestion. Feeding 1 teaspoon of chicory root is quite safe and healthy, but ensuring that you are only giving chicory roots as a treat and feeding once a week is fine. Always feed fresh roots and wash them with water because roots may contain some microbes that can cause digestive issues in your bunny.
Nutritional Facts
100 grams of raw chicory leaves contain the following amount of nutrients
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Energy | 23 kcal |
| Protein | 1.7 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.7 g |
| Sugar | 0.7 g |
| Water | 92 g |
| Dietary fibres | 4 g |
| Calcium | 100 mg |
| Iron | 0.9 mg |
FAQ
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Chicory?
No, you should not feed Chicory to baby bunnies as they have very delicate stomachs, and their initial diet should be hay and water. After three months of age, you can start serving your rabbit with small amounts of fruits and vegetables.
If you are feeding your younger rabbits any vegetable or fruit for the first time, always start with a small amount and in small pieces because some rabbits may not be able to digest them, and you should stop feeding them.
Is Chicory Poisonous To Rabbits?
No, Chicory is not poisonous for rabbits until you are serving them in moderate amounts, however, overfeeding can cause severe health issues like bloating and diarrhea. Feeding one leaf of Chicory with other greens like asparagus and spinach to your bunnies once a week is quite safe and healthy.
Overfeeding Chicory can also cause acidity and other stomach issues like diarrhea and bloating in your rabbits. Moreover, chicory is rich in calcium, and eating more calcium can lead to the formation of kidney stones in your bunny.
Can Rabbits Eat Chicory Conclusion
Rabbits can eat Chicory as an occasional treat, such as feeding one cup of chicory in combination with other four to five green leaves is quite safe. Chicory is very nutritious and healthy for your rabbit because it contains a rich amount of dietary fiber and vitamins.
However, overfeeding can lead to diabetes and weight gain due to high amounts of calories and sugar. Always feed fresh and clean Chicory to your bunnies, and all parts of Chicory, like leaves, roots, and flowers, are safe. Avoid feeding Chicory to baby bunnies because they have a very sensitive digestive system.
Related posts:
Can Rabbit Eat Lettuce? (Which to AVOID!)
Can Rabbits Eat Zucchini (Benefits Of Zucchini Squash For Pet Rabbits)
Can Rabbits Eat Bananas? (What are the Benefits?)
Can Rabbits Eat Collard Greens ? ( Any Risk Of Feeding Collard Greens ? )
Can Rabbits Eat Corn Chips(Risk Of Overfeeding Tortilla Chips)
Can Rabbits Eat Corn? (Corn Cob, Corn Kernels, Corn On The Cob)
