Dandelions

[gingerg]

It’s Spring here and I have a lawn full of ripe, untreated dandelions. I read that they were safe for rabbits, provided you don’t spray your yard, so I’ve been harvesting them for my older buns. Turns out they love both the flowers and the leaves. I wash them thoroughly (to get rid of dirt/bugs) and trim off the roots. 

My question is, is there a need to limit the quantity of dandelion leaves and flowers my rabbits receive? I give them a heaping pile of romaine with some non-leafy vegetables on the side each night, but the buns would be just as happy with a heaping plate of dandelions. Any reason why I shouldn’t do that while they’re in season?

[ZoeS]

I personally would (and do) feed lots of what’s in season. IMO, that is how wild rabbits would eat and thus it is healthy. First, dandelions. Later, wild plantains get the spotlight. Within reason of course – they still get hay, pellets, variety of other veg, just with a big ol’ pile of dandelions or whatever nearly every day.

I might go with another leafy green or two for variety though, and romaine is low on my list of what to give my buns (it’s better than iceberg, but not by that much). What are you feeding that’s non-leafy greens? I am picturing what I think would be balanced – unlimited hay, a “serving” of pellets (whatever that is for your rabbit), and a “pile” of veg, about 1/2 dandelions, and the other half made up of 2-3 other kinds leafy green veg.

[Elliriyanna]

dandelions also provide health benefits in animals. I certainly plan to feed them and will even buy them if the store carries them when they are out of season.

I didn’t see a link for benefits for animals but there is this article. I am sure there are better ones this was just from a quick google search. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-dandelion.html

[Nuggets Momma]

you can buy seeds and even grow your own year round, i buy mine at http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8211-dandelion.aspx. They grow well and Nugget loves them. Plus they are pretty in a pot and easy to grow.

[Bam]

I too feed lots of dandelion this time of year + ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria). I’ve also dried lots of dandelion + groundI elder now when it’s in good supply. I still feed pellets and hay though. And apple twigs.

Dandelion greens make bunny pee red/orange, just thought I’d mention it so nobody gets scared if their bunnies pee all red after being fed dandelions =)

[gingerg]

Thanks for the replies, ladies. I’m definitely just thinking of using the dandelions as a replacement for the romaine, so I think I will go ahead and get while the getting is good!

[Sr. Melangell]

Yes I’m going to give Olly some soon, but they will need rinsing well if cats have been on them, a cat could be on meds and the meds come out in its tinkle, my garden is a jungle and there is loads of stuff he can have, but a lot of cats come to my garden because its a jungle and dandelions are great, I drink dandelion tea, but I buy that, the cat thing bothers me a bit, so rinse them well.

[{Alli}]

Don’t dandelions have a lot of calcium in them?

[Sr. Melangell]

Just found this….Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese.
That was on Wikipedia, now I’m confused.

[LBJ10]

Dandelions are high in vitamin A, but low in oxalic acid. They are safe to feed every day as part of a mix.

[The Law Bun]

do you know the muffin man

[Author]

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