Is kale really ok?

[Minty]

Vet said kale is not okay due to oxalate.

As per house rabbit society, kale is definitely ok.

Baby bunny loves baby kale.

Is kale definitely OK? 

[Minty]

FYI – I did more research from university of chicago. And kale is indeed a low oxalate food.

https://kidneystones.uchicago.edu/h…late-diet/

The vet is wrong, and she seemed to be well informed about rabbits … so much misinformation about there …

[Luna]

Your correct that Kale is low in oxalates, though it is high in calcium. Veggies that are high in calcium can still be given to healthy buns, but they should be rotated with other veggies that are not high in calcium. Also, veggies that are generally suggested for buns may nonetheless need to be omitted from your bun’s diet if the veggie upsets your bun’s tummy, so new veggies should initially be fed individually and in tiny amounts.

ETA: As to Kale specifically, there is somewhat of a split in the bun community as to whether or not it should be fed. Personally, Luna used to get Kale in moderation, but as she got older I suspect that she became more sensitive to it than in the past. Consequently, I have had to cut it out of her diet.

[tobyluv]

Kale is a favorite green of my rabbits and they get it quite often. It has never caused any trouble with them. I know of other people who feed kale to their rabbits often, even daily in some cases.

[Muchelle]

I don’t personally feed kale (or other vegs of the same kind) because it gives terrible gas to my bun. But if your bun can handle it, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be added to his menu

[Minty]

Thanks all. And thanks for the notification about calcium. It’s strange, HRS doesn’t mention about calcium in kale:

https://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

I think i will stick with cilantro/coriander and cos/romaine lettuce as her staple. Then give her kale, spinach, parsley as rotating ad ons in smaller quantities. Here in Australia I couldn’t find the right salad mix for her at Coles (our equivalent of QFC).

funny thing – my minty doesn’t like mint … 

she doesn’t like rocket lettuce either …

[Bam]

My vet says my Bam can’t have kale. He had elevated calcium levels in his blood. But he’s a fully grown rabbit, at least 7 years old, and adult rabbits don’t have the same need for calcium as a growing rabbit. A growing bun needs calcium for their growing skeleton and also for muscular activity (young buns are a lot more active than seniors).

Some buns’ tums can’t handle kale. But some buns thrive on kale. I think it’s wise to rely on safe staples as romaine and other leafy lettuces and cilantro (and perhaps dill) and then rotate the deep green greens like kale, small piece of broccoli, spinach, parsley, collard greens etc.

It’s really silly to have a bun named Minty that doesn’t like mint. You’ll have to talk to her about that (j.k).

[Author]

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