Kale

[FluffyBunny]

Alright, I’ve been meaning to ask this for some time…

Is kale OK to feed daily to healthy bunnies? I’ve seen in multiple places that it should be fed in very small amounts (or not at all) because it has a lot of calcium and can contribute to bladder problems. Mr. Bunny gets kale daily – he also gets green leaf lettuce, parsley, and celery. Although there’s the occasional white stain on his poo, there’s no sign he has bladder sludge or any other bladder problems. My main question is – are there any other concerns for feeding kale daily  – to a healthy bunny without bladder/calcium problems?

[MooBunnay]

I would feed the kale a little less frequently, just to be conservative. Usually, if I am questioning something I am feeding my bunnies, I don’t feed it to them at all, since there are so many bunny-safe veggie options. If Mr. Bunny enjoys his other veggies, I think it would be better just to give him kale every once and awhile instead of every day. Even though he does not have a calcium issue now, you would not want him to develop one due to his high amount of calcium intake.

[Sarita]

Well things like alfalfa and alfalfa pellets are much higher in calcium than kale which you do not feed Mr. Bunny anyway – alfalfa that is.

There is not a whole lot that vets really know about bladder sludge – I have a rabbit with bladder sludge and have had several before with this problem. There are many theories out there concerning bladder sludge and stones including genetics and metabolic bone disease. Basically there is no direct scientific link between calcium in the diet and the amount of calcium excreted in our rabbits urine.

Normally if your rabbit has problems with bladder sludge or stones then your vet will recommend you reduce calcium intake at that time.

My opinion on the kale is that you should always give your rabbits a wide variety of vegetables and if possible rotate them so you would want to include kale in the rotation a few days a week – now I will be honest I do not do this but if I had only 1 or 2 rabbits to feed, I could and would do this but I have many more so I have to buy in bulk pretty much.

Calcium is a necessary mineral for our rabbits as it is for us.

I would also recommend that your rabbit get plenty of fresh water and plenty of exercise.

[RabbitPam]

Yes, I was thinking that you could cut back the kale to every other day, or every third day, so he gets it but it keeps mealtime interesting with variety while still being something you know he likes and can digest. Like pellets that can add to fat, cutting back things is usually a healthy option.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I agree

They really like Kale so it’s hard not to give it to them full time -like saying no to a baby who wants candy but…just in case, there is research that points to high calcium foods linked with bladder sludge and other probs…and like Sarita said we just don’t know a whole lot about it. (Let’s face it-how much do they know about human nutrition? Right)

The only golden rule is -feed in moderate amounts, a varied diet. For all animals-and us really. Eat a varied diet-and too much of anything is not a good thing

[Author]

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