Martin’s first Veggie!!! Parsley

[mattman0182]

Gave my bun small amountd of parsley today and yesterday. At first..he was skeptical but then he ate it. He ate it whenever i gave it to him from then on and he has had no upset tummy. May give him a new one next week.  Should I give him a new veggie each week? Im not really sure which veggies to give him when. I know which ones they can have..I just dont know wether to alternate or stick to one veggie.

[JK]

You should give him a variety of at least 3 different ones daily like parsley, baby greens or romaine lettuce and maybe some mint or swiss chard.  Those are easy on the tum tum.  Edson goes insane for his salad and I’m sure yours will too soon.

[JK]

You may want to add a new one to the parsley each week so that you are up to 3 daily.  I never did but most will probably recommend that and I should have said that in my first post!  Sorry about that.

[Gravehearted]

yes – it’s good to introduce new veggies one at a time to see if it causes any dietary upset. bunnies generally love herbs – so he may enjoy dill, basil, mint or cilantro too. chard, romaine or dark lettuces are good choices too.

carrot tops, dandelion greens and kale are all big favorites – but should be offered only once a week due high calcium.

[Beka27]

i’d try some kind of simple dark green lettuce.  as was mentioned… romaine, or my rabbit loves endive and escarole.  try a new one next week in addition to parsley.  the week after try the lettuce, but maybe add another herb, taking out the parsely.  does that make sense?

[melissact]

Ernie loves parsley, and is a big fan of dandelion greens (although only the organic stuff from Whole Foods–sigh) and carrot tops (although those go bad so quickly and we’re not big carrot eaters in my household). We gave him some baby lettuces and he had the most horrific case of poopy butt that was disgusting to clean up (and hard on the poor bun). Now we are afraid to offer him new types of greens, for fear of the return of the poopy butt. He has really enjoyed tiny little pieces of fresh pineapple core, though.

[skunklionshow]

I love loading up on all the green leafies at the store.  When I first tried to get them used to veggies, I would give them a small plate of 3 veggies.  I then checked in the morning which were bunny approved.  Leo was not  big veggie eater when I first got him, we had to work him up to becoming salad munchers.  Just be patient and work up to it.  Don’t forget that there’s Italian AKA flat leaf parsley and curly leaf parsley.

[mattman0182]

Are there a big difference in the parsleys? Might try a little kale with him since we already have some in the house. May buy some romaine lettuce also.

[Sarita]

Well the buns sure notice the differences in the two parsleys – my mostly like both and it’s nice to give them a variety. I would try them both and then if he likes them alternate them with this other veggies so he doesn’t get bored.

[Gravehearted]

I generally only buy the flat leaf / Italian variety, because I’ve heard it has more nutrients. Also the scent is much more intense and I think it tastes much better

[kimberleyanddarren]

is 3 a day for all buns of any age because hopscotch usually has a variety of about 5 things usually romaine, parsley, rosemary/thyme/basil, a tiny peice or carrot/banana/apple/raisin and something to chew like celery. is this too much for his meal?

[Gravehearted]

Anything more than 3 is just fine. I think the idea is to encourage people to feed more than just 1 kind of veggie, since they like variety and have different kind of nutrients.

[kimberleyanddarren]

oh thanks gravehearted! i was just concerned that i might be running the risk of giving him an upset tummy but i have only had poopy but once which was after cucumber.

[mattman0182]

well thanks!! So any herb will not harm him? Gave him some kale l we already had and he did fine. I well get another herb when I get a chance and maybe a little bit of apple. What about chives? or clive…i forgot what that was I saw in the store. And romaine lettuce, any part or just very green part?

[Sarita]

I would say no to chives which are in the onion family which are toxic to horses and may be toxic to rabbits according to Carrot Cafe (on the onions).

[Gravehearted]

the romaine leaves are all ok for bunnies. Herbs that are safe and popular amongst bunnies: parsley, dill, cilantro, basil, mint, and watercress
(i think watercress is considered an herb)

[skunklionshow]

Kim…You are such a good bunny mommy!  So cute how you say…”am I giving them too much”…w/ bunnies is anything ever “too much”?

The other thing to remember is just b/c they snub something now, doesn’t mean that they won’t develop an interest in it months from now.  Leo always snubbed carrots, recently he developed a new found interest in them.  Crazy rabbits!  Jessica is more a food snob than Leo, she gets very bored w/ veggies until I switch it up.  Its amazing how the difference b/t flat and curly, red and green, is enough of a big difference to appease the princess. 

In winter, herbs can be kinda pricey.  That’s when I have to rely on all the lettuce varieties.  They also love cilantro & basil…oh and lavender.

[mattman0182]

Thanks for the advice!! He has taken to the parsley so I gave him a larger portion today. I will be getting some new veggies as soon as i can.

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