Veggies

[Rain]

My veternarian suggested about a cup and a fourth of veggies for Rain. She also told me that I need to give her a variety of veggies. Not just the same leaf lettuce. I’m starting to add Romaine, so now she gets two leaf lettuce leaves and one Romaine. I know there’s plenty of great greens to choose from. I’ve seen a bunch of bok choy at the grocery store. Does anyone know if this is good for rabbits too?

. I’m just not sure how much to give of each? Say I give three or four different types of leafy veggies. How may leaves of each type should I give? Also I’m confused about another thing. I’ve read on some threads that people give very low amounts of kale. Is it bad if you give a whole leaf a day? Yet it’s supposed to be lower in oxalic acid, I think. What are some other recommended veggies? 

[Deleted User]

I give my boys the Olivia’s Organic boxed greens from the produce section. There’s a ton of variety in them. I usually give a half a container to each bun (there’s 3 cups in one box). It helps because there’s a variety in there and it eliminates the need to measure Their favorites are the sweet baby lettuce and the baby romaine. For the non-boxed one, I give them a half a bunch of parsley each on a Friday night as like a special treat dinner. They go insane for parsley, to the point where Bombur will literally thump with impatience. Parsley can cause some buns to pee a ton, so be careful. You could try Boston lettuce, bok choy, or collard greens too. When I give them leafy greens not from the box, I tend to chop it up and measure out 1.5 cups for them that way I know they aren’t over eating. They’re also able to pick what pieces they’d most like to eat first.

[Sirius&Luna]

Yeah, I think you’re meant to aim for at least 3 different veggies a day. So I always give romaine lettuce, then pick at least two of the following (mainly based on what I’m cooking for myself and have in): spring greens, kale, coriander (cilantro to Americans), red leaf lettuce, cauliflower leaves, broccoli, celery, rocket, watercress, spinach, mint, basil, parsley, rosemary.

You do need to watch what suits Rain. For example, some bunnies can eat cabbage fine, but I’m pretty sure it’s what caused GI stasis in Luna. Wick can’t eat parsley without peeing but my three are fine with it.

I have the list of safe veg from the Bunny Info section printed out on my fridge

I don’t really measure how much I give them, I just put some of each into a bowl for them.

I’m also confused about kale, as it’s one that is low in oxalic acid according to many lists, but is widely believed to be a not every day veg. I give mine kale about every other day.

[Rain]

Thank you guys! I will definitely try the veggies that both of you have suggested. I tried Mint today, and Rain didn’t give it another glance. Now I have to find a way to use all these leaves! XD!!! I think Rain likes the lettucey, big leafy things the most, so I might try bok choy and collard greens. And maybe parsley since I’ve heard that so many buns love it. Of course, I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t start peeing everywhere of course.

[Sirius&Luna]

Fresh mint tea is delicious for humans Just pour some boiling water on the mint leaves. Or I like to add mint to salads too

Sometimes you do have to offer a veg a few times before they’re interested though.

[GarfyTheLop]

She doesn’t like mint? Oh Garf goes crazy for it – I haven’t found a thing he doesn’t like yet hahaha

[sarahthegemini]

Definitely try offering it several days in a row. Sometimes it takes a while for bunnies to decide to try it. Mint wasn’t a big hit with Peanut and Buttercup, tho they did eat it. They went wild for dill tho so I’d recommend that!

[Heaven]

Second thumbs up for dill, that’s one of Sam’s faves and he’s definitely picky

[Deleted User]

Hi Rain,

I give Ophelia organic spring mix veggies…it includes all kinds of greens like romaine, green leaf, red leaf, arugula, etc. It’s funny though because if you think about it, I’m not giving her much variety if that is what she has every single day lol. She will get random things when I have them on hand for cooking, such as bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower and celery leaves (I don’t feed the stalk because it’s literally just water, so I don’t see the point in feeding something that has no nutrition). **BTW have any of you guys ever used bok choy in vegetable stir-fry? Did it the other night and it was such a great addition**

I’m not a hippy by any means, but I do think that herbs have medicinal properties and so I give herbs frequently as “forage”. She will literally eat any herb: mint, basil, parsley, lavender, rosemary, oregano, sage, dill, etc…

I can’t remember where you live, but if you have the right conditions I recommend starting a small herb garden. I live in FL, so it’s already sunny and warm enough for me and I started a bit of a garden. I’m currently growing basil, sage, rosemary, oregano, lavender, and mint. Buying packaged herbs is just SO expensive, you get almost nothing for what you pay. So that’s my recommendation to give Rain some variety and yumminess.

[Rain]

BunNoob, I agree, the little packets of herbs at grocery stores are pretty expensive. Texas is very sunny. Extremely sunny in my area, so I think it would be great for growing. Hmmm, I think I will try growing herbs again. I’m so terrible with plants! Sometimes I wonder how I can handle a rabbit but not plants. I was growing peppermint and I just keep forgetting to water it.
I just started parsley today! How much do you guys recommend giving on the first day? And how long should I wait until giving more? She’s now eat a full leaf of Romaine and two green leaf lettuce leaves. I gave three small leaves of parsley today. She loved it! I’m going to be more careful on this one because of the pee problems. Is it something that’s okay to give daily, or is it like a one time treat?
I tried for like a week with the mint. She took one leaf and then dropped it back on the floor. I was so surprised!
STH and Heaven, I think I will try dill next, since it seems even the picky buns will eat it!
Thanks guys! So many options! It’s actually exciting and fun to go and buy veggies now and test them out.

[OverthinkingBun]

Some bunnies also like the tops of root veggies. My picky rabbit loves carrot tops, and you can sometimes get them free. Radish tops are also a hit, beets, not so much. I got some pea shoots at the farmers market this week and that went over well.

But most weeks I just buy a mixed bag and supplement with whatever I might have on hand

[Author]

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