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Will Rabbits eat Dandelions? They have a sensitive digestive system!

What Are Dandelions?

Even if you're not a gardener, we all know what dandelions are. We're sure you've seen them in the wild, on your lawn, or as an unwanted visitor in your garden. No matter how you've come across them, their striking yellow flowers are a special sight to behold.

The dandelion is a type of plant that has yellow flowers. It is also known as the blowball and the lionโ€™s-tooth. Everyone knows that this plant is the most common variety. It grows in many parts of the world.. Botanists consider dandelion to be a herb and not a vegetable or a spice.

People use the stem, flower, root, leaf, and seed of the dandelion for medicinal purposes, and as they do, they discover its many other uses in the garden and beyond.

Do Rabbits Like Dandelions?

Rabbits love dandelions, which are easy to spot, thanks to their golden pom-pom seed heads on single stems. Not only that, they are a joy to watch grazing on the lawn, going about their business as if they own the place!

So Yes, rabbits love dandelions, but they also love to eat grass, flowers and weeds. To find out if your rabbit really likes dandelions, use the following guide:

  1. Make sure your rabbit is not allergic to flowers or weeds.
  2. Look at the leaves of the dandelion
  3. If the leaves are still green, the dandelion is safe for your rabbit to eat

Which Type of Dandelions

All type of dandelions are safe. Dandelions are a green vegetable that have a lot of nutritional benefits. They are rich in beta-carotene, which is good for your eyes, and contain a great deal of iron, calcium, and potassium. They are also a good source of fiber.

Not only are they full of nutrients, dandelions are one of the favorite of most rabbits.

rabbits and dandelion 1

Why Eat Dandelions

For a rabbit, the dandelion has several benefits. It is very nutritious, and a rich source of vitamins A, B, and C as well as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc. It also contains inulin, which provides carbohydrates that are easily digested.

Nutritional Value Of Dandelions

The following are the possible nutritional values of dandelions

Support Healthy Digestion and Treat Constipation

  • Contain Potent Antioxidants
  • Highly Nutritious
  • Reduce Cholesterol
  • Boost Your Immune System
  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Help Fight Inflammation
  • Promote a Healthy Liver
  • Fight Cancer
  • Boost Your Immune System

Serving Size And How To Feed?

Dandelion is one of the most nutritious greens you can give your rabbit. It is full of vitamins and minerals, and although it can be eaten as a tasty treat.

It can also be used to encourage your rabbit to eat more hay, which is really important for a healthy digestive system and overall health. Hey should be about 75% of your rabbit diet.

An adult rabbit can eat about 5 large dandelion leaves and the flowers per day

No poisonous look-a-likes for Dandelions

There are no poisonous look alike for the dandelions!

Side effect of Dandelions for Rabbits

Although dandelions are harmless for rabbits, you should be careful when feeding them. Dandelions are very nutritious, but it can be dangerous to feed them to young bunnies. If the bunny begins to vomit, has diarrhea, has a fever or is lethargic, you should stop feeding dandelions and consult a vet.

But, it happens rarely. In most cases, it's safe. But, if you have a sensitive pet, you should give them less dandelions.

Rabbits and Water

To keep your rabbits healthy, don't deprive them of water. Water is essential to rabbits' well-being. Rather than forcing them to drink from a bottle, provide them with water bowls.

How To Give Dandelions To Your Rabbit
Below are some of the way to give dandelions to rabbits. Some of these do not really exist - unless you know better!

Pesticides

To stop poisoning, keep an eye on your rabbits. Don't keep houseplants or pesticides within reach.

Always ensure that housing and exercise areas are free from poisonous plants. Rabbit poisons include pesticides, the toxic plants mentioned above, or herbicide products.

rabbits and dandelion 2

How To Consume Dandelions

If youโ€™re like most people, you avoid eating dandelions. Whether you consider them weeds or โ€œfree food,โ€ you probably donโ€™t think twice about plucking them from your yard and tossing them in the trash.

Chances are, your rabbit would beg to differ with this opinion! Dandelions are common weeds, but they are also a favorite food of many rabbits. They are considered to be a safe, nutritious, and palatable food for bunnies.

Dandelion Leaves And Tops

Yes. Although some varieties of dandelion grow in the wild, the best way to harvest the leaves and stems for your bunny is to grow your own or purchase them from a health food or grocery store, since they are highly perishable. (If you purchase dandelion greens from the grocery store or a health food store, look for a source that you know has been carefully cleaned and inspected, since dandelion greens are vulnerable to contamination from wild critters and from chemicals and pesticides used in conventional farming.)

Fresh Dandelions

You might be surprised to learn that dandelions are actually one of the most nutritious vegetables for rabbits, rich in both vitamin K and calcium. The best way to feed them to your bunny is to place them in a salad with other leafy greens. Dandelions are so good for your bunny that they can be fed every day.

As a rabbit owner, you will need to provide your rabbit with fresh vegetables in order to ensure your rabbit is receiving a balanced diet. Fresh vegetables offer your rabbit nutrients that are essential for a healthy body. However, there are some fresh vegetables that you should avoid giving your rabbit.

Dehydrated Dandelions

Dried dandelion leaves and flowers are enjoyed by rabbits, guinea-pigs and other small animals. They can be hand-fed as additional dietary fibre or as a tasty treat. A mix of leaves, flowers and heads, these high fibre forage are the perfect way to add treats to your small animals diet.

Pick up any book on growing dandelions and it will tell you that the best way to dry them out is to leave them somewhere warm and dry. Which is what I did. I put mine in the airing cupboard. It took 4-5 days to dry them out.

Frozen Dandelions

The sun was shining brightly when I went out to feed the furry friends this morning. I pulled the frozen bag of dandelion greens from the freezer, and let it sit out for awhile to defrost. It wasn't terribly long before I was able to break off several chunks for each rabbit. I dropped each piece into its cage, and the rabbits knew what to do. They're such smart little creatures.

Yes, they can eat the frozen greens from the dandelion, I am not sure about the rest of them though.

Cooked Dandelions

I am not sure that cooked dandelions actually exist!

Dandelion Jam

There is such a thing as dandelion jam. However, do not give it to your rabbits as it is going to be too sweet for them. Possibly making the fat and giving them tooth rot.

โ€‹Steamed Dandelions

If you let these cool down, then there is no reason not to give them to your rabbit. However, fresh ones would be better!

Roasted Dandelions

These are high in sugar, so do not give them many of these. But the roots of the dandelion can be roasted and given to rabbits.

Dandelions Crisps

The green leaf of a dandelion may be made into crisps. But do not give these to your rabbits as the other ingredients may cause problems. Fat, salt, pepper, garlicย 

Dandelion Sauce

There is a dandelion sauce, but do not give it to your rabbit

Dandelion Seeds

Yes the can eat the fluffy off-white seeds from a dandelion... But...

Pet rabbit owners need to be aware of a new, critical threat to their beloved little friends. While there have been some rumors circulating about the dangers of feeding rabbits seeds, a new report released by the American Association of Veterinarians has substantiated these claims.

The report, which was put together using data from over 100 veterinarians, showed that rabbits fed seed-rich diets have a much higher incidence of fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis), which is often fatal.

Dandelion Leaves

Yes, Rabbit love dandelion leaves!

Dandelion Tea

If the tea is un-sweetened and is cooled down, then rabbits will love dandelion tea. Again, it is probably better to just give them fresh dandelions.

Dandelion Puree

Sorry best not to give them this...If there is such a thing!

Wild Dandelions

I think most dandelions will be wild, and of course they are OK.

Dandelion Root

Its leaves and stems are edible, and the mildly bitter, slightly sweet flavor makes them a great addition to rabbit food.

Dandelion greens are also a source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron, calcium, and potassium.ย Dandelion root is a traditional herb that has long been used for its medicinal properties. It is enjoyed by and other animals. It is good for feeding as part of a natural diet.

Rabbits And Dandelions Conclusion

If you have a rabbit and you want it to love you, feed it dandelions. Thatโ€™s right, pet rabbits love dandelions. I even know one lady who has a rabbit and itโ€™s the only food she gives it. Her rabbit is fat, happy and lovey. Rabbits love dandelions.

Other Questions

How To Tell If The Cold Is Too Cold For Your Pet Bunny

Thereโ€™s a reason wild rabbits feel at home in the snowโ€”their bodies are better at adjusting to temperature changes than most other mammals.

But domestic rabbits are bred for the convenience of humans, and may not be as well equipped to handle temperature extremes. That said, there is a chance that one of your rabbits gets too cold. Either from illness, or from extreme temperatures.

A quick way to check if your rabbit's feeling the cold is to feel their ears. Overly hot or cold ears are a tell-tale sign of a bunny's fever.

See - Too Cold For a Rabbit

Why Is My Rabbit Laying Down And Shaking?

Rabbits are prey animals, so they have evolved to be aware of their surroundings at all times. In general, a rabbit ripples its fur when it is excited or frightened; this is its way of showing it is stressed. Rabbits may also ripple when they are happy, as well.

If you look at a rabbit that is lying down, it is often a sign that your rabbit is ill -- and it is time to see a vet.

Rabbits that lay down and shake may have parasites or an infection such as pasteurellosis, or they may be suffering from heat stroke. A rabbit that has ear mites may also have fluid build up and lay down as a result.

See - Rabbit is shaking

Do Rabbits Show Affection To Humans?

The way we show affection is different to every other species on the planet. Dogs, for instance, have a whole range of signs that they use to show their love for their owners, including tail wagging, licking, jumping up and sitting in their laps.

But these signs are not universal in meaning, and they are not necessarily an accurate way to understand what your pet really thinks and feels. For instance, a rabbit's tail will wag, but this is not a sign of happiness or affection.

A rabbit's tail wags because its ears flick backwards, and this causes the rabbit to lose its balance. Rabbits often lie on their backs when they are frightened, which is not a sign of affection.

See - Affection to humans

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