Arugula, also called Rocket, is a leafy green that is highly enjoyed for its spicy and peppery flavor. This unique green is from the Brassicaceae plant family, the same family as broccoli and cabbage.
Yes, mature rabbits can technically eat arugula. Rocket, or arugula, is not a poisonous or immediately dangerous plant to your rabbit upon ingestion.
However, given its spicy flavor and unique characteristics, there are some key guidelines to follow before offering it to your bunnies.
Arugula For Rabbits: Nutritional Information
Rocket is rich in a number of different essential nutrients for rabbits, including
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
In fact, the nutritional quality of arugula is similar to that of asparagus, another great rabbit treat!
And according to the USDA Food Data Center, a 100g portion of Arugula or Rocket contains the following nutritional content:
| Arugula (Rocket) Nutritional Content Per 100g | |
| Protein | 2.58g |
| Fiber | 1.6g |
| Water | 91.7g |
| Sugars | 2.05g |
You will note here that rocket contains a lot of water per weight but not much fibers.
In addition, arugula contains Vitamin C.
This is something that many rabbit owners worry about because rabbits don’t need dietary vitamin C; in fact, too much vitamin C can result in kidney issues or failure in rabbits!
However, the amount of vitamin C that rocket, or arugula contains, is nowhere near dangerous as long as arugula is only offered as a green treat or supplement alongside a balanced rabbit diet.
The Best Rabbit Diet
Keep in mind that bunnies have particular high-fiber needs that are unlike other pets.
The digestive system and metabolism of rabbits has evolved to break down and run on high amounts of high-fiber foods.
Therefore, the ideal food for rabbits is high quality hay.
For example, we have been raising healthy and happy rabbits with this best rabbit diet:
Unlimited high quality hay (75% to 80%)
Quality pellets (10% to 15%)
Vegetables, leafy greens, and treats (5% to 10%)
As mentioned above, rocket doesn’t offer many fibers and the high water content may disrupt a sensitive rabbit’s digestive system.
So in truth, the key is finding a good balance of veggie and leafy green diversity that you can offer in moderation to your bunny.
For example, in one week our bunnies may eat a mix of arugula or rocket, blackberries, celery, basil, and wheatgrass.
When all of these treats are offered in moderation, your rabbit will greatly benefit from the fountain of nutrients they provide while never decreasing the amount of essential, high fiber hay they ingest.
How much hay does your bunny need? Get the answer in our How Much Hay To Feed A Rabbit post.
Is Arugula Dangerous For Bunnies? Is Rocket Dangerous For Bunnies?
Arugula, or rocket, is only dangerous for bunnies when it is offered to them in excess.
If too much arugula is offered too regularly, the low fiber content of arugula will shine through and your rabbit may start having some serious digestive issues, not to mention developing bad eating habits.
But how much is too much?
A general rule to follow is to keep your rabbits arugula intake to about 1 cup per 2lb of body weight.
This general rule can be applied to all greens, veggies, herb, and fruit supplements that you offer your bunny.
Remember, with rabbits, unique and exotic foods are best offered in moderation!
Can Rabbits Eat Arugula Everyday? Can Rabbits Eat Rocket Everyday?
Technically yes, your rabbit can enjoy a bit of arugula or rocket every day.
However, we do not suggest this practice.
Instead, diversify your rabbit’s daily intake of veggies and greens. By doing so, you will offer them a better mix of essential nutrients and vitamins.
Can Rabbits Eat Rocket
Yes, adult rabbits can eat Rocket, also known as Arugula.
However, if your rabbit doesn’t like other plants of the Brassicaceae family, such as broccoli or cabbage, they may not take well to the spicy green rocket either.
Don’t worry if your rabbit refuses to eat arugula, rabbits are just like us in that they never eat what doesn’t taste good to them!
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Arugula (Rocket)
No, we never recommend feeding baby rabbits arugula.
While this leafy green is a nice treat and diet diversifier for mature rabbits, all immature rabbits (those less than 12 weeks old) have stomachs and digestive systems that are extremely sensitive and cannot properly digest complex leafy greens.
To save your baby rabbits serious digestive issues, wait until they reach 12 weeks of age before offering them rocket.
Even then, begin by offering just 1-2 leaves with lots of observations to see what their reaction is to this new food.
If they seem to like it and don’t exhibit negative effects within 24hrs, you can slowly add arugula as part of their diet’s 5-10% leafy green component.
If your newly mature rabbit refuses to eat the arugula or reacts abnormally to it, remove it from their diet immediately and wait another three weeks before offering it to them again.
Remember, with its spicy peppery taste, your bunny may never enjoy this leafy green.
It is important never to don’t force your rabbit to eat anything, if they always leave the rocket you offer them uneaten, it simply means they don’t like the spicy flavor!
And as always, slow food introduction is the best way to diversify your rabbit’s diet safely.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Bunnies Eat Rocket
Can Rabbits Eat Arugula and Spinach?
Yes, both arugula (aka rocket) and spinach are rabbit-safe leafy greens.
However, spinach poses a unique threat to rabbits and should be offered to them in very low quantities. For more information on this, check out Can Rabbits Eat Spinach.
Can Rabbits Eat Spring Mix?
Spring Mix is a pre-packaged lettuce and green mix that you can usually buy at your local grocery store.
Spring Mix usually contains rocket along with baby lettuce and spinach.
Most prepackaged spring mixes contain too much lettuce and not enough spinach and/or rocket and other leafy greens.
We recommend sorting out the excess lettuce and adding in other rabbit-safe herbs before offering your rabbit a store bought Spring Mix.
Final Thoughts on Can Bunnies Eat Rocket (Arugula)
Rocket is a great leafy green option for your mature rabbits.
It offers many nutrients along with a unique, spicy flavor that some rabbits enjoy.
Due to the high water content and low fiber content of arugula, we suggest that it only be offered to mature rabbits as a treat and supplement to their normal, high fiber hay diet.
Finally, for more inspiration on different greens and rabbit-safe veggies, check out What Vegetables Can Rabbits Have Daily?
Many bunnies will be as happy as this one when offered tasty Arugula!