Rabbits enjoy many different forms of vegetable and plant matter, and there is a whole host of nutritious plants out there. However, there are an equal amount of plants (if not more!) that contain poisonous or toxic components that are not safe for your rabbit. So, let’s take a look at a specific plant and figure out if it is safe for your rabbit by answering the question ‘Can Rabbits Eat Basil?’
Yes, mature rabbits can eat basil, as this herb is nontoxic. In fact, basil (Ocimum basilicum) is packed with nutrients that may help your rabbit. However, there are a number of precautions to take before offering your mature rabbit this leafy green.
To Learn All You Need to Know About Feeding Your Rabbits Basil, Read On!
Can Rabbits Have Basil
Basil has a strong flavor, one that many rabbits enjoy. And don’t worry if your rabbit doesn’t eat basil. While rabbits CAN have basil they will only eat it if it suits their fancy. The strong flavor and aromatic quality isn’t for all bunnies!
Nutritional Value of Basil for Rabbits
Basil is an herbal powerhouse, according to Medical News Today it offers many vitamins and nutrients per 2 tablespoon serving, including:
- Calcium (4.6 mcg)
- Vitamin A (6.9 mcg)
- Beta-carotene (81.7 mcg)
- Lutein and zeaxanthin (147 mcg)
- Vitamin K (10.8 mcg)
In addition, basil herb has been proven to provide the following benefits:
| Other Properties of Basil Herb | |
| Basil oil | Antibacterial and antimicrobial, reduces inflammation |
| Leaf extract | Reduces blood pressure |
| Basil Plant | Alleviates stress and anxiety, supports liver health |
| Basil Leaves | Reduces high blood sugar |
Is Basil Good For Rabbits
Based on the nutritional information, basil is a very beneficial herb to offer to your rabbits.
Why is Basil Good for Rabbits?
Because all of the above properties are available to your rabbit when ingested and may help you naturally increase and maintain long term health and wellness in your bunnies.
How Much Basil Can Rabbit Eat
According to best hobby farming and homesteading practices, the daily diet of your rabbit should consist of:
- Unlimited hay (75% to 80% hay)
- Quality pellets (10% to 15%)
- Leafy green vegetables (5% to 10%)
That said, it is a great option to incorporate basil into that 5-10% of leafy green vegetables. We practice offering about 1-2 stems of basil with leaves to our rabbits on any given day and they have never shown negative effects. However, we also always follow certain rules about offering basil to rabbits that we will discuss below.
How Often Can Rabbit Eat Basil
Basil is a safe food and can be offered to your rabbit every day. It is simply important to make sure this herb doesn’t make up more than 5-10% of your rabbits daily diet. Why? Because rabbits require lots of high fiber food, such as hay and quality pellets, in order to maintain good health.
And while basil offers many vitamins and minerals, it doesn’t contain high fiber. Therefore, basil should be used as a dietary supplement rather than a food staple for your bunnies.
How to Feed Basil to Rabbits
If you’d like to offer your rabbits basil we recommend following the following steps:
- Choose only fresh and fully green basil. Avoiding wilted, yellowed, or insect eaten basil.
- Inspect the basil well to remove any insects or slugs that can cause digestive issues or sickness to your rabbits.
- Wash the basil well with cool water, removing any residual dirt and potential pesticides.
Once you’ve completed these steps, move forward with the following:
- Place a measured amount of washed basil into a clean bowl.
- Place this bowl in the hutch or house of your rabbit.
- Allow your rabbit to enjoy the nutritious greens.
- Be sure to remove the feeding bowl and any excess basil later in the day.
If you’ve offered your rabbit basil in this manner and it seems indifferent or refuses to eat, no worries! This simply means your rabbit isn’t a fan of the smell/taste of basil and would prefer a different treat or leafy green.
In fact, this refusal has happened to us with some of our rabbits when we offered sweet potato. Rabbits won’t eat what doesn’t appeal to them!
What about all the different parts of the basil plant, as well as basil variations? We will go over a few common questions regarding all of that and rabbits now.
Can Rabbits Eat Basil Stems
Yes, mature rabbits can eat basil stems. Not only that, but many rabbits enjoy the crunchy, juicy green stem of basil plants. There is no need to remove basil stems before offering basil to your bunnies.
Can Rabbits Eat Basil Leaves
Yes, mature rabbits can eat basil leaves. If you’ve been asking yourself ‘Do Rabbits Eat Basil Leaves?’, offer some fresh, cleaned leaves to your bunny and watch them eat them with gusto!
Can Rabbits Eat Basil Flowers
Yes, mature rabbits can eat basil flowers. There is no need to remove basil flowers before offering boughs of basil to your bunnies.
Do Rabbits Eat Basil Plants
Mature rabbits do, and will, eat basil plants. This means the stems, leaves, and flowers of the basil herb. All parts can be safely enjoyed by your bunny if they are fresh and washed.
Can Rabbits Eat Thai Basil
Thai Basil is different from everyday basil because of its licorice-like flavor. Regardless, it is perfectly safe to feed it to your mature rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Fresh Basil
Rabbits not only can eat fresh basil but they SHOULD eat fresh basil. Fresh green basil is the best form of basil to offer your rabbits!
Do Rabbits Eat Dried Basil
Dried basil lacks the natural water found in fresh basil. As a result, your rabbits are likely to have a difficult time eating it. Instead, offer fresh green basil!
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Basil
No, never offer cooked food to your bunnies. The bunny digestive system has evolved to process and metabolize raw plant material. Eating cooked food may create a harmful imbalance in their gut bacteria and lead to serious GI issues.
Concerns of Feeding Basil to Rabbits
As a quick precursor to some specifics, we feel that residual pesticides are the biggest consumption risk to our animals. Parasites and rot are usually easy to see. Pesticides are “invisible”, yet used on almost all commercially farmed animal food and feed products.
Parasites
It is true that different parasites can be found on basil plants. Therefore, it is extremely important to inspect your basil well and remove any bugs, slugs, or insect eggs before offering it to your rabbits.
Pesticides
Unless you offer your rabbit your own pesticide free basil, it is very important to wash basil well in cool water to remove any residual pesticides that can harm your rabbit.
Over Ripened Basil
Over ripened basil refers to basil that is starting to wilt, yellow in color, or is wet and rotted. Avoid giving your rabbit over ripened basil as it can cause illnesses and digestive issues.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Basil
No, we do not recommend feeding your baby rabbits basil.
This may seem surprising as we just learned that basil is chock full of beneficial vitamins, nutrients, and health properties. However, any rabbit less than 12 weeks of age is in a critical period of internal and external development.
The stomach and digestive system of baby rabbits is extremely particular and cannot yet handle more complex greens such as basil. Wait until your rabbit reaches 12 weeks of age and, even then, only offer a leaf or two of basil to start.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Eat Basil
Can Bunnies Have Green Basil?
Yes, your mature bunnies can safely enjoy green basil. In fact, fresh green basil is the best option for your bunnies!
Can Rabbits Eat Holy Basil?
Yes, mature rabbits can eat and enjoy Holy Basil (aka Tulsi). Holy Basil is a great basil option for your rabbits as it contains many beneficial properties.
Can Rabbits Eat Red Basil?
Yes, mature rabbits can eat red basil. Red basil is a culinary basil cultivare that is safe and delicious for rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Purple Basil?
Yes, mature rabbits can eat purple basil. Purple basil is a culinary basil cultivare that is safe and delicious for rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Lemon Basil?
Yes, mature rabbits can eat lemon basil. Lemon basil is a basil hybrid and is safe for ingestion.
Video of Rabbits Eating Basil
Rabbits enjoy some fresh, clean Basil! The commercial packaging of the basil in the video suggests that it was commercially grown. Again, we recommend thoroughly washing commercially grown fresh greens before feeding them to your rabbit.
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Eat Basil
Basil, with all of its nutritional components, is a great leafy green for your mature rabbits. Feel free to add it to their diet as long as it doesn’t comprise more than 5-10% of their daily food intake.
Remember to inspect and wash fresh, green basil well before giving it to your bunnies. They will very likely enjoy it! Avoid offering basil to baby rabbits as their digestive systems are not yet ready to handle such herbs.
Here at Hobby Farm Heaven we believe in the natural benefits of herbs. We do our best to practice “the herb of the week” plan.
What is The Herb of the Week plan?
The herb of the week plan is where we feed a different herb to our rabbits each week.
How do we do this? Most often we mix a few sprigs of the Herb of the Week in with the rabbits’ hay, whenever we feed hay. This is easy and hassle free.
Want to know more about the benefits of feeding herbs to your rabbits? Go to this post: Herbs That Rabbits Can Eat