Rabbits are natural herbivores that love just about any green they can get their teeth on.
This is sometimes counteractive as not all plants and greens are healthy or safe for rabbits to consume! So if you’ve been wondering “Can rabbits have broccoli?” you’ve come to the right place.
Yes, mature rabbits can eat broccoli as it is a non-toxic plant. However, the natural characteristics of broccoli make it a questionable option for your bunnies, and we suggest limiting the amount of broccoli offered to your rabbits, as well as how often you give them broccoli.
Continue Reading To Know All About The Risks Of Feeding Rabbits Broccoli
Nutritional Information: Broccoli For Rabbits
Broccoli is a plant part of the Brassicaceae (Crucifer) plant family and, as outlined by Healthline, offers the following nutrients:
- Vitamin C – boosts the immune system
- Vitamin K1 – aids in blood clotting
- Iron – essential to the transport of oxygen
- Potassium – aids in control of blood pressure
- Vitamin B9 – supports cell function
Broccoli also contains a large number of plant compounds such as carotenoids, kaempferol, and quercetin. All are strong antioxidants and aid in fortifying against chronic diseases and health issues.
Per serving, broccoli boasts
- 31 calories
- 2.5g protein
- 2.4g fiber
- 0.3g fat
Making it a surprising high-in fiber vegetable!
However, offering rabbits broccoli is questionable because rabbits cannot pass gas as efficiently as other animals and all members of the Crucifer plant family are well known for causing serious gas in the digestive system.
Can Rabbits Have Broccoli
As mentioned above, to the question ‘Can rabbits have brocolli?, the answer is yes. A small amount of broccoli is not likely to cause your bunny major issues, so don’t be worried if you found your pet, farm or homestead rabbit nibbling on a stem or two.
However, the gastrointestinal system of rabbits is extremely sensitive and particular. They have evolved to metabolize a very high fiber diet that relies on a host of gut bacteria and cannot pass gas effectively like you and me.
The gut bacterias of rabbits are easily thrown out of balance by foods that cause any change in pH or constitution.
If this happens, the results are serious pain, diarrhea and (at the worst) GI stasis in rabbits. And because rabbits aren’t farting machines, broccoli is a very risky treat option.
Repeatedly offering broccoli to your mature rabbits will result in serious bloating, unbalanced gut bacterias, and other health issues. For this reason, we do not recommend making broccoli a regular part of your rabbits’ diets.
Even a small amount of this veggie can cause harmful gas, which means that the amount of broccoli that is safe for rabbits to eat isn’t enough to justify offering it to them for the nutritional value it contains.
Do Rabbits Eat Broccoli Plants
The best rabbit diet consists of
- Hay (75% to 80%)
- Quality pellets (10% to 15%)
- Greens and vegetables (5-10%)
This diet ensures your bunny maintains happy gut bacterias while receiving all the high fibers he needs.
You’ll notice that this best diet includes room for additional treats and dietary supplements such as leafy greens and veggies!
We love adding a variety of rabbit-safe greens and veggies to our rabbits’ diets, they enjoy them and we feel that this variety boosts their overall health and happiness.
So, while rabbits do eat broccoli plants if offered them, it is in their best interest to opt for a less risky treat, like cucumber
The standard rule is to offer no more than 1 cup of greens and veggies for every 2lb of your rabbit’s body weight.
Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Every Day
No, we do not recommend that you feed your rabbits broccoli everyday. Quite honestly, we choose not to feed our rabbits this veggie because even a small amount can cause too much gas and harm their sensitive stomachs and digestive systems.
In addition, if your rabbit eats a Crucifer plant (e.g. brussel sprouts, cauliflower, radish), do not offer them broccoli that same day, as they will be sure to experience painful gas and digestion.
What Part Of Broccoli Can Rabbits Eat
If you do choose to try out a bit of broccoli with your mature bunny, or find your rabbit nibbling it in your garden, you may want to know more about this veggie.
So, below we will address some common questions about the parts and types of broccoli that rabbits can eat; so that all the information is available to you.
Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Florets
A broccoli floret is one of the small stems of broccoli off the main, thick stem that contains tiny green ‘florets’. Mature rabbits can handle a very small amount of broccoli florets.
We recommend keeping the amount of florets well below the 1 cup per 2lb of body weight standard.
Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Heads
A broccoli head is simply a collection of florets on a main stem. Technically, mature rabbits can eat a very small part of a broccoli head without issue.
Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Flowers
Yes, mature rabbits can eat broccoli flowers. In fact, the flowers may not cause as much gas as the florets or stems.
Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Sprouts
Rabbits can eat broccoli sprouts, however they will cause your rabbit gas just like mature broccoli plants and can only be eaten in strict moderation.
Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Leaves
Broccoli leaves do not pose as much of a health threat to rabbits as the other parts of the plant.
However, it is important to keep the broccoli leaves you offer within the 5-10% guideline for daily greens as not to upset your bunny’s digestion.
Can Rabbits Eat Tenderstem Broccoli
Tenderstem broccoli is a hybrid veggie between two Crucifers. As such, it will cause the same gas in rabbits as regular broccoli and is not advised as a treat or supplement food.
Can Rabbits Eat Chinese Broccoli
Chinese broccoli is of the same plant family as regular broccoli, so although it looks a bit different it will create gas within the digestive system and is not recommended for rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Purple Broccoli
Purple broccoli is a strain of broccoli with purple florets and should be avoided because it will react the same as regular broccoli in rabbits’ digestive systems.
Can Rabbits Eat Fresh Broccoli
Fresh broccoli is raw (uncooked) broccoli. This is the type of broccoli your mature rabbits can nibble. Never feed your rabbits cooked food!
How to Offer Broccoli To Rabbits
When giving your bunnies any type or part of broccoli, it is best to follow the following guidelines:
- Choose only fresh and green broccoli. Avoiding wilted, yellowed, or insect eaten plants.
- Inspect the broccoli well to remove any insects or slugs.
- Wash the broccoli well with cool water, removing any residual dirt and potential pesticides.
You can then feed broccoli to your rabbits like this:
- Place a very small bit (1-2 florets) of washed broccoli into a clean bowl.
- Place this bowl in the hutch or house of your rabbit.
- Allow your rabbit to enjoy the veggie.
- Be sure to remove the feeding bowl and any excess broccoli later in the day.
Can Baby Bunnies Eat Broccoli
No, never feed baby rabbits broccoli. Baby rabbits have stomachs and digestive systems that are extremely sensitive and offering them gas-causing broccoli will result in extreme digestive issues and may lead to death.
As a rule of thumb, never offer any rabbit that is less than 12 weeks old any exotic and/or complex leafy greens or vegetables.
To introduce any new food to a rabbit, offer it in small pieces and observe your rabbit’s reaction. Even if everything seems okay, we recommend waiting a full 24 hours before offering more, to ensure all your bunnies behavior and fecal matter is normal.
If your newly mature rabbit seems to exhibit discomfort, abnormal behavior, or soft stool do not feed it more of this food!
This means that your rabbit needs a little more time to strengthen and develop its stomach and digestion. You can try this process again in two or more weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Have Broccoli
Will Rabbits Eat My Broccoli Plants?
If your rabbit comes across your broccoli plants in the garden they may just start to nibble at it. No worries, simply remove them from the plant or offer them an alternative veggie option that isn’t as dangerous to their system.
What Happens If A Rabbit Eats Broccoli?
If a rabbit eats broccoli in excess, it will experience major gas and other potential and serious digestive issues that can cause death.
This video also recommends against feeding broccoli to your bunnies!
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli
We highly recommend NOT feeding your mature rabbits broccoli.
Although adult rabbits can technically eat broccoli because it is a non-toxic plant, even just a bit too much of this veggie will result in serious digestive and health issues due to the broccoli’s tendency to create gas in the digestive system.
As a rabbit raiser or pet owner, it is a much better practice to supplement your rabbit’s high-fiber diet with completely safe and more vitamin and nutrient packed options like cabbage and radish greens.
Want to know more about vegetables for rabbits and what vegetables can rabbits have daily?
Click on this link: Vegetables for Rabbits