Rabbits are huge fans of leafy greens and are likely to nibble at any that they come across. But before offering all greens to your bunny, it is good to check in on which ones pose health threats and which are safe.
And when it comes to rabbits and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), also known as bee balm, garden balm, or sweet balm, we are here to share all you need to know.
So, can bunnies have lemon balm?
Yes, mature rabbits can safely enjoy lemon balm as it is a nontoxic herb. While this herb offers some health benefits, it should never replace the daily diet of your rabbit. In fact, if you offer too much lemon balm to your bunnies they can quickly develop health issues.
*Read On To Know All The Benefits and Risks of
Feeding Your Rabbit Lemon Balm*
Do Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm
Yes, many rabbits do eat lemon balm. However, some rabbits find the strong aroma and flavor of lemon balm offensive, similar to other herbs like Lemongrass or Tarragon. So don’t be surprised if your farm, homestead, or pet rabbit refuses lemon balm.
Nutritional Benefits of Lemon Balm for Bunnies
Lemon balm offers some surprising remedial benefits including:
- Indigestion relief
- Cognitive function boosting
- Anxiety and stress relief
Like other members of the mint family, lemon balm also contains a number of natural antioxidants. However, lemon balm offers little to no true nutritional value, as it contains only 3% carbs, 4% protein, and no fat or fibers per teaspoon serving.
Is Lemon Balm Safe For Rabbits
If you are asking yourself ‘Can Rabbits Have Lemon Balm?’
The answer is yes! Lemon balm is free of harmful compounds and is rabbit-safe.
Is Lemon Balm Good For Rabbits
While lemon balm doesn’t offer much nutritional value, by offering lemon balm as a treat to your mature rabbits you can naturally help soothe upset digestive systems, relax stressed rabbits, and increase the overall health of your bunnies.
Is Lemon Balm Bad For Rabbits
Lemon balm will have a negative effect only if it is eaten too often.
Lemon balm should never replace your rabbit’s primary diet.
How Much Lemon Balm Can Rabbits Eat
The best daily diet of a rabbit consists of the following:
- Unlimited hay (75% to 80% hay)
- Quality pellets (10% to 15%)
- Leafy green vegetables (5% to 10%)
Unlimited hay makes up the majority of rabbits’ diet because it offers the high fibers that rabbits’ specialized digestive and metabolic systems require.
That said, leafy greens such as lemon balm are great supplements that your rabbit will benefit from when offered as a treat. We practice offering 1-2 sprigs of lemon balm to our mature rabbits on any given day and they have never shown negative effects.
How Often Can Rabbits Have Lemon Balm
Mature rabbits can enjoy a bit of lemon balm as often as everyday, as long as this herb doesn’t make up more than 5-10% of their diet.
How To Feed Lemon Balm To Rabbits
We recommend the following steps when preparing lemon balm for your mature rabbits:
- Choose only fresh and green lemon balm. Avoiding wilted, yellowed, or insect eaten plants.
- Inspect the lemon balm well to remove any insects or slugs.
- Wash the lemon balm well with cool water, removing any residual dirt and potential pesticides.
You can feed lemon balm to your rabbits like this:
- Place a bit of washed lemon balm into a clean bowl.
- Place this bowl in the hutch or house of your rabbit.
- Allow your rabbit to enjoy the nutritious herb.
- Be sure to remove the feeding bowl and any excess lemon balm later in the day.
You can also mix lemon balm in with the unlimited hay that your rabbits enjoy daily.
This method allows your bunnies to appreciate the flavor and benefits of lemon balm while ensuring they’re ingesting high fibers.
What Type of Lemon Balm Can Rabbits Eat?
Mature rabbits can eat all varieties and cultivars of lemon balm. Simply offer these leafy greens in moderation.
Can Rabbits Eat Fresh Lemon Balm
Yes, fresh lemon balm is an ideal treat for mature rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Lemon Balm
Dried lemon balm may prove harder for your rabbits to eat. We recommend sticking with fresh lemon balm.
Can Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm Leaves
Yes, clean and fresh lemon balm leaves are a great treat for mature rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm Stems
Yes, mature rabbits can eat lemon balm stems.
Lemon Balm for Rabbits: Concerns and Risk
Parasites
Any plant can host parasites. Therefore, it is extremely important to inspect the lemon balm plant well and remove any bugs, slugs, or insect eggs.
Pesticides
Unless you harvest it from your own pesticide-free herb garden, wash the lemon balm well in cool water to remove any residual pesticides that could harm your bunny.
Over Ripened Lemon Balm
Over ripened lemon balm refers to leaves that are starting to wilt, yellow in color, or are wet and rotted. Over ripened lemon balm can cause illness by introducing foreign bacteria to your rabbit’s gut.
Over Feeding Rabbits Lemon Balm
If you offer your rabbit too much lemon balm they can experience stomach bacteria unbalance, potential digestional blockages, and diarrhea.
This is because lemon balm cannot provide the high fiber that rabbits require and therefore should not be offered as a primary food. If your rabbit is experiencing these symptoms, simply stop offering your rabbit lemon balm and move to unlimited hay and high quality pellets until your rabbit is eating and defecating normally.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm
No, we never recommend feeding baby rabbits lemon balm.
While this herb is a nice treat and potential remedy for mature rabbits experiencing stress or light digestive issues, immature rabbits (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 health issues, wait until they reach 12 weeks before offering them lemon balm. Even then, begin by offering just a leaf or two to see if they like it.
Great Video About Lemon Balm!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To
Can Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm
Will Wild Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm?
Many wild rabbits are known for avoiding lemon balm. Don’t be surprised if your farm, homestead, or pet rabbit refuses this herb also.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Lemon Balm?
Rabbits are unable to properly digest cooked foods. Never feed cooked herbs to your rabbits.
Does Lemon Balm Repel Rabbits?
Yes, lemon balm can repel rabbits and deter them from further exploring an area heavily planted with lemon balm.
Final Thoughts on Do Rabbits Eat Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a safe and potentially beneficial herb to offer mature rabbits.
Remember that not all rabbits will like lemon balm, but if yours do, follow the best practice of keeping this leafy green treat at 5-10% of your rabbits’ total food intake. Always to inspect and wash fresh lemon balm well before giving it to your bunnies, as this will ensure they are eating a dirt and insect free treat.
Avoid offering lemon balm to baby or immature rabbits as their digestive systems cannot yet digest this leafy green properly.
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