Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by
If you’ve ever wondered whether can rabbits eat a herb like parsley, the short answer is yes! However, do read on to find out what you might need to look out for to keep your rabbit healthy.
Parsley is a species of flowering plant that is native to the central Mediterranean region but has naturalized elsewhere in Europe and is widely cultivated as an herb, a spice, and a vegetable. It contains many more important nutrients than people suspect. But, can rabbits eat parsley?
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Can Rabbits Have Parsley?
They absolutely can. Parsley is perfectly safe for rabbits to have. Any leafy green that is safe for a human to eat is safe for a rabbit as well.
In fact, rabbits absolutely love parsley roots and leaves. It is packed to the brim with nutrients, vitamins A, B, C and K and the minerals iron and potassium. And they are going to do wonders for the health of your rabbit.
This is my Lionhead rabbit, he loves parsley!
How Much Parsley Can A Rabbit Have?
Just a small amount of parsley every day should be fine. It doesn’t need to be much. Or a bigger amount 2-3 times a week is your safe limit. My rabbit loves parsley so I give mine a handful of parsley 2-3 times a week as you can see in the video above.
If it seems to be causing stomach issues, then people should absolutely stop feeding their rabbit parsley, or, they could potentially feed it in smaller quantities.
Is Parsley Good For Rabbits To Eat?
In general, yes. Parsley is on the safe list for bunnies to eat. But, remember to always wash the parsley before giving it to your rabbit. This is to wash away any potential chemicals due to pesticides that may have been used to grow the plant.
Most leafy greens are mostly water, so even if they are relatively high in calcium the absolute amount of the material a bunny will get is relatively low. Rabbits get rid of excess calcium in their urine, so if their kidneys are working OK they’ll be able to pass off any calcium they eat over what they need.
Rabbits vary in their tolerance for things, between rabbits and within the same rabbit over time. For example, my rabbit used to love broccoli, until he reached three years old or so and it started to give him gas.
Summary
All in all, rabbits can have parsley, but like everything else, it should be given in moderation. Just as we humans should eat everything in moderation. A little bit o parsley is just fine.
Ensure enough rotation of vegetables in their diet, not only parsley. They are widely available at any grocery, providing a variety of nutrients and a balanced diet. As long as you exercise moderation, your rabbit should live a long, healthy life!
Other vegetables to consider:
- Sprouts
- Beet Greens
- Cucumber and cucumber leaves
- Carrot tops
- Kale
- Basil
- Mint
Other Non-leafy Vegetables:
