Whether you have a pet rabbit or you’re looking to feed some wildlife, you may be wondering if it’s safe to feed these bush-tailed beings spinach. Rabbits can eat spinach in moderation. In fact, it’s packed full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that keep them healthy.
Generally speaking, spinach is a superfood that is wildly beneficial to the health of many animals. Here are a few rules you should follow when giving a rabbit spinach.
1. Limit How Often You Feed Rabbit Spinach
Generally speaking, spinach is a superfood that is wildly beneficial to the health of many animals. For pet rabbits, raw spinach should only be fed twice a week. Feeding them spinach any more often can cause irritation from the oxalates in the leafy greens.
Make sure to never give them cooked vegetables.
2. Introduce It Slowly
Just like you would when switching your dog’s kibble, it’s essential to slowly introduce spinach into a rabbit’s diet. You wouldn’t want to suddenly give them a handful of these leafy greens. When you’re serving your furry friend fresh veggies, add a pinch at a time to allow their stomachs to get used to this new food.
3. Safe Parts of Spinach
Spinach leaves, particularly baby leaves, are ideal for rabbits. They taste sweeter, are smaller in size, and reduce the chance of overfeeding. While it’s completely safe to give your bushy-tailed friend spinach leaves, they’ll much prefer the stalk or stem.
Not only does it taste better, but it’s also packed with fiber that can improve the health of your rabbit.
4. Avoid the Roots
Speaking of parts of the spinach to feed your pet, let’s talk about the roots. If you grow spinach yourself, you’ll want to avoid giving your rabbit spinach roots. Although it’s not necessarily toxic, the roots are high in sugar, which serves no health benefits for them.
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