This is a very popular vegetable used in salads and is characterized by its high calcium and vitamin C content, fiber, and protein. The list of benefits of arugula is very long. Therefore, it is also one of those vegetables recommended for a bunny.
Bunnies can eat arugula, which is entirely safe for them, from the arugula to the leaves, stems, and flowers, and it is ideal to complement it with other foods in your bunny’s diet.
But before offering arugula to your bunny, it is necessary to know what kind of benefits it has and how much arugula you can give to him according to his age and weight since an excess of arugula can lead to some health problems.
Can Bunnies Eat Arugula?
Bunnies can eat arugula, also known as rocket, in moderation, as part of a balanced and varied diet.
Arugula is a green leafy vegetable with nutrients important to bunnies’ health, such as A, K, other antioxidants, and calcium.
And the high moisture content in arugula is also beneficial to bunnies, as they need to take in a lot of water in their diet, either through the water they drink or the moist foods they eat.
Also, the fiber present in arugula can promote optimal digestion and prevent gastrointestinal disorders.
However, due to its high calcium content, rabbits should not be overfed arugula, which can cause health problems such as stomach upset and kidney stones.
Benefits Of Arugula for Bunnies
Arugula is a highly nutritious leafy green herb for bunnies and humans, containing essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, and others.
These nutrients benefit rabbits’ health and growth, help maintain healthy body weight, and contribute to muscle development and a healthy blood system.
Arugula is also rich in vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, and fiber, which increases the efficiency of rabbits’ digestive systems. In addition, vitamin A helps maintain immune functions and good eye health.
So, arugula is a healthy and beneficial food for a bunny’s diet.
How Much Arugula Can a Rabbit Eat?
For a medium-sized adult bunny of 2 and 4 kg, an adequate portion of arugula would be about a handful (about 2 cups).
In addition, 2 or 3 small arugula leaves would also be sufficient. Mixing it with 5 or 6 other green leafy vegetables is the best way to provide arugula. However, be sure to balance them and not combine them with other foods with high oxalic content, such as spinach, beet greens, parsley, etc.
Providing 1 cup of chopped leafy greens for every 2 pounds of your rabbit’s weight 2 to 3 times per week is more than enough for an adult rabbit.
However, it should be in moderation. Offer arugula to your rabbit slowly, starting with a small amount and watching for any adverse effects such as bloating, diarrhea, or lethargy.
Can Bunnies Eat Arugula Every Day?
Bunnies can eat arugula daily as it is good for them, but this is not advisable as overeating arugula can lead to health problems.
Arugula contains a lot of water, and overfeeding can cause diarrhea in bunnies.
Its calcium content, in large amounts, can adversely affect their bladder and kidneys and lead to urinary stones, which can be painful and dangerous.
However, although arugula has relatively high levels of calcium1 (160 mg/100 g), you should not worry, as this level is still much lower than that of Timothy hay, which should be the rabbit’s main diet and has a calcium level of 400 mg/g, more than double that of arugula.
Also, most arugula sold on the market contains pesticides that harm rabbits and can cause serious health problems. So, you should wash the arugula well before offering it to your bunny to avoid these risks.
The most advisable is to mix the arugula with other vegetables and thus offer a more balanced food ration.
Besides, if you give different types of green vegetables, such as arugula, to your rabbit, you will help him not to get bored with food and to eat in a balanced way.
And remember that leafy green vegetables should make up at most 10-15 % of your bunnies’ daily food.
Do Bunnies Like Arugula?
Most bunnies like arugula. However, just like humans, rabbits have their food preferences, and there are cases where they are not so attracted to it because of its relatively strong taste.
But if your bunny shows no interest in arugula, it is best not to force him to eat it. Instead, here on our blog, you can find other tasty and healthy alternatives that can replace arugula in their diet, such as watermelon, oranges, grapes, kale, and more.
Can Baby Bunnies Eat Arugula?
Baby bunnies can eat arugula, but it should be offered in small amounts starting at 12 weeks (3 months of age).
If your rabbit is less than one year old, it is recommended to gradually introduce arugula into its diet starting at 12 weeks and to offer only one new vegetable at a time to facilitate the adaptation of your bunny’s digestive system.
Remember that smaller bunnies need to eat less. Arugula can provide beneficial nutrients such as vitamins A and C essential for young bunnies’ growth.
Summary
Bunnies can eat arugula, a safe and healthy leafy green vegetable containing vitamins and minerals essential for their healthy growth, and most bunnies like arugula very much.
However, too much arugula in their diet can cause health problems such as diarrhea and kidney stones, so it should be in moderation.
To bring variety to their diet, arugula can be mixed with other healthy leafy greens if combined with other greens to help create a balanced meal for bunnies.
Taking into account the oxalic acid and feeding them one at a time to avoid health problems, it can also be offered as an occasional food.
References
1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169387/nutrients
