Rabbits are some of the easiest pets to bring home from the pet shop.
They aren’t fussy about food, don’t require a large space to live comfortably, and you won’t even need to talk to them thrice a day!
The main factor to be careful about when keeping rabbits as pets are their diet. Your bunnies should get a healthy and well-balanced diet each day to stay healthy and fit.
Today, let’s find out if it is a good idea to add plantain to your rabbit’s diet!
Can My Rabbits Eat Plantain?
Yes, your pet rabbits can definitely eat plantain!
Plantain can be enjoyed by most small herbivores. This includes rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and other small mammals that people like to bring home as their pets.
Can Rabbit Eat Plantain Leaves?
Yes, you can offer plantain leaves to your bunnies. Rabbits can also have dried plantain, plantain stems, and fruit extracts from these plants.
This plant often makes a perfect snack or treat for your bunnies.
It is the perfect choice to be fed to your rabbits as a part of their natural diet or to add some extra deliciousness to their usual food, i.e., hay.
Also read: Can Rabbits Eat Banana Peels?
Benefits of Eating Plantain for Rabbits
There are numerous benefits of offering plantain to your rabbits.
For starters, plantain can do wonders to support healthy digestive functioning in your bunnies.
It allows their GI tracts to work effectively and reduces instances of vomiting and bloated stomachs.
Vets often suggest plantain extract to be used in rabbits to stimulate their appetites. This is particularly useful if a rabbit is sick or refuses to eat for any other reason.
A few bites of dried plantain can encourage them to eat a full meal. It also adds some extra tastiness to their usual food, making it more interesting to eat.
The high fiber content of plantain leaves helps smoothen your bunnies’ bowel movements.
It also flushes out any toxins building up in their little bodies and allows them to be healthier.
Lastly, you can use fresh or dried plantain leaves to help reduce boredom in your bunnies.
Rabbits are known for being incredibly agile and active. They require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to stay fit and healthy.
If you notice one of your bunnies being sluggish and slow, it is time to bring out the plantain!
Plantain leaves can be used for foraging. The leaves stimulate your rabbits’ natural foraging instincts and will instantly encourage them to hunt and find the leaves.
You can sprinkle some in random corners and hidden spots around your rabbits’ play zone. Let them hunt out the plantain and be rewarded with a delightful treat!
P.S. Before you do this, make sure your rabbits’ play area is safe. You should block off any spots that your rabbits could get stuck in and ensure there are no spaces through which they could escape.
Also read: Do Rabbits Eat Tomato Plants?
How to Introduce Pet Rabbits to Plantain
Plantain is safe for your bunnies to consume. However, this doesn’t mean that you can just offer your pets some plantain and be done with it.
Your rabbits need some time and patience to adjust to any new food. Not allowing them this extra time can cause their sensitive stomachs to become upset.
Your rabbits might even get sick enough to require a visit to the vet!
So, it is important that you take your time while introducing any kind of new food to your bunnies. Be practical, patient, and persistent in this, especially if you know that the food offers beneficial properties.
You should start slow and aim for steady progress.
Begin by just placing the plantain leaves lying around when your bunnies head off to eat. Their feeding area should be cleaned well, so there are no odors interfering with your rabbits’ senses.
Once your rabbits have learned to associate feeding time with the plantain leaves, they will now be more willing to try it out as a snack.
You can now offer your rabbits a few mouthfuls of the plantain leaves.
Once you’ve given your rabbits some plantain to eat, please pay some extra attention to them for the rest of the day.
After all, you never know which plant can reach poorly with your rabbit’s stomach acids.
Make sure there are no signs of sickness or lethargy in your rabbits.
If they act normal for the rest of the day, you know that plantain agrees with their stomachs and can be offered to them as a treat.
On the other hand, your rabbits might end up vomiting. They could even have diarrhea, bloated stomachs, and a slight fever.
All of these are signs that your rabbits shouldn’t be fed plantain. Please consult your vet immediately and ensure your bunnies get prompt treatment.
You should also remember to never give your rabbits plantain again. This plant just isn’t their cup of tea!
Also read: Can Rabbits Eat Yucca?
Things to Remember When Feeding Rabbits Plantain
Now you know about the benefits that feeding plantain will offer your bunny.
You also know how to safely introduce your little pets to this plant without upsetting their sensitive stomachs.
However, there are still some things left to discuss. Here are some pointers that you must know before you feed your rabbits some plantain.
- Even though plantain leaves can be fed to rabbits, they aren’t very high in nutritional content.
- Plantain leaves have little amounts of protein, making them unsuitable for the primary daily diet of your bunnies.
- Adult rabbits aren’t adversely affected if they eat too much plantain. However, this isn’t true for young or growing bunnies, so please offer your pets an appropriate leaf amount as per their age.
- Rabbits aren’t the only animals that enjoy snacking on plantain leaves. Pigs in pig farms are often fed plantain leaves, stems, and fruit waste as their supplementary meal.
- Despite being scientifically proven to be safe for rabbits to consume, you should still ensure that your pet eats limited amounts of pure green leaves, which includes plantain, each day.
We hope your bunnies enjoy plantain as a yummy treat this weekend!
Other articles you may also like:
