As you known that rabbits are well-known for munching on many kinds of plants. When, we talk about zinnias plants then same feeling here. If you are a rabbit owner, then you found your furry pals to explore variety foods. But, main topic is about ‘Do rabbits eat zinnias or not?’ If yes, then how much portion is enough for them?
Here, we do accept; rabbits are such creature that do pickier eater at eating time. For this reason, you should know that what they are liking and disliking? Then you can make a perfect rabbit owner.
My dears! Don’t worry; here we will go with sharing some interesting facts about zinnias feeding to rabbits. Just keep reading at the end! Don’t skip in middle, because little knowledge can be dangerous for your furry friends.
What Are About Zinnias?
Zinnias are the plants of flower that member of daisy family. This flowering plant loves to sun light, like as sunflowers.
Also Read: Do Rabbits Eat Marigolds (Flowers & Leaves)? Myths and Facts
These zinnia plants are sun lovers that give flowers at the starting of summer and again return after one year.
Zinnia flowers are in several colors with petal shape that focus many butterflies to your garden. You can easy keep maintain and grow, just like pot marigolds.
Is Zinnias Safe for Rabbits?
If you seem that your pet rabbits did munch on the zinnia, then don’t worry. This plant is safe one thing for rabbits, including their flowers. But, zinnias leaves may be harmful for their health that lead to stomach issues and digestive system upset.
Keep remember that rabbit’s diet is based on the fresh veggies, fruits, and hay that offer many nutritious. Therefore, it would be best; if you avoid large quantity of flowers and other plants in adding rabbit’s diet. Your furry pals can do vomiting, if eat them too much.
As per dietary expert; you can proceed to give zinnia’s flowers, but in moderation as occasionally. While serving them, you must be keeping observe their all bad activities.
Can Rabbits Eat Zinnias Easily?
Of course! Pet and wild rabbit do intake zinnias without any health issues. So, you can offer zinnias to your bunnies in decent quantity. This is because; zinnias contain fiber and other nutrients in rich amount. So, it is easy to chew and good for your rabbit’s well-health.
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Chives? Safe or Dangerous
As per rabbit owners; most of time rabbits don’t like to eat zinnia plants. Common species of zinnias like as Zinnia Elegans and Angustifolia that your bunnies may ignore. Reasons behind of this, their taste are not appealing; may bother them.
For your knowledge; you should be aware of their difference that common zinnia do growing tall as 2-4 feet; but lower growing creeping specie has small height as 9-17 inches.
Nutrients Benefits of Zinnias for Rabbit
As told above that zinnia plants haven’t enough nutritional elements for overall rabbit health. Although, they come in the list of safe treat, but not enabled with important nutrients such as leafy greens and fresh hays. Still, if you want to give zinnias to rabbit, than fed in fewer amounts.
There are some possible nutrients in zinnias for rabbits, including:
Fiber content is available in zinnia at minimal. But it can also help to improve digestion if fed in small amounts.
It is not clear about the presence of enough vitamins and minerals. But, it may consists vitamin C and flavonoids in little quantity that can also help rabbit’s well health.
As researched report; zinnia also contains little amount of antioxidants in their petals that assist to fight free radical.
Health Concerns of Rabbits Eating Zinnias
While eating zinnias; your rabbit may show many potential health issues. Therefore, you should be aware of them. Let’s dive in them one by one:
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Fennel? Leaves, Seeds, & Flowers
As growing zinnias, it has been treated with many pesticides chemicals that are not good for rabbit’s health. As possible; you have to give organically grown zinnias to your pet animals that are pesticide-free.
You know very well that rabbit is a little animal that has small mouth. So, this pet is not able to intake large piece of meal. Still, if you try to give, then it can pose choking problems.
Your rabbits can get experience with vomiting or diarrhea issues, if they eat zinnia plants too much. Other than, it also can lead to digestive hazards.
Why Do Rabbits Like to Eat Zinnias?
When rabbits are not get reaching at the liking foods and other vegetation. Now, bunnies may like to consuming all plants that they generally ignoring; including zinnia plants.
Your furry buddies mostly give preference to tender and young leaves that easily chew and adjust.
Rabbits may nibble on different kinds of plants for exploring their liking environment. Although, they don’t eat zinnia plants thoroughly; but can take some bites to check either it liking or not for them.
Do Wild Rabbits Have Zinnias?
As you know that wild rabbits are the diverse diet’s creature. Typically, they like to much on different kinds of plants, veggies, fruits, and flowers that are available in your house yard.
Zinnias also come among of them that are well known flowering plant. So, wild rabbit may eat of them while searching their food in garden.
But, till now it is not clear that zinnias are a liking food of wild rabbits or not. But, they can intake them, when other alternative are unavailable.
How Do You Serve Zinnias to Your Rabbits?
If you have taken decision to offer zinnias to your beloved pet; then you must follow some instructions that keep safe and enjoyable them.
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Dill? Stem, Flowers, Seeds, and Pickles
Always adopt the organically grown zinnias that are pesticides and dangerous chemicals free.
Thoroughly wash zinnia’s flowers under running warm water to destroy any dust and other contaminants.
Offer in controlled portion (2-3 flowers at once) as gradually treat
Serve zinnias with mixing other fresh hay or leafy green to keep their balanced diet
Always keep away the wilted and moldy flowers from rabbit reach
Once served zinnias, you have to need look their all bad activities. If you see any one then immediately talk your personal vet for their well-health.
How Do You Keep Rabbits From Eating Zinnias?
To keep safe your vibrant zinnia plant from rabbits; you should be consider some essential things. Let’s start to tell one by one:
First of all, you have to go with installing a fence around your growing garden that is most effective. This fence should be entering in the soil as 1-2 feet to avoid burrowing.
You can also use some homemade solutions that may effective for you. For example, spicy sprays and some garlic mixtures that can away rabbits from zinnia plants.
Use some companion plantings that are rabbit-resistant species. When you do plant them along with your zinnias then it can works as safeguard. This includes, snapdragons and marigolds that have strong aroma; rabbit disliking them.
Planting zinnias on the raised beds can help out them less reach to rabbits.
Clean your garden at regularly basis to eliminate all debris and grass that may give invitation to rabbit for nesting around this.
Best Alternatives to Zinnias for Rabbits
If you are finding the safe and healthy best alternative options for your furry friends, then fresh veggies can be best one. They are not just enabled with necessary nutrients; but also offer delicious taste and enjoyable feast for your rabbits.
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Clover? Good or Bad
- Bell Peppers (Red, Green, Yellow, Orange)
- Carrot Tops
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Romaine Lettuce
- Arugula
- Broccoli Leaves & Stems
- Kale
- Spinach
- Celery
Recommended Herbs for Rabbits
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Mint
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Chamomile
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Will Rabbits Eat Zinnias Over Other Flowers?
Mostly found that rabbits like to eat leafy and tender plants over flowers. So, they go to proceed for consuming veggies and softer plants, including clover, lettuce or kale; before having zinnias.
Can Rabbits Kill Zinnias by Eating Them?
Although, bunnies like to munching to zinnias plants, but at minimal chance that they dig to root at the deep. Keep minding; too much eating zinnias can stop their growth, even dead them.
What Parts of Zinnias Do Rabbits Eat?
If you are ready to give zinnias for your rabbits then preference to their stems and leaves; avoid flowers.
What Should You Do; If Rabbit Has Eaten Zinnias?
Domestic bunnies can have zinnias, but at rarely. If they intake few petals, then it will be entirely safe for them. By mistake, if rabbit do consuming zinnias in large amount. Then, you don’t have to delay to call your personal vet for their well-health.
What Other Animals Eat Zinnias?
Other animals might also eat zinnias, including rabbit:
- Deer (they typically go for more palatable plants first)
- Groundhogs
- Squirrels
- Caterpillars and other insects
Can You Grow Zinnias Indoors to Protect Them?
Sure! You can plant this zinnia plants in pots indoor or in any greenhouse. It can also give protection from rabbits and other pests.
Final Remarks: Do Rabbits Eat Zinnias?
At result of this article; you can say that rabbits don’t like to eat zinnia plants. Obviously, it is not any hard fact about why bunnies don’t love zinnias; along with they are not dangerous for their health.
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Lavender Plants? Yes or Not
Typically rabbits ignore the zinnias plants, due to their strongest aroma. And, they dislike their fragrance that works as its defense wall. Whenever, rabbit are unable to reach other foods, and then they can also eat them.
Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding on this? You can drop a comment!
Have a Nice Day!!
