Being a good bunny parents; you always should seeking out the safest and most nutritious meal to add in rabbit’s diet. If you do it with seriously, then your rabbit pals life can be increase with well-health. If we do talk about mint that is best aromatic herb and delicious taste ones. So, one question can arise on your brain about ‘Can rabbits eat mint or not?’ If your answer is YES; then how much portion is safe for your bunnies to eat?
Dear folks! Calm down; here we will try to solve your all point regarding for feeding mint to rabbits; as well as their potential benefits and risks. Along with, we will give proper guide about serving size and frequency of mint herbs consumption for your furry buddies.
Before going to proceed ahead in this article; we want that you should be aware of brief knowledge about mint plants with rabbits. Mint is well-known due to their sound aroma and cooling properties that come in Mentha genus. In mint family several members come such as spearmint, peppermint, and apple mint. Now, let’s come to find out it!
Is Mint Good for Rabbits?
Absolutely! Mint is a safe herb for your beloved bunnies to intake. So, it is best one option to add into their healthy diet. This kind of herb is in lot of fiber content that helps to keep staying their digestion system.
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But, keep minding; mint herbs don’t add in rabbit’s main food blueprint. You have to give just few amounts to your furry pals that will do well work.
As you know; each bunnies have own unique diet’s feature. That means; some rabbit can do enjoy mint, but other ones may not agree to eat it. Therefore, while giving mint leaves, you always keep eyes closed at their all eating behavior.
Do Rabbits Like The Smell Of Mint?
As per US researched report; bunnies are more sensible to all kinds of smell. Some veggies and herbs are in very highly aroma, can cause of this rabbits avoid them.
But, if we talk about mint aroma; then it is sweet scent. For this reason; most of rabbits love this sweet aroma and taste as well.
Therefore, bunnies don’t deny to intake this mint herb because of its sweet scent.
What Are Nutritional Benefits of Mint for Bunnies?
Mint is an amazing herb that offers many beneficial nutritional to your pet rabbit for keeping their well-health.
First and foremost is the major notorious that are vitamins, including A, B6, C, and so on. They help to contributes for improving their eyes health and immune system.
Other then, mint herb also contains many useful minerals; may be you known such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. By receiving them, rabbit do built up their bone health and overall health as well.
Apart of this, Antioxidants are also existed in this kind of herb. These compounds aid to remove inflammation and oxidative stress in rabbit’s body, as well as promoting long-life.
When you do add this mint herb in your rabbit’s diet, then get low risk of gut hazards like as bloating.
As per parrot experts; it is important to include variety in bunny’s meals to obtain well-notorious compounds to avoid any deficiencies.
Nutritional Profile of Mint for Rabbit
Here we will show you a outlined tabular representation of the nutritional profile of mint for rabbits:
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| Nutrient | Amount Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Water | 85-90g |
| Energy | 44 kcal |
| Protein | 3.3g |
| Fat | 0.7g |
| Fiber (Dietary) | 6-8g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.9g |
| Calcium | 199mg |
| Phosphorus | 60mg |
| Potassium | 458mg |
| Vitamin A | 212μg |
| Vitamin C | 31.8mg |
| Vitamin K | 87.5μg |
| Folate (Vitamin B9) | 114μg |
Bad Impact of Mint Leaves to Your Rabbit
As told above that mint is a perfect herb for your pet animal to eat as long as feeding in less amount. But, as you increase this quantity then can lead to many digestive problems, including bloating and stomach gas.
Being a serious pet owner, while giving mint leaves to rabbit, always monitor their all reaction at this time.
Whenever, you feel that bunnies are getting more discomfort with bloating or any other problems like as watery stool. Quickly stop feeding this herb, and talk to vet for their well-health.
Most Common Mint Varieties
There are many versions of mint are presenting in market that are suitable for rabbits. This includes spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, lemon mint, and pineapple mint.
Every version of mint has own special characteristics:
Spread mint is mild and found commonly in market and garden.
And pepper mint is strong flavor herb that is using as widely.
Chocolate mint is unique different to both versions, but it has not chocolate aroma.
What Are The Types of Safe Mint?
It is important you should know about safe version of mint herb to their well-health and amusement. Many kinds of mint are safe for bunnies like as lemon mint, spearmint, peppermint, and chocolate mint.
These types of mint herbs provide many flavors to your rabbit’s diet. For your knowledge, telling you chocolate is such mint herb that not easily available in store.
Can Rabbits Eat Fresh Mint Leaves?
Fresh mint leaves are good for bunnies, even for humans. They are good flavorful feast for their healthy diet.
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If you feel that main reason of giving leaves just its strong smell, then it is wrong. Along with its sound aroma, they are also most beneficial for their well health.
As per dietary expert; mint leaves aid to improve digestive system. Other than, they also reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problem in rabbits.
Along with this, rabbits also get sensory experience to nibble of fresh mint leaves that support to metal stimulation.
Can I Give Dried Mint to My Rabbits?
Of course! We do agree that dried mint is best one alternative to fresh mint, if any time it not available you have. But, keep aware of about their precautions and nutritional stats.
It is should be noted that dried version of mint herb has less nutrition, smell, and vibrant color than fresh ones. Still, it keeps staying sufficient important nutrients.
Therefore, you should be known about major differences in nutritional profile in between fresh and dried version of mint.
How Much Mint is Safe for Feeding to Rabbits?
As told above, mint is a best one feast for rabbit’s diet. But, like as other foods, same here apply moderation rule for feeding mint herb.
As per our diet expert; if you serve 2-3 fresh leaves of mint in a week then it is safe for bunnies. By receiving this amount of mint; rabbit can also additional nutrients without any stomach problems.
Guidelines to Feed Mint Leaves to Your Rabbit
As explained above that mint leaves are best source of beneficial nutrients. But, before going to proceed for feeding them; you have to follow some essential tips to prevent any major problems:
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Let’s we start giving two or three fresh leaves to rabbit, and monitor their all behavior reactions. If, rabbit don’t exhibit any bad sign of GI problem such as bloating or diarrhea; then continue leaves feeding to them.
Ensure all mint leaves are fresh and washed properly under running water to discard all pesticides elements.
Mint leaves strong aroma can appeal to rabbit for eating, but don’t try to add them in bunny’s staple meals. These leaves offer good result as long as feeding in moderation in gradually.
At most possible, you have to make focus on their well diet including fresh veggies, fruits, hays and less amount of high quality bunnies pellets.
Best Alternative of Mint for Bunnies
Whenever, your pet rabbits disagree to eat this herb then you can also other safe herbs to them.
First is basil that is an aromatic herb that your bunnies can do more enjoy. This herb is in super high antioxidant compounds to support well-health of rabbits.
Next one is parsley! It has also lot of fiber content and other beneficial vitamins like as A, C, and K.
Other than, and best option is cilantro that provides the refreshing flavor. It is also safe one alternative as long as offering in moderation as infrequently.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can Rabbits Eat Mint Stems?
For this, our answer is YES! You can also offer mint stems; it is not bad thing. But, they are in more nutritious than their leaves. Stem parts of mint are good for rabbit’s diet, because they offer lot of fiber content to improve their digestive system.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Mint Leaves Safely?
Sorry! Here our answer will be NO! Mint leaves are not suitable food for baby rabbits, because of their developing digestive system. Until, they are mature up to 3 months, just offer fresh hay and pellets.
Can Rabbits Consume Chocolate Mint?
Already explained above; rabbit love to intake mint. But, we will talk about chocolate kind of mint; it is also safe one mint for them.
Can Bunnies Eat Mint Stalks?
Once again our answer is YES! You can also proceed with mint stalks. They are also safe one food, but hard texture and less palatable as compared to their stems and leaves. Most of bunnies do more enjoy in chewing on their stalks that help to contribute wear down their growing teeth.
Can Rabbits Eat Mint Every day?
As you know that rabbits are herbivores nature animals, so they can intake veggies and fruit every days. But, if we do talk about mint leaves, then feeding mint every day not good. Your bunnies have to need various nutrients for well health; so to fulfill this can be added many veggies. Don’t depend on just mint every day.
Can Rabbits Eat Mint Plants Safely?
Mint plants have many part including stems, leaves, and stalks. It would be wise; if you do avoid their roots and seeds. As per US researched report; it is not proven that mint roots and seeds are safe for bunnies.
Conclusion: Can Rabbits Eat Mint?
As result of this article; we can say with resound YES! Mints are also safe one herb for your furry pals, but in moderation as slowly. Besides of pennyroyal and spearmint; at most all versions of mint are good for bunny’s intake.
But, keep minding; mint herb is OK food for your bunnies as long as you apply all feeding guidelines that are mentioned on this article.
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Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding on this? You can drop a comment!
Have a Nice Day!
