As a serious rabbit’s owner, you always worry about their safe and nutrients diet. So, they have often asked themselves about what kinds of herbs are safe for my little furry pals to munch on like ‘Can rabbits eat thyme or not?‘ If yes, then how much portion is enough for them?
Thyme is one most common herb that found in our kitchens; but can it take a place in our bunnies’ food too? Let’s come explore about this topic together and see if thyme will be pass for the safe meal to bunnies.
What about Thyme? Thyme is a versatile herb that commonly used for cooking due to its aromatic and flavorful properties. It comes in the mint family (Lamiaceae); and given most value for centuries for its medicinal and culinary uses.
Is Thyme Safe for Your Rabbits?
Of course! Thyme herb can be safe food, when you feed it in moderation. If you give thyme herb to your bunnies in controlled portion, then they receive many beneficial vitamins, mineral, and fiber from them.
Dear folks! Keep minding; you never add it as a primary diet of rabbits. This is because; they have to need several nutrients to keep staying well-health. Fresh and green hay should be main part of their daily diet.
Therefore, you can offer thyme herb to your furry pals as occasionally feast, then rabbits will like to eat this surprise taste.
What Are Benefits of Feeding Thyme to Rabbits?
As per dietary expert; thyme herb is not just a tasty feast for bunnies, but also provide many healthy nutritional.
As you know that thyme is best aromatic herb that is super high in vitamin A and C. These are most beneficial for keep staying their well immune system as well as overall health.
Other than, it has also calcium content in decent amount that help to support their bone and teeth development.
Although, your bunnies receive the variety of nutrition form green hay, therefore this herb offer as a supplement instead of staple in their main diet.
Bad Concerns of Feeding Thyme to Bunnies
We do accept; thyme herb comes in safe list of foods for bunnies, but you should be aware of few major risks:
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Sage and its Leaves? A Guide for Pet Owners
If you feed thyme in too much to rabbit, then rabbit may get digestive problem. Therefore, offering it in moderation as gradually with little quantity.
Apart of this, always choose the organically grown thyme to eliminate all pesticides and other chemicals. If you don’t do this, then your pet rabbits can receive many health issues, even it can be fatal.
But, some species of rabbits can have own sensitivities or allergies with any new eatable stuffs. So, as a good parent of rabbit; you always keep closely eyes with serving this herb.
Can Rabbits Have Lemon Thyme?
Can Rabbits like to eat lemon thyme? Absolutely, they love to eat them. Lemon thyme is also safe herb for rabbits to intake, if fed in small amount. But, some bunnies might not like to consume lemon thyme, cause of its strong flavor and smell.
This version of thyme is in rich calcium and acidic elements as compared to normal thyme. Because of this, it is good herb; if you stick to a controlled portion while serving it to your bunny
Can Rabbits Eat Creeping Thymes Safely?
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is also called the “mother of thyme,” that thrives in full sun. Due to multicolor, creeping Thymes come in the beautiful plants.
Also Read: Can Rabbit Eat Oregano? Nutritional Benefits & Feeding Tips
But they consist a strong flavor as compare to lemon thyme. For this reason, most of species of rabbits don’t like to eat the creeping thyme. If you try to offer this herb, then rabbit would reject it.
Signs of The Negative Reaction
There are few signs that your rabbit might not tolerate thyme well. These include:
Diarrhea or Loose Stools: A common sign that a food doesn’t agree with your rabbit’s digestive system.
Decreased Appetite: If your rabbit stops eating or shows reduced interest in food, discontinue thyme immediately.
Lethargy or Discomfort: Signs of lethargy may indicate digestive distress or another issue.
If you see any of these symptoms, then eliminate thyme from their diet and consult a veterinarian.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Thyme?
Here, we answer will be yes! Rabbits can intake easily dried thyme. If thyme plants are growing in your garden, then you can easily dry them of your garden.
As a good rabbit parents, if you have not proper budget to buy fresh thyme herb, then can be used dried version of it. This is less cheap to fresh thyme.
But, at initially, you have to give small quantity, if rabbit doing enjoy without any bad reaction; then can increase its amount.
Can Rabbits Have Fresh Thyme?
Again, Yes! Rabbits can also have fresh thyme. Fresh thyme is safe one for your furry pals.
If your rabbit give more preference fresh thyme than dried thyme, then you should carry on feeding fresh thyme.
Is Thyme Stems Good for Rabbit?
As per our dietary expert; thyme stems can be considering safe feast as their leaves. Therefore, you can also serve them, but in small amount.
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Basil (Stems, Flowers, & Leaves)? Benefits & Risks
Thyme stems are in little woody, as well as having a more pungent flavour. So, it would be better to feed your rabbit something they liking.
Can Rabbits Eat Thyme Flowers Without Any Issue?
At most time, owners don’t give thyme flower commonly. This is because; their leaves get harvest before coming to flowers.
So, it would be wise, if you avoid giving the flowers that stick to their leaves.
How Much Thyme Can Rabbits Eat Safely?
Always, keep remember that your bunnies best daily diet should consist of:
(80% hay) Unlimited hay
(15%) Quality pellets
(5%) Leafy green vegetables
So, as per these guidelines, thyme herb and other greens should not exceed to 5-10% of rabbit’s diet.
Can Rabbits Eat Thyme Daily?
Sorry! You should not give thyme herb daily basis. It should be only serving as a treat, instead of primary diet.
As shown above that thyme has not any poison elements that harm to rabbits. If your pet bunnies love to eat it, then you can serve it 2-3 times in a week.
How Can You Introduce Thyme Properly to Rabbit?
There is some thyme feeding guidelines that you should be aware of. Let’s start one by one:
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Mint Leaves, Stems, & Stalk? Yes or Not
Firstly, you have to cut thyme herb into tiny piece that easily adjust by rabbits without any digestive hazards.
Next it, clean them under running warm water to destroy all bugs and eggs that are hiding into leaves.
Due to strong taste of thyme, if rabbit deny eating it, then you can give thyme with mixing other herbs such as mints, parsley, or basil.
At the finally; you always keep close eyes on rabbit eating behavior about how to react. If you seem that bunnies are taking interest in eating thyme, then don’t force for this.
Other Herbs Safe for Rabbits
At some time, if your pet animals don’t like to eat thyme herbs then you can think to other safe alternative herb options:
- Parsley
- Basil
- Cilantro (Coriander)
- Dill
- Mint
- Oregano
All of these herbs serve the unique flavors and benefits. But, as with thyme, they should be fed in moderation.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Thyme?
As per US researched report; thyme is not suitable herb for your baby rabbits. This is because; less than 12 week old rabbits have digestive system is not perfect to adjust to it.
Still, if you try to give thyme to babies, they can get many issues; even it can be dead.
Can Wild Rabbits Have Thyme?
Wild rabbits can be nibbling on thyme if they come across it. But, their primary diet consists of grasses, weeds, and other plants. You can serve thyme to wild rabbits, but in small quantity as occasionally.
Should We Mix Thyme With Other Herbs?
Of course! Thyme can be mixing with other rabbit-safe herbs such as parsley, cilantro, mint, and basil. With doing this, they can offer variety and additional nutrients.
What Should I Do If My Rabbit Eats Too Much Thyme?
If, suddenly your bunnies have thyme in lot of quantity, then you have to keep monitor of their all adverse symptoms like as diarrhea and loss of appetite. Now, quickly talk to your personal vet for their well-health.
Final Thoughts: Can Rabbits Eat Thyme?
As result of this post; with feeding thyme herb, you can give many medicinal properties to your pet rabbits. With eating thyme herb; rabbit do receiving many nutrients and has healing properties for their well-health.
Also Read: Can Rabbits Eat Rosemary? Guide for Pet Owners
But, dear folks! You must be serving thyme to bunnies in moderation as decent portion. Never insist to them for eating it; when they deny to having.
Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding on this? You can drop a comment!
Have a Nice Day!
