Do rabbit eat marigolds or not? Here, we will fix this query in detail that a marigold plant is safe thing or not for your rabbits. Along with, which parts of marigold is good for their well-health. How much quantity is enough for them?
If we talk about wild rabbits, then they can also like to eat marigold’s leaves. As per dietary expert; rabbits mostly have fresh grass and weeds, but can be given marigold as occasionally feast. When, your rabbits are getting more hungry, then they can intake all parts of marigold, including leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds.
Keep minding; all species of marigold are not safe for your pet animal to eat. Some of them are more toxic; eating them can lead many stomach problems in rabbits. Now, you are thinking about how you stop rabbit from destroying your marigold plants in your garden.
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My dears! Don’t confuse about this; here you will get a complete guide about marigold feeding to rabbits includes their all health benefits and issues. And get a proven strategy for keeping away bunnies from your marigold plants. Just keep reading at the end be carefully!
Can Rabbits Eat Marigolds Safely?
It is not clear whether rabbits can have marigolds or not; because it totally depends on their types.
If you bring pot marigold or organically grown in your garden; then it is safe. But serve in little amount as gradually.
If talk about others like as French and marsh marigolds. They have toxic elements that can post irritation problems.
Health Benefits of Marigolds for Rabbits
However, some marigolds are not most harmful for your rabbit. And, they provide fewer nutritional benefits to your furry overall health. Marigolds are in water content in large amount. Other than, they also consist some useful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But, they are not enough to give health benefits to your pet animal significantly.
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Marigolds contain the vitamin C, but in modest quantity. But, they are best one source of antioxidants that help to contribute rabbit’s wellness. Still, these are overshadowed by having less quantity of essential nutrients elements that bunnies need, including fiber.
It would be better, if you give preference to balance diet like as fresh veggies, fruits, hay, and quality pellets. By feeding these foods, rabbits do receiving the necessary nutrients for their well digestive system, and overall good health. But, you can keep marigolds as reserve as occasionally treats, instead of a staple in their primary diet.
Negative Concerns of Marigolds to Your Rabbits
As told above, marigolds are in lesser nutrients benefits; so you must get to know about their potential risks before including them into bunny’s diet. As US researched report, marigolds have xanthophylls and lutein in lot of quantity that can pose many health problems.
Other than, rabbits are the small pet animals; their digestive systems are more sensitive. So, with serving this kind of new food can do gastrointestinal upset.
As good pet owner; you should know that all kinds of marigolds are not safe. Just some of them do consider as good for rabbit’s well health.
Further, marigolds are treated with many pesticides and other harmful chemicals. So, they can bad impact on overall rabbit’s health. For preventing this, you should go with organically grown flowers. As well as, serving them to rabbits as little amount and keep monitor their all bad reactions.
Types of Marigold That Rabbits Can Eat
As clearly mentioned; marigolds are classified into two categories like edible and inedible version. Approximate, marigolds have 60 different varieties; but just one of them is safe version to rabbit that is pot marigold.
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There are many spaces of pot marigolds; below shown their names –
- Ruddles
- Calendula Officinalis
- Pot marigold
- Scotch marigold
- Mary’s gold
This marigold has vibrant colored flower like as peach, yellow, and orange. This plant has ability to grow up 25 inches tall. And finally, you can offer pot marigolds to your bunnies without any health issues.
Pot Marigold Nutritional Stats
| Nutrient | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ~85-90% |
| Fiber | Moderate (~2-3%) |
| Protein | ~1-2% |
| Calcium | Low to Moderate (~0.3-0.5%) |
| Vitamin A | (~5000 IU) |
| Vitamin C | ~10-15 mg |
| Antioxidants | High |
What Types of Marigold Rabbits Can’t Have?
Here, we will share some toxic varieties of marigolds that can lead to gastrointestinal and pain issues in bunnies. Therefore, you must be eliminated them from your pet furry pal’s diet. If it is possible then destroy those marigolds from your garden, then rabbit don’t get reach them.
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- French marigolds
- Marsh marigolds
- Mexican marigolds
- African marigolds
Rabbits always keep distance from African and French marigolds, due to their pungent fragrance. They are in small sized to other regular marigolds.
Don’t worry! These kinds of marigolds are not able to kill your rabbit. But, they are reasons for leading to skin irritation and stomach upset for longer time.
Marsh marigolds have little yellow flower that are more inviting and succulent. But, they are not good for both rabbits and humans. Other than, they are in ‘Protoanemonin’ that is primary element. As touching them, can do skin irritability problem. If, rabbit eat this plant, then can convulsions and lesions.
Signs of Marigold Toxicity in Rabbits
If rabbit eat marigolds by mistake or given by you, then can show many symptoms, like as:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
But, these symptoms are not constant; can be vary depending on their feeding quantity and types. In most of time, marigold plants can arise many issues like as electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
How Do You Serve Marigold to Rabbit?
Before going to serve marigold plant to your rabbit, you should check their variety. Just Pot Marigold is best and safe one variety of them. So, you can follow some feeding instruction along with pot marigold. Let’s start one by one:
- Always use only pesticide-free and organically grown marigolds
- Thoroughly wash under running water flowers to destroy dirt and contaminants
- Provide petals and a small amount of leaves; but avoiding their stems
- Introduce marigolds as gradually to your rabbit’s diet to look for reactions
- Marigold flowers should be fresh for optimal taste and nutrition
- You can mix marigolds with other safe greens and vegetables for variety
- Offer marigolds as an occasional treat, not a staple in their diet.
Always observe for any digestive upset after introducing marigolds. If any problems do arise then, quickly talk your personal vet for rabbit’s well-health.
How Get You Know if Rabbits Are Having Your Marigolds?
As serious pet owner, you should be worry about marigold feeding to rabbits. But, the main thing is to notice of a bunny visit. As you know; rabbit is small and quiet animal. So, they don’t make any noise or leave footprints when nibbling on this plant.
One and main sign is bite marks. This is because; this plant leaves and flowers will get clean cut outer edge, when bunnies munching on them. So, you can to be alert it, because it totally different from insect damage.
If rabbit tried to eat marigold plant, then can be seen droppings nearby this. For you knowledge, their droppings are small in size and shape in round pellets like as peas.
How Can You Prevent Bunnies from Eating Marigolds?
As told above; eating marigold plants are more harmful for rabbit well-health. So, you should be keeping away your bunnies from these plants. For this, you can apply few things:
Firstly, you must plant marigolds fenced off enabled area or rabbits are unable to access of them. With doing this, you can stop rabbits from munching on marigold plants.
Moreover, you can do spray the cayenne pepper around marigold plants at base area. This is because; rabbits always keep away from spicy foods.
Best Alternative to Marigolds for Rabbits
Are you finding some other healthy flowers or weeds to serve your bunnies instead of marigolds? If yes, then here you will see many best and safest alternative options.
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- Dandelions
- Sunflowers
- Calendula
- Rose
- Pansies
- Rose petals
- Chamomile flowers
- Hibiscus flowers
- Lavender
- Nasturtiums
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Marigolds Safe for Rabbits?
Generally, marigolds can be considering as safe food for rabbit; but not all varieties, just pot marigold are best. So, you can give this marigold as occasionally feast.
Do Wild Rabbits Eat Marigolds?
Wild rabbits may consume marigolds, especially if other food sources are unavailable. So, they can do nibbling on marigolds in a garden setting where other plants are also growing.
Which Part of Marigold Plant Can Rabbits Have?
If you try to give marigold to your rabbit; then both flowers and leaves are safe parts. Although, as these parts are not enough nutritious; so should not add a rabbit’s diet.
Do Rabbits Eat Marigolds Seeds?
Rabbits do not like to eat marigold seeds, as they prefer leaves and flowers. If hungry, they may nibble on their seeds. Though, it’s uncommon due to their small-sized and preference.
Do Rabbits Eat Marigolds Flowers and Leaves?
Of course! Rabbits may intake marigold flowers and leaves, particularly if food is scarce. Although, they have strong scent and bitter taste that usually deter rabbits. So it makes marigolds less appealing compared to other plants.
Verdict Up: Do Rabbits Eat Marigolds?
As result of this article; marigolds can be an amazing inclusion in your rabbit’s diet. But, marigold plants have not enough nutrients; still you can give them to rabbit as little amount.
Also Read: Can Rabbit Eat Oregano? Nutritional and Feeding Tips
Just pot marigold is safe version of all them. If rather than it, rabbit intake others then not reason of death, but can pose several bad impact on rabbit’s health.
Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding on this? You can drop a comment!
Have a Nice Day!!
