Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli? | Is broccoli good for rabbits?

There is a whole debate on whether rabbits can have broccoli. Different people have different stances regarding broccoli for rabbits. Some show disagreement due to its gas-causing effects. While some support the idea of feeding broccoli to bunnies. Most of the bunnies love to have broccoli so it’s a yes if it suits them. Rabbits love to have broccoli but in small proportions.

 Broccoli is a green-colored vegetable with tiny blooms on top of it. It is rich in minerals, dietary fiber, and has vitamin support. It contains Vitamin C, E, K, and vitamin B6. Broccoli is a healthy choice for your rabbits. Still, there remain some concerns for consideration before you feed bunnies on a powerhouse of broccoli. Broccoli has its leaves, stem, sprouts, and stalks with it as well. Rabbits roam freely so they may come into contact with any scrap of broccoli. It’s time to think about whether bunnies have broccoli and if it is safe for them or not.  

Nutritional Facts Of Broccoli For Rabbits

Broccoli is a vegetable full of nutrients that no one can deny its importance. Research has proven its prevention against cancer disease. Here, is the list of nutrients that one cup of broccoli will provide:

Look at the list of nutrients a cup of broccoli contains. Thus broccoli is often called a super vegetable. MInerals present in broccoli help rabbits promote muscle health and make their bones strong. A substation of vitamins gives the body energy to stay active and productive throughout the day. 

In What Amount Can A Rabbit Have Broccoli?

Concerning age, we can categorize rabbits into three classes. Baby rabbits, juvenile rabbits, and adults. Broccoli is not recommended for baby rabbits including juvenile ones. Besides providing health benefits, it will cause health-related risks like excessive gas production and bloating. A dose of broccoli depends on the weight of your pet. You can feed one tablespoon of broccoli to a rabbit having per 2 pounds of body weight. For four-pound body weight, the broccoli intake will switch to 2 tablespoons. First, you have to measure your rabbit body weight from a pet shop. After that, you can decide the suggested amount of broccoli as per their weight. 

Here is the brief chart of broccoli amount concerning body weights:

How Many Times A Week Rabbits Can Have Broccoli?

Once you are sure that broccoli suits your pet’s stomach, you can enhance their dose gradually. Some people prefer to feed in less quantity than the recommended one. It will prove to be a fair play for the owner and the rabbit. It is not suitable to replace the portion of hay with broccoli as a daily intake. Broccoli should be given twice or thrice a week. 

Another thing to do is to make a combination of broccoli extras. You can add a few broccoli florets, some leaves, a little part of the stem and feed this combination to the rabbits. It will be very delightful for bunny rabbits.

I Have Frozen Broccoli, Can I Feed It To The Rabbits?

Rabbits have delicate and sensitive digestive systems. It is not advisable to feed frozen broccoli or any other frozen vegetable to rabbits. Frozen vegetables are low in nutrients and not healthy at all. Frozen food items also bring digestive health issues with them. Always feed fresh broccoli, whether homegrown or buy it from the market. 

Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Or Raw Broccoli? 

A rabbit will enjoy eating raw broccoli and cooking one too. When we cook vegetables, some nutrients will be lost due to change in composition because of heat. Therefore, raw broccoli is a healthier option than cooked broccoli. The former one contains additional nutrients compared to the cooked ones.

According to a USDA report on the product’s nutritional value, they explained the fiber content of cooked versus raw broccoli. A 100 grams of cooked broccoli will provide 3.3 grams of fiber, whereas the same amount of raw broccoli carries 2.6 grams of fiber. If we compare the fiber nutritional value, that’s not a huge difference between raw or cooked broccoli.

Whether you are feeding it cooked or raw, wash it thoroughly. It may contain harmful pesticides not favorable for the rabbits.

Is Broccoli Good For Rabbits?

Adding variety to the rabbit diet is good as you care about your pet, if this addition is not healthy for their body functioning, do not force them to eat. The same is the case with broccoli. Broccoli can disturb digestive functioning. It can produce gas difficulties, which leads to gastrointestinal discomfort in rabbits. One cannot rely on nutritional facts. But, I have to keep an eye on how rabbits react against that vegetable. 

Rabbits should pass stool every day. At the start, feed them just a teaspoon of broccoli, and notice whether he passes the stool every same day or not. If everything goes fine, you can increase the intake of broccoli for rabbits. 

Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Leaves?

Leaves are usually considered a waste part of the plant because people do not like to eat them at all. Rabbits are herbivores. In reality, rabbits love to have broccoli leaves. Broccoli leaves are a healthier option as compared to their stems and stalks. It contains all the essential vitamins needed for the healthy skin and fluffy fur of rabbits. Broccoli leaves have less proportion of fiber, so rabbits remain free from tummy problems. Before throwing the broccoli leaves away, consider it once to serve it to rabbits. 

Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Stems And Stalks?

Rabbits will love to eat broccoli stems and stalks. They are filled with nutrients like proteins, potassium, calcium as found in broccoli florets. No doubt, that stems and stalks are harder but rabbits can consume them easily. Whether you chop it or not they can feed themselves on stalks and stems if they want. For their ease, chop them into small pieces. Another option is to mix it with other vegetables so they can enjoy it as a whole meal. 

If the rabbit behaves as normal and remains energetic throughout the day, that means broccoli leaves, stems, and stalks suit his body. 

Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli Sprouts?

Unlike stems, leaves, and florets, rabbits enjoy eating broccoli sprouts. They contain a rich amount of sulforaphane. Maintaining a small number of broccoli sprouts for rabbits is necessary. This is essential to remain free from belly troubles. 

Conclusion

Broccoli is a powerful nutritional vegetable, good for rabbits if it suits their stomach. The volume should be maintained according to the rabbit’s body weight. Baby rabbits and juvenile rabbits should avoid feeding on broccoli. Excessive broccoli can cause serious digestive complications. If you find your rabbit in discomfort after feeding broccoli, stop feeding them forcefully. After feeding the broccoli, carefully notice the rabbit’s energy level and movements. Check, if he has stomach pain or pooping difficulty. Moreover, they can have stems, stalks, florets, and leaves of broccoli as well.  

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