Are you a pet owner and you are thinking of feeding fennel to your pet bunny? Do you have sceptical thoughts about feeding your rabbits with fennel? Or are you so unsure that you don’t know whether it’s safe or not if you feed your pet bunnies with fennel?
As a pet owner, you might also own a garden that grows fennel but you are afraid there could be a health risk. In addition, as a garden owner have you been suspecting rabbits of eating your fennels in the garden? Then this article is for you.
Feeding your pet bunnies with fennels as a treat does not sound bad since it appears that they already liked it. However, if you feel there could be something you are missing about fennel and its health risk then be rest assured as this article would be an eye-opener for you to satisfy your curiosity and add to your knowledge of what you need to know about fennel.
What is a Fennel?
Fennels is classified as a perennial herb which is majorly under the carrot family. This plant has an irresistible feature which is the pretty yellow flowers on it hence it is worth an eye-catching plant to both humans and bunnies.
This perennial herb is an invasive species in countries like Australia and the United States. However, it does not stop its global use as a spice as it is widely used in many cuisines.
What’s more, is that the plant grows and thrives almost in any weather condition. It can also be used for medicinal purposes mostly for human females but is it healthy for your furry hopping friends as well? Can rabbits eat fennel? This unanswered question will be given much attention as you continue reading. This article is just for you.
Can Rabbits Eat Fennel?
Yes! Your furry hopping friend can feed on fennel and there’s no need for you to worry as the plant is non-poisonous to them. Independently, you can feed them with other parts of the fennel such as the flowers, leaves and stalk. However, it can be very dangerous to the health of your pet bunnies if you feel them with fennel seeds.
Garden owners getting suspicious of these furry hopping animals eating up their fennels could be 100 per cent right. Rabbits certainly find it irresistible for them once they stumble upon it.
Fennel is a very beneficial healthy herb which can also be considered as a well-satisfying snack for your pet bunnies. This does not include making it a main diet for your furry friend but as a treat, which is better off satisfying for such a purpose.
One other thing that you need to know as a bunny owner is that feeding your pet bunnies with an excessive amount of fennel might get their stomach to rumble and you wouldn’t like that and all the troubles that follow. Hence you should feed your bunnies a moderate amount of fennel as a precaution.
What Are The Pros of Feeding Rabbits Fennels?
Now that you have known that it is not that unsafe for your furry friends to chew on fennel plants. Then it will be very interesting and helpful for you to know the benefits of this perennial herb on your pet bunnies. The likes of which include:
- It aids digestion for your rabbits.
- Fennels protect your bunny friend from having its cell getting damaged due to its antioxidant nature.
- Bunnies that feed on fennels can easily achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- It is very nutritious, in that your bunnies can get vitamin C just by eating its bulbs including magnesium, iron, manganese, calcium and potassium.
What Are The Cons Of Feeding Rabbits Fennel?
- Due to its high level of oxalate, it can build up kidney stones which are very dangerous for rabbits.
- Fennels can successfully cause rabbits to have intestinal issues due to the laxative nature of the compound, anethole.
- Then, an excessive amount of fennels can make your rabbits have stomach issues or bloating.
Can Rabbits Eat Fennel Seeds?
No! Unless you want to put your furry hopping friends in harm’s way. Feeding rabbits with fennel seeds is definitely not good because this can make your rabbits go obese followed by several other health complications. Why does this happen? Fennel seeds have a lot of fats and oils hence the complications.
As a bunny owner, you would not like to see your bunny friend getting choked due to feeding it with fennel seeds. What’s worse is the inability of rabbits to vomit and this is obviously due to their compact throat. Hence, the high choking risk because they find it easier for them to swallow it and then it later gets stuck up in their trachea.
In conclusion, this draws the line between rabbits and fennel seeds and as a rabbit owner, you should not make the mistake of feeding your bunnies with fennel seeds.
Can Rabbits Eat Fennels In My Garden?
Yes! If you are a garden owner who grows fennels and you have been wondering why it keeps getting chopped off. Well, it can’t be so wrong of you to suspect rabbits as these furry animals love eating fennels so your suspicion is 100 per cent right.
How Do I Stop Rabbits From Eating Fennels In My Garden?
Are you worried your garden would later become devoid of fennel plants? Do you wish to know how to get your garden protected from being robbed of fennels by pesky animals like bunnies? We got you covered on that.
Now, for you to be able to do that you just have to make a fence around your garden. It is just as simple as that and you could make use of hardware cloth or chicken wire for this purpose in order to be more effective. By doing this you would not have to worry anymore about getting your garden infiltrated by these furry pesky critters.
Conclusion
Having successfully gone through this article then there is no reason why you should keep being worried about feeding your furry hopping friends with fennels. As long as they enjoy these vegetables plus it has a benefit for your bunnies then you are good to go.
But, it will not sound bad if you also try to consider feeding them new foods as well. Also, never forget to help your bunny friends stick to the right healthy diet and by feeding you have to do so in moderation in order not to cause or lead to future health complications such as bloating or intestinal issues.
Finally, by using this article as a guideline you will surely find it helpful for you and your cute little pet bunnies.
