Can rabbits eat pumpkin? (seeds, leaves, puree + stalks) (2023)

FAQs

Can rabbits eat pumpkin leaf? ›

Rabbits may nibble on pumpkin leaves and stems, but it's best to avoid them. Pumpkin leaves and stems are rich in calcium. In rabbits, almost all of the calcium obtained from food is absorbed in the body.

This is because it's high in carbohydrates and sugars and, as we all know, they are not really that good for rabbits. You can feed him a bit of the rind -- the size of your thumb -- but not more than that. You can also give him what you carve off the Halloween pumpkin, the pumpkin guts.

In spring and summer, they're more likely to eat flowers and vegetables. In fall and winter, they feed on (and damage) woody plants like twigs, stems, or even bark.

Canned or homemade, pureed 100% pumpkin is better than raw pumpkin. Pumpkin skin isn't easily digestible. The stem and leaves of a pumpkin can be toxic. Roast pumpkin seeds before feeding them to your dog.

Wild Plants

Common 'weeds' that are safe for rabbits to eat include Plantain, Clover, Dandelion, Thistle, Chickweed, Nettle, Blackberry/Bramble leaves, and Shepherd's Purse; and there are many more.

Pumpkin seeds are an extremely effective deworming agent because they contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin. This paralyzes the worms making them easily eliminated from the intestine.

Squash bugs – Squash bugs can destroy stems and leaves and require pumpkin insect control in the form of Carbaryl, as an effective insecticide. Vine borers – Serious pumpkin insect problems can be caused by vine borers.

If you decide to feed seeds, the following types of seeds are safe. Dried seeds (pulses) such as locust bean seeds or dried peas or sweet corn and very small seeds like milo can be the exact dimension to block the pylorus and small intestine to cause a serious blockage and should not be fed to rabbits.

The stalk or stem of spinach contains more fiber than the leaves. This means that, while your rabbit is eating, she is also improving her health. The stalk and stem is the most fun part for your rabbit to eat. Rabbits love to chew.

Health Benefits of Spinach

It is high in Vitamin A, which is essential for healthy rabbit growth. It is also a great source of Vitamins C, E and K and the minerals Calcium, Iron, Folic Acid, Magnesium and Potassium. The spinach's stems and stalks are the healthiest parts.

What are the best leafy greens for rabbits? ›

Particularly good vegetables include the dark leafy greens like romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, and cilantro.

It is clear from these results that teeth problems and digestive upsets are the two major killers of rabbits that die prematurely.

While there are several varieties of dark, leafy lettuces (like romaine and green leaf) that make wonderful staples in a well-balanced rabbit diet, light-colored lettuces, like iceberg, contain a chemical called lactucarium that can be harmful to rabbits if ingested in large quantities.

Likewise buttercups, foxgloves, primrose, delphiniums/larkspur, columbine (aquilegia) hellebore, comfrey, poppy, periwinkle, monkshood, rhubarb, nightshade, ivy, privet, holly and yew are all reasonably common garden plants and all are toxic.

One of the many benefits of growing your own pumpkins instead of buying canned pumpkin from the grocery store is that you can eat every part of the plant. Yes, pumpkin flowers, leaves, stems, seeds, and flesh (including pumpkin skin) are all edible!

As it turns out, pumpkin leaves, sometimes called pumpkin greens, are edible, nutritious, and delicious. Moreover, using them in your cooking will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plants.

Pumpkin leaves are great in soups, stews, and sautees. They can be substituted for collard greens or turnip greens in any recipe. You can also eat raw pumpkin leaves in salads. For fresh eating, choose only the smallest, youngest leaves as they'll be the most tender.

General feeding recommendations are around 1 cup of dark, leafy greens per 2 pounds of a rabbit's body weight daily.

Can rabbits eat tomatoes as an occasional treat? Yes, but there are a couple things you should know first. Tomatoes do have some health benefits (they're a great source of vitamins A and C) — but they're also high in sugar. As a result, as with all fruits and vegetables, a small amount is key.

What part of the pumpkin is a natural dewormer? ›

The seeds of pumpkins and other vine crops contain the substance cucurbitacin, which has been shown to be a deworming compound. The study showed a significant reduction in average fecal egg counts over a 21-day period.

While it's not absolutely necessary to trim the vines, doing so can encourage a more abundant harvest, and larger pumpkins.

Pumpkins need 1 inch of water per week. Water deeply, in the morning and on very hot afternoons, especially during fruit set. Avoid watering foliage and fruit unless it's a sunny day. Dampness invites rot and disease.

Oats make a good treat for rabbits. Like everything else, they should be given in moderation. One teaspoon a day is plenty unless you have an underweight rabbit. Oats are low is sugar but higher in fat.

Peanut Butter

Like walnuts, peanut butter—which is also high in fat—should be avoided. The creamy snack will do nothing for rabbits, except possibly give them a tummy ache.

Take care to remove all seeds and pits before offering fruit to your bunny. While feeding small amounts of many fruits' flesh is perfectly safe, the seeds and pits from many fruit varieties contain trace amounts of cyanide.

Myth #3 - Rabbits eat lettuce

Reality: a rabbit's diet shouldn't be based on lettuce. Rabbits shouldn't eat some lettuces (such as iceberg), as they contain lactucarium, which can be harmful in large quantities.

Rabbits can eat celery; in fact, it is a delicious snack and part of a balanced diet. In addition to grass or hay, rabbits also need access to fresh produce, such as leafy vegetables or root vegetables. Celery actually fits both of these categories.

The fiber and water content of grapes can help your rabbit's digestion. Grapes also have lots of antioxidants to support your rabbit's immune system. Grape leaves and stems are safe to give your rabbit, too.

Spinach stems, leaves and flowers are all safe and non-toxic to rabbits of all types. But, most spinach grown for sale in grocery stores is treated with pesticides which can harm rabbits. So it's important to wash store bought spinach before you feed it to your pet.

Can rabbits eat collard greens? ›

Vegetables should make up a large portion of your rabbit's diet. A variety must be fed daily to ensure a balanced diet. Suggested vegetables to feed include carrots, carrot tops, parsley, broccoli, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, endive, romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach.

Rabbits can eat cabbage, but it must be given to them in moderation, and avoided if you give your rabbit lots of other brassicas. A good handful of greenery each day is a crucial part of a rabbit's diet, and cabbage is a great addition to this.

While it is largely assumed that rabbits need only carrots and lettuce to survive, this simply isn't true. As with any other animal, rabbits need a whole rounded diet that includes various nutrients, such as lettuce and carrots.

Do not give broccoli to rabbits. It will give them painful gas. Never give your rabbit kale or spinach. Kale and spinach can cause health problems over time, due to the high amount of oxalates and goitrogens.

Feeding cucumber to rabbits is fine every once in a while. Cucumber is non-toxic to rabbits, and most enjoy the taste. Rabbits can safely eat cucumber flesh, skin, and seeds. However, cucumber contains few nutrients and has a high water content.

Although rabbits are herbivorous, some fruits and vegetables can cause fatal reactions. These include rhubarb, avocado, allium-type vegetables, and iceberg lettuce.

Rabbits have been known to engage in a kind of dance when their partner dies - it is unknown what the purpose of this is but some people think it is the rabbit's way of expressing their grief while giving their friend a good "send off".

Calicivirus attacks the liver and intestines and may cause bleeding. Most rabbits will die suddenly without showing symptoms. Other symptoms include fever, lethargy, poor appetite and in some cases, bleeding will be noticed.

These foods are poisonous for your rabbit and could make her ill: Potatoes, daffodils, tulips, rhubarb, lillies, mushrooms, avocado, broad beans, sweet peas, buttercup, kidney beans, jasmine, foxglove and iceberg lettuce.

Bell peppers are suitable for rabbits. These vegetables are an excellent addition to a rabbit's diet. Your pet will enjoy a range of health benefits. Rabbits bodies do not get general vitamins organically, so bell peppers help to make up for this shortfall.

Can rabbits eat corn? ›

A rabbit will probably eat sweetcorn if offered some. However, corn in any form isn't safe for bunnies. To put it bluntly, rabbits get almost no nutritional value from eating corn. It's the worst kind of junk food, and should really be avoided.

It is okay for a rabbit to eat cardboard. You don't want the cardboard to be a main source of food, of course, but ingesting cardboard in small amounts is not harmful to your rabbit. Cardboard is actually great for your rabbit to chew on to wear down their teeth.

Fruit. Pretty much any fruit will make a good sweet treat, though the high sugar content means it should only be given in moderation. It's also important to remove any pips or stones that could become choking hazards. Bananas, apples, strawberries and raspberries have all proven a hit.

Good quality hay and/or grass, always available, should constitute the majority of rabbits' diets. - Rabbits graze, naturally eating grass/other plants for long periods, mainly at dawn and dusk. - Rabbits' digestive systems need grass and/or hay to function properly. - Read meal planner and feeding tips.

Broccoli, spring greens and parsley are as tasty to a rabbit as dandelions from the garden. If you have an apple or hazel tree they'll love the leaves and the same goes for a raspberry bush. Aim to vary what you give them, and keep to small portions of any one plant.

Particularly good vegetables include the dark leafy greens like romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, and cilantro.

Yes, rabbits can eat celery! It can be included as part of their balanced diet. Remember, giving your rabbit a variety of different vegetables will make it as healthy as possible.

Can rabbits eat tomatoes as an occasional treat? Yes, but there are a couple things you should know first. Tomatoes do have some health benefits (they're a great source of vitamins A and C) — but they're also high in sugar. As a result, as with all fruits and vegetables, a small amount is key.

What is a natural antibiotic for rabbits? ›

GOLDENSEAL. Goldenseal is another immune boosting herb for rabbits. It's an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for rabbits who suffer from frequent infections. Goldenseal also has properties that help in treating bladder infections by acting as a natural antibiotic.

It will give them painful gas. Never give your rabbit kale or spinach. Kale and spinach can cause health problems over time, due to the high amount of oxalates and goitrogens.

On the other hand, carrot tops are low in carbs and sugar, making them healthy and entirely safe for your rabbit to eat. In fact, you should include this healthy and highly nutritious food on the menu because of its high phytonutrient, vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant levels.