Pet rabbits can eat chamomile provided that it’s fed in small amounts. Chamomile is safe for adult rabbits only. It should not be considered a main food source as chamomile does not provide adequate nutrition for a rabbit.
Rabbits enjoy eating various plants, vegetables, grass, and even herbs. One herb that your rabbit might like is chamomile. Chamomile offers many beneficial properties for rabbits.
If you plan on feeding chamomile to your rabbit, it’s important to understand more about chamomile and how you can safely feed it to your pet rabbit.
What You'll Learn
Is It Safe For Rabbits To Eat Chamomile?
Chamomile is an herb most commonly associated with chamomile tea. Chamomile is non-toxic to mature rabbits and offers a variety of health benefits.
There are two different types of chamomile, German and Roman. Either of these types is safe for rabbit consumption.
Chamomile can be fed daily to your rabbit as a treat or supplement with their daily hay ration. While chamomile is perfectly safe to feed your rabbit, you should take precautions.
When introducing items into your rabbit’s diet, offer only a small amount initially to see how she tolerates it. Adding new foods could upset the delicate balance of your rabbit’s digestive system.
How Do You Feed Chamomile To a Rabbit?
If you decide to feed chamomile to your rabbit, it’s essential to understand its different forms. The variety of ways in which chamomile can be offered to your rabbit:
Fresh Chamomile Stems, Leaves, and Flowers
These are the ideal way to feed chamomile to your rabbit. Choose only green plants and avoid yellow or wilted plants. Be sure the plants have not been treated with insecticides. Clean the plants and remove any insects.
Dried Chamomile
This can be offered in place of fresh chamomile. Many pet suppliers carry dried chamomile treats or chamomile/hay mix.
Chamomile Tea
This is safe for rabbits to drink. When offering tea, ensure the liquid is cooled and diluted before putting it in the rabbit’s drinking water.
Dried Contents of Chamomile Tea bag
The dried contents of a chamomile tea bag are safe for your rabbit to consume, but be sure to feed only the dry contents of an unused chamomile tea bag. Do not feed the string or bag material.
Chamomile Extract Oil
Extract oil is safe for your rabbit to ingest in very small amounts. Do not feed your rabbit essential oils.
Where Can You Find Chamomile For Your Rabbit?
If you plan on feeding your rabbit fresh chamomile, the best way to do this is to grow it yourself. Chamomile can be easily grown indoors or outdoors.
Growing your own chamomile guarantees you’ll have a fresh supply on hand whenever you need it. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing the plants aren’t full of pesticides and fertilizers.
Dried chamomile is sold at many pet supply stores. Dried chamomile is usually sold as dried stems and leaves or dried chamomile treats.
Whether you give your rabbit chamomile tea or the inside of the tea bags, it should be pretty easy to find. Chamomile tea is sold at almost any grocery store.
Chamomile extract oil is available at stores that specialize in herbs and botanicals. Some larger retail stores may carry it in their pharmacy department.
Are There Benefits For Rabbits Eating Chamomile?
Chamomile is well known for its natural calming properties. It’s full of antioxidants and contains compounds that feature antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal functions. Here are some of the ways in which chamomile can benefit your rabbit:
Relieves Stress and Anxiety
Rabbits can be nervous creatures. Drinking chamomile tea or eating chamomile in one of its many forms may help with this.
Works As An Antibacterial Treatment.
Chamomile can be used as a topical treatment for runny eyes and treating minor wounds or sore hocks on your rabbit.
Helps Support Normal Digestive Function
Chamomile soothes the stomach and helps with digestive issues when given in moderation.
Stimulates The Appetite
If your rabbit is off her feed for some reason, chamomile can help stimulate your rabbit’s appetite and get her eating again.
Can Rabbits Have Chamomile Instead Of Hay?
Chamomile can be given to your rabbit as an occasional treat or as a daily supplement in her diet. It can be mixed with her daily hay or given in a small dish.
Because it does not offer the daily nutrition a rabbit requires, chamomile shouldn’t be used as the primary source of food for your rabbit and should not replace hay.
To maintain a healthy digestive system, 80% of your rabbit’s diet should consist of hay. The fiber in hay helps keep the digestive system strong and prevents blockages.
Rabbits also need to eat hay to help keep their teeth in good shape. Rabbit’s teeth grow continually, and chewing hay daily helps grind them down.
Feeding chamomile instead of hay could cause an imbalance in your rabbit’s delicate digestive system leading to problems such as diarrhea or a blockage.
If your rabbit experiences diarrhea or a blockage from eating too much chamomile, it’s important to stop feeding the chamomile. Offer your rabbit unlimited hay and monitor until her stools are normal.
Can Baby Bunnies Eat Chamomile?
Chamomile should not be fed to baby rabbits or rabbits less than seven months old.
This is because baby rabbits are growing, and their digestive systems are not completely developed.
It’s not recommended that baby bunnies eat chamomile until they are mature and weaned onto an adult diet.
Rabbits Can Eat Chamomile If Fed Properly
While chamomile is safe for your pet rabbit to eat daily in moderation, make sure you’re following a few simple rules. Avoid overfeeding and be sure to properly prepare fresh chamomile before offering it to your rabbit.
Following the basic precautions will ensure that your pet rabbit can safely enjoy a delicious herb that offers numerous health benefits.
