Capeweed, also known as Cape Dandelions, is great for rabbits to eat. They provide rabbits with nutrients such as iron, potassium, and calcium when consumed. However, consuming too much capeweed can cause digestive issues. Stick to a few leaves every other day to see how your rabbit responds.
Capeweed is a type of weed found near plants and crops. Capeweed is an invasive species and can spread very quickly through its seeds.
It is believed that Capeweed has been spread to other countries through shipments from countries where it is present.
Capeweed is also toxic to livestock due to high nitrate levels. Since it’s considered dangerous for livestock, many rabbit owners may wonder if it’s safe for their rabbits.
What You'll Learn
What Is Capeweed?
Capeweed, also known as cape dandelion, cape daisy, cape marigold, and silver spreader, is a weed found in pastures, crops, and gardens.
Capeweed has green leaves with bright yellow flowers. The plant itself grows at an angle and stays low to the ground.
Capeweed originated from the Cape Province in South Africa, where the name capeweed came from.
It is believed that Capeweed has been spread to other countries through shipments. Capeweed is also known to be very invasive to other plants. It can be seen in gardens, sports fields, footpaths, bare ground, and more.
To remove capeweed, you can simply pull it out of the ground. You can also spray it with weed killer if there is a significant infestation.
Can Rabbits Eat Capeweed?
While capeweed is an invasive plant that can be bad for crops and livestock, It is actually good for your rabbit!
In fact, capeweed is good for all grazers, as long as it is consumed in small portions by the animal. As long as you don’t feed your rabbit too much capeweed, it can be very good for them.
One of the benefits rabbits get from capeweed is that it is high in fiber. Fiber is essential to a rabbit’s diet and can help them maintain gut health.
Fiber also helps the digestive tract of the rabbit. Since rabbits’ digestive tracts are made to process low energy and low protein diet, capeweed helps ensure the digestive tract does not overwork itself.
Some more benefits that rabbits receive from capeweed include beta-carotene (which gets converted into vitamin A), lots of vitamin B, C, D, and E, biotin, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and more.
It is essential to check if capeweed has been sprayed with weedkiller or any other chemicals before feeding it to your rabbit. It can be deadly even if rabbits consume a small amount of these chemicals.
Even if death doesn’t occur, these chemicals can cause your rabbit to have many problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, abdomen tenderness, and difficulty breathing. The best thing to do is not feed your rabbit any plant if you suspect it to be contaminated with chemicals.
Do Rabbits Like Capeweed?
Now that you know rabbits can eat capeweed, the question is, do rabbits even like capeweed? While all rabbits’ tastes differ, most rabbits love to eat capeweed.
So not only is capeweed very good for your rabbit, your rabbit will most likely love it too. Some rabbits may not like capeweed, so if yours refuses to eat it, do not worry.
Capeweed may also cause a slight change in your rabbit’s urine. If this happens to your rabbit, just know it is entirely normal. Other plants can have this effect on your rabbit as well.
If you don’t regulate rabbits’ consumption of capeweed, they won’t stop eating. In the next section, we will discuss how much capeweed is safe for rabbits to consume.
How Much Capeweed Can My Rabbit Eat?
Now that you know rabbits love the taste of capeweed and that it’s healthy for them, the next question becomes, “how much capeweed can my rabbit eat?”
Due to the rabbits’ very sensitive digestive tracts, it is important that you don’t feed your rabbit too much capeweed. Doing so can cause many complications with your rabbit’s health.
While most rabbits will be fine eating capeweed, you will want to check that your rabbit’s digestive system can handle it. If your rabbit has never eaten capeweed, start them out with minimal amounts. This goes for all new foods you introduce to your rabbit.
Once you’re certain that your rabbit’s digestive tract is okay with the capeweed, you can feed it to your rabbit three to four times a week. When you feed your rabbit capeweed, only give them a few leaves per serving.
Once again, if your rabbit is new to capeweed, watch how it affects them, as some rabbits’ digestive tracts can not handle capeweed very well.
What Other Weeds Can My Rabbit Eat?
Weeds such as clovers and buttercups are both excellent for a rabbit. Other weeds rabbits can eat include goosegrass, daisies, garlic mustard, and dead nettle.
Capeweed is Healthy In The Correct Quantity
Capeweed is good for your rabbit if it is fed to them correctly. Capeweed provides your rabbit with good nutrients that can aid in digestion. However, remember that overfeeding your rabbit capeweed can lead to severe digestive issues.
Exercise caution when feeding your rabbit capeweed, but if provided correctly, it can help your rabbit in the long run.