Indeed, rabbits can feed on Zucchini. And don’t get confused by the terms Zucchini and courgette. They are both the same thing, and yes, it is okay for rabbits to feed on them.
Mainly, people will feed their rabbits on hay and clean water, but Zucchini is a great supplement. It offers minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins like folate and chlorine for the rabbits’ diet.
Health Benefits of Zucchini to Rabbits
Zucchini has small amounts of many essential nutrients, making it an ideal treat for your rabbit. Combined with hay, this vegetable will assist in improving if not balancing the nutrients intake of your rabbit.
Also, rabbits love a variety of foods to feed on. Zucchini can save you when you run out of options, and hay is the only feed you have. Other health benefits include:
• Weight Loss
Zucchini helps rabbits to shed weight, just as with humans. Plus, the vegetable enhances the digestive process, reducing unwanted inflammations.
• Muscle Development
As mentioned earlier, potassium is one of the nutrients that’s present in zucchini. But did you know the role it exactly plays in the development of your rabbit?
Well, it plays a significant role in muscle development. Plus, the nervous system of your rabbit also gets a boost after feeding on this superfood.
• Blood Pressure Balance
The presence of potassium in zucchini assist in controlling the blood pressure levels of your rabbits. It also lowers the chances of heart disease experiences. Antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein, on the other hand, enhance the vision of your rabbits and prevent the bunnies from contracting eye diseases.
How to Feed Zucchini to Your Rabbits
After testing and confirming that your rabbits’ digestive system is okay with zucchini, you can introduce zucchini slowly by feeding it with a good handful daily. Then pay close attention to any signs of indigestion. Should you notice any symptoms of bloating or discomfort when pooping, withdraw zucchini from the diet immediately.
Note that Zucchini is not a replacement for hay. It is an addition to the regular hay diet.
Feed the bunnies with raw pieces of Zucchini. While it is common for rabbit owners to cut zucchini in uneven pieces and serve them to the rabbits, this is not the best presentation. Try and provide your rabbit a meal that is welcoming to eat.
For instance, thinly cut zucchini of reasonable sizes will make feeding easier for the rabbit. There will be fewer chances of choking, and digestion will also be simpler.
While bunnies can eat cubes of zucchini, it takes them more time to munch. Why not give your rabbit the luxury it deserves by cutting those cubes into thinner ones?
On another note, cleanliness is of utmost importance. Feeding your rabbit with clean food ensures that the rabbit is free from parasites. If you plant your veggies, kindly see that the plants are free from bacteria that can harm the rabbits.
Note that despite growing your rabbits’ vegetables, some veggies may have toxins on their surface. This explains the need for rinsing thoroughly before serving your rabbit.
Also, do not feed rabbits on cooked zucchini. When you cook zucchini, some of its nutrients and minerals are lost. As a result, the bunny experiences difficulties during digestion.
Side Effects of Feeding Too Much Zucchini to Your Rabbit
Most rabbits are okay taking Zucchini, but a small percentage may experience stomach discomfort. The stomach upset is mainly a result of the high sugar content in the vegetable.
The most common sign that your rabbits’ digestive system is not okay is diarrhea. So, when your rabbit starts producing runny poop, it’s time to eliminate Zucchini from its diet.
It’s also not advisable to feed baby rabbits less than twelve weeks on Zucchini because their gastrointestinal system is very sensitive. Plus, the high sugar content in Zucchini tends to increase a rabbits’ weight.
You don’t want to put your baby rabbits at the risk of getting obese. More so, lack of activity and the fact that rabbits eat a lot can easily make them obese.
Also, despite having so many nutritional benefits, do not overfeed your rabbit with Zucchini. Even after confirming that your bunny can take Zucchini, too much Zucchini feeding can result in diarrhea, GI stasis, and other digestive distresses.
Health Alternatives to Zucchini
The average rabbit diet consists of grass and hay. At times, people provide some fruits and vegetables. Again, veggies should not be served anything more than two cups in a day for adult rabbits.
Some veggies you can incorporate in a rabbits’ diet include:
- Bell peppers
- Bok choy
- Brussels sprouts
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Endive
- Green leaf
- Red leaf
- Parsley
- Fennel
And as for the fruits, consider them as a treat and serve them weekly, once or twice. Fruit options for rabbits include:
- Grapes
- Banna
- Berries
- Melon
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Watermelon
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Orange
Final Thoughts
You can also serve some good quality pellets to your rabbit. But again, you have to be extra careful given the number of pellet brands in the market. Despite the competition of pellet manufacturers, focus on quality and healthy feed for your bunny.
Rabbits also love green leafy veggies, and you can serve bunnies with up to six varieties of fresh, washed vegetables, herbs, or weeds daily. Examples include cabbages, basil, and kales. However, it is wise to introduce the greens in small portions as you never know how a rabbit will react to a particular vegetable.
Zucchini is a great addition where you want to boost the nutrition of your rabbits’ diet. However, you must follow the proper guidelines regarding the vegetables’ introduction to the rabbit and the ratios to use.
You can plant some of your Zucchini to ensure that you have fresh vegetables for your rabbits at all times. But when you run out of Zucchini, you can turn to other vegetable alternatives that will offer you bunny the same nutritional values. Good luck as you introduce this nutritious vegetable to your bunnies.
Tickled Tails 