Contents
Parsley contains a large set of vitamins and useful microelements. Therefore, it is included in the diet of not only people, but also pets. Novice breeders doubt whether it is possible to give parsley to rabbits. Greens are essential for pets. You should know at what age it can be introduced into the diet.
Can rabbits eat fresh parsley?
Rabbits are unpretentious in food. They enjoy eating fragrant grass. Green parsley can be given to rabbits, moreover, it should be present in the diet of pets, as they need to provide complex nutrition for rapid growth. But experts do not recommend giving fresh grass. It can cause stomach upset. Before putting the greens in the rabbit feeder, it is dried for at least 24 hours.
Is it possible to give parsley to a decorative rabbit?
Due to the fact that representatives of this subspecies are obtained as a result of inbreeding, gene diseases and heredity anomalies are more common in them than in ordinary rabbits. Therefore, dwarf animals need fortified food.
The chemical composition of parsley
These components are necessary for the normal functioning of any organism, rabbits are no exception.
Chemical composition of the product:
Vitamins | Content | Minerals | Content |
А | 421 μg | Selenium | 0,1 μg |
Е | 0,8 mg | Calcium | 138 mg |
К | 1640 μg | Manganese | 0,2 mg |
С | 133 mg | Hardware | 6,2 mg |
В1 | 0,1 mg | Copper | 0,1 mg |
В2 | 0,1 mg | Magnesium | 50 mg |
В3 | 1,3 mg | Zinc | 1,1 mg |
В4 | 12,8 mg | Phosphorus | 58 mg |
В5 | 0,4 mg | Sodium | 56 mg |
В9 | 152 μg | potassium | 554 mg |
The useful components that make up the fragrant greens regulate metabolic processes in the rabbit’s body. For example, potassium helps to strengthen the heart muscle, iron saturates the blood with oxygen.
The benefits of parsley for rabbits
Useful properties of greens:
- Improves the general condition of the animal. Promotes the body’s resistance to various ailments.
- Reduces manifestations of allergic reactions on the surface of the skin.
- Promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body, relieves swelling.
- Has bactericidal properties.
- Promotes high productivity and excellent appetite.
- Reduces the risk of developing fungal diseases.
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect on the entire body.
- It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and the heart muscle.
- It acts as a prophylactic for problems of the genitourinary system.
Rules and norms of feeding
Before introducing parsley to rabbits, the animals are observed. It is important that at this time the pets do not have indigestion.
In food, the animal is given not only greens, but also a root. Both the aerial part and the root crop are washed before being placed in the feeder. The root is cut into pieces or grated. Then the juicy food is dried.
It is unacceptable for grass to become a staple in the diet of pets. Spicy greens can be a complex vitamin supplement. It is recommended to give it to animals along with a herbal mix of the following plants:
- dandelions;
- tops of carrots and radishes;
- plantain;
- yarrow.
In winter, dried grass is introduced into the diet of rabbits. Rules for harvesting spicy greens:
- When collecting grass, make sure that poisonous plants do not get into it. These include tobacco, dope, celandine, black root, mustard, belladonna. Depending on the amount of the toxic plant eaten, the animal may become poisoned or die.
- Parsley leaves tend to accumulate combustion products of fuel. It is not recommended to grow a crop intended for animal feed near the road.
For pets, greens grown on their own plot (without the use of chemical fertilizers) are suitable for food.
At what age can rabbits be given parsley?
Parsley can be introduced into the rabbit’s diet from 2-3 months of age. The animals are observed for several days. If there are no problems with digestion, then the product is left on the menu. The first time they give 1-2 stalks once every two days. The pet’s body needs to get used to the new food.
If the young have an upset stomach, the grass is removed from the diet. They try again after a month.
How to prepare parsley for rabbit food
Rules for the preparation of vitamin feed additives:
- In order for the greens to dry faster, they are harvested in dry weather.
- After cutting the grass, it is sorted out. Branches with signs of decay are removed from the total mass.
- The product is spread in a thin layer to dry. It is important that direct sunlight does not fall on the raw materials. Under their influence, useful microelements from the grass will disappear.
Dried grass is suitable for rabbits to eat for no more than 12 months.
Possible harm
The chemical composition of parsley contains essential oils that can cause indigestion. That is why dried greens are recommended for pets. If parsley shows signs of rotting, the animal may experience flatulence and intestinal problems.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear in the animal, all grass is removed from the diet. For several days they keep the pet in the hay.
Conclusion
Giving rabbits parsley as a vitamin supplement is not prohibited. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of veterinarians, feed your pet with dried herbs without signs of decay. This will help protect the animal from digestive upset. Rabbits that eat parsley regularly are less likely to get sick. Grass helps to increase the body’s resistance to viral and bacterial infections.