White cabbage
One hundred grams of white cabbage contains a large amount of vitamin C. But it is not advisable to feed this vegetable to baby rabbits until they are 3 or 4 months old, since it is difficult for a fragile body to cope with the digestion of juicy leaves; they contain trace elements in high concentrations.
Advice: When the kids grow up, you can add cabbage to their diet, but little by little, take only a row of the top leaves, cut or tear them into small pieces, wash them and let them dry a little. There should be no damage to the leaves.
Crispy cabbage is a very tasty treat for both people and rabbits. It contains a lot of vitamin P, a little less than spinach. Rodents can and should eat fresh white cabbage leaves to replenish the body with calcium, without which the skeletal bones cannot be strong, as well as manganese, which is needed for normal metabolic processes. There is so much protein in cabbage leaves that it fully covers the animal’s daily requirement.
But if you thoughtlessly feed your pets white delicacies, you can harm them. The digestion of rabbits is intestinal, it cannot cope with a large number of aggressive elements in the product, and when coarse dietary fiber is broken down, peristalsis increases, the rabbit may suffer from bloating or diarrhea.
The cultivated plant contains a lot of sulfur, which irritates the digestive tract and its mucous membrane, which increases the intensity of gas formation, so you should not overfeed animals.
Advice: There is a lot of sulfur in apples and cereals; feeding these foods and cabbage at the same time is unacceptable.
Is it possible to give depending on the variety?
There are many varieties of cabbage for rabbits. Each type has a different composition and concentration of substances. This must be taken into account when deciding whether cabbage can be given to rabbits and in what quantity.
White cabbage
The most popular in Russia is the white cabbage variety. It has a very high concentration of trace elements and coarse fibers. Their highest content is observed in the core and stalk. Therefore, when deciding whether rabbits can have white cabbage, it is recommended to discard these parts. It is advisable to give only the top leaves, which have been plucked for some time.
Red cabbage
A close relative of white cabbage is red cabbage. It has a similar composition, but with a higher concentration of aggressive substances. This is the main reason why rabbits should not be fed this variety of cabbage. It provokes severe and persistent bloating, which can even cause death.
Many novice rabbit breeders and part-time gardeners are wondering whether cabbage, which is affected by various infections, can be fed to ornamental rabbits. This is due to the purpose of saving, because such a vegetable is prohibited for human consumption, and it can be a pity to throw it away. The answer to the question whether cabbage can be given to decorative rabbits that are affected by diseases is negative. Eating such a vegetable is dangerous for animals, as well as for humans.
Expert opinion
Dobryshev Sergey Anatolievich
Professional rabbit breeder with 30 years of experience
Important! When deciding whether cabbage leaves can be given to rabbits, you need to pay attention to their condition. If they were bought in a store and look perfect leaf by leaf, then most likely they were fed with various chemical additives during cultivation. You cannot feed rabbits this vegetable.
Peking and kohlrabi
The answer to the question whether decorative rabbits can eat Chinese cabbage is positive. It has a good effect on the animal’s body and enriches it with useful substances. 2-3 leaves daily will definitely not cause bloating or diarrhea. Therefore, you should not even think about whether Chinese cabbage can be eaten by rabbits; it is recommended to safely include it in the diet. In small quantities it will not harm; on the contrary, it will have a beneficial effect on health. Fig. 2. When wondering whether rabbits can eat Chinese cabbage, it is recommended to pay attention to its quality.
Expert opinion
Dobryshev Sergey Anatolievich
Professional rabbit breeder with 30 years of experience
Note! Although the answer to the question whether rabbits can be given Chinese cabbage is positive. Still, you should first prepare it for use. The leaves of Chinese cabbage should be slightly wilted. It is recommended to remove the veins in advance. Thanks to this, the vegetable will be better absorbed.
Grown-up rabbits and adults are very fond of kohlrabi. It contains a lot of glucose and has a sweetish taste. Animals should be fed shoots up to 6 cm long, as well as dried stems harvested as silage.
Broccoli and cauliflower
The answer to the question can rabbits eat broccoli is yes. Moreover, this variety is allowed to be given in unlimited quantities; it will not cause harm.
The answer to the question whether rabbits can eat cauliflower will be similar. She is allowed to feed until she is full. Cauliflower and broccoli normalize the functioning of all organs and systems, improve the quality of the coat, and allow you to gain weight faster.
Rice. 3. When deciding what kind of cabbage can be given to rabbits, it is recommended to choose cauliflower and broccoli.
Savoy cabbage - a delicacy from Italy
The answer to the question whether fresh cabbage of this variety can be given to rabbits is again positive. It is also a relative of the white cabbage species, but contains slightly less coarse fibers. At the same time, it contains more nutrients and calories, which contributes to rapid weight gain.
It has a pleasant aroma and taste; it will appeal to both meat and downy breeds, as well as decorative ones (including dwarf ones). However, you need to be careful with feeding, give vegetables in moderation so as not to provoke bloating.
Beijing
Eared rodents can be fed 1 or 2 leaves of Chinese cabbage per day. This will be considered a vitamin supplement to the main menu. Useful microelements are contained in the vegetable in large quantities. The Beijing variety will strengthen the immune system, promote heart health, normalize digestive processes, and also help animals cleanse their intestines.
Tip: Before serving the Beijing variety, it is advisable to clear the leaves of veins, which will speed up the absorption of the product. Veterinary specialists strongly recommend that this species be included in the rabbit menu.
Why feed your rabbit cabbage?
For furry animals, cabbage is not just part of the diet, but a real delicacy, because the crispy leaves of the vegetable are pleasant to the taste. Most farmers do not wonder whether cabbage can be given to rabbits, because it has so many undeniable advantages:
- leaves contain a lot of vitamins and minerals;
- eared animals adore this vegetable and will not refuse such food;
- cabbage is convenient to store;
- the vegetable does not lose its beneficial properties even in winter, which is a salvation during vitamin deficiency in animals.
Despite their usefulness, it should be remembered that the amount of greenery should be limited. In addition, you can only give those products that you are sure are environmentally safe, without signs of rot, mold, insects and parasites.
Colored
Vegetable protein in Cauliflower is more than in White Cabbage, one and a half, sometimes 2 times, ascorbic acid is two or three times. And most importantly, it contains glucoraphanin; with the help of this organic compound, the development of pathogenic microflora is blocked. Cauliflower is consumed by rabbits in the same quantity as white cabbage; both of these varieties can even be boiled before serving.
Quantity, dosage and prohibitions
How much leaves to give and what type depends on the age of the rabbit and its preferences. It is advisable to show your pet to a veterinarian, especially a decorative breed. If this is not possible, do not exceed the norm - a couple of wilted leaves per day. They become less rough and do not injure the delicate mucous membrane of the animal. The rabbit’s well-being after eating is the main criterion for the correct dosage. If you want to increase the portion, do so carefully.
Prohibitions apply to:
- rotten, spoiled leaves;
- frozen cabbage;
- red cabbage variety;
- stump.
Can rabbits have fresh cabbage of any variety? Broccoli and cauliflower are given fresh, while other types are given in a slightly dried state.
Savoy
The Savoy variety of cabbage is related to white cabbage. But Italian Savoy is distinguished by great tenderness and aroma; there is not much coarse fiber and mustard oils in it. It contains less fiber, although Savoy is richer in calories and nutrients than cabbage.
Rabbits can eat small amounts of Savoy vegetable, it will not cause any harm. The frilled foliage is quite tasty. It can be fed to rabbits in larger quantities, about 250 or 300 grams. But if you overfeed, you may have stomach problems.
What should you not give?
When creating a menu for rodents, farmers should know which cabbage should not be fed to rabbits:
- Red cabbage. It is forbidden to give animals even a small amount of this crop. After eating this treat, your pets will experience diarrhea.
- The stalk and inner leaves of white cabbage. These parts of the vegetable contain a lot of fiber and aggressive substances.
- Cabbage heads with signs of diseases - fusarium, clubroot, powdery mildew.
Attention! Do not give decorative rabbits vegetables that have been frozen or show signs of rot.
Rabbits benefit from any type of cabbage except red cabbage, but they should be given in moderation. If unpleasant symptoms are detected in pets after eating vegetables, they must be excluded from the diet.
Pickled
Sauerkraut is a favorite food of people, as well as rabbits, in winter. It is easy for cabbage to retain its vitamin value by fermenting, since this is affected by lactic acid bacteria during the fermentation process.
Sauerkraut fills the body not only with a vitamin complex, but also with energy. The norm of sauerkraut per day is equal to the norm of ordinary raw cabbage; adults can have no more than 100 or 180 grams per day, it all depends on the rabbit’s body weight.
Since the product contains a lot of salt, rabbits will constantly be thirsty, you need to provide them with water. You can feed the fermented product, but infrequently and little by little.
Feeding standards
To ensure that rabbits do not have health problems, when introducing green vegetables into the diet, the norms for feeding leaves are observed. You can give cabbage to rabbits who have reached four months of age, otherwise consumption will cause heaviness and eating disorders. The first portions in life should be no more than 50 g, after which the volume is gradually increased, reaching the daily norm, which on average is 100–200 g - this is one or two leaves.
The total volume of product per day is calculated individually, based on the weight and age, behavior and condition of the animal after eating the vegetable. At this time, it is important to monitor your pet’s well-being so as not to miss signs of deterioration, and also remember that all products must be pure and natural.
Benefit
The leaves of this vegetable contain many useful vitamins and microelements. Feeding rabbits cabbage is important in the autumn-winter period, when the lack of microelements is especially great.
Useful connections:
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin RR.
- B vitamins.
Microelements:
- Zinc.
- Potassium.
- Calcium.
- Sulfur.
- Phosphorus.
- Manganese.
- Pantothenic acid.
Cabbage leaves are useful for rabbits because they have a beneficial effect on their body and improve metabolic processes. Animals tolerate winter well. The benefits of this vegetable are undeniable.
Decorative breeds
These pets are distinguished by their miniature size and delicate digestive system. In order not to injure the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, you need to give your pets soft greens - slightly wilted.
Recommendations:
- give only the top tender leaves;
- It is forbidden to feed fresh greens, only those that have withered;
- Do not feed with stalks or leaf veins;
- It is forbidden to feed your pets red cabbage.
Can rabbits have cabbage? Give decorative rabbits small portions of cabbage leaves. Do not forget to promptly remove any remaining greenery so that animals do not eat rotten leaves. Food should always be fresh.
Sauerkraut is useful for all breeds, including decorative ones. This product is free of aggressive substances and coarse fiber. Therefore, the digestive system of delicate animals will not be affected. But do not forget that salt causes thirst: add fresh water to the drinking bowl.
Ornamental animals are deprived of the ability to distinguish harmful food from healthy food; all responsibility rests with the owner. Try to follow all the rules for feeding pets so as not to cause harm.
Try to give fresh leaves in the morning or afternoon; feeding cabbage before bed is not recommended. This is too heavy a meal before bed.
