Content
Parsley contains a large range of vitamins and beneficial microelements. Therefore, it is included in the diet of not only people, but also pets. Beginning breeders doubt whether parsley can be given to rabbits. Pets need greens very much. You should know at what age it can be introduced into the diet.
Is it possible to feed rabbits fresh parsley?
Rabbits are unpretentious eaters. They eat fragrant grass with pleasure. Green parsley can be given to rabbits; moreover, it should be present in the diet of pets, since for rapid growth they need to be provided with complex nutrition. But experts do not recommend giving fresh grass. It may cause stomach upset. Before putting greens in the rabbits' feeder, they should be dried for at least 24 hours.
Can a decorative rabbit have parsley?
Due to the fact that representatives of this subspecies are obtained as a result of inbreeding, gene diseases and hereditary anomalies are more common in them than in ordinary rabbits. Therefore, dwarf animals need fortified food.
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 |
A | 421 mcg | Selenium | 0.1 mcg |
E | 0.8 mg | Calcium | 138 mg |
TO | 1640 mcg | Manganese | 0.2 mg |
WITH | 133 mg | Iron | 6.2 mg |
IN1 | 0.1 mg | Copper | 0.1 mg |
IN2 | 0.1 mg | Magnesium | 50 mg |
IN3 | 1.3 mg | Zinc | 1.1 mg |
IN4 | 12.8 mg | Phosphorus | 58 mg |
IN5 | 0.4 mg | Sodium | 56 mg |
IN9 | 152 mcg | Potassium | 554 mg |
The beneficial components that make up the aromatic greens regulate metabolic processes in the rabbit’s body. For example, potassium helps strengthen the heart muscle, iron saturates the blood with oxygen.
Benefits of parsley for rabbits
Beneficial properties of greens:
- Improves the general condition of the animal. Promotes the body's resistance to various ailments.
- Reduces the manifestations of allergic reactions on the skin surface.
- Helps remove excess fluid from the body, relieves swelling.
- Has bactericidal properties.
- Promotes high productivity and excellent appetite.
- Reduces the risk of developing fungal diseases.
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect on the entire body.
- Has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and heart muscle.
- Acts as a prophylactic for problems of the genitourinary system.
Greens are useful for young individuals, lactating females and breeding males
Rules and regulations of feeding
Before introducing parsley into the complementary food of rabbits, the animals are observed. It is important that your pets do not have digestive upsets during this time.
The animal is given not only greens for food, but also roots. Both the above-ground part and the root crop are washed before placing in the feeder. The root is cut into pieces or grated. Then the succulent food is dried.
It is unacceptable for grass to become the main product in a pet's diet. Herb greens can be a complete vitamin supplement. It is recommended to give it to animals along with a herbal mix of the following plants:
- dandelions;
- carrot and radish tops;
- plantain;
- yarrow.
In winter, dried grass is introduced into the rabbits' diet. Rules for preparing spicy herbs:
- When collecting grass, make sure that no poisonous plants get into it. These include tobacco, dope, celandine, black root, mustard, and belladonna. Depending on the amount of toxic plant eaten, the animal may be poisoned or die.
- Parsley leaves tend to accumulate fuel combustion products. It is not recommended to grow crops intended for animal feed near the road.
Greens grown on your own plot (without the use of chemical fertilizers) are suitable for pets to eat.
At what age can rabbits be given parsley?
Parsley can be introduced into a rabbit’s diet from 2-3 months of age. The animal is observed for several days. If there are no problems with digestion, then the product is left on the menu. At first, give 1-2 stalks once every two days. The pet's body must get used to the new food.
If young animals have an upset stomach, grass is removed from the diet. They try again only a month later.
It is recommended to give parsley to your pets in a mixture with other herbs.
How to properly prepare parsley for rabbit food
Rules for preparing vitamin feed additives:
- To make the greens dry faster, they are collected in dry weather.
- After cutting the grass, they sort it out. Branches with signs of rotting are removed from the total mass.
- The product is spread in a thin layer to dry. It is important that the raw materials are not exposed to direct sunlight. Under their influence, beneficial 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 includes essential oils that can cause stomach upset. That is why it is recommended to give dried greens to pets. If the 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. The pet is kept in the hay for several days.
Conclusion
Giving parsley to rabbits as a vitamin supplement is not prohibited. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of veterinarians and feed your pet with dried herbs without signs of rotting. This will help protect the animal from digestive system disorders. Rabbits that regularly eat parsley are less likely to get sick. The herb helps increase the body's resistance to viral and bacterial infections.
