Can Rabbits Eat Lavender? | USA Rabbit Breeders

Lavender’s captivating scent and purple hue have attracted admirers for centuries. But is this aromatic herb safe for our floppy-eared friends? Can rabbits join in savoring lavender’s flavor and benefits? While lavender may conjure up images of rabbits frolicking through serene fields, the truth is more nuanced. Like any treat, lavender should only be fed to bunnies in moderation. Yet with proper precautions, your rabbit can safely partake of this fragrant delight. So brew a soothing cup of lavender tea for yourself as you learn whether and how much of this multipurpose plant rabbits can eat. The intriguing answer awaits you in this handy guide!

Is Lavender Good For Rabbits?

Lavender is generally considered safe and even beneficial for rabbits in small amounts. The aromatic herb contains antioxidants, flavonoids, tannins, and oily compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate which can have calming and pain-relieving effects. Lavender may help soothe digestive issues in rabbits and relieve anxiety or stress.

Some experts believe lavender has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that support rabbit health. The rabbit digestive tract contains beneficial bacteria that lavender may help promote. The relaxing scent of lavender may also benefit rabbits that are anxious, stressed, or excitable.

Lavender flowers, leaves, and stems contain fiber, protein, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and other nutrients. This makes lavender a healthy supplementary food for rabbits. The plant material can aid digestion and wear down continually growing rabbit teeth.

Rabbits likely will not overindulge in lavender due to its strong taste and aroma. But too much lavender can upset a rabbit's stomach or intestines. Lavender essential oil is also hazardous if ingested. So lavender should be fed in moderation. Good options are a few fresh sprigs or a teaspoon of dried lavender flowers mixed into food per 4 lbs of rabbit body weight.

When introducing lavender, watch for any diarrhea or other negative effects. Each rabbit is an individual, so carefully observe how yours responds. Under normal circumstances, a small quantity of lavender a few times per week is unlikely to cause problems. Just do not make it a significant part of a rabbit's diet long-term.

In summary, lavender in moderation can be nutritious and soothing for rabbits. Its antioxidant content may support the immune system while compounds like linalool promote calmness. But too much lavender could lead to intestinal upset. Feed lavender sparingly while watching for adverse effects.

How Much Lavender Can My Rabbit Have?

Lavender is best given to rabbits in moderation, up to a few times per week. An appropriate portion is 1-2 teaspoons of dried lavender flowers or leaves per 4 lbs of rabbit body weight. For a sprig of fresh lavender, limit it to a 3-4 inch stem with flowers.

It is fine to start with just 1-2 fresh sprigs offered 1 or 2 times a week. For dried lavender, begin with only 1 teaspoon portion mixed into food. See how your rabbit tolerates this small amount before increasing quantity or frequency.

Gradually work up from there if your rabbit enjoys lavender and has no digestive issues. You can allow somewhat larger sprigs or up to 2 teaspoons dried lavender per 4 lbs body weight 2-3 times weekly. The ideal maximum is not likely more than 1 tablespoon of dried flowers or leaves per average sized rabbit each week.

Always watch for potential side effects like soft stools, stomach upset, or lack of appetite after eating lavender. If you notice any concerns, discontinue lavender immediately and see your vet if problems do not resolve promptly. Intermittent diarrhea, for instance, would be a sign of lavender intolerance.

Ideally, give lavender as an occasional treat or supplement, not a staple food. A rabbit's primary diet should be grass hay and leafy greens. Good options are timothy, orchard grass or oat hay along with Romaine lettuce, kale, parsley, cilantro, bok choy, carrot tops and the like.

In summary, a prudent portion of lavender for a rabbit is 1-2 teaspoons dried or a couple small sprigs once or twice weekly. Adjust according to your rabbit's response, gradually increasing or decreasing amount as needed. But do not exceed approximately 1 tablespoon dried lavender per 4 lbs body weight per week.

What Parts Of The Lavender Plant Are Safe For Rabbits?

The flowers, leaves, and stems of the lavender plant are all edible and safe for rabbits in moderation. Lavender flowers tend to be the most desired part, offering the strongest flavor, scent, and purported benefits:

Flowers – The fragrant purple or blue flowers are what lavender is most known for. They contain the highest levels of aromatic compounds like linalool plus antioxidants. Rabbits enjoy nibbling the flavorful petals.
Leaves – Lavender leaves have a milder taste but still provide nutrients. They arelower in essential oils than the flowers but can be eaten fresh or dried.
Stems – The stems are more fibrous but edible. They provide fiber that aids digestion and dental health though some rabbits may not like chewing them.

In contrast, lavender essential oil, extracted from the flowers, is not safe for rabbits to ingest. The highly concentrated oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting or other harmful effects if eaten. Never directly feed lavender oil to rabbits.

The roots of lavender plants also should not be consumed. While not poisonous, the tough woody roots offer little nutritional value and may cause choking or intestinal blockages if chewed and swallowed. Avoid giving rabbits access to the lavender roots.

When harvesting lavender for your rabbit, select tender stems with leaves and buds. Clip sprigs above the woody part of the stem. The most palatable parts for rabbits are the purple flower heads and greener portions. Remove any hard, thick stems before feeding.

Overall, most above ground portions of the lavender plant can be eaten by rabbits in moderation. Stick to the leaves, stems and flowers but do not allow ingestion of concentrated lavender oil or the tough roots and lower woody stems. Monitor your rabbit’s preference and any effects to determine which lavender plant parts are favored and well tolerated.

What Should I Do If My Rabbit Won’t Eat Lavender?

If your rabbit refuses to eat lavender or only takes a small nibble, there are a few things you can try:

Mix it in: Combine a little chopped or dried lavender with your rabbit's regular hay or pellets. The lavender aroma and flavor will infuse into other foods. As it becomes more familiar, your rabbit may eat more.
Offer different parts: Rabbits have preferences, so try different parts of the lavender plant. Yours may like the flowers more than leaves or vice versa. Offer stems, leaves, buds and blooms separately.
Try fresh vs. dried: The drying process removes some of the essential oils and can intensify the flavor. Your rabbit may accept fresh lavender but dislike the dried version or vice versa. Offer both options.
Wait and retry: Don't give up right away if your rabbit initially refuses lavender. Wait a week or two and try again later. Even if lavender is rejected at first, your rabbit may acquire a taste for it over time.
Use lavender aromatically: If your rabbit still will not eat any lavender, you can place bundles of it around your rabbit's enclosure for aromatic benefit. Never force or starve your rabbit into eating something it does not want to consume.
Consider alternatives: Some rabbits just do not like the taste of lavender. That is perfectly fine. Try other fresh herbs like basil, mint, parsley or cilantro instead for variety. Or ensure you are meeting nutritional needs through hay, greens and pellets.

With patience and creativity, many (but not all) rabbits can be coaxed into accepting lavender as an occasional part of their diet. But if your rabbit steadfastly refuses, do not worry. Simply focus on providing other healthy foods your bunny enjoys and thrives on.

Do Wild Rabbits Feed On Lavender?

Lavender is not a major part of wild rabbits' diets, but they will opportunistically feed on it. In the wild, rabbits are herbivores who get most of their nutrition from grasses, leafy plants, roots, buds, and bark. But they are open to eating diverse plants.

If lavender is prevalent in their environment, wild rabbits will sample it and may browse on it routinely as part of their varied forage. They are drawn to the colorful flowers and fragrant smell. If lavender grows among their native foods, wild rabbits will naturally nibble on it along with other plants.

Some factors that influence how much lavender wild rabbits eat include:

Availability – If lavender is scarce in their habitat, wild rabbits are less likely to encounter and eat it. But where lavender grows in abundance, they can regularly incorporate it into the diet.
Seasonality – Rabbits may feed on lavender most when it is at peak bloom from late spring into summer. Less flowers and lower lavender growth during other seasons limits wild rabbit access.
Preferences – Each wild rabbit has personal taste preferences. Some relish lavender while others ignore it in favor of tastier or more familiar plants.
Diversity – The more plant diversity in a habitat, the less a rabbit needs to rely on any one food source. With many wild plants available, lavender may form just a small part of the varied rabbit diet.

While lavender is not a staple food, wild rabbits will enjoy it as an occasional treat if available in their environment. Along with other herbs, greens and flowers, it can provide supplemental nutrition to a primarily grass and hay based diet. Next time you spot wild rabbits, look closely to see if they are nibbling on fragrant lavender too.

Should I Let My Rabbit Forage Freely In My Herb Bed?

Allowing your rabbit to graze freely on your herb garden has both risks and benefits to consider:

Potential Benefits:

More enrichment and mental stimulation. Foraging provides exercise and satisfies natural grazing behavior.
Exposure to new herbs and flavors rabbits can sample. They may discover new favorite foods.
Fresh air, sunshine, and social interaction if you garden alongside your rabbit. This provides added enrichment.

Potential Risks:

Ingestion of non-rabbit safe herbs or plants. Some common garden plants can be toxic to rabbits.
Overeating to the point of gastrointestinal upset or imbalanced nutrition. Rabbits may overindulge on treats.
Unsupervised snacking on garden foliage and digging that damages plants. Rabbits can be destructive.
Escaping under garden fences or gates. Rabbits are talented escape artists when motivated.
Exposure to garden chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers that could make a rabbit sick if ingested.
Contact with predators if the herb garden is not fully secured. Outdoor rabbits need protected spaces.

To minimize risks while allowing garden grazing, supervise your rabbit closely the entire time. Rabbit proof any enclosed run spaces. Select plants carefully to avoid toxic species. Rotate access to different garden sections to prevent over-browsing damage. Limit grazing time to an hour or less per day.

With proper precautions, it can be enriching to let your rabbit explore your herb garden while you tend it. But unsupervised or prolonged access is not recommended due to the many risks. A safer option is clipping garden herbs and greens to offer your rabbit in moderated amounts.