Can Rabbits Eat Arugula (Rocket)? – 3 Suprising Health Benefits

Arugula is probably one of the more common vegetables found in your garden. This leafy green vegetable has a peppery flavor when eaten raw, but loses much of it’s taste when cooked.

Most rabbits love to eat arugula, so it may be in your best interest to grow some just for your furry little friend. Can rabbits eat arugula? Let’s find out.

Can Rabbits Eat Arugula (Rocket)?

Yes, they can! Rabbits love to munch on greens like arugula, which is probably why they are most likely to eat your garden vegetables before you do. Aside from the fact that rabbits usually cannot resist eating anything with a leafy green surface area, there are no specific reasons why arugula should not be eaten by rabbits.

It is low in calcium and phosphorus, so it does not pose any health risks when eaten at every meal. The leaves may become stringy when chewed, but this will cause no harm to your furry friend’s digestive system if consumed in moderation.

Arugula (Rocket) Nutritional Facts

Arugula is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery flavor. It has many health benefits for humans , so if you decide to grow arugula in your garden, chances are good that you will have some extra to eat every once in a while.

One cup of arugula contains the following nutrients: 

• 45 calories
• 9 grams of carbohydrate (3 grams dietary fiber)
• 1 gram of protein
• 0 grams of fat
• 10% RDA Vitamin A (as beta carotene)
• 15% RDA Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Since rabbits can eat Arugula and it does not pose any harm on their digestive system, there is no reason why they cannot eat this delicious and nutritious leafy green vegetable.

Arugula is low in protein and calcium, so the occasional serving should not cause any problems for your bunny. It has a peppery flavor when eaten raw, but loses much of this taste when cooked. Eating arugula on occasion will also provide you with many health benefits.

Is Arugula (Rocket) Safe for Rabbits?

Arugula is safe for rabbits since they cannot get sick from eating it. It is a healthy green leaf that provides many health benefits for both humans and animals alike, so feel free to let your furry little friends enjoy the occasional helping!

This is because they are not able to break down the phytochemicals (plant chemicals) found in arugula. Rabbits only eat grass because it is full of fiber, which is necessary for their digestive system. Another reason why rabbits will not be interested in eating your arugula plants is because it has a peppery flavor, which they do not like.

How to feed Arugula (Rocket) to a Rabbit?

Arugula is usually eaten as a salad green, but it can be cooked if your rabbit wants to try something different.

Wait until the arugula has turned bitter before removing it from the ground and eating it, or cut off a few leaves at a time and place them in your rabbit’s food bowl.

If you plan on planting arugula in your garden, make sure you let your little friend know where their new favorite vegetable is growing so they do not begin munching away on it. You may also want to create a separate space just for your bunny that will allow them to eat away without destroying any of the surrounding vegetation.

The best way is to feed them leaves that have fallen to the ground. Rabbits are also known for their love of garden vegetables , so there is a good chance your furry friend will eat arugula branches if they can reach them.

Tasty Arugula (Rocket) Recipes for Rabbits

You can make a delicious pesto with arugula to serve to your rabbit or share with your human friends at a dinner party.

• Chop up about 1 cup fresh arugula leaves
• ½ cup walnuts
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor until they are well blended. Serve on pasta or as a salad dressing for green salads .

Here is another yummy recipe for those who love muffins:

• 2 cups flour (whole wheat pastry works great!)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F In a large bowl
• mix together the molasses and orange juice
• Add bananas and continue mashing with a fork until the mixture is even
• Mix in eggs, oil and vanilla extract
• Then, slowly mix in the dry ingredients until you have a nice batter
• Grease your 12 cup muffin tin or line it with paper cups
• Fill each cup about 2/3 full of batter
• sprinkle some chopped walnuts over each muffin before placing them in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes (or until they pass the toothpick test).

How Much is the Proper Portion?

By Age

If your rabbit is under six months of age, then they should be eating 2 cups of food per day.

After this age, their daily intake should be reduced to 1 ½ cup servings per day.

A 15 pound rabbit will require at least 8 ½ cups of fresh hay and 4 ½ cups of fresh green veggies every day. This will also provide them with all the necessary vitamins and minerals they need, so you don’t have to worry about giving them a multivitamin supplement.

If you want to keep your pet healthy and well-fed , there are certain foods that must make up a large portion of their diet.

For supplemental feedings, it is better to offer grains, nuts and fruits as those contain sugars that can cause serious problems in the rabbit’s digestive system.

However, these supplemental foods are still important for their physical well-being because they provide them with essential nutrients that come from plant material.

Can Rabbits Eat Arugula Raw?

Yes, they can! Since arugula contains very few nutrients, no one is really sure why rabbits eat it at all. That being said, many of us who have domesticated rabbits in our homes choose to give our bunnies this green leafy vegetable raw.

It is up to the pet owner to decide whether or not he/she wants their bunny to eat raw vegetables like arugula since some would argue that cooking them denatures certain proteins and makes the food less nutritious overall. Additionally, introducing too many new foods into your rabbit’s diet on a regular basis could cause serious health problems if not done carefully.

Are There Health Benefits from Arugula (Rocket) for rabbits?

Arugula has many health benefits for your rabbits. For one thing, it is a natural diuretic so it can help prevent urinary tract issues by flushing out the system regularly. It also contains high levels of folic acid and vitamin A which helps to boost your bunny’s immune system against many types of illnesses.

Rabbits have a unique digestive system that evolved over time to process foods that are very fibrous and difficult for other mammals to break down completely in their stomachs.

Arugula is one of these fiber-rich plants, however, any sudden introduction of new greens to your rabbit’s diet should be done slowly since they will need a few days to a week adjust properly when making the transition from hay alone as their only source of food intake. It is also not recommended that you feed them foods high in calcium to avoid any potential digestive problems which can arise from the excess calcium intake.

Keep in mind that rabbits will eat pretty much anything and everything they can get their paws on so it’s important to keep an eye on their food and water dishes at all times. You should also keep snacks like carrots, apples or bananas out of reach since these foods are very sweet and contain a great deal of sugar, which could cause your rabbit to develop health issues in the future.

What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Arugula (Rocket) In A Rabbit’s Diet?

If you dont have Arugula as a rabbit owner dont worry there are other healthy foods rabbits can eat as well.

Here is a list of Vegetables and Fruits that rabbits can eat:

Carrots: These are a great source of vitamin A which is beneficial for your pet’s vision. Offer them raw or steam them to retain most of their nutrients.

Celery: This crunchy vegetable also contains high amounts of folic acid, potassium and calcium so they are very healthy for rabbits as well! Chop it up into smaller pieces so they don’t have any trouble chewing.

Romaine Lettuce: Rich in Vitamin A, magnesium, BV  and calcium  – rabbits can eat lettuce but not too much since it has no nutritional value otherwise.

Water Cress: Since this type of plant grows in water, it is best that you serve it fresh to your bunny  since there may be chemicals present if the water is not filtered properly.

Parsley: A popular herb for cooking, this type of green leafy plant has an abundance of calcium and Vitamin C! Chop it up into small pieces that your rabbit can consume without any trouble. It’s also safe if they chew on the stems.

Potatoes (cooked): This type of food should only be given to rabbits who are at least 8 weeks old since it is very sweet. Cook them thoroughly before serving!

Peas (cooked): This is a good source of vitamin A, C and Iron so they are very useful for your rabbit’s health as well. Cooked peas are safe to feed them as well.

Parsnips (cooked): This type of vegetable is very similar to carrots and has the same nutrients, which makes it a good snack for your furry friend.

Health Risks of Arugula (Rocket) for Rabbits

The health risks associated with this type of green leafy plant is that it contains high levels of calcium oxalate which can lead to bladder stones in your rabbit. It also contains an amino acid called L-canavanine which has been linked to food poisoning for other animals.

Arugula should only be introduced into your bunny’s diet gradually over time, no more than a small handful each day. If any of your rabbit’s symptoms change or you notice anything out of the ordinary, schedule an appointment with the vet immediately to avoid serious health problems down the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can rabbits eat arugula stems?

A. Yes they can eat the stem of arugula since its a leafy vegetable

Q. Can rabbits eat dry arugula?

A. Arugula is a leafy green vegetable so any part of it is safe for your pet to consume!

Q. can wild rabbits eat arugula?

A. rabbits are herbivores so they can eat vegetables like arugula

Q. can rabbits eat arugula everyday?

A. Like other leafy green vegetables, arugula should only be given to rabbits as an occasional treat or snack — not as part of their daily diet.

Q. can baby rabbits eat arugula?

A. Although Arugula is safe for babies it should be fed in moderation along with other green leafy veggies since

Conclusion:

While All leafy green vegetables such as arugula are beneficial to your rabbit’s health, they must be introduced slowly and in small quantities because the sudden increase of fiber may cause stomach issues if they aren’t used to it.

Make sure that you give them plenty of hay throughout the day along with multiple servings of veggies and fruits for optimum nutrition.