Dill is one of the most used herbs in our households. It is used in pickles dips to roast. The use of dill is uncountable. It has great medical benefits too. But the real question is can rabbits also use it as humans do..?
Can Rabbits Eat Dill? Yes, rabbits can eat dill. It is one of the safest herbs for rabbits to consume. It has many health benefits for your bunnies. Moderation is applicable in feeding dill as well.
There are many more questions that you should look into as a responsible rabbit mom. Can baby rabbits eat dill? Are all parts of the dill safe for rabbits to consume? How much dill is too much?
Is it too overwhelming? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered because in this article we will discuss all you have to know about feeding dill to your furry babies.
Let’s hop straight in!
Do Rabbits Like To Eat Dill?
Dill is a very commonly used herb. It has many culinary and medicinal uses. Dill, like other herbs, has a very strong aroma. Rabbits who are generally picky eaters might be discouraged by the pungent smell.
Dill is safe for your rabbits and is also healthy. But some rabbits might refuse to eat it because of the flavor.
If your rabbit refuses to eat then do not force them to eat it. You can instead give some leaves that are less pungent or aromatic.
Is Dill Safe For Rabbits?
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual herb in the celery family Apiaceae. It is the only species in the genus Anethum. Dill is grown widely in Eurasia, where its leaves and seeds are used as a herb or spice for flavoring food.
Dill has many health benefits like Regulating Diabetes, Promotes Digestion, Fortifies Bone Health, Prevents Infections, and more.
Is Dill Safe For Rabbits? Dill is one of the safest options for your rabbits. It is a must-add safe option to your rabbit’s diet. Dill is packed with nutritional benefits for your little bunnies. Dill is also a rich source of antioxidants.
Dill contains Vitamin A, Magnesium, Potassium, Fiber, Antioxidants, and more. There are anti-inflammatory agents present in dill which protect your rabbit’s health.
According to the US Department of Agriculture(USDA), 100g of Dill contains these nutrients:
- Energy: 180 kJ (43 kcal)
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Dietary fiber: 2.1 g
- Fat: 1.1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A: 7717 IU
- Thiamine (B1): 0.1 mg
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.3 mg
- Vitamin C: 85 mg
- Calcium: 208 mg
- Iron: 6.6 mg
- Magnesium: 55 mg
- Manganese: 1.3 mg
- Phosphorus: 66 mg
- Potassium: 738 mg
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Dill?
It’s common knowledge that baby rabbits have a very sensitive digestive system. Dill and the baby rabbit’s digestive system don’t sit well together. So it’s better to not feed baby rabbits any dill.
You can only feed dill to rabbits if they are over 12 weeks old. If you feed dill before that to your rabbit it can cause diarrhea for the bunnies.
The carbohydrate and sugar in the herb are too much for the baby rabbits and their digestive system. You should only give a very small amount of dill to your rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Dill Stems?
Yes! Rabbits can eat dill stems. Dill stems contain as many vitamins and minerals as the leaves. So it is safe for the rabbits to eat dill stems.
While you give the stems make sure the stems are tender and green. As the plant matures the stems will become woody. Avoid the woody stems for the rabbits as it can be harsh for their teeth.
Can Rabbits Eat Dill Flowers?
Yes, rabbits can indeed eat dill flowers. It is safe and non-toxic. When the dill plants flower, the pungent aroma, and flavor will decrease.
That’s why it’s easier for the rabbits to eat the flowers without the strong aroma bothering them.
Can Rabbits Eat Dill Seeds?
Dill seeds unlike other parts of dill are a big NO! You should only feed the green parts of the dill to your bunnies. You have to make sure you remove all the seeds from the plant before feeding to the rabbits.
Seeds can get stuck in your bunny’s throat and can be a health hazard. Dill seeds are high in carbs and fat and low in fiber.
It can increase the chances of obesity in your rabbit. The best decision is to avoid feeding seeds to your rabbit.
Can Rabbits Eat Dill Pickles?
Even though rabbits can eat dill leaves, flowers and stems, pickled dill is a no-no. Rabbits cannot eat pickled dill. It is bad for their digestive system.
When you pickle dill, there will be more ingredients in the mixture which can be bad or even toxic for the rabbits.
Check out more details: Can Rabbits Eat Pickles?
Do Rabbits Like Fresh Dill?
Yes! Rabbits who are very strict herbivores love anything fresh coming their way. Rabbits prefer fresh dill more.
Fresh dill contains a plethora of minerals and vitamins. The water content is also more in fresh dill.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Dill?
Yes, rabbits can have dried dill. But rabbits prefer the fresh dill better than the dried ones. However, the dried dill is safe for the rabbits to consume in moderation.
It has comparatively fewer nutrients than fresh nutrients. So it’s better to stick with fresh herbs.
Benefits Of Dill For Rabbits
So we know that rabbits are completely safe for rabbits. Now we will discuss the benefits of dill for the rabbits.
Dill is low in calories, high in fiber, and full of micronutrients that will boost your rabbit’s health. dill is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that make it a great dietary supplement. It is also packed with anti-inflammatory agents.
Dill is a great source of fiber. Fiber helps with bowel movement in rabbits. fiber, it avoids gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, gases, and bloating.
Dill is a rich source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps muscle development in rabbits & it helps to maintain a healthy blood system. It also acts as an antioxidant for the development of skin, bones, and tissues in rabbits.
Dill is a fine source of Vitamin K. It will help to maintain healthy bones. It helps in the smooth functioning of the immune system.
Dill also contains Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps with rabbits’ eyesight. It also aids in the development of bones in rabbits. Dill is a good supplier of beta-carotene that helps to prevent age-related blindness.
Dill is also like many other herbs and is rich in magnesium and potassium. Potassium can protect from muscle mass loss and reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. These nutrients can decrease the risk of heart diseases in rabbits.
Risk Of Feeding Dill To Rabbits
We have discussed all the benefits of feeding dill to your furry babies. But the rabbit diet is a tricky one. Along with benefits, risks also come. Let us now discuss all the risks of feeding dill to your rabbit.
Overfeeding on dill can cause kidney issues for the poor bunnies. We know by now that 100 grams of dill contain 208 mg of calcium. High levels of calcium can cause problems for the kidney.
Overfeeding on dill can result in kidney sludge and bladder stone. Kidney damage could lead to dangerous health issues in some cases.
Overfeeding on dill can cause digestive issues for your rabbit. When you overfeed ok dill it can cause diarrhea in rabbits. It can also result in gas troubles. Diarrhea for continuous 1-2 days is extremely dangerous for your rabbit. If such a situation comes up, you have to take your rabbit to the vet.
Overfeeding of dill shows signs of illness like diarrhea, lethargy, constipation, and loss of appetite are some of the symptoms. If these symptoms continue for more days then it can be fatal for your bunny’s health.
Apart from these risks, some rabbits can be allergic to dill. If your rabbit shows any allergic reaction to dill then you have to stop feeding dill immediately and visit a vet.
Also, check out Can Rabbits Eat Thyme? Is Thyme Safe For Rabbits?
How To Feed Dill To Rabbits?
When you are introducing dill to your rabbit’s diet, start slowly. You should only give a small amount of dill to your rabbit. Only when they get familiar with the herb, should you increase the amount of dill.
You have to make sure you clean the herb thoroughly to make it free from all the chemicals and pesticides if it is store-bought. Make sure you remove the dill seeds of the plants as they can choke the bunny.
When you start, give a small amount and wait for 24 hours. If they show any signs of discomfort then you should remove dill from their diet immediately. Do not try to overfeed the rabbits. Moderation is the key.
How Much Dill Can Rabbits Eat?
A rabbit can only eat a small amount of dill. Fresh herbs should only be part of their diet at 10%. So make sure it doesn’t exceed this recommended amount.
One tablespoon of fresh dill per two pounds of body weight is the standard and recommended for your rabbit. You can offer dill once or twice a week.
Can Rabbits Eat Dill every day?
No! Rabbits cannot eat dill every single day. If they overfeed on dill it can cause many health issues like diarrhea, bloating, gas troubles, and so on.
It is recommended to give them dill once or twice a week as a treat. It shouldn’t be part of their daily diet.
You must also like to read about Can Rabbits Eat Chard? All You Need To Know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rabbits drink milk?
You should not give rabbits milk to drink. Adult rabbits are lactose intolerant and milk products are bad for the rabbit’s digestive system.
Can rabbits eat rice?
Rabbits should never be fed rice, either cooked or uncooked. This is due to the lack of fiber, high starch content, and lack of nutritional value
Final Word
Phew! The confusing question is finally answered: yes rabbits can indeed have dill. It is one of the safest and healthiest herbs for rabbits. Dill consists of dietary fibers, proteins, vitamins B6, K, and E, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, calcium, etc.
There are also a few risks that you have to keep in mind. Do not overfeed rabbits with dill which can cause health issues for your little bunnies.
We have now come to the end of this article. I hope this article solved all your questions regarding feeding dill to your bunnies. For more questions comment down below!
Also, find out Can Rabbits Eat Fennel? Is It Safe For Your Rabbit?
