Oregano is one of the staple foods in our pantry. Oregano is one herb that everybody loves. And it’s only common that we might give a bite of it to our furry babies roaming around our homes. Well, it’s a green leaf; what could go wrong with feeding oregano to herbivores?
It’s very important to know whether it is safe to feed oregano to our rabbits before letting them take a bite out of your food. So let’s see…
Can rabbits eat oregano? YES. Oregano can be eaten by rabbits. It is safe for rabbits to consume. The only point you have to keep in mind is that you should only feed oregano in moderation to your furry friends.
Do you know what the nutritional benefits of oregano are? Did you know if eaten in excess it can cause health problems in rabbits? Hey Hey, Don’t panic! We will discuss all oregano and rabbits in this article. Just keep reading!
Let’s hop straight in!
Is Oregano Safe For Rabbits?
Oregano is categorized as Herb related to the Mint Family. Oregano is botanically classified as Origanum Vulgare. Oregano is popular as a culinary and medical herb worldwide. Oregano also has a strong smell and flavor.
Now let’s address the question: Is oregano safe for rabbits? Yes, it’s one of the safest herbs for rabbits to feed on. You can add safely limited Oregano to a rabbit’s diet. Oregano is rich in nutrition that is good for rabbits’ health.
Oregano is a good source of iron. These herbs are rich in Vitamin K, antioxidants, fiber, and calcium. These herbs contain no cholesterol and help to control blood cholesterol levels. Thymol is one of the antibacterial compounds rich in Oregano.
Oregano has a bunch of great health benefits for rabbits. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory for rabbits. It improves digestion in rabbits and even boosts the rabbits’ brain function.
You have to make sure that you are feeding oregano in moderation. Only a limited amount of oregano is good for rabbits.
You should know that hay and water should be the majority of their diet and not the herbs. Herbs should only constitute about 5% of their diet.
Nutritional Value Of Oregano
Let’s see what all nutrients are in 100 grams of oregano…
- Total Fat 4.3 g
- Saturated fat 1.6 g
- Polyunsaturated fat 1.4 g
- Monounsaturated fat 0.7 g
- Trans fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 25 mg
- Potassium 1,260 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 69 g
- Dietary fiber 42 g
- Sugar 4.1 g
- Protein 9 g
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Calcium 159%
- Iron 204%
- Vitamin D 0%
- Vitamin B-6 50%
- Vitamin B-12 0%
- Magnesium 67%
Can Rabbits Eat Oregano Flowers?
Another interesting fact about oregano is that it is a flowering plant. Oregano flowers are beautiful lavender colored. It is edible and safe for rabbits to eat.
They can eat the flowers in a limited amount. You have to make sure that the flowers are all cleaned and dried before offering them to the rabbits.
Can Bunnies Have Dried Oregano?
Oreganos is a healthy herb for rabbits in its raw form. But dried herbs aren’t the best friends of rabbits. Always try to feed fresh oregano to your bunnies.
Once the oregano is dried it will lose all its nutrients.
So try to avoid feeding dried oregano to rabbits. They are not suitable food for rabbits’ health.
Benefits Of Oregano For Rabbits
Oregano is one of the safest and healthiest herbs for rabbits. It’s a win-win when you find a tray that is both safe and healthy for your rabbits, right..? So let’s discuss the health benefits of oregano for your rabbits.
Oregano has many essential nutrients and health benefits for rabbits. It contains dietary fibers, proteins, vitamins B6, K, and E, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, calcium, etc.
Oregano can add an extra fiber amount to your rabbit’s diet. Because of the high dietary fiber, it avoids gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, gases, and bloating.
Another important nutrient in oregano is Vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts rabbits’ health. Vitamin C helps muscle development in rabbits & it helps to maintain a healthy blood system.
It also acts as an antioxidant. It helps in the maintenance of the skin, bones, and tissues of rabbits. It is essential as deficiency of vitamin C can cause scurvy.
Oregano is an abundant source of Vitamin K. It will help to maintain healthy bones. It increases the efficiency of the immune systems in rabbits. Oregano provides vitamin E. Vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant in the rabbit’s body.
Oregano also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Oregano helps your rabbits from illnesses. It will also aid in their digestive system. Oregano helps in proper bowel movement as well.
So this is your clear-cut sign to chop up some oregano and feed it to your bunny!
Can Rabbits Eat Oregano Every Day?
As oregano is a safe herb, there’s nothing wrong with giving oregano every day to your rabbit.
However, you have to know that it’s a herb and it is not recommended for a herb to be part of a rabbit’s daily diet.
You have to make sure that you feed only 5% of oregano to your rabbit since it’s a herb.
How Much Oregano Can A Rabbit Eat?
The amount of oregano you should feed your rabbits depends on your rabbit’s current weight and age. Let’s see how much your rabbit can eat depending upon their weight.
- Small breed (1.1–3.5 pounds): <128 grams of oregano
- Medium breed (6 to 10 pounds): 384-640 grams
- Large breed ( 9 and 12 pounds): 384-760 grams
You can start to feed your rabbits oregano after 12 weeks. Make sure you introduce oregano to your bunnies’ diet gradually.
Once they get used to it, you can increase the amount. If they refuse to eat it then do not force them and try another alternative instead.
When Should You Not Feed Oregano To Rabbits?
You should not feed oregano to your rabbits if they show any signs or symptoms of digestive issues. In such cases, you have to make sure you don’t feed them oregano or any other herb.
If you see any distress in your bunny, then make sure you take your rabbit to the vet immediately.
Risk Of Overfeeding Oregano To Rabbits
Even though oregano is a great healthy choice of herb for your furry friend, it can also cause some health issues. No need to worry, they will only affect your bunny’s health if you overfeed it to them. You have to make sure you stick to moderation while feeding oregano to your rabbit.
Overfeeding of oregano can cause Gastrointestinal Stasis. Hay should be a major part of their diet. And instead of hay, you overfeed oregano, which can cause a huge decrease in the fiber amount in their body.
Diarrhea is also possible if you overfeed oregano to your rabbits. Always introduce any new diet to your rabbits slowly. Soft uneaten cecotropes are also possible when rabbits are eating large amounts of oregano.
Healthy Alternatives To Oregano
However oregano is a safe treatment for rabbits, you should still try and mix other herbs or veggies into their diet.
These are some super healthy alternatives that you try in the place of oregano the next time you are feeding your bunny:
- Spinach
- Celery
- Green peppers
- Mint
- Alfalfa, radish & Clover sprouts
- Beet greens (tops)
- Parsley
- Peapods (the flat edible kind)
- Peppermint leaves
- Bok choy
- Escarole
- Clover
- Carrot & carrot tops
- Radicchio
- Raspberry leaves
- Wheatgrass
- Watercress
- Cilantro
- Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rabbits eat oregano stems?
Yes, oregano stems can be eaten by rabbits. Make sure you wash them first because some rabbits don’t like it when their food has any other smell.
Is it OK to feed Rosemary to rabbits?
Rosemary is a very safe herb to feed your bunny, but it is best to feed this herb in moderation at first, as too much could cause diarrhea. Some rabbits will not eat rosemary due to the strong smell.
Final Word
So finally we have the answer to the question: Can rabbits eat oregano? You might be relieved to know that rabbits can indeed eat it safely. Oregano also possesses various health benefits for your bunny. So don’t forget to quickly add it to your bunny’s diet list.
But you have to also note that overfeeding can cause serious health issues in your bunnies. So always stick to the recommended amount based on your bunny’s age and weight.
I hope this article solved all your questions about feeding oregano to your rabbits. For more questions comment down below!