Can rabbits eat rocket

Answer 1

This question is about the plant Eruca sativa, also known as arugula or rocket.

Yes, rabbits can eat rocket. Rocket is a healthy food for rabbits and many people include it in the rotation of daily "salad" greens.

However, rocket is also a cruciferous vegetable, which means it leads to gas, so it should be given to rabbits with caution. Some rabbits are fine with cruciferous vegetables in moderation; other rabbits are very sensitive to them, and in that case they shouldn't eat any rocket or hardly any at all.

Gas can be very serious in rabbits, leading to GI stasis (a deadly illness, if not treated by a vet quickly). If you have a rabbit, you should learn about the signs of gas and the first aid treatment (a mild case of gas can be treated at home and then you don't need to go to the vet; but, if the gas doesn't go away, then you do need to go to the vet).

Signs of Gas

• Tooth grinding (different from the gentle tooth purring of a happy bunny)
• Glazed eyes
• Unusual body posture - either sitting all crunched up, or pressing the belly flat against a hard surface
• Depression - no interest in playing or saying hello; may be hiding
• Loss of appetite - not even interested in a favourite treat
• Bloated belly

Treatment for Gas

• Belly rub - rub the stomach gently but firmly and deeply; if the rabbit pulls away or struggles, let him go but try again later; try moving fingers in concentric circles toward the end of the rabbit (the anus), or in ripple motion
• Baby simethicone (liquid suspension) - the usual dosage is 20mg administered once every hour for the first three hours, and then once every eight hours thereafter. A large rabbit might require a bigger dose. Beforehand, you have to figure out the mg:mL ratio in your bottle of simethicone, because this ratio isn't standard across different brands. Note that a CC and a mL is the same measurement.
• If the rabbit doesn't recover within a few hours, bring it to the vet

See the related questions below for more help.

Answer 2

Yes, rabbits can eat rocket (also known as arugula) in moderation. It is a safe and nutritious leafy green for rabbits to enjoy as part of a balanced diet. However, it's important to introduce new foods gradually to prevent digestive issues.

Answer 3

Absolutely - they're high in iron, which is beneficial to bones.