Chives are a great way to elevate any meal.
You can sprinkle the herb over soups, sauces, sandwiches or almost any kind of meal to give it an extra flavour that is sure to make your dinner even more delicious.
If you have some chives left over, you may be tempted to feed them to your pet rabbit.
After all, rabbits love all things green right? But can rabbits eat chives? – Let’s take a closer look.
The Diet Of A Rabbit
Before we look at whether rabbits should eat chives, it’s important to thoroughly understand what your rabbit should be consuming.
Rabbits have been our pets for thousands of years, with the first domesticated bunnies thought to have been in France in 600 A.D.
In the intervening centuries they’ve become extremely popular domestic pets, and, as a result, we’ve become very good at understanding their diet.
Rabbits are herbivores, meaning their diet is predominantly plant-based, and the domestic pets’ diet isn’t too dissimilar to what they would consume in the wild.
You should be providing the following for your pet rabbit:
Hay
Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet and should make up more than 75% of what it consumes on a day-to-day basis. While you’d be forgiven for assuming that hay simply provides a rabbit with a comfy place to sleep and relax, it’s also essential when it comes to keeping a bunny happy and healthy.
This is because hay provides necessary fibre, prevents its teeth from overgrowing and aids with digestion. With this in mind, it’s crucial your rabbit has access to unlimited amounts of hay that should be freshly changed at least once a week.
Vegetables
You won’t be surprised to learn that rabbits are also keen vegetable eaters. While pop culture has taught us that they love carrots, the list of veggies they enjoy also extends to the likes of peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, mangetout and much more.
Pellets
Rabbits can also be fed dry pellets on a daily basis. However, this should be done in moderation and not as a replacement for hay which is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet. Around ⅛ to ¼ a cup per day is suitable but you can adapt this depending on your pet’s size, age and preferences.
Most pet shops sell commercial rabbit pellets which are formulated to provide your bunny with the nutrients it needs.
Water
Another extremely important aspect of any rabbit’s diet is water. In order to ensure your pet remains properly hydrated, a fresh supply of clean water should be provided each day.
We also have a number of informative blogs on the rabbits’ section of our website which will help you understand what you should and shouldn’t be feeding your pet.
Can Rabbits Eat Chives?
Now we’ve outlined the proper diet that a pet rabbit should have, let’s look at the question in hand, can rabbits eat chives?
The answer is no, you should never feed your rabbits chives.
This is because chives are a part of the onion family, a group that should always be avoided when it comes to feeding a rabbit. This kind of food can be extremely toxic and poisonous to your furry friend, leaving them with a whole host of health problems if consumed in large quantities.
Other foods in this category that should be avoided include onions, spring onions, garlic and shallots.
The Risks Of Feeding Rabbits Chives
If your rabbit has consumed a small amount of chives, it’s unlikely to do a great deal of harm.
However, it’s important to understand the risks chives pose to rabbits, and the reasons why they should be avoided.
Chives are Acidic
Chives are very acidic, and have a pH level of 5.75. This means they can easily upset your rabbit’s stomach and trigger digestive disorders. Plus, the acidic nature of the herb means that it can also be harmful to the mouth, and cause infections to appear.
Calcium Considerations
Rabbits do not absorb calcium well, and eating lots of chives can cause them to develop nasty calcifications in their kidneys, bladder and urethra. This can then lead to a whole host of other conditions including urine problems.
Sulfur can be Hard on Digestion
Chives contain sulfur, a chemical element that can be hard on the digestive systems of your little bunny. It’s important to note that rabbits have weak stomachs that are much more sensitive than other pets (like dogs) and this makes it easier for digestive problems to develop.
Furthermore, if your pet rabbit develops a stomach or digestive problem, it may be put off its food leading to weight issues like anorexia.
Signs of Toxicity
Fortunately, due to their dislike of them, it’s actually quite unlikely your rabbit will even consider eating chives.
However, every bunny is different and if you know yours has consumed some you should keep your eyes peeled for any signs of toxicity.
This can include the following:
- Acting fatigued or sleeping for longer than usual
- A loss of appetite
- Grinding their teeth- this could indicate mouth irritation
- A change in urine colour
- Diarrhoea
If you notice any of these symptoms in your rabbit, or any unexpected changes that are concerning you, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
What Herbs Can My Rabbit Eat?
Now you know to forgo chives, you may be wondering whether rabbits can eat any kind of herbs at all.
Well, the good news is that it’s safe to feed most herbs to bunnies as long as it’s in moderation.
In fact, the list of herbs that you can safely feed a rabbit is rather extensive and includes the following:
- Basil
- Coriander
- Dill
- Fennel
- Lavender
- Mint
- Mustard
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Watercress
While all of the above are relatively harmless when it comes to feeding your pet rabbit, it should always be done in moderation. A small number of herbs alongside any leafy vegetables you’re feeding your bunny is probably a good way to start introducing herbs into your rabbit’s diet.
If you’re unsure or notice any ill effects in your pet as a consequence of eating herbs, contact your vet immediately.
