Popeye ate spinach, and he was super strong as a result of eating this green vegetable. As kids, we all hated spinach, and our parents would come up with all kinds of creative ideas to make us eat them. As adults, while some of us still dislike spinach, me being one such person, many others have “seen the light” and find spinach rather tasty. Well, I don’t know about tasty, but it’s definitely one of the healthiest veggies out there. So, if spinach is so good for us humans, how is it for our pets? Can rabbits eat spinach safely? Is spinach good for rabbits, or is it fattening, like fruits? The answer is yes! Rabbits can eat spinach, it contains a lot of nutrients, and counts as a healthy veggie in smallish quantities. Keep reading and let’s discuss those last bits more in detail
Is spinach healthy for rabbits? The answer’s somewhere in between yes and no, so I’d say it depends on the quantity of spinach you give your pet. Spinach is loaded with nutrients, but the problem is that it also has a high level of oxalic acid. What the acid does is, it binds nutrients to itself, so your bun’s digestive system can’t separate and digest them. In other words, your pet can’t make the most of the vegetable. Another potential harmful effect of spinach is that its calcium content can cause bladder stones. Ouch. So all in all, while spinach’s still a safe leafy green packed with nutrients, you need to mind the quantity you give to your bun. Just don’t give them too much and they should be okay. If you eat spinach and want to share some, that’s perfectly fine
How to feed your rabbit spinach
If your rabbit’s never eaten spinach before, give them a couple small leaves first, to allow their digestive system to adjust to it. If bunnies are given a large amount of a new food at their first go, their digestive system may have trouble adjusting, because of which they may have stomach problems such as diarrhea. Baby rabbits, under two months old, shouldn’t be given spinach at all. Stick to mama rabbit’s milk and hay. See our article what do rabbits eat? for more information about that subject. Now, before you give the leaves to your rabbit, make sure they’re thoroughly washed and clean. Washing and soaking will get rid of dirt and other contaminants. If you see any pest damage, check to make sure there aren’t any insects still on the leaves. If there are, discard the leaves immediately, you could compost them! Try to buy organic produce, so you don’t have to worry about chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which may harm your bunny. Spinach is surprisingly easy to grow from seed, so if you have a garden, you can try growing some there for your pet. Cut off mature leaves every now and then, wash thoroughly, and feed to your furry little bunny
Are spinach stems safe for rabbits? What about the roots?
The stems are another yes! Spinach stems are actually healthier than the leaves, because they’re higher in fiber. So if you find them tough or don’t like them in general, you can cut them off before cooking and give them to your rabbit instead of letting them go to waste. Mind that you give your rabbit uncooked spinach, however. Cooked, canned or frozen food isn’t good for rabbits, and can cause serious digestive problems. The roots are technically safe, but since they can’t be peeled, unlike carrots and such, and contain high amounts of sugar, we advise against giving them to your rabbit. In the wild, bunnies don’t run around digging up and eat roots, so they aren’t a natural part of their diet. They may make your rabbit sick, so it’s best to not take any chances. If you’ve grown some spinach plants, you can actually leave the roots in, they’ll decompose over time and add nutrients to the soil
Conclusion: Spinach is safe for rabbits, but not in large quantities. Spinach stems are high in fiber, but they should also be given in moderation. Spinach roots should be avoided entirely. Be sure to check out the rest of the site for more safe rabbit foods
Remember to contact your local veterinarian or rabbit breeder if you have questions or concerns regarding your rabbits diet or general health. There are also online veterinarians that you can ask questions about your pets for free, like for example on the mainpage of the site PetCoach. You can also find others by Googling search terms like online veterinarian and ask a veterinarian
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