Fresh plants are important for your rabbit’s health. They provide your rabbit all necessary nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Also, fresh plants make the diet of your rabbit more interesting because they provide your rabbit different flavors. There are many vegetables, fruits (see our article on watermelons and rabbits) and herbs that your rabbit can eat. Some of these plants can be eaten daily, while others should be eaten only once in a while. But, you should know that rabbits don’t tolerate sudden changes in their diet. A sudden introduction of large amounts of new foods will unbalance digestion of rabbits and make them ill.
So, it is important to introduce new foods slowly and to watch the reactions of your rabbit. Before feeding your rabbit have in mind that you are the only responsible for his health.
In this article we will talk about swede as a part of a rabbit’s diet. Can we give swede to our rabbits or it is harmful to them? Read on this article and you will find out.
More about Swede
Swede is a vegetable that is very similar to the turnip. This vegetable is also known as rutabaga and in Scotland it is called ”neeps”. Although swede is similar to the turnip, it has less water in its structure. It is purplish on the outside and its white or yellow flesh is very sweet and tasty.
The swede can be eaten raw in salads, but it can also be cooked the same way as other root vegetables. This vegetable is rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre and it has many health benefits for people. It is especially rich in vitamin C and it helps in boosting our immune system. But, what about rabbits? Can they also eat this vegetable?
Is Swede Safe for Rabbits?
If you are a rabbit owner and if you are wondering whether swede is safe for your rabbit or not, this article will be useful for you. If your rabbit has already eaten a certain amount of swede, don’t panic please! Nothing bad will happen to your rabbit.
Fortunately, swede is one of the vegetables that are safe for rabbits. It is on the list of the vegetables that rabbits can eat as a part of their balanced diet.
Which Amount of Swede Should be Given to Rabbits?
The exact amount of swede that you should give to your rabbit depends on the rabbit and his individual limits, but you should never overfeed your rabbit. A small amount of this vegetable once or twice a week is enough for your rabbit. If your rabbit really enjoys this food and if there are no side effects, you can feed him swede three or four times a week, but don’t do that every day. You might want to include bits of cucumber every now and then.
Remember that swede is pretty high in sugar, so larger amounts of swede can lead to many health problems with your bunny. The most frequent health issue is stomach upset. Large amounts of swede can lead to bloating, diarrhea, vomiting and other problems in the gastrointestinal tract of your rabbit.
Summary
As you should know by now, swede is safe for rabbits and they can eat this vegetable, but only as an occasional treat. Never forget that fresh hay, grass and water are the main parts of a rabbit’s diet.
All other foods should be fed to rabbits sparingly, in order to avoid any health issues. You should know that rabbits, like humans, are intolerant to certain foods. So it is best to feed your rabbit swede and other vegetables in moderation, in order to provide him healthy, happy and long life.
