Bok choy came from a family of cabbage. It has names like pak choi, Chinese cabbage, field mustard, and turnip rape.
Chinese cabbages are leafy greens vegetables that are usually used in Asian vegetable dishes. Bok choy is also grown as a fodder crop or animal food. Given these facts, it’s natural to ask can rabbits eat bok choy? Is it safe for them?
Let’s find out the answers and more about the menu diet rabbits can eat and the benefits of eating bok choy.
Can rabbits have Chinese cabbage?
Rabbits can safely eat Chinese cabbage. Bok choy is recommended for rabbits because it contains minerals and dietary fibers. Rabbits can also eat cabbage of other varieties.
Health advantages of eating bok choy
Like many leafy greens, bok choy comes with many minerals and vitamins. Here is the nutritional value that rabbits derive from Chinese cabbage.
Bok choy contains vitamins.
Aside from minerals, bok choy is rich in vitamins. Your rabbit will get powered by this leafy green for sure.
Bok choy contains calcium.
When rabbits have bok choy, they improve their bone and dental health. Bok choy contains trace amounts of calcium. It keeps the teeth and bones healthy.
However, rabbits can have kidney stones from consuming high amounts of calcium. Luckily, bok choy does not have excessive calcium content.
Bok choy contains antioxidants.
Antioxidants help repair and maintain body cells and prevent the formation and growth of cancer cells.
Bok choy contains few calories.
A high-calorie diet can cause several health problems in a rabbit’s body. Bok choy is a perfect veggie meal for them. It has fewer calories but high amounts of other nutrients.
Feeding bok choy to a rabbit
How much can they eat?
Rabbits should eat five or six different leafy greens per meal. Average-sized adult rabbits can eat 2 cups of veggies. You can mix pak choi with the regular veggies you are giving your rabbit pet.
Can you give the core and stems of bok choy to rabbits?
Yes. Generally, most rabbits do not have a problem eating the stems and core. They can munch on them easily like most non-leafy veggies. In contrast to the leaves of the bok choy, the branches and body provide the same nutrients but higher water contents.
Some bunnies who have sensitive stomachs can develop adverse effects. The stems and core can cause gas. If you do not wish to risk this, you can remove the stems before feeding them to your bunny.
Reminders before your rabbit eat bok choy
There are a lot of choices when it comes to feeding your rabbit. But giving your rabbit the diet can be tricky.
Can rabbits eat pak choi without encountering any problem at all?
Well, not all rabbits are the same. Some rabbits have a higher tolerance for new foods (be it pellets, non-leafy, or leafy vegetables) and will not exhibit any adverse effects, while other rabbits will.
Ponder on these before you incorporate bok choy into your rabbit’s diet.
Washing removes chemicals.
Before giving leafy greens and other vegetables (even fruits) to your bunnies, you must wash them. It removes the chemicals and other insects from the leaves and skin that may cause stomach problems and allergic reactions.
If you want to take an extra step, you can also soak them for a few minutes in a mixture of vinegar and salt to kill. But remember to rinse them to remove the salt and prevent other health problems. It is crucial in taking proper care of your rabbit.
Give small amounts first.
Whenever you introduce new foods to your rabbit, the rule is to start small and gradually increase the amount. Giving your rabbit a small portion will allow you to check for any adverse effects in the next hours.
Feed your bunnies a small leaf first because the stem can sometimes cause tummy upset. Your bunny may experience stomach gas. If you notice any sign of tummy issues like diarrhea, gas, or constipation, do not continue to give it to your rabbit pet. If diarrhea worsens or persists for several days, you need to visit the vet. In extreme cases, diarrhea can cause dehydration and lead to death.
Do not cook bok choy.
Cooking this vegetable negates some of the advantages it brings to your rabbits. Fresh and raw bok choy is the best way to go. It provides the complex fibers that bunnies need to keep the digestive system working perfectly.
Cooking eliminates many of the minerals and fiber in this vegetable. Cooking veggies into a soup will deprive your rabbit of the optimum nutritional value it contains.
What are other foods that rabbits can eat?
Here are types of foods that should be included in the daily diet of a rabbit to ensure that it is healthy and rich in fiber.
Daily fresh food
Fresh food comprises at most a quarter of the daily meal of a rabbit. They give a variety of micronutrients that can help in growth and development.
Feed your rabbits an assortment of fresh foods like fruits and vegetables. Some of the fresh fruit and vegetable that rabbits eat the following:
- kale
- turnip greens
- spring greens
- cabbage
- collard greens
- carrots
- celery
- apples
- bananas
- Brussel sprouts
Mandatory hay or grass
Medical posts insist that hay should take up the biggest bulk of a rabbit’s meal. The complex fiber in the hay keeps the digestive system running smoothly.
Timothy hay is preferable but other types of grass, like premium sweetgrass, can do.
Rabbit feed
Rabbit feed gives your pet an assortment of nutrients. Although fresh food is advisable, feeding them rabbit feed will ensure that they get the most nutrition.
Final thoughts
Diet is a vital part of taking proper care of your rabbit. Yes, Chinese cabbage is safe for bunnies to eat, and it also contains an excellent nutritional value.
The best way to introduce this vegetable to your rabbit pet is by mixing it with other greens, hay, and pellets. A mixed diet provides a balance in fiber, minerals, and other essential nutrients for your bunnies.
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