Veggies to avoid: HELP!

[New Bunny Mum]

I have just read the fruit and veggies list in the info section of the bink bunny site.

It says that the following may be problematic to some rabbits:

• Beet root
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Green beans
• Radish root
• Turnip root

I have been feeding pancakes quite a lot of broccoli – she goes mad for it. Her droppings seem completely normal and she seems perfectly fine in herself, but I’m worried she may be ill as a result and not showing any signs.

Do I need to worry?

[Juli]

well, honestly, i would ask a vet. it can be quite harmul. try transferring to a new veggie. son’t worry, believe me their is plenty more to try. and though overall i would just suggest you feed her less broccoli. reduce her intake of it. better to be safe then sorry. but i would highly suggest that you ask a vet first. you never know.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

No need to ask a vet Those on the “may be problematic” list are just that, to some bunnies it can cause poo-bum. If yours isn’t, then you’re fine You *might* want to reduce to offering it 4 days out of 7, that’s what I do with kale since they love it but it is high in calcium.

[kinggoblin]

It might give her gas, I do give mine brussel sprouts sometimes though, 2 or 3 a few times a week and he hasn’t had a problem.

I don’t feed mine any of the root vegetables though, I think I read somewhere not to give them. I always google vegetables before I give a new one to make sure its safe.

[RabbitPam]

I wouldn’t worry, but I would discontinue the broccoli. It’s part of the cabbage family of veggies which is tough on some bunnies and gives many of them gas. But some have no problem so it’s more a quantity issue of things that build up in their system.

Just substitute the broccoli for kale. It is also part of the same family but is harmless, again, if the bunny doesn’t get gas or runny poos. My Sammykins loves it. It also means that romaine will be a stronger tasting lettuce your bunny may like. So stick with same pellets and unlimited hay, and only introduce one new veggie (ie. substitute the kale for the broccoli) and let her get used to that next. Then try about one new veggie a week or two. If you see some problem with her poos or gas, switch to the milder greens.
Green leaf is gentle. Mint is a gentle treat green.

[New Bunny Mum]

Thanks for all of the advice – being a new mum is super stressful!

She still seems completely fine, eating and drinking normally, with no runny poos. I have switched her pellets over today to a better brand – I tried mixing the new ones in with her old pellets so to introduce them gradually, but she seems to be picking out all of the new ones and ignoring the old ones! I guess it’s good she likes them but I hope it doesn’t upset her tummy.

I haven’t fed her brocolli today, instead giving her cilantro, parsley, watercress and some lettuce (not iceberg).

Thanks for all of the help!

[longhairmike]

rule of thumb,, in you can’t stand going into grandpa’s bathroom after he eats it, then don’t give it to your bunnies…

[RabbitPam]

LOL Longhairmike. At grampa’s age, that could be bread and water….

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Mine have never had any issues with the ‘may cause trouble’ veggies-I think those are more to monitor as you introduce them, and if you have a tricky bunny who has tummy issues often, then you avoid

[littlemissflip]

Neither of my buns have had any problems (gas, discomfort, poo-butt) from broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower or brussels sprouts, but we treat those veggies as supplements to main lettuce portion of the “salad” vs. the other way around. They do get at least one of those items daily though, and they handle it fine.  We limit the amount of kale, spinach and other high-calcium greens to no more than a couple leaves/week. We avoid beans and root veggies, although we do feed him beet/radish/turnip greens when we have them on hand. 

[BinkyBunny]

Both Jack and Vivian loved broccoli and though I gave only in limited amounts, they never had problems with it. The reason that it is on the “may be problematic” is that it actually may be problematic with some rabbits. Bailey, my bunny who had a sensitive tummy, would get a very bad case of poopybutt after eating just a little broccoli. Other members have noted gas issues for their bunny. Some bunnies are much more sensitive and usually the veggies that sensitive bunnies react to are those on the “may be problematic”list So, it really is something that some bunnies may be fine with and others not so much.

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