Diet and food are one of the most important factors in taking care of your pet. Thus it is extremely vital and important that if you are a pet owner, then you must have a basic grasp of the different dietary requirements of your pet and the nutritional value that it provides to your pets. You must also be aware of the different food which can be potentially harmful or cause health issues to the pet so that you can avoid those types of food. Having a pet is a big responsibility and hence you must ensure that you take complete care of the pet from the diet to the grooming and provide the right environment for your pet to grow and thrive.
What should you know about the diet for rabbits?
The right type of nutrition provided to the pet will ensure that your pet remains cheerful, happy, and satisfied. Similarly, the rabbit requires all the essential ingredients and complete nutrition for it to be fully healthy as well as exhibit healthy growth. The primary diet of rabbits should consist of commercial seeds mixture, fresh hay, multiple herbs as well as vegetables like carrots, basil, parsley, dandelion flowers and leaves, broccoli leaves, green wheat, chard, and lettuce. Hay forms the core component of a standard and ideal rabbit diet and thus you must ensure that you provide your rabbit with ample Hay right from the start as it forms a vital part of digestion for the rabbit. You must also ensure that the rabbit gets fresh and clean water regularly. This is a simple tip but a lot of pet owners tend to ignore this which in turn can potentially cause health issues.
The rabbits are also known to love raw fruits and these raw fruits tend to be good for their health. The pears, bananas, and apples are great and it is recommended that you must feed these fruits to the rabbit. Besides this, you can also choose to give them Oranges, Pineapples, Peaches, Blueberries, Plums, and similar other fruits. Here one important thing to note is that all the raw fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly and dried accordingly before you serve them to the rabbits.
Understanding the mint in detail
The mint, which is also called the menthe, comes from the mint family of Lamiaceae. The mint is basically a perennial herb that is typically aromatic and they are generally used in making syrups, beverages, teas, and in some cases even ice creams. The mint is also used in the making of multiple dishes, especially in British and American cuisines. The primary substances or ingredients that lend the mint its characteristic typical aroma, as well as flavor, are pulegone and menthol.
Traditionally the mint is also used in cosmetics as well as medicines. The mint is used as a form of medicinal herb which is usually used in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues, stomach ache, chest pain, and other similarly related health issues. Owing to its essential oil, the mint is often used as an ingredient or component in body lotions, cosmetic products, and perfumes. The essential oil of the mint is also used in aromatherapy. As we have seen from the above examples the mint is a form of medicine and it has various medical benefits as well as advantages. However one of the important questions that many of the rabbit owners might ask is whether the mint is safe to eat for the rabbits and if it has any nutritional value for the furry pet? Well, let us have a look.
Can you feed mint to the rabbits?
The mint is generally safe for consumption for the rabbits and so if your rabbit has eaten a moderate amount of mint then you have no reason or cause for concern. The mint is one of the herbs that are generally safe for consumption for pets, and especially rabbits. All the different types and varieties of mints are safe for consumption for the rabbits except for pennyroyal. The fresh mint generally consists of minerals and vitamins which are essential for the rabbits in terms of their dietary as well as nutritional requirements. This form of the herb is on the list of the leafy greens that consist of low oxalic acid and thus they are safe to be given to the rabbits. The mint therefore can be considered as a healthy form of snack for the rabbits and something that they can eat safely.
Menthol which is one of the ingredients in the mint helps in relaxing the walls of the gastrointestinal tract in people as well as animals. Thus the mint provides excellent medicinal value besides being good on nutritional benefits. The rabbits are known to have a unique digestive system and if you feed too much of the mint to them then it could potentially have some side effects or negative impact on them. For instance, the excessive intake of mint can cause vomiting or diarrhea amongst the rabbits. Anything that is fed in excessive quantity has the potential of harming the recipient and thus moderation is always recommended when you are feeding your pets such as the rabbit.
Summary
You can choose to mix the mint with some of the other herbs as well thus forming a unique combination of multiple herbs. However here it is important to note that the rabbit should exhibit a fondness for combined herbs that you are serving else it is pointless giving it to the rabbits. It is also important to note that the mint is not supposed to be an alternative to the main primary diet, which consists of timothy hay, rabbit pellets, and freshwater. The mint can be served as an added treat occasionally in moderate or small quantities. At the end of the day, you as a pet owner are responsible for the diet of the rabbit and thus you must ensure that the rabbit is fed the most healthy food available.