Can Rabbits Eat Kale?

Trying to provide plenty of variety to your rabbit’s diet is an important part of keeping your rabbit happy and healthy, and one of the best ways to do this is to provide them with lots of green leafy vegetables!

These vegetables make up a large portion of a rabbit’s diet, and therefore make an excellent inclusion in their day-to-day feeding.

However, it is important to note that not all leafy green vegetables are suitable for rabbits and that you shouldn’t be feeding them these vegetables constantly.

So, if you want to know whether it’s safe for your rabbit to eat kale, then read on further as we explore what is best for your rabbit! 

So, Can Rabbits Eat Kale?

The answer is, yes rabbits can eat kale! This deep dark leafy green that comes from the brassica family is a treat for your rabbit, and it’s not at all uncommon to see them eating it in the wild either!

However, kale is not something that a rabbit can eat a lot of, or on a regular basis, and so you should research how much kale your rabbit should be eating based on their weight and size.

Too much kale for a rabbit can cause them to suffer stomach issues. 

The main stomach issue that your rabbit would suffer from is actually flatulence, which surprisingly can be very harmful to your rabbit, even deadly!

This is because rabbits don’t actually have any way for them to pass gas, so an extreme buildup as a result of eating the wrong thing can ultimately prevent their stomachs from functioning as they should. 

Benefits Of Kale For Rabbits

Just like other members of the brassica genus (Which include things like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) kale is really rich in nutrients, whilst also containing a lot of sulphurous compounds, which is what causes them to smell particularly pungent when cooking them! 

Kale is especially packed with a load of vitamins and minerals, although the high amounts of calcium found in kale is another reason as to why too much kale is bad for rabbits.

So as long as you moderate the amount of kale your rabbit eats, then your bunny will be able to reap the reward of this delicious leafy veg, including better protection of its organ health and its immune system! 

Feeding Kale To Your Rabbit

Not much preparation is needed for you to be able to feed kale to your rabbit!

All you need to do is simply wash the kale to ensure that you remove any dirt or sediment that may have built up on the leaves, and then you’re done!

You shouldn’t try to cook the kale before you give it to your rabbit, as not only will your rabbit likely not eat it, but it will also reduce the number of vitamins and minerals found inside.

You also try to buy organic kale, as it will ensure that there are no harmful pesticides or waxes present on the kale that will possibly upset your rabbit’s stomach. 

How Much Kale Should I Feed My Rabbit?

One of the most important things to do when attempting to feed your rabbit kale, is not to feed them any member of the brassica genus on consecutive days.

This includes things such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli, and doing so can lead to that nasty amount of flatulence we mentioned earlier on.

By allowing there to be gap days between the time they eat these leafy greens, it gives your rabbit’s stomach enough time to digest and process everything properly. 

As with any item of food for your rabbit, you should introduce them to it incredibly slowly, even starting as small as one kale leaf per day for larger rabbits, and half a leaf for smaller rabbits.

Then you need to keep an eye on their behavior, whether they’re pooping as they normally do, particularly loose stools, or any sign of flatulence causing them distress.

If any of these side effects occur, then you should stop feeding them kale immediately.

What Kale Is Best For My Rabbit?

It can also be rather confusing what type of kale is best for your rabbit, especially because sometimes the range of kale in your local grocery store can be incredibly vast!

But whether you’re choosing curly kale, Lacinto kale, or even dino kale, all of these varieties have incredibly similar amounts of nutrients, so ultimately it all comes down to what your rabbit prefers to eat most!

So long as you introduce this kale incredibly slowly to your rabbit, and keep an eye on their digestive habits, then you should have a very little issue getting your rabbit to eat kale! 

What Should Else Should I Feed My Rabbit?

Alongside an arrangement of leafy green vegetables, rabbits should have an unlimited amount of fresh hay on a daily basis, as they’re grazing animals.

Furthermore, they should also be eating a small number of pellets too.

These three combined will ensure that your rabbit is getting all the nutrients they need in order to be healthy, and will help prolong their life!

If you ever have any doubts or concerns about your rabbit’s diet then you should get in touch with your local vet, you will be able to inform you of what your rabbit needs or help pass you on to a specialized nutritionist.

The Verdict: Kale And Rabbits

So, to summarize, kale is a great addition to your rabbit’s diet in moderation and will help to make up one part of their diet.

This leafy vegetable is great for helping your rabbit’s overall health and their immune system as a result of the high amounts of Vitamin A that it contains.

Just remember to introduce it to your rabbit slowly, and to stop if it is upsetting your rabbit’s stomach or affecting their digestion!