Rabbits seem to love everything green. And we mean really love it, not like the time you tried to convince yourself that you were enjoying your salad and green smoothie diet and secretly noshing on fast food when no one was looking. But does that love extend to all things green. Does it include cilantro, also known as coriander?
It’s a question we have been asked by many bunny owners and one that we have pondered ourselves several times. So, can rabbits eat cilantro or is this it too pungent and even too toxic for their little stomaches to take?
Let’s fine out.
Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?
The short answer is yes, but as you might have predicted, it is not quite that straightforward. Simply put, while rabbits can subsist on a diet that is rich in greenery (in the wild anyway, but as discussed on our rabbit diet page, you should not let them eat too much fruit and veg) herbs should be kept to a minimum.
The issue is not that it is overly pungent, as you might have thought. They don’t have the same tastebuds as us, which makes sense when you take into account their insane love of lettuce (because you need to stop lying to yourself, lettuce is nasty). It’s down to the nutrient content and the fact that it doesn’t quite contain the levels of nutrients that a bunny needs. In fact, it goes over the top and that can cause a disturbance.
They need lots and lots of fiber. It should make up the bulk of their diet, which is why hay is the main food that your bunny needs. When you start adding things like vegetables and herbs to the mix then you are overloading them and upsetting the balance.
Will My Rabbit Eat Coriander?
They may not even eat it, preferring something that is crisper and has more moisture, but if they do then you should make sure they only get a small amount.
But if they do, just make sure they don’t eat much. In fact, there is really no need to give them any. There are many better things and healthier things, including things they will enjoy more. Because cilantro is not something your bunny will go mad for, even if they do eat it. Lettuce, cabbage, spinach—all of these things they will enjoy and all of them will upset the balance just like cilantro. So, if you’re going to spoil them then at least try to do it with something they will enjoy.
What About Other Herbs?
Herbs are vastly different in nutritious value, containing a host of minerals that may or may not upset your bunny’s digestive system. The reason they have such a strong flavor is because they are loaded with nutrients, with each profile different from the next.
It’s therefore difficult to put them all under the same umbrella and as usual we have split them up into separate pages. So take a look at the menus above or use the search function to look for a specific herb and to see whether it is safe or not for your rabbit to eat.