Herbs for rabbits

I'm working on a post about natural feeding for rabbits but since I can only type when Smooshy is sleeping it is taking a bit. So here is a shorter post on my favorite rabbit herbs, these are the herbs I feed on a regular basis for general bunny health. This a short list of my favorites and I will do another soon because my experience is always growing and I'm branching (ahem) out into new territories all the time.

The amounts are not set in stone, an average sized rabbit will eat around a tablespoon of dried herb, which might be a small handful of fresh. Pay attention to the rabbit's appetite and preferences. Obviously use common sense in introducing new foods and feed herbs with a well balanced bunny diet.

This list is provided for informational purposes only. To the best of my knowledge, all the plants listed here are safe for rabbits when fed in moderation as directed

Nettles
(Urtica dioica) 
part used: leaves, dried

I love nettles and feed them to everything (including us, excellent spring green) They lose their "sting" when dried (or cooked, which is how I eat them) They are very palatable and full of vitamins and minerals.

The leaves are a wonderful source of nutrients, containing a number of essential minerals including iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium.

This year I am going to harvest lots of nettle and dry it to feed in winter.

Good for: General health, Healthy skin and fur, respiratory strengthener, digestive restorative

Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale)
part used: leaves, fresh or dried

Comfrey has been used for centuries, recently highly debated as causing liver issues. I feel when used in moderation (a leaf, occasionally) it is a useful and safe herb for rabbits. It is one of the rare plants that contains the vitamin B12 and also rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium and germanium.

Good for: digestive aid, healing, bone formation, ill bunnies, stressed and weak bunnies. First herb I reach for when a rabbit has a gut imbalance.

Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
 Part used: leaves, fresh or dried (do not feed wilted leaves as they can cause bloat)

Everyone knows dandelion but many don't know how wonderful it is for you and your animals,  it's an exceptionally nutritious food and bunnies love it! Dandelion is loaded with nutrients including substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.

Good for: Blood purifying, respiratory ailments, anti-inflammatory, bladder infections, diarrhea, milk flow of nursing does

Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa)
Part used : leaf and stem

I debated including alfalfa since many rabbits get alfalfa based commercial rabbit pellets but as a fresh herb alfalfa is good stuff. Alfalfa is naturally high in many essential vitamins and minerals, including A, D, E, K, and even the full family of B vitamins; biotin, calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, potassium and many others, as well as being very high in protein, especially when dried

Good for: very good at detoxifying, balancing hormones, increases immune system functionality.

If you are harvesting your own, make sure you know how to correctly identify the plants.

The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette de Baïracli Levy is a good book, no info per se on rabbits but I feed them similar to my horses, some of the info is outdated but an interesting read.

A good place to buy dried herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs