The crispy and nutritious celery seems to be a perfect meal option for rabbits. However, can rabbits eat celery, and if yes, how often and how much can they have it? Find out the benefits, risks, and safe serving portion of celery to bunnies.
What can rabbits gain from eating celery?
Can rabbits have celery? Yes, celery can be added to their diet, as it is a nutritious and safe vegetable for them. Below are some of the many health benefits of celery for rabbits:
- Chock-full of Vitamins and Minerals
A wide range of nutrients can be found in celery. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. Several minerals are also found in celery, including calcium, choline, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.
Every single one of these nutrients is essential to your rabbit’s overall health.
- Gives Additional Hydration
Did you know that celery is composed of 95% water? Therefore, feeding this vegetable to your rabbit will keep it hydrated during hot weather. Although celery has high water content, it should not be used as an alternative to water.
- Supports Strong Bones
Celery is a good source of phosphorous and calcium—a combination that is vital for healthy bone growth and development.
Both minerals help prevent skeletal diseases such as rickets, which is a condition that causes brittleness of the bones.
- Good for Gut Health
Celery is packed with dietary fibre that aids in improving your rabbit’s digestive system. Bunnies have a delicate stomach and need dietary fibre to process food.
A lack of it can be life-threatening, as it can slow down or stop their digestive system from working.
- Works Well in Wearing Teeth Down
A rabbit’s teeth continue to grow throughout its lifetime. These need to be worn down by chewing. Otherwise, it will become a serious dental issue.
Celery is a crunchy and fibrous vegetable. By gnawing on it, rabbits can prevent their teeth from becoming overgrown.
Are there dangers when feeding celery to rabbits?
Adding celery to your pet rabbit’s diet is good for his overall health. On the flip side, this crunchy vegetable has several health risks if given carelessly to bunnies, such as:
- Contains Too Much Sugar
Celery is a low-sugar vegetable for humans. However, this is the opposite when it comes to rabbits.
One stick of celery contains 1 gram of sugar. This amount of sugar is higher than grass hay, which should make up most of your bunny’s daily diet.
High levels of sugar can cause a lot of health issues in rabbits. They may suffer from obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
- May Cause Digestive Problems
Rabbits have a sensitive digestive system. Allowing them to consume large amounts of celery can lead to tummy problems.
Celery is not only high in sugar but also high in water content. These two combined can cause diarrhoea and the elimination of soft stools, which can be dangerous for your pet rabbit.
- Can Cause Choking and Stomach Obstruction
Feeding celery to your rabbit in big chunks should be avoided. Its long celery strings are difficult for your pet to swallow, causing it to choke.
The tough fibrous body of celery is also hard to digest if ingested in large portions. This can result in potentially deadly intestinal blockage.
Fortunately, these dangers can be avoided by chopping the celery into small pieces before feeding it to your pet rabbit.
Can you feed celery to rabbits despite these health concerns? Yes, you can. All of the potential risks of celery can be prevented by serving the vegetable in moderation to your bunny.
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Is it safe to include celery in your rabbit’s daily diet?
Can rabbits eat celery every day? No, it is not recommended for rabbits to eat celery every day. As we have stated above, feed celery to bunnies in moderation. Thus, the vegetable should only be an occasional part of their diet.
Ideally, the daily meals of bunnies mostly contain hay, whilst a small portion is dedicated to a mix of leafy vegetables and pellets. Tiny amounts of treats can be occasionally included too.
How often can rabbits eat celery if it is not fit for daily consumption? Serving celery 1–2 times a week to bunnies is recommended. Rabbits eating more than the suggested amount run the risk of experiencing digestive issues.
How much celery can a rabbit eat in a day? Feed your rabbit a maximum of ½ a celery stick daily. Make sure to slice it into 1-inch sections to prevent your bunny from choking on it whilst eating.
Do not forget to introduce celery to your pet in small amounts. Then watch out for any signs of an upset stomach.
You can gradually offer more if your pet rabbit does not suffer any digestive upset. However, if stomach problems arise, stop feeding celery to your bunny and get it checked by the vet.
What part of celery can rabbits eat?
Celery is made up of leaves, stalks, flowers, and seeds. Let us see which of these are safe for rabbits to consume.
Can rabbits eat celery leaves?
Yes, rabbits can eat celery leaves. They are one of the most nutritious parts of the vegetable since they have less water and sugar content.
When preparing them for your bunny, Wash celery leaves to remove trace amounts of pesticides or dirt.
Can rabbits eat celery stalks?
Yes, celery stalks are safe for rabbits to eat. Just make sure to cut the celery sticks into small pieces. As we have said before, serving these in large chunks should be avoided as they can cause choking and stomach blockage.
Do rabbits eat celery stalks? It depends on the taste buds of each bunny. Some rabbits love celery stalks, whilst others do not.
Can rabbits eat celery seeds?
No, keep celery seeds away from rabbits since these are loaded with fat and protein. It should be noted that bunnies need a diet that is low in protein and fat. If this is not adhered to, they may experience gut stasis, which is potentially fatal.
Can rabbits eat celery flowers?
No, it is not a good idea to feed celery flowers to rabbits. Not much is known about celery flowers and whether or not they have bad side effects on bunnies if consumed. Moreover, they are not considered edible.
Thus, pet parents must take precautionary measures. Avoid giving celery flowers to your rabbit until definitive proof shows that these are safe for bunnies to consume.
Can rabbits eat celery root?
Yes, celery root is safe for rabbits to eat. Note that celery and celery roots are different from each other, although they come from the same family of vegetables.
Make sure to only feed tiny portions of celery root to your bunny. Root vegetables such as celery root are high in starch and sugar. If rabbits consume too much of these, it can badly affect their digestive system.
Can rabbits eat cooked celery?
No, avoid feeding cooked celery to rabbits. Their digestive system cannot break it down properly, leading to gastrointestinal problems. The safest option is to give only fresh raw celery to your pet rabbit.
Do wild rabbits eat celery?
No, wild rabbits do not usually eat celery. The reason behind it is not because they do not like its taste. Most of the time, wild rabbits graze on any fresh greenery they can find.
However, celery naturally grows in marshy soil, which is not the natural habitat of wild rabbits. Hence, wild rabbits do not often get a taste of this vegetable.
Can baby rabbits eat celery?
No, baby rabbits should not eat celery because their stomachs are not yet ready to digest solid food. Their nourishment comes from their mother’s milk.
When baby rabbits reach 12 months old, slowly introduce celery into their diet. Never feed the vegetable to them too early because it can result in a severe digestive issue that can turn fatal.