I just read an article that stated “Don’t feed Willow, Birch, Poplar, Alder or the herb Meadowsweet if your rabbit is on Metacam (Meloxicam). To me it makes sense and you may want to err on the side of caution. Please read this article here.
Bunnies and branches are as natural a fit as babies and binkies. Trees, vines and brambles are all sources of branches, twigs, bark, leaves, berries and fruits. There are multiple benefits for a rabbit to chew on these items: mental stimulation, dental care, digestion and in all around good health, but of course your rabbit will think he is enjoying it because it is fun or they taste good!
You are probably already familiar with rabbits needing mental stimulation. Yes a twig can help, but for only so long. Getting creative with they way you present your rabbit it’s branches, twigs and sticks is the key to keeping them occupied.
Chewing on branches and twigs, in addition to their daily hay, can help wear down your rabbit’s teeth. This is essential since their teeth grow continually, at a rate of 1 cm a month. Grinding helps to keep a rabbit from developing dental diseases such as malocclusion, sores or abscesses.
Branches and twigs are fibrous, meaning a rabbit will chew slowly, triggering salivation, another benefit aiding in digestion.
Rabbits in the wild are considered ground feeders (meaning they eat what is close to the ground) and instinctively know what they need when they are sick. Like me, you are probably imagining those cute lil cotton tales munching on wildflowers, berries and leaves and of course produce snatched from local gardens. But, I bet you didn’t realize that they also chew the bark of trees, some of which have healing properties.
Bunnies & Branches
You may have noticed your bunny gnawing on your wooden furniture at home. This is not a safe option for bun considering most furniture has some type of finish on it. Giving twigs and branches as an alternative is a much better option, but did you know that not all are safe for a rabbit?
Safe Woods
This may not be a complete list of safe trees and bushes (especially if you have different indigenous trees native to the area you live). If you see plants that are safe for rabbits that are not on this list, feel free to email me and I will add them.
Health Benefits
I just read an article that stated “Don’t feed Willow, Birch, Poplar, Alder or the herb Meadowsweet if your rabbit is on Metacam (Meloxicam). To me it makes sense and you may want to err on the side of caution.
The leaves and fruits of these trees are full of vitamins and minerals which are beneficial to your rabbit, however, fruits are high in sugar and should only be given as a sweet treat on occasion. Fruits can be given fresh while the branches and leaves can be given fresh or dried.
Some tree barks are rich in tannin (willow, hazelnut, oak, ash-tree, fruit trees, and pines) which some people are afraid of, however according to Zoe Tulip these phytochemicals are a benefit. She states “They are anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial, have astringent properties and can neutralize poisons. Tannins keep digestion healthy and solve diarrhea and chronic indigestion problems. They also prevent coccidia.”
Healing Properties
*Some of these properties are based on general research and should not be used in place of regular or emergency vet care for your rabbit. You should always consult your vet before treating your rabbit with any natural element as it could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of interactions.
- Apple- aids in digestion, diarrhea and wound healing. High in fiber and astringent.
- Ash- an analgesic, aids with bladder issues and inflammation.
- Aspen (kiln dried)- helps with joint pain, nerve pain and bladder issues.
- Balsa- anti-inflammatory, analgesic.
- Basswood- aids in digestion.
- Birch- aids in kidney and urinary tract illnesses, metabolic stimulant and anti-inflammatory.
- Blackberry- aids in respiratory issues and strengthens the immune system.
- Black Current- leaves are an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral and antiseptic. The berries are full of vitamins, minerals and protein.
- Blackthorn- (fruit only after a frost or night in the freezer) anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial
- Cholla- the root helps cleanse kidneys, aids in gastrointestinal and urinary tract problems
- Coffeewood- diuretic
- Cottonwood- (buds) anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-microbial
- Crabapple- helps the digestive system
- Dogwood- blood purifier
- Elm- good for digestion.
- Fir- anti-inflammatory, good for respiratory issues.
- Gingko- aids in circulation (blood) and helps with the central nervous system.
- Gooseberry- appetite stimulant, blood purifier.
- Grapevine- astringent (helps with digestion), wound healing.
- Hackberry- (according to Egyptian scientists, Hackberry leaves contain antioxidants).
- Hawthorne- improves circulation.
- Hazelnut- (not the nuts)aids with tissue repair, circulation issues, urinary tract infections, liver and digestive problems. (keep the berries on the branch for boosting the immune system).
- Larch- good for the respiratory system
- Linden- aids with cystitis and has a calming effect.
- Maple- anti-bacterial, ant-inflammatory, detoxifying. Great for arthritis and other inflammatory disease.
- Meadowsweet- boosts immunity, aids digestive disorders of the intenstines.
- Mulberry- helps lower cholesterol More popular when dried). Helps with inflammation of mucous membranes.
- Olive- antioxidant (use sparingly)
- Pear- helps in circulation detox, helps improve function of the liver and stomach.
- Pecan- antioxidant, anti-microbial. Leaves can help treat ringworm.
- Poplar- supports wound healing.
- Quince- aids the respiratory system.
- Raspberry- anti-inflammatory, boosts the immune system and aids digestive issues.
- Spruce- anti-inflammatory, aids in respiratory issues, has germicidal properties.
- White Pine (kiln dried)- good for inflammation.
- Willow (pussy, weeping, white)- pain reliever (contains salicylic acid), anti-inflammatory, acts as a natural de-wormer and coccidiostat.
Forage & Preparation
Warning: If you happen to live in an area that has known outbreaks of the RHDV2 virus, it would be advisable to NOT forage for your rabbit.
Of all the things that can be foraged for your rabbit, herbs and weeds included, I find trees to be the hardest to identify. I suggest investing in a complete pocket guide to your native area. After all, safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to your pet rabbit.
Foraging in the spring will allow you to grab branches with developing buds. Rabbits love to chew the buds and then peel the bark. Planning a garden that is rabbit friendly? Weeping Willow Trees are ideal to plant as they are fast growing, produce a lot of branches which are high in protein and often favored by rabbits.
There are 2 ways you can offer branches and twigs to your rabbit year round. The first of course is drying and storing what you forage. The other is to force grow. Take a small branch and place it in a jar with a couple inches of water. Once it starts developing buds you can offer it fresh to your rabbit. Remove the bottom portion that was sitting in the water as this part is not good for bun.
Preparation is an important step after foraging twigs and branches. Much like pinecones, any item found out in nature can be a harbinger of bugs and mites, bacteria, sap and unknown chemicals or pesticides. However with proper cleaning and drying you can safely give your bun something fibrous to chew on.
Place the sticks in a large plastic bag overnight in your garage or on a deck. This will help kill any bugs that might be hiding amongst the bark or leaves. The next day brush off any loosened dirt and debris before bringing them inside.
Variation #1- Place in a kitchen sink, or tub depending on the size, and fill with a solution of equal parts vinegar and warm water. Soak for 20 minutes. Rinse and towel dry. Let the branches sit in the sun for several days until completely dried. (In the winter, place the branches near a window that gets full sun). Smaller twigs and branches can be placed in a dehydrator or the oven on a low setting (225 degrees) until dried.
Variation #2– Place on a paper towel lined sheet pan and spray with vinegar. Let sit for 20 minutes then using a clean wet sponge, wipe off and continue to air dry.
Toxic Woods
After much research, I have found that stone fruits such as apricot, cherry, peaches and plums are on most toxic wood lists due to the fact they contain hydrocyanic acid (cyanide). But it is supposedly found only in the core or pit of the stone fruit meaning that both the flesh of the fruit (minus the stone) and branches are safe to feed especially after having been dried for a month or longer. If you are still concerned about the safety of these items, I recommend skipping these types of branches altogether.
Bamboo, Beech, Juniper, Mango, Mesquite along with the above stone fruit trees seem to be questionable as I have found them on both safe and toxic wood lists. I advise doing your own research before making a decision on these.
I also found Alder, European Beech, Common Hornbeam, Oak and Walnut listed as having medicinal properties yet appeared mainly on “Toxic Lists”.
Again, this may not be a complete list of toxic trees and bushes (especially if you have different indigenous trees native to the area you live). If you see plants that are un-safe or toxic for rabbits that are not on this list, feel free to email me and I will add them.
Final Thoughts
Takeaway….to date there just doesn’t seem to be enough research done for the domesticated rabbit on any topic. Always err on the side of caution. If you are unsure about the safety of something, ask your vet. When foraging, only pick what you know to be 100% safe.
If you believe your bun has ingested an unsafe weed, get to your vet immediately. ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center has round-the-clock availability in case you’re unsure about whether an weed is safe or not. Their phone number is (888) 426-4435.
