You like the bitter, astringent rosemary taste that imparts a characteristic aroma to lamb, chicken, veggies, and turkey. When roasted, your food will have a scent resembling mustard with a charred wood fragrance.
Rosemary is, without a doubt, a popular culinary herb, especially in barbecued foods where you can use both the dry or fresh leaves. Can I let my rabbit eat rosemary, or is this herb harmful?
A quick answer is yes. Rabbits can eat rosemary leaves, twigs, and flowers as a treat a few times a week. They are non-toxic or poisonous to these pets. However, being an aromatic herb, it isn’t their most favored plants. Bunnies tend to avoid pungent or strongly tasting plants.
This herb is rich in antioxidants vital for boosting immunity and neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidative damage and anti-inflammatory properties.
In humans, this herb and its essential oil may help support brain function (improve concentration and offer neurological protection). Also, it will prevent macular degeneration, stimulate hair growth, reduce stress, and improve circulation, among other benefits.
Description and identification
Rosemary or Salvia rosmarinus belongs to the deadnettle, mint, or sage family Lamiaceae, which has other equally popular herbs like Mentha, savory, sage, thyme, hyssop, oregano, lavender, marjoram, and basil, among others.
It native to the Mediterranean region has needle-like evergreen leaves that mimic hemlock needles and flowers that may be pink, purple, white, or blue and can grow up to 1.5 meters high. Depending on the cultivar, its size, leaf color, and flower color may vary.
Feeding rosemary to your rabbits
If your bunny happens to love rosemary, let them eat a twig or two occasionally. Both dry and fresh foliage is safe, and all garden cultivars like Flora Rosa, Majorca Pink, Arp, Benenden Blue, Huntington Carpet, Irene, Hill Hardy, Holly Hyde, Pinkie, and so on are all safe.
Secondly, go for organic rosemary as it is free of any herbicides or pesticides. Once you have it, introduce it slowly over a week or two weeks, beginning with a very tiny amount, and gradually increase the amount if it doesn’t cause any tummy problems, diarrhea, or gas.
Finally, even if your rabbits go crazy over this herb, something unlikely, don’t replace it with their regular recommended diet. Your bunny needs unlimited hay, 10-15% leafy green, 5% high fiber pellets, and up to 5% treats that may include herbs, flowers, non-leafy veggies, or some of the top commercial rabbit treats.
More about rosemary
Besides its culinary use, rosemary, its extract, and essential oil have applications in making herbal teas, body perfumes, cleaning products, shampoos, folk medicine, or as burnt incense.