Yes, rabbits can eat mint. It’s a tasty herb that is super nutritious for rabbits. Your rabbit should be having one cup of leafy green vegetables and herbs every day. Mint can be one of those vegetables. It’s advisable to mix it with other greens, but don’t exceed one cup.
Rabbits can eat all parts of the mint plant (including stems, leaves, and flowers) but the roots aren’t nutritious – so offer little benefit for your rabbit.
Except for pennyroyal mint, rabbits can eat all other types of mint including lavender, peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, and others. They’re all similar in nutrients and taste very similar.
Health Benefits for Rabbits Eating Mint
Mint is a brilliant leafy green herb for rabbits to eat. It contains:
- Vitamin A (for improved vision and bone development).
- Vitamin C (for strong teeth and bones).
- Vitamin K (for a healthy immune system and healthy bones).
- Magnesium (for a healthy heart).
- Potassium (for healthy kidneys and muscles).
- Phosphorus (for aiding calcium to strengthen bones).
- Protein (for growth and repair).
- Carbohydrates (For energy).
Mint also has medical benefits as it can soothe stomach upsets by relaxing the stomach muscles and help to resolve indigestion and gas.
As long as you stick with the recommended feeding of mint – one cup of herbs and vegetables up to twice per week. If you make sure that you vary mint with other leafy green vegetables then you have a recipe for success.
Risks of Rabbits Eating Mint
Despite the many benefits, there is such a thing as too much mint. This can be if your rabbit over-eats, or if they’re eating it as part of the wrong diet.
These are some problems your rabbit can get:
- Painful bowel movements
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Lost appetite
Make sure you moderate portions and that your rabbit gets a balanced diet to prevent the risks. Your rabbit should have unlimited hay, two portions of fresh vegetables a day, pellets, and treats. Remember to give your rabbit drinking water too.
Also, be aware that your rabbit might not like the distinct taste and flavor of mint and refuse to eat it.
Toxic Mints
The only mint that is known to be toxic to rabbits is pennyroyal. There are two types of pennyroyal mint that have distinct identifications:
- American Pennyroyal: has pale blue flowers, and thin leaves.
- European Pennyroyal: has lilac flowers, and leaves like spearmint.
They’re both equally toxic and should be avoided at all costs.
Signs that your rabbit has eaten pennyroyal mint and is poisoned include lethargy, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, and a high body temperature. If your rabbit has any of these symptoms, get them to a vet ASAP.
How to Prepare Mint for Rabbits
Follow these steps on how to prepare mint for your rabbit:
- Check the mint: You should check the mint is free from pests, not browning, and altogether fresh.
- Wash the mint: This is extra important if you bought it from a store, as the mint may have traces of chemicals on it that could cause problems if you rabbit ingests it.
- Remove the roots: They offer little nutritional value so you’re better off removing them and focussing on the leaves, stems, and flowers.
- Serve it in small pieces: Break the mint up into smaller pieces and mix it with some other leafy greens.
- Serve with hay and water. Your rabbit shouldn’t have mint more than twice per week.
If your rabbit hasn’t eaten mint before, make sure you give them a small piece to start with. If you monitor them for 24 hours and they don’t have any negative reaction, you can give them more mint next time.
Related Questions
Can Rabbits Drink Mint Tea?
Yes, rabbits can drink mint tea – but only in certain circumstances. If your rabbit is dehydrated and doesn’t want to drink regular water, they can have a little bit of mint tea to persuade them. You can brew it with mint leaves and water, or use mint tea bags as long as there are no extra ingredients. Wait for it to cool before giving it to your rabbit.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Mint?
Yes, rabbits can heat dried mint. However, dried herbs are sometimes too flavorsome for rabbits, so you could mix dried mint with some wet vegetables to make it easier for your rabbit to eat.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Mint?
No, baby rabbits can’t eat mint. Although it’s a fabulous herb for mature rabbits, a baby rabbit won’t be able to properly digest foods like mint yet. They should only be eating hay and pellets up until around three months old when you can begin to introduce new food into their diet.