In nature, hares, rabbits and guinea pigs choose their own food from what nature has to offer. However, many owners of rodents such as rabbits are often unsure whether and in what quantities herbs such as ribwort plantain can be fed.
Is ribwort plantain suitable for rabbits?
Ribwort plantain is a he althy food for rabbits as it has an expectorant effect and can relieve respiratory problems. It can be fed fresh or dried in a balanced amount with other feed ingredients without causing side effects.
Identifying the ribwort plantain in nature
Ribwort plantain, which is non-toxic to rabbits, is now often sold in dried form in rodent food stores all year round. Rabbits like the somewhat bitter-tasting plant even better if you feed the freshly harvested, juicy leaves to your protégés. In natural flower meadows and along roadsides, the ribwort plantain, known by the botanical name Plantago lanceolata, is usually best discovered during its flowering period from May to September. Then it stretches its brown, cylindrical flowers with their wreath of white-yellow stamens up to a height of up to 30 centimeters, depending on the location. The perennial plant can also be recognized by the basal rosette with the lanceolate leaves with longitudinal veins that grow directly near the ground. These are significantly longer and narrower than the broad plantain, which is related to the ribwort plantain.
Positive effects of ribwort plantain on the he alth of animals
The ingredients of ribwort plantain have a positive effect on the entire respiratory system, not just in humans. Respiratory diseases and cough irritations in rabbits and guinea pigs can also be alleviated by the expectorant effect of ribwort plantain. Without side effects, fresh or dried ribwort plantain can also be fed prophylactically and without a diagnosis of acute he alth problems. However, feeding ribwort plantain should be in a balanced ratio to other feed ingredients.
Preparing for the winter
Especially in winter, small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits, like us humans, rely on a broad supply of nutrients to maintain he alth. You can therefore ensure a wider selection of winter food if you harvest ribwort plantain leaves during the summer months and let them dry well in the sun, shaking and turning them several times.
Tips & Tricks
When harvesting ribwort plantain leaves, always leave part of the leaf rosette standing so that the respective plant can regenerate more easily.
