Can Rabbits Eat Sage

Sage or Salvia officinalis is a perennial subshrub that has purplish or blue flowers, a woody stem, and grayish green leaves. This evergreen plant belongs to the family Lamiaceae or the mint family that also has oregano, thyme, lavender, rosemary, savory, mint, basil, marjoram, perilla, among other herbs. 

S. officinalis is used mainly as a culinary and medicinal herb as well as for ornamental purposes. Some of its cultivars are also meant for oil production. Sometimes, it is also referred to as to garden, common, or culinary sage.

Can bunnies eat sage? 

Sage is safe for rabbits. They can eat it and it is one of the safe herbs that these pets can munch. However, being a herb with a strong taste and smell, it is not one of the favorite foods for this pet. 

While in the wild, rabbits will tend to avoid chives, alliums, yarrow, catmint, and sage. However, this does not mean it is harmful. It is beneficial. 

For instance, this aromatic herb has vitamins A, C, E, K, folate, among others as well as minerals including iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc and many others. 

Furthermore, it has carbs, fiber and a little amount of fat and protein. This makes it a perfect plant for your bunnies. 

When feeding this herb to your pet, the amount should be limited. A cup full of at least 5-6 leafy greens of which sage could be one of them is enough for a bunny weighing two pounds. Also, keep on varying the various veggies you give this pet. 

If given in large amounts, any leafy greens will cause diarrhea, gas, bloating and other intestinal disturbances. Therefore, limit the amounts we are recommending. 

Besides being a good part of your bunnies leafy green diet, if dried, it can help in repelling fleas as well as "dry up does who's kits have been weaned. Reduces lactation when weaning, be a digestive stimulant and a uterine stimulant."[1] However, avoid it during pregnancy. 

Introducing sage 

Leafy greens are only given to weaned kits and not those weaning. Furthermore, you need to begin with small amounts as you observe how their tummies are going to react. In the case of diarrhea, bloating, gas, etc, go back to their old diet. 

If they do not have any intestinal disturbances, continue increasing the amount gradually until you reach the amounts we have stated. This is because bunnies need a certain amount of fresh foods.  

Furthermore, ensure its source is safe, i.e., free from insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides and wash it under running water. 

Conclusion

Even if your furry friends like sage so much, you should not forget to provide them with their right diets in their right proportions. Hay like Oxbow Timothy Hay or other great brands as well as freshwater should be unlimited while fresh foods account for only 10-15%. Keep the amounts of pellets at about 5% unless your pet has special dietary needs and go for high fiber brands like Small Pet Select Rabbit Food Pellets.