Can Bunnies Eat Chia Seeds?
You probably know just how much bunnies enjoy eating seeds. With that, you’re probably wondering if your bunny can eat chia seeds.
You’ll be pleased to learn that bunnies can typically eat chia seeds. Chia seeds contain lots of valuable nutrients that can help to add variety to your rabbit’s diet and give them the energy that they need to get on with their daily activities.
Let’s explore the nutritional value that chia seeds provide for rabbits.
The Nutritional Value Of Chia Seeds
There are plenty of benefits when humans eat chia seeds. Many people put them in so many foods. As previously mentioned, the good news is that the same applies to your bunny as well. Rabbits can gain tons of benefits from a correct portion of chia seeds being fed to them in the correct manner.
Here’s a chart with the valuable nutrients that 100 grams of chia seeds contain.
- Protein – 16.5 grams
- Carbohydrates – 42.1 grams
- Fibre – 34.4 grams
- Fat – 30.7 grams
- Omega 3 – 17.83 grams
- Omega 6 – 5.84 grams
Additionally, chia seeds also provide the following vitamins and minerals:
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Copper
- Antioxidants like selenium, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol and myricetin
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Vitamin B9
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B1
What Are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds come from a common desert plant called Salvia Hispanica. The plant that’s native to Central America was used by the Aztecs, Mayans and Native Americans to extract chia seeds.
How Many Chia Seeds Could You Feed Your Bunny?
Too many seeds in general can hurt your rabbit’s health, so just like everything else you feed your rabbit, should be in moderation!
Allowing your rabbit to have some chia seeds as an occasional treat is fine, as long as it is not a large amount each day. Most veterinarians would suggest no more than allowing your rabbit to eat chia seeds no more than twice a week and around 6 each time.
Are There Any Risks With Feeding Chia Seeds?
While we have made clear that there are many benefits for your rabbit having a small amount of chia seeds as an occasional treat. There’s always a thing as ‘too much of a good thing’, the same of course will apply to chia seeds. You should always ensure that you’re giving them to your rabbit appropriately. Some possible risks of not doing so include the following:
- Digestive Problems – Chia seeds could cause digestive problems if fed in high quantities.
- Obesity – Chia seeds have quite a bit of fat. This means that you should avoid overfeeding them to your rabbit.
- Nutritional Problems – Your rabbit needs a steady range of hay, pellets, and vegetables in its diet.
Will Your Rabbit Enjoy Chia Seeds?
Rabbits are somewhat like people in that they can prefer different tastes compared to other rabbits. This means that some rabbits will only eat certain foods while other rabbits wouldn’t go near those same foods.
Conclusion
Chia seeds can be a great source of different nutrients, vitamins and minerals for a rabbit. These seeds are also high in fibre, meaning that it would help with digestion and help rabbits to avoid constipation.
Chia seeds can make a great addition to your rabbit’s diet and will be happily gobbled up by most rabbits. Just make sure that you’re providing your rabbit with a varied diet and include many other types of food as well as small fruits.
This will help to ensure that your rabbit will get all the nutrition that they need and will should enjoy chia seeds as an occasional treat.
