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 not sure whether and in what quantity herbs such as buckhorn can be fed.

Identifying plantain in nature

Ribwort plantain, which is non-toxic to rabbits, is now often sold in dried form all year round in rodent feed trade. The somewhat bitter-tasting plant tastes even better for the rabbits if you feed the juicy leaves to your protégés after they have been harvested. The ribwort plantain, known under the botanical name Plantago lanceolata, is usually best spotted during the flowering period from May to September in natural flower meadows and along paths. Then it stretches its brown, cylindrical flowers with their wreath of white-yellow stamens 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 close to the ground. These are significantly longer and narrower than broad plantain, which is related to buckhorn.

Positive effects of plantain on animal health

The ingredients of buckhorn have a positive effect on the entire respiratory organs not only in humans. Respiratory diseases and cough irritation in rabbits and guinea pigs can also be alleviated by the expectorant effect of buckhorn. Fresh or dried plantain can also be fed prophylactically and without a diagnosis of acute health problems without side effects. However, feeding buckhorn should be balanced with other feed components.

Prepare for the winter

Especially in winter, small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits, like us humans, depend on a wide range of nutrients to maintain health. You can therefore provide for a wider selection of winter food if you harvest plantain leaves during the summer months and let them dry well in the sun, shaking and turning them several times.

tips and tricks

When harvesting plantain leaves, always leave part of the rosette of leaves so that the plant can regenerate more easily.

WK

Category:

Herbs