Safe Branches List for Rabbits & Guinea-pigs
A common belief is that stone fruits such as plum & cherry cannot be fed and therefore neither can their branches because they contain hydrocyanic acid. However, Amygdalin (a cyanogenic glycoside that breaks down into hydrocyanic acid and fructose when in contact with water) is found only in the core of the stone fruit. This means that both the fruit (minus the stone) and branches are safe to feed.
Another fear is that of tannins which are found in bark, wood and leaves. However, phytochemicals, including tannins are of enormous benefit to an animals health. They are anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial, have astringent properties and can neutralise poisons. Tannins keep digestion healthy and solve diarrhea and chronic indigestion problems. They also prevent coccidia.
Safe Branches
Maple - Safe to eat, with anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and anti-bacterial properties.
Apple - Good for digestive problems, provides energy and supports wound healing.
Apricot - Safe to feed.
Birch - Good for urinary tract diseases as it stimulates the kidneys and is anti-inflammatory. Also metabolism stimulating.
Pear - Safe to feed and well tolerated.
Gogi Berry - Whole plant can be fed.
Blackberry - Whole plant can be fed, a popular winter food that is good for strengthening the immune system and for respiratory issues. The spines will not harm the animals.
European Beech - Good for respiratory problems and reducing fevers. Often described as slightly toxic due to oxalic acid, however, only the nuts contain oxalic acid along with saponins and thiaminase. The leaves and branches do not contain these and are safe to feed.
Rowan - Leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides so feed only in very small amounts. Do not feed the berries.
Oak - Non-toxic and good for digestive problems and prevention of coccidia. Only fully ripe acorns are safe to occasionally feed.
Alder - Helps with pneumonia, infections and digestive issues.
Ash - Good for bladder problems and inflammation with the bark having analgesic properties.
Fig - Safe to feed.
Spruce - Safe to feed, with germicidal properties, is anti-inflammatory and good for respiratory problems.
Lilac - Safe to feed but not a popular food.
Forsythia - Safe to feed.
Broom - Can be fed in small quantities in a good mix of other branches.
Ginko - Promotes blood circulation and has a positive effect on the central nervous system.
Common Hornbeam - Fever-reducing and good for respiratory problems. Part of the birch family and safe to feed.
Dogwood - Can be fed with a good mix of other branches.
Linden - Safe to feed and promotes a calming effect. The bark is good for cystitis.
Hazel - Very popular feed, good for liver and biliary disorders.
Bilberry/blueberry - Helps with tissue repair, circulation issues, urinary tract infections and digestive problems. The berries are good for the immune system.
Raspberry - Strengthens the immune system, helps with digestive issues and the leaves have anti-inflammatory properties.
Sea-buckthorn - Not to be confused with buckthorn which is not safe to feed! A vitamin C rich food, fruits can also be fed.
Currants - Whole plant can be fed.
Privet - Can be fed in a good mix but is unpopular.
Pine - Safe to feed, good for inflammation and respiratory issues but not very popular.
Cherry - Safe to feed and popular.
Larch - Good for respiratory problems.
Mulberry - Safe to feed but more popular when the leaves are fed dried.
Plum - Safe to feed.
Poplar - Safe to feed and popular.
Peach - Safe to feed.
Quince - Good for respiratory problems.
Blackthorn (Sloe) - Branches are safe to feed but fruits are best fed after a frost or a night in the freezer.
Gooseberry - Blood purifying and appetite stimulating.
Fir - Safe to feed, good for inflammation and respiratory issues. Do not confuse with similar looking Yew which is highly toxic!
Meadowsweet - Safe to feed and popular.
Elm - Good for digestive problems, safe to feed but unpopular.
Walnut - Good as a dewormer but unpopular. Nuts are safe but are high energy so only a few can occasionally be fed.
Willow - Contains salicylic acid which is the active ingredient in aspirin making it pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and fever lowering.
Grapevine - Whole plant can be fed but it is unpopular.
Hawthorn - Whole plant can be fed including the fruit, improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure.
Dried Veggies are a great snack! Especially useful for taming and to add extra nutrients into the diet. Containing no preservatives, these snacks are completely natural.
Suitable for all small animals. Composition: Beetroot, parsnip, carrot, cabbage and sweet peppers.
Do not give to pets who are on a pelleted diet. For reasons not to feed pellets please click here
Pea Flakes are a great way to bond with your pet and are especially useful for taming. A healthy snack and great for those that have increased calorie requirements, they ensure a healthy and natural diet with essential minerals and amino acids.
Suitable for rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, degus & chinchillas .
Bunny Meadow Mouse Mix is a complete dried food for Mice.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Mouse.
Bunny Meadow Roborovski Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Roborovski Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Roborovski Hamster.
Bunny Meadow Syrian Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Syrian Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Syrian Hamster.
THIS IS A NEW RECIPE. NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON (CURRENT PHOTO SHOWS OLD FOOD)
Bunny Meadow Dwarf Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Dwarf Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Dwarf Hamster.
Bunny Meadow Gerbil Mix is a complete dried food for Gerbils.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 heaped tsp per day for an adult gerbil.
THIS IS A NEW RECIPE. NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON (CURRENT PHOTO SHOWS OLD FOOD)
Bunny Meadow Rat Mix is a complete dried food for rats.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1-2 tbsp per day for an adult rat.
Bunny Meadow Degu Seed Mix should only be a small proportion of the diet. They should also receive daily forage, fresh herbs, branches, hay & vegetables. Dried herbs should also be offered for free admission.
The Degu Seed Mix & Degu Herbal Mix should replace pellets in the diet.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Degu.
Seeds are great for preventing diseases and they can also relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or skin problems. Degus would naturally eat them in the wild.
Fresh food is rich in water which may mean that your degu will drink less. This is normal and in the wild they would naturally obtain most of their water from food.
Vegetables do not cause bloat in a healthy degu with a normal digestive tract on a pellet free, varied natural diet as recommended above. If your degu has an issue with it’s digestion be careful with cruciferous vegetables. Introduce vegetables slowly if you have just switched your degu to a pellet free diet and use mainly leafy greens.
Bunny Meadow Chinchilla Seed Mix should only be a small proportion of the diet. They should also receive daily forage, fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs, branches & hay. Dried herbs should also be offered for free admission.
The Chinchilla Seed Mix & Chinchilla Herbal Mix should replace pellets in the diet.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Chinchilla.
Seeds are great for preventing diseases and they can also relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or skin problems. Chinchillas would naturally eat them in the wild.
Fresh food is rich in water which may mean that your chinchilla will drink less. This is normal and in the wild they would naturally obtain most of their water from food.
Vegetables do not cause bloat in a healthy chinchilla with a normal digestive tract on a pellet free, varied natural diet as recommended above. If your chinchilla has an issue with it’s digestion be careful with cruciferous vegetables. Introduce vegetables slowly if you have just switched your chinchilla to a pellet free diet and use mainly leafy greens.
Millet sprays are great as a treat or as enrichment. They are also great for adding to natural enclosures. Suitable for hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, degus, chinchillas, rabbits and guinea-pigs! Millet sprays are especially well digested as the millet is in its naturally more fibrous form.
Bunny Meadow Herbal Mix is suitable for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Degus, Chinchillas, Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils.
Indoor Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept indoors during the spring. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept outdoors during the spring. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Large Breed Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the spring. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in spring.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Large Breed Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept outdoors during the spring. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in spring.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Summer Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants, leaves and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for indoor or outdoor rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs during the summer.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Summer Large Breed Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, leaves and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg indoors and outdoors during the summer. Also suitable for underweight or old animals and skinny pigs in summer.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Autumn Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept outdoors during the autumn. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Autumn Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, flowers & roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept indoors during the autumn. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Autumn Mix Large Breed & Skinny Pig contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the autumn. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in autumn.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Autumn Mix Large Breed Rabbit contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept outdoors during the autumn. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in autumn.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Winter Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for all rabbits & guinea-pigs (under 5kg) kept indoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Winter Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for all rabbits & guinea-pigs (under 5kg) kept outdoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary. Also suitable for underweight or older animals kept indoors over winter.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Winter Mix Large Breed & Skinny Pig contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the winter. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in winter.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Winter Mix Large Breed Rabbit Food contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for large breed rabbits (over 5kg) kept outdoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in the winter.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Bunny Meadow Leaf and Flower Mix should be offered ad libitum (as much as they want). Suitable for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Degus, Chinchillas, Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils.