Do your bunnies and guinea pigs get bored with the same old salad? Mine do! I can tell by the way their ears perk up when I say, “Let’s Eat Chinese!”
I was a little intimidated by the asian section of my local Ralphs, but the bunnies definitely were not! They loved the veggies and asked for more.
Of course we all know bok choy. My bunnies prefer baby baby bok choy. Bok choy has 1/3 less calcium than Kale by weight. It has almost as much vitamin C, by weight as an orange! It is also an excellent source source of vitamin K, vitamin A, Vitamin B6, potassium and folate. Yummy!
Have you tried Gai lan? Also known as Chinese Broccoli, like bok choy, Gai Lan is has about 30% less calcium than Kale. It is a good source of vitamin C with half the amount of vitamin C as an orange by weight. It is also a source of vitamins K and A.
Yu choy is rich in vitamin C and calcium. By weight it has 3 and a half times more vitamin C than an orange. It also has one and one half times more calcium than Kale. It is a good source of vitamin A and has some iron.
Choy sum is rich in vitamin C, folate, vitamin A; it is also a source of iron. I could not find information on calcium content.
Napa Cabbage is a familiar vegetable. It is a source vitamins K, C, and A in that order. The calcium content is 80% lower than Kale and appropriate for a low calcium diet.
Don’t forget the lemon grass. Sold dry, it will sprout roots if placed in water and will grow well in your yard. The long strands of grass are tasty and good for rabbit dental health.
Ralphs, in Magnolia Shopping Center, is a good source of asian vegetables. Try substituting one or two asian vegetables for a vegetable that you serve regularly. Or make a salad of asian vegetables add some cilantro and et voila! You have a Chinese dinner for your bunny or guinea pig. Every thing but a fortune cookie.
Feeding a variety of vegetables increases the variety and quantities of vitamins and minerals your rabbit has access too. Changing the content of your salads from week to week makes diner more interesting and life more fun. If your rabbit has special diet needs consult with your veterinarian before making changes.
Are you a regular Ralph’s shopper too? You can select Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter to receive donations from Ralphs. Go to www.Ralphs.com, then sign in or sign up for the rewards program. Then select Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter as the beneficiary of the Community Rewards program. If you do, BUNS will get up to 4% of your grocery bill. Thanks!
