Dried Herb Forage Mix for Rabbits

Dried herbs make plain hay more interesting and encourage rabbits to eat more of it, which is good for teeth and digestion.

Dry your own herbs in a low oven or dehydrator, then store them in a jar.

Why your rabbit will love this

• Makes hay more appealing
• Lasts for months
• Costs less than store blends

Ingredient notes

• Mint Safe

  Fresh mint leaves in rotation.

• Parsley Safe

  Fine in rotation with other greens.

• Basil Safe

  Fresh basil leaves in rotation.

• Dandelion leaves, pesticide-free Safe

  Pesticide-free leaves and flowers.

• Dried chamomile flowers

  Food-grade, from a tea shop.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Dried Herb Forage Mix for Rabbits

Dried Herb Forage Mix for Rabbits takes about 3 hours 15 minutes from start to finish and makes 2 cups. It is an easy recipe. You will need a food dehydrator. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 5 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for rabbits.

• 1 bunch mint: Fresh mint leaves in rotation.
• 1 bunch parsley: Fine in rotation with other greens.
• 1 bunch basil: Fresh basil leaves in rotation.
• 2 cups dandelion leaves, pesticide-free: Pesticide-free leaves and flowers.
• 2 tbsp dried chamomile flowers: Food-grade, from a tea shop.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Wash and dry the herbs well.
2. Spread in a single layer on dehydrator trays or baking sheets.
3. Dry at 110°F (43°C) in a dehydrator or the lowest oven setting until crisp. Allow about 3 hours.
4. Crumble and mix with the chamomile.
5. Store in a jar.

Tips for success

• Dry until the leaves crumble; any moisture leads to mold.
• Keep stems in for crunch; rabbits enjoy them.
• Shake the mix into a hay pile so they have to dig for it.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it at room temperature for up to 6 months. Keep in an airtight jar away from light. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

A small pinch sprinkled over hay once a day.

Why rabbits love it

Makes hay more appealing. Lasts for months. Costs less than store blends.

Feeding tips for rabbits

A rabbit’s gut is sensitive, so add any new food in small amounts over about a week and watch the droppings. Soft or small droppings mean you should slow down. Hay should always make up most of the diet, with fresh greens second and pellets and treats a small part. Call your vet right away if your rabbit stops eating or passing droppings.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

Soft or small droppings mean you should slow down with new foods. A rabbit that stops eating or stops passing droppings for more than a few hours needs a vet urgently, because gut stasis can become serious fast. Weigh your rabbit monthly to catch weight gain from too many treats.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have mint, parsley, basil, dandelion leaves and dried chamomile flowers. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your rabbit. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What dried herbs can rabbits eat?

Mint, parsley, basil, dandelion and chamomile are common choices.

How long does it last?

About 6 months in a sealed jar.