Complimentary Supplements & Beneficial Plants
Feeding herbs to help with a specific issue/illness does not replace veterinary treatment. Your rabbit must see a vet for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Offering specific plants as a supplement to veterinary treatment may assist in healing, boosting immunity, help with calming etc.
Calming
Some herbal assistance that can help calm your rabbit at times of stress such as travel, bonding and vet trips ...
Utilising calming herbs can help. The best and safest options are:
Catnip spray as sold for cats. I have found the Kong brand to be the most effective. Mist the spray around the rabbit’s area and onto walls etc
Lemon Balm - this can be fed dried or fresh.
Lavender - hang fresh Lavender out of reach, make a Lavender and water spray by infusing flowers in a spray bottle of water, use Lavender essential oil (reasonably safe to use around rabbits in limited amounts unlike other EOs) dotted around, out of reach. Don't deliberately feed Lavender though as it is high in volatile oils which can upset the gut.
Chamomile - either feed flowers and foliage; fresh or dried, or make Chamomile tea and offer in a water bowl once it is cooled.
Mint can be calming as well.
Another excellent calming option is Pet Remedy which is available as a plug diffuser or a spray. It is safe to use with rabbits.
Bephar also market a calming spray for rabbits which is now available in NZ.
Illness & Recovery
To boost immune function and improve healing and recovery from illnesses such as Snuffles -
Echinacea is the top herb to try. You can give it as a dried herb or use a supplement, see below.
Kiwiherb Children’s Echincea - This supplement is in a handy form that rabbits generally enjoy. You can find it at most pharmacies. For rabbits up to 2.5kg in weight I recommend about 0.5ml per day. For rabbits over 2.5kg I recommend 1ml per day. Give for 3 weeks then stop for one week and repeat. Echinacea is safe to give long term (as long as the one week break is observed) and is safe to give alongside antibiotics.
Some other herbs/plants that could be beneficial to feed to help boost immunity, aid healing and fight infection are as follows. You can find some in dried form in WW’s Shop:
Chamomile
Calendula flowers
Cleavers
Olive leaf
Stinging Nettle
Yarrow
Herb Robert
Nasturtium
Oregano/Marjoram
Goldenrod Flowers
Plantain
URIs / Snuffles
Echinacea
Olive Leaf
Stinging Nettle
Herb Robert
Nasturtium
Oregano/Marjoram
Goldenrod Flowers
Plantain
Urinary Issues
Birch (not if bun is on Metacam)
Dandelion
Yarrow
Cardiac Issues
Hawthorn leaves/branches and/or ground (never whole) Hawthorn berries - do not feed if bun is on heart medications.