Yes, rabbits can eat zinnias, but they will typically not do so. However, if your rabbit does eat zinnias, it may experience gastrointestinal problems as a result. Make sure to keep your zinnias away from your rabbit and use deterrents such as fencing or repellents to keep them away from your garden in the first place.
Zinnias for Rabbits
It’s always important to be aware of what your rabbit is eating, as they could choke on fresh vegetables or fruits. If you see your rabbit eat zinnias, they likely enjoy the taste. However, zinnias are not a regular part of a rabbit’s diet and should not be considered a staple. Occasionally giving your rabbit zinnias as food can add flavor and excitement to their diet.
If zinnias are the only type of fresh vegetables or fruit they’re getting, they will meet their nutritional needs. However, zinnias are not a recommended food for rabbits and should only be given as a treat.
Zinnia Leaves and Flowers
While zinnias may be great for rabbits, in theory, ensure you provide plenty of other vegetables to avoid boredom – preferably ones with high nutrient content!
Additionally, please only feed them a few flowers, as they can become over-indulged and overweight. Be careful when giving them dried specimens as they may choke on them if eaten in large amounts.
Zinnia Seedlings
If you have rabbits in your garden, keep a close eye on them. Some of the plants they might enjoy include zinnias. However, because these plants are known to attract rabbits and rodents, it is essential to ensure that any zinnia plants don’t get consumed whole.
If you choose to give your rabbits zinnias as part of their diet, watch them closely so that any accidental intake doesn’t result in injury or death.
Rabbits That Eat Zinnias
Wild Rabbits
Rabbits are herbivores, and their diet mainly consists of flowers and vegetation. You can find them eating everything from dandelions to zinnias – even cherries!
Of course, if they spot it, they won’t hesitate to chew on some greenery. And lest we forget, rabbits also gnaw through plant roots for extra nutrition. So keep that fencing up, and watch out for those rabbit teeth!
Domestic Rabbits
Domestic rabbits are lovely little creatures that make great pets. They mainly eat hay, fresh vegetables, fruit, and specially-made rabbit pellets. So if you have a garden full of zinnias, your rabbit will unlikely try to eat them – they’re not the bunny’s favorite! Zinnias are not an item that domestic rabbits commonly eat.
Reasons Why Rabbits Do Not Like Zinnias
Rabbits are herbivores, and as such, they are naturally drawn to plants with high levels of plant nutrients and vitamins. However, rabbits do not like zinnias.
Too Big to Chew
Zinnia flowers are too big – they are tall and thin, making them difficult for rabbits to chew. Additionally, the large seeds in zinnias can become a choking hazard for these furry friends. They can also harm the rabbit’s teeth and digestive system.
So if you have rabbit guests coming over and want to show them some love (and maybe collect a few Easter eggs), keep zinnias out of their reach!
Prickly Center
Regarding rabbits’ zinnias, keep the prickly center away from their sensitive mouths. The flowering stem can also be a hazard as it’s often sharp and could injure your pet rabbit. And lastly, ensure they don’t eat the nectar as it will contain high levels of sugar, which may cause health problems.
How to Keep Rabbits From Eating Zinnias in Your Garden
Fencing
Fencing can be a great way to keep rabbits from jumping over the fence into your garden or eating the plants. You can also use fencing to keep them out of flower beds and prevent them from getting into your rabbit hutches.
Spraying the plants with a repellent is an effective solution for rabbit owners who want to protect their plants from being eaten.
Planting Zinnias Beside Onions or Garlic Plants
When planting zinnias next to other plants, they must consider their predators. For instance, if rabbits are a problem in the garden, planting zinnias near onions or garlic plants will help discourage them from eating the flowers. Additionally, these strong-smelling plants can keep rabbits away too.
Spray Spices
House rabbits can be a real nuisance when it comes to your garden. Not only do they eat all the vegetables, but they also ruin flowers and fruits by spreading various diseases.
Sprinkle salt around zinnias or other plants that are particularly attractive to house rabbits so they do not bother eating these plants. Another way of repelling rabbits is by using garlic, pepper, or onion repellents rubbed on their fur, etc.; you must use this method with caution as it may irritate the rabbit’s skin!
Talcum Powder
Sprinkle talcum powder around the plants before planting them to deter them from eating your flowers. If you see rabbit damage, you may apply vegetable oil or paint onto the affected areas to repel them and discourage further chewing.
Blood Meal
You can try planting different vegetables near your zinnias to deter the rabbits or use blood meal as a deterrent. If those measures don’t work, you may need to install fencing or netting around the plants to protect them.
Other Pests That May Be Eating Your Zinnias Aside From Rabbits
Aphids
Aphids are small, green insects that feed on plant sap. If you see an aphid infestation, grab soap and water and spray the affected area directly. You can treat aphids with insecticides, but it is usually not necessary. Aphids can be a nuisance, but they are not harmful to your plants.
Slugs
If you notice slug trails in your zinnias, it’s time to take action. Slugs are a common garden pest and can cause a lot of damage to plants. There are many ways to kill slugs – boiling water, trapping them with sticky boards, etcetera – so make sure you find the proper method for your situation. Keep your garden clean and free from pests so that this problem doesn’t arise in the future.
Earwigs
If you see earwigs in your garden, it’s time to take action! Earwigs are tiny insects that can cause significant problems for your plants. They love zinnias and will strip the leaves and flowers away, leaving them bare and vulnerable to disease.
There are a few ways to get rid of earwigs – using insecticides or trapping them with sticky traps. Remember you should do that pest control regularly to keep your plants healthy and pest-free!
