scampi keeps eating buttercups!

[Mia]

Hi all

My garden has a variety of buttercup in it (creeping buttercup to be precise) Everytime I go outside to see if he is ok he is munching on it, he has been doingthis for afew weeks.
My partner swears blind rabbits have an inbuilt sense as to what they can and cant eat. I disagree and note that buttercups are on the "avoid" list for rabbit feeding.
Can you guys give me a definative answer?

Thanks all

 

[Mia]

anyone? :wave:

 

[Stufi]

Sorry i dont know but would like too...(i have a thread on edible weeds im trying to learn about, so I would love to know

Thumper or prettylupin any ideas? I take it hes had no side effects from it?

 

[prettylupin]

Hi all

My garden has a variety of buttercup in it (creeping buttercup to be precise) Everytime I go outside to see if he is ok he is munching on it, he has been doingthis for afew weeks.
My partner swears blind rabbits have an inbuilt sense as to what they can and cant eat. I disagree and note that buttercups are on the "avoid" list for rabbit feeding.
Can you guys give me a definative answer?

Thanks all

Buttercups are a member of the Ranunculus family and are poisonous to rabbits, not severly but they could cause digestive upset and contact blistering to the lips/mouth.
A few dried buttercups found naturally in hay won't cause issue but you really should not allow bun to forage on them freely in the garden. They are a nightmare with strong roots but I would suggest pulling/digging them all up, they spread very quickly. Or keep bun in an enclosed large exercise run when out in the garden on a safe bit of lawn.

Wild rabbits have a natural instinct, it is NEVER safe to assume that a domestic rabbit has the same instinct - some do, but largely domestication means this instinct is often lost. I have caught my bun tucking into the highly poisonous cuckoo pint/lords and ladies whilst on holiday at my parent's house.... definitely no natural instinct there! :wave:

Creeping buttercup is still buttercup. I often think that the only creep on lawns because they are constantly cut down and have adapted to travel across close to the surface as well. To me they resemble closely the normal buttercup and I do wonder if they are one and the same. Must check my book!

 

[Mia]

Hi

no side effects, so far. But I am worried enough not to let him out again until they are all gone. Guys, I really need to know what the effects are for this, and also can someone please quell the stupid myth my partner has that "rabbits know what they can and cant eat" Personally I think my bunnies will eat anything.

I have just been reading the other thread about weeds and see that buttercups are on the danger list, so any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[prettylupin]

Hi

no side effects, so far. But I am worried enough not to let him out again until they are all gone. Guys, I really need to know what the effects are for this, and also can someone please quell the stupid myth my partner has that "rabbits know what they can and cant eat" Personally I think my bunnies will eat anything.

I have just been reading the other thread about weeds and see that buttercups are on the danger list, so any info will be greatly appreciated.

Look above your last post! :wave:

 

[jewaller]

buttercups

Hi all

My garden has a variety of buttercup in it (creeping buttercup to be precise) Everytime I go outside to see if he is ok he is munching on it, he has been doingthis for afew weeks.
My partner swears blind rabbits have an inbuilt sense as to what they can and cant eat. I disagree and note that buttercups are on the "avoid" list for rabbit feeding.
Can you guys give me a definative answer?

Thanks all

here is are some links. http://www.medirabbit.com adopt a rabbit.com rabbit secrets house of rabbits //-you are correct--buttercup-(leaves) are on the toxic list,,my rule of thumb is-donot feed/allow any of the flower.//.blind or sighted, rabbits sense of smell does-not warn of the toxicity,-impending doom...feed lots of grasses and water and call your nearest exotic specialist..sincerely james waller-g.d.of wales:wave:

 

[jewaller]

rabbit diet

Hi

no side effects, so far. But I am worried enough not to let him out again until they are all gone. Guys, I really need to know what the effects are for this, and also can someone please quell the stupid myth my partner has that "rabbits know what they can and cant eat" Personally I think my bunnies will eat anything.

I have just been reading the other thread about weeds and see that buttercups are on the danger list, so any info will be greatly appreciated.

i had to remind my cottontail he is a herbivore,-not an omnivore--as he stole my dinner(chicken breast)right off my plate..you are right ,,if allowed to a rabbit will attempt to eat anything,-and without proper knowledge of the hazzards in our own backyards,,one could easily offer a toxic plant,,or a very simular looking plants(copy-cat)--sincerely james waller g.d.of wales:wave:

 

[Mia]

thanks guys, i will do some "digging" at the weekend and get rid of the buttercups. In the meantime Scampi Doodle is not allowed out! He will have to terrorise the house instead - constantly running upstairs and hiding under the bed!