Lavender: fragrant and healthful and attracts butterflies too!
Lavender, that wonderfully fragrant member of the mint family, is a fine addition to the herbs offered to rabbits and other small pets. Easily grown, English lavender should come back year after year for you (although in colder zones it must be planted in a protected area and mulched well).
Lavender has long, narrow, grayish green leaves and bluish purple spiky flowers. Long prized for its multitude of medicinal uses in humans, small pets derive the same benefits.
Lavender is a general tonic: calming in small amounts, it eases blood pressure, soothes the nervous system, lifts the mood and has a very positive effect on a stressed-out, anxious rabbit or other pet. It has anti-rheumatic properties (eases arthritis pain) as well as having analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (general pain relief, of special benefit to elderly and arthritic pets).
Lavender relieves gas and nausea, aids in digestion, and acts as an anti-spasmodic (another plus for pets with intestinal problems).
Additionally, this plant attracts bees and other beneficial insects to your garden. Obviously most pets will prefer their lavender fresh, but my Oreo will accept dried leaves during the winter.
A note of caution: be aware that lavender has a stimulant effect on the uterus and is not to be used lightly in pregnant animals (or people).
As an added bonus, once the stems are stripped of leaves and flowers they can be burned like incense sticks for a wonderful room freshener.
Don't forget! The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is having a kitten shower this Sunday, May 23, 2010 from 1pm to 3pm!!
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Comments
Will all types of lavender work or just English Lavender? I have some that comes back every year but I don't believe it was called English Lavender - it had another name with the Lavender!
Lavender comes in many varieties, there are variations in color and fragrance. While all are safe for small pets (and people), my rabbits have preferences; Oreo will eat any of it but prefers Hidcote Lavender; Cookie only wants true English Lavenders and will have nothing to do with the French variety (French lavenders have much heartier fragrances and flavors, and Cookie is such a delicate creature, she will only have the English type). Just experiment and see what they like, start will the more subtle varieties perhaps.
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