Tigger's Green Paw
Chicory

As with all plants, always check if you have any health problems that may be affected by consuming or growing any plants in your garden or yard.

Animal Safety: Dogs: Yes Cats: Yes Rabbits: Yes
Chicory is a plant with blue flower and is in the same family as dandelions.

Lifespan: There seems to be a few answers to this question. Some say chicory lives up to 7 years as long as the root is not harvested. While others say annual or biennial as the root gets bitter over time.

Soil Type: Prefers fertile and well drained soil, but will grow in most soil types.

Life cycle:
Sow: April to August
Harvest: July to February

There are three types of chicory. Forced chicory is mainly white with green tips with a dense formation of leaves. Red chicory also has the sense formation of leaves but is mainly white with red tips and veins. The non-forced chicory is white with more of the leaves green and not as dense. It looks a bit like a tall lettuce. The leaves can be cut throughout the harvest months as it will grow more leaves.
Chicory flowers, leaves and roots can be eaten raw but they can have a bitter taste. They can also be cooked.

Chicory could be good for digestion and gut health and production of healthy gut bacteria. Although too much could have the opposite effect and cause bloat, increased gas, pain and discomfort.

Dogs:
Chicory leaves and root can be given raw or cooked in small amounts in meals. The bitterness may prevent chicory leaves being eaten as a raw snack.

Cats:
Chicory root can be given raw or cooked in small amounts in meals.

Rabbits:
Chicory flowers, leaves and root can be given raw in small amounts as part of their diet.