What Can’t Rabbits Eat?

Just because rabbits are herbivores doesn’t mean they can eat all varieties of vegetables, fruits, and greens. A rabbit’s unique digestive system and dietary requirements make many human treats inappropriate. As a loving pet owner, it’s crucial to give your rabbit healthy food, but it’s even more important to know which treats you should never give them. In this article, we will talk about the most common foods that should never be fed to rabbits. Why did iceberg lettuce and mushrooms make it to our list? What’s wrong with potatoes and avocados? Why are cereals, breads, and peppers bad for rabbits? Keep reading to find out.

Number 18: Avocados.

Avocados contain a toxic substance called persin, which is perfectly safe for humans but can cause serious health problems, even death, in many animals. Persin is found in all parts of the avocado, such as the leaves, flesh, pit, skin, and the actual plant. So, all of these parts are poisonous to your rabbit. If a bunny consumes toxic levels of persin, it can cause abnormal behaviors and breathing trouble. If not properly treated, it can lead to heart failure and even death.

Number 17: Chocolate.

Chocolate is an absolute no-no for rabbits. As with dogs and cats, chocolate has no place in your bunny’s diet. The sweet treat is incredibly toxic to rabbits because it contains theobromine and caffeine. These chemicals can do serious damage to your rabbit.

Number 16: Iceberg lettuce.

While there are some varieties of leafy dark lettuces like romaine that make wonderful staples in a well-balanced rabbit diet, light-colored lettuces like iceberg contain a substance called lactucarium that can be harmful to rabbits. Lactucarium is not usually harmful in small amounts, but a large portion of iceberg lettuce could cause diarrhea and physical weakness. Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and will add no nutritional value to a rabbit’s diet. It has low levels of minerals, vitamins, and fiber and is best to be avoided. Stick to darker leafy greens like romaine lettuce or kale as they are higher in nutrients and fiber.

Number 15: Mushrooms.

Rabbits should not eat any type of mushroom. Wild mushrooms are particularly dangerous, but even store-bought mushrooms should not be fed to rabbits. Mushrooms contain misotoxins that remain present in the fungi whether cooked or raw, which can be poisonous to rabbits. Side effects of mushroom toxicity can include organ damage, gastrointestinal discomfort, and neurological deficits. Keep a close eye on your little pet to make sure they don’t eat any mushrooms.

Number 14: Meat, fish, and eggs.

Although this shouldn’t come as a surprise, it is worth mentioning that rabbits are herbivores, meaning that they eat plants and should never be offered meat, fish, or eggs. Unlike omnivores or carnivores whose digestive systems are designed to properly digest meat-based food, rabbits’ gastrointestinal tracts are specifically equipped to break down vegetation. Make sure to avoid feeding your bunny any product containing animal-derived proteins such as meat, eggs, or chicken.

Number 13: Raw onions, leeks, and garlic.

Onions, garlic, leeks, and all herbs from the allium family are toxic and can cause serious health problems for rabbits, as well as many other animals. These vegetables will destroy a rabbit’s red blood cells, leading to a serious condition called hemolytic anemia, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Luckily, most rabbits won’t eat these foods, but make sure to keep onions, garlic, and leeks out of your rabbit’s reach and avoid giving them any treat or snack that has these vegetables in its ingredients.

Number 12: Fruit seeds.

Although small amounts of many fruits are safe for rabbits to eat, the seeds and pits of many fruit varieties contain small amounts of cyanide, which can be toxic to your little pet. Pears and apples are the most notorious examples, but the pits from peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and mangoes also contain cyanide, which is fine in small doses but will make your pets sick if they are repeatedly fed these pits. For safety’s sake, keep your rabbit far away from seeds and pits.

Number 11: Dairy products.

Although it is common to see images of rabbits drinking milk in picture books and cartoons, you should not give rabbits milk to drink. After rabbits are weaned off of their mother, their bodies lose the ability to digest any type of dairy product. Even baby rabbits should not be fed cow’s milk. This is because cow’s milk would not be easily digestible for rabbits, and it does not have the same nutritional makeup as rabbit’s milk.

Number 10: Rhubarb.

All parts of the rhubarb plant are toxic to rabbits. This vegetable contains a compound called oxalic acid, which can interfere with calcium absorption and lead to unpleasant side effects. Rabbits experiencing oxalic acid toxicity can experience a lack of appetite, weakness, and listlessness. In more serious cases, it can cause neurological damage, seizure, and even death in rabbits.

Number 9: Eye-catching pet store treats and pellet mixes.

Many rabbit owners just buy any product that has a photo of a rabbit on it. However, most of the products that are marketed towards rabbits are actually not good for them. Oftentimes, many treats and pellets sold at the pet store are far from healthy for rabbits. Many of them include harmful ingredients such as yogurt, seeds, corn, nuts, and legumes. Some also have colorful pieces with a high amount of added sugar in them. Many people choose these products because they are colorful and appetizing to our human brains, but the reality is that they do more harm than good. They lead to an unhealthy rabbit digestive system and obesity. Instead, give your rabbit just those plain, boring-looking pellets, and your rabbit will love you for it.

Number 8: Raw potatoes.

Before being cooked, potatoes contain a poisonous substance called solanine. Solanine helps potatoes keep insects and predators away, but it can also cause abdominal pain, neurological problems, and lethargy in rabbits. Potatoes are also high in carbohydrates and in starch, which can throw off a rabbit’s sensitive gastrointestinal system and lead to serious digestive concerns.

Number 7: Fruits and vegetables.

Most fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, carrots, pineapples, peaches, and grapes, are safe for rabbits to eat, but only in very small amounts as occasional treats. These foods are not toxic but have high sugar content, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and could cause an imbalance in the rabbit’s digestion. Keep in mind that obesity is linked to many serious illnesses and a slew of health problems. As a rule of thumb, an approximate amount of fruit to feed your rabbit is one teaspoon per two pounds of body weight per day. Bunnies have a sweet tooth, and your rabbit will likely beg for more treats, but don’t give in.

Number 6: House plants.

Even though rabbits are herbivores, there are some houseplants that can be toxic to them when ingested. Although most rabbits will instinctively avoid plants that are toxic, some pet rabbits don’t have the ability to discern what is good for them to eat. Among the most toxic plants are daffodils, ivy, lilies, and aloe vera. Golden pothos is best to keep all houseplants out of reach from your curious little bunny mouth.

Number 5: Kidney beans and broad beans.

Legumes, including peas, beans, and lentils, should not be fed to rabbits. This class of vegetables is very high in protein and carbohydrates and can throw off your rabbit’s delicate gastrointestinal system. This can lead to bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Some types of legumes, like beans, have chemical substances that can cause blood clotting. They inhibit your rabbit’s ability to absorb nutrients from their diet and increase the risk of certain illnesses. Kidney beans and broad beans, in particular, are an absolute no-no to your rabbit.

Number 4: Chili peppers.

Rabbits can eat almost all types of bell peppers, green, yellow, red, or purple. However, hot peppers, such as the jalapeno, cayenne, or habanero, shouldn’t be fed to rabbits as their digestive system is sensitive to hot and spicy foods. The spicy factor alone could harm them to the point of causing death.

Number 3: Bread, pasta, cookies, and cereals.

Do you offer your rabbit Cheerios, cereals, or a slice of your bread or toast? You need to stop doing this. While you might think it is a wonderful bonding opportunity to share a cracker or potato chip with your rabbit, it is never recommended. The problem with these highly processed foods is that they are loaded with sugar and carbohydrates, which can lead to abnormal stools, abdominal discomfort, and dysbiosis. They also substantially increase the risk of obesity and obesity-related health problems. Keep in mind that when foods are processed, they lose most of the nutritional value. The end product will mostly contain starch and sugar, two elements that should not be a large part of a rabbit’s diet. Likewise, muesli-style foods shouldn’t be fed to rabbits. Muesli can increase the risk of developing serious tummy and teeth problems, which cause terrible suffering. Remember, rabbits’ digestive systems are designed to process a high-fiber diet. This is why a rabbit’s daily diet should be made up of mostly hay, a small amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets.

Number 2: Olives.

Olives have a high sodium content, which makes them dangerous for rabbits to eat. If consumed in large amounts, this means they are best avoided at all costs.

Number 1: Hamster food.

Hamsters and rabbits are two different species and they have different food requirements. Hamster food is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of an omnivore, whereas rabbit food is designed to meet the needs of an herbivore.

Now you know which foods and fruits are harmful to your rabbit. Keep your rabbit away from these foods and give them a nice healthy life.