What Can Rabbits Eat? The Ultimate Guide to 50+ Safe and Unsafe Foods

What Can Rabbits Eat? Quick Answer

Rabbits can eat a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and limited fruits as treats. Their diet should be 80% hay, 10-15% fresh vegetables, 5% pellets, and occasional fruit treats. Safe options include leafy greens, bell peppers, and carrots in moderation. Avoid toxic foods like chocolate, avocado, and raw beans.

The Complete Guide to Rabbit Nutrition: 50+ Foods Analyzed

Did you know that over 70% of rabbit health issues stem from improper diet? If you’re wondering what can rabbits eat safely, you’re asking one of the most important questions for your pet’s wellbeing.

As a rabbit owner, understanding what foods are safe—and which are toxic—can literally save your bunny’s life. Rabbits have extremely sensitive digestive systems, and even “healthy” foods for humans can be dangerous for them.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down 50+ common foods and explain exactly which ones are safe for your rabbit, how much to feed, and which foods you should never give your bunny. Whether you’re a new rabbit parent or an experienced owner, this guide will help you make the best dietary choices for your furry friend.

What you’ll learn:

✅ Complete list of safe vegetables and fruits
❌ Toxic foods that can harm your rabbit
📊 Proper portion sizes and feeding frequency
🔍 How to introduce new foods safely
💡 Common feeding mistakes to avoid

Safe Vegetables for Rabbits: Complete List

Vegetables should make up about 10-15% of your rabbit’s daily diet. The key is variety and moderation. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:

🥬 Leafy Greens (Daily Staples)

These should form the bulk of your rabbit’s vegetable intake:

Romaine lettuce – Excellent daily choice (avoid iceberg lettuce)
Arugula – High in nutrients, great for daily feeding
Kale – Rich in vitamins, 2-3 times per week due to high calcium
Spinach – Nutritious but feed sparingly (high oxalates)
Cilantro – Most rabbits love it, safe for daily feeding
Parsley – Nutrient-dense herb, great daily option
Basil – Aromatic herb, safe for regular feeding
Dandelion greens – Wild favorite, highly nutritious
Bok choy – Mild and safe for daily feeding

🥕 Root Vegetables & Others (Moderate Amounts)

Carrots – High in sugar, treat only (1-2 times per week)
Celery – Cut into small pieces to prevent choking, safe daily
Bell peppers – All colors safe, remove seeds, daily option
Cucumber – High water content, good for hydration
Zucchini – Low calorie, safe for regular feeding
Broccoli – Small amounts only (can cause gas)
Cauliflower – Very small amounts (can cause gas)

🚫 Vegetables to Limit or Avoid

❌ Iceberg lettuce – No nutritional value, can cause diarrhea
❌ Rhubarb – Toxic to rabbits
❌ Raw potato – Contains toxic solanine
❌ Onions & garlic – Toxic, damages blood cells
⚠️ Cabbage – Can cause severe gas, very limited amounts only

💡 Pro Tip: The “Cup of Greens” Rule

Feed approximately 1 cup of chopped greens per 2 pounds of body weight daily. Always provide at least 3 different types of vegetables for nutritional variety.

Safe Fruits for Rabbits: Treats Only!

Fruits are high in sugar and should be given as occasional treats only—about 1-2 tablespoons per 5 pounds of body weight, 2-3 times per week maximum.

🍓 Berry Family (Best Fruit Choices)

Strawberries – Remove leaves, 1-2 small berries per serving
Blueberries – Great antioxidants, 3-4 berries per serving
Blackberries – High fiber, 1-2 berries per serving
Raspberries – Nutrient-rich, 2-3 berries per serving

🍎 Common Fruits (Moderate Sugar)

Apples – Remove seeds (toxic!), small slice only
Bananas – Very high sugar, ½ inch slice maximum
Grapes – 1-2 grapes only, high sugar content
Watermelon – Remove seeds, small cube only
Pineapple – Fresh only, tiny amount (high acidity)
Mango – Remove skin and pit, small cube only
Peaches – Remove pit (toxic!), small slice only
Cherries – Remove pit and stem (toxic!), 1-2 cherries
Plums – Remove pit, small slice only

🍊 Citrus Fruits (Give Rarely)

Oranges – Very small amount, high acidity, rare treat
Tangerines – Similar to oranges, rare treat

❌ Fruits to NEVER Feed

❌ Avocado – HIGHLY TOXIC, can be fatal
❌ Dried fruits – Too concentrated in sugar
❌ Fruit seeds/pits – Contain cyanide compounds

⚠️ Warning: Sugar Overload

Rabbits have a sweet tooth but lack natural sugar regulation. Too much fruit can lead to obesity, dental problems, and digestive issues. When in doubt, give less!

Toxic & Dangerous Foods: Never Feed These!

Some foods that are safe for humans can be extremely dangerous or fatal to rabbits. Here’s what to avoid:

🚨 HIGHLY TOXIC (Can Be Fatal)

❌ Chocolate – Contains theobromine, toxic to rabbits
❌ Avocado – All parts toxic, can cause respiratory failure
❌ Rhubarb leaves – Contains oxalic acid, highly toxic
❌ Raw beans – Contains lectins, toxic
❌ Onions & garlic – Damages red blood cells
❌ Leeks & chives – Same family as onions, toxic
❌ Wild mushrooms – Many species toxic to rabbits

⚠️ DANGEROUS (Health Risks)

❌ Peanut butter – Choking hazard, too fatty
❌ Bread & crackers – Can cause bloating and GI stasis
❌ Pasta & rice – Too starchy, digestive issues
❌ Cereal & cookies – High sugar, artificial ingredients
❌ Nuts & seeds – Choking hazard, too fatty
❌ Cheese & dairy – Rabbits are lactose intolerant
❌ Meat & eggs – Rabbits are herbivores
❌ Corn – Choking hazard, hard to digest

🌿 Toxic Plants & Flowers

❌ Daffodils, tulips, lilies
❌ Ivy, philodendron
❌ Azalea, rhododendron
❌ Yew, foxglove

🚨 Emergency: If Your Rabbit Eats Something Toxic

Call your exotic vet IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait for symptoms. Have ready:

What was eaten and how much
When it was eaten
Your rabbit’s weight
Any symptoms observed

Daily Feeding Guidelines: The 80-10-5-5 Rule

A healthy rabbit diet follows this proven formula:

📊 Perfect Rabbit Diet Breakdown

80-85% HAY – Unlimited timothy, orchard grass, or meadow hay
10-15% FRESH VEGETABLES – 1 cup per 2 lbs body weight
5% PELLETS – ¼ cup per 5 lbs body weight (adult rabbits)
0-5% TREATS – Fruits and commercial treats (sparingly!)

How to Introduce New Foods Safely

One food at a time – Never introduce multiple new foods at once
Start small – Give just a tiny amount (1-2 tablespoons)
Wait 24 hours – Monitor for digestive upset or changes in droppings
Watch for signs – Diarrhea, soft cecotropes, or lethargy means stop immediately
Gradually increase – If all goes well, slowly increase portion over 1 week

⏰ Feeding Schedule

Morning: Fresh hay, pellets, and ½ vegetable portion
Evening: Fresh hay refill and ½ vegetable portion
Throughout day: Hay should always be available
Treats: 2-3 times per week maximum

💡 Pro Tip: Poop Tells the Story

Your rabbit’s droppings are the best indicator of digestive health. Normal poops should be round, firm, and uniform. Soft, smelly, or irregular droppings mean dietary adjustment needed!

Complete Food Safety Chart: 50+ Foods at a Glance

Food	Safe?	Frequency	Notes
Carrots	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	High sugar – treat only
Bananas	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	Very high sugar – tiny amounts
Strawberries	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Good treat option
Grapes	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	1-2 grapes max per serving
Celery	✅ Yes	Daily	Cut into small pieces
Apples	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Remove seeds (toxic!)
Cucumber	✅ Yes	Daily	Good hydration source
Watermelon	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	Remove seeds, small amounts
Broccoli	⚠️ Limited	1x/week	Small amounts – can cause gas
Lettuce (Romaine)	✅ Yes	Daily	Excellent staple vegetable
Lettuce (Iceberg)	❌ No	Never	No nutrition, causes diarrhea
Tomatoes	⚠️ Limited	1-2x/week	Fruit only – no leaves/stems
Spinach	⚠️ Limited	2-3x/week	High oxalates – moderate amounts
Blueberries	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Excellent treat – 3-4 berries
Cabbage	⚠️ Limited	Rarely	Causes gas – tiny amounts only
Oranges	⚠️ Limited	Rarely	High acidity – very small amounts
Kale	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	High calcium – rotate with other greens
Pineapple	⚠️ Limited	Rarely	High acidity – tiny amounts
Corn	❌ No	Never	Choking hazard, hard to digest
Green Beans	✅ Yes	Daily	Safe vegetable option
Peanut Butter	❌ No	Never	Choking hazard, too fatty
Raspberries	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Good treat – 2-3 berries
Mango	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	Remove skin/pit – small cube only
Cauliflower	⚠️ Limited	1x/week	Can cause gas – very small amounts
Bell Peppers	✅ Yes	Daily	All colors safe – remove seeds
Avocado	❌ No	NEVER	HIGHLY TOXIC – can be fatal
Cherries	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	Remove pit/stem (toxic!) – 1-2 cherries
Peaches	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	Remove pit (toxic!) – small slice
Blackberries	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Good treat – 1-2 berries
Plums	✅ Yes	1-2x/week	Remove pit – small slice only
Zucchini	✅ Yes	Daily	Low calorie, safe option
Squash	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Cooked or raw, small amounts
Pumpkin	✅ Yes	2-3x/week	Good for digestion – small amounts
Sweet Potato	⚠️ Limited	Rarely	High starch – tiny amounts only
Mushrooms	⚠️ Limited	Rarely	Store-bought only – tiny amounts
Nuts	❌ No	Never	Choking hazard, too fatty
Bread	❌ No	Never	Can cause bloating and GI stasis
Cheese	❌ No	Never	Rabbits are lactose intolerant
Chocolate	❌ No	NEVER	HIGHLY TOXIC – can be fatal

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I feed my rabbit daily?

Adult rabbits should receive unlimited hay, ¼ cup of pellets per 5 lbs body weight, and 1 cup of fresh vegetables per 2 lbs body weight. Treats should be limited to 1-2 tablespoons of fruit 2-3 times per week.

Can baby rabbits eat the same foods as adults?

No. Baby rabbits (under 12 weeks) should only eat alfalfa hay, pellets, and mother’s milk. Introduce vegetables gradually starting at 12 weeks, one at a time. Fruits should wait until 6+ months old.

What vegetables can rabbits eat every day?

Safe daily vegetables include: romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, arugula, bell peppers, cucumber, and celery. Always provide at least 3 different types daily for nutritional variety.

Why can’t rabbits eat iceberg lettuce?

Iceberg lettuce contains lactucarium, which can cause diarrhea in rabbits. It also has virtually no nutritional value. Stick to dark, leafy greens like romaine, red leaf, or green leaf lettuce instead.

Can rabbits eat carrot tops and greens?

Yes! Carrot tops (greens) are actually healthier than the carrot itself and can be fed daily. The orange carrot root is high in sugar and should only be given as an occasional treat.

How do I know if my rabbit is eating too much sugar?

Signs include: weight gain, soft/irregular droppings, decreased appetite for hay, and increased drinking. If you notice these signs, cut back on fruits and high-sugar vegetables immediately.

What should I do if my rabbit won’t eat vegetables?

Try offering vegetables at different times of day, mix with favorite foods, or cut into different shapes. Some rabbits prefer wet vegetables (rinse first). Never force-feed, but ensure hay is always available. Consult a vet if appetite loss continues.

Can rabbits eat frozen or canned vegetables?

Fresh is always best. Frozen vegetables can be offered occasionally if thawed completely, but canned vegetables usually contain added salt and should be avoided. Always rinse thoroughly if using frozen options.

Is it safe to feed my rabbit plants from my garden?

Only if you’re 100% certain they’re safe and pesticide-free. Many common garden plants are toxic to rabbits. Safe options include: dandelions, clover, parsley, and basil. Always research each plant species before offering.

What are the signs my rabbit ate something toxic?

Watch for: lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, seizures, or unusual behavior. If you suspect poisoning, call your exotic vet IMMEDIATELY—don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.

The Bottom Line: Feeding Your Rabbit Right

Feeding your rabbit doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require knowledge and consistency. Here’s what to remember:

🔑 Key Takeaways

Hay is life – It should make up 80-85% of their diet and be available 24/7
Vegetables daily – 1 cup per 2 lbs body weight, with at least 3 varieties
Fruits are treats – Not daily food! Maximum 2-3 times per week
Introduce slowly – One new food at a time, watch for digestive issues
Know what’s toxic – Avocado, chocolate, onions, and raw beans can be fatal
Watch their poops – Best indicator of digestive health
When in doubt, leave it out – If you’re unsure about a food, don’t risk it

Remember, every rabbit is unique. What works for one may not work for another. Pay attention to your bunny’s individual preferences and digestive responses. Keep this guide bookmarked for quick reference, and always consult with an exotic veterinarian if you have concerns about your rabbit’s diet.

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