Bad Rabbit Food: What NOT To Feed Your Bunny

You'd think that feeding rabbits would be easy. Just chuck any old plant matter into the cage and have done with it, right? Wrong. This feeding methodology is an excellent way to kill your bunny or make it very sick indeed. Knowing what to feed your rabbit, and especially what NOT to feed it, is a very important part of rabbit care because some of the foods that might seem great are, in fact, incredibly dangerous.
#1: Most Lettuces
As a general rule, you shouldn't feed your rabbit lettuce, which contains lactucarium, which can give your rabbit diarrhea so bad that it becomes fatal. Iceberg lettuce contains laudanum which can be harmful in large quantities. Yes, some lettuces are worse than others. Some claim that it is okay to feed them small amounts of Romaine because it contains the least amount of lactucarium of the common lettuce varieties. Some people report that their rabbits enjoy (and don't die from) eating small quantities of lettuce, but still, it's best err on the side of caution.
But leafy greens are very good for your bunny: See the list of alternative greens below.
#2: Certain Common Vegetables
Other common foods to avoid include cabbage, parsnips, swedes (rutabaga or turnip), potato, and tomato leaves. Vegetables that contain higher levels of oxalic acid (like spinach, mustard greens, and parsley) can be dangerous, especially in large doses. Onions, leeks and chives can cause blood abnormalities.
There are plenty of good and tasty foods that you can feed your rabbit, so save these for the compost or maybe your own table if you're a fan.
#3: Certain Wild Plants and Grasses
If you let your rabbit roam free in your garden or home, make sure that you don't have any of the following plants growing in places that are accessible, as they can also be dangerous to your bunny:
- Anemone
- Arum Lilies
- Buttercups
- Bluebells
- Clover
- Daffodils and other bulbs
- Dahlia
- Deadly Nightshade
- Delphinium
- Fairy Primrose
- Foxglove
- Hemlock
- Honeysuckle
- Iris
- Ivy
- Jasmine
- Larkspur
- Poppies
- Primulas
- Snowdrops
- Tulips
In general it is best to restrict your bunny to grass-only-areas with no clover in them. Clover can cause gas, and rabbits have no means to expel it, which can lead to bloat and death.
What Should I Feed My Bunny?
- Safe foods to feed your bunny include hay (preferably Timothy hay, as it contains the most nutrients, and not alfalfa, as it tends to contain too much calcium). There should always be plenty of hay available for your rabbit every day.
- Fresh foods such as peas (English and snow), kale, bok choy, Brussels and other sprouts, celery, wheat grass, watercress, collard greens, squash, bell peppers, and broccoli. Sweet things like carrot, apple, and banana can also be fed in small amounts as treats.
- Reputable pellets from a pet store can be fed in small amounts, but they should not form the bulk of a rabbit's diet.
If you are introducing a new, untested ingredient to your rabbit's diet, consider starting small and gradually increasing the amount. That way, if you see any sign of upset stomach or diarrhea, you can immediately avoid that food. Plus, it's a good rule of thumb to make sure your bunny gets a little bit of a wide variety of foods rather than a bunch of one kind, so keep this in mind, as well, and don't get into the habit of feeding the same foods over and over.
A little care in choosing appropriate food can make a huge difference in your rabbit's health and happiness.
Comments
I gave my bunny 1 small piece of a banana yesterday, and one small piece of a banana today, please tell me he'll be okay?
I gave my baby bunny a peace of granola bar is he gunna be ok
I fed my bunny Swedish fish..... opps . She then ran around her cage like a psycho
I gave my rabbits approx.10 pcs of grapes tonight, but the female rabbit suddenly became uneasy and bump itself into its cage and with just less than a minute it died instantly. I really do not know what happened. Can somebody pls tell me why.. I am confused a bit traumatized with what happened.Don't want to feed them again with anything except d swamp cabbage.
can i feed my dutch bunny carrots? im not sure about my dutch bunny but the pet store told me that my dwarf rabbit cannot have carrots because they cant digest it right.
My rabbits like an oat and honey snack thing I eat. Is it alll right. Also.
Do’s and don’ts On foods for pet rabbits: Popular sites like this one can have totally opposite information on foods to feed your pet rabbit. The few things they agree on is hay and moderate amounts of fresh foods.
I’m now wondering why Pet stores sell hay with alfalfa and pellets with whole kernels of corn and hard seeds if rabbits should not have alfalfa nor able to chew grains.
The reason for this first visit is that my granddaughter’s pet which I’m sitting because she has no room will not eat hay period, alfalfa or not and not crazy about pellets and leaves all grains behind. I would gladly make a customized diet but it seems I’m getting conflicting information on raw fruits and veggies.
About the only thing I appear to be doing right is Apple’s in moderation and oats.
I would appreciate, for starters, comments about why pet stores sell dry foods (for rabbits) that are not suggested on this site. You do note the reasons for your suggestion and that is appreciated.
P.s. perhaps I need to “starve” the bunny of the allowed foods that he otherwise won’t eat or will even turn over in protest.
This page is great it is very useful.
This does not tell u why u don't feed your bunnies that stuff they said
Omg thank you I almost fed my rabbit half those foods before I read this!
bunnnies cannot eat peanut butter,they cant vomit so they choke and die
Sorry but I'm confused. You said not to cabbage but is a collard greens that you say below is ok. Can you please clarify that? Thanks
it was very useful thanks
This is a fun and helpful sight I think its a great way to learn about what rabbits should and shouldn't eat, thanks!
They seem to like papaya...in Hawaii papayas are cheap too.
peanuts butter is not good it does no good it could case a tummy ache.
Im so confused i searched up clover to see if its good for my bunny but it seems like one site told me its good since its high in protein and calcium weather its the ones bees like or the sweet ones yet here it says its dangerous that can cause death?
I saved a house bunny and accidentally fed it iceberg lettuce and what do I do!!!! I'm only 10 and I'm with my sister (10)
i like to spoil my little Mr. Snuggles but with too many treats he turns into Mr. Little brat he loves bananas and the peels i think that bananas are his favorite treat so far that he has tried he lives outside and he likes to munch on dandelions every day for half the day when the sun isn't on his spot. he has a little harness it is for cats but it works for him he is happy and joyful almost all the time and enjoys a good brushing an a nice long snuggle!
Instead of asking for advice when your rabbit is clearly dying maybe..take it to a vet instead. You are responsible for the animal you own-- it relies on you! TAKE IT TO THE VET if it shows signs of distress/pain. I mean, you can also -call- the vet for advice, ya'll.
Jeezums.
I let my rabbit eat a little bit of clovers not every day I mean he ate bacon
Can my bunny eat goat food for a day?
Can rabbits have peanut butter
I thought that clover was good for your Rabbit
Can rabbits eat peanut butter
I have an 8monty old bunny and my dad just bought lettuce for her Italian and Ceaser lite which one do I feed her? And if not which one should I not feed her?
He is gasping for air would it just ptolong his death by breatjing on his mouth a little and could it have been poison my husband gave him a peach and he mightve gotten some of the pit is that poisonous
I give my bunny a full bowl of food and fill up the hay bin in the mornings but maybe three hours later, it's all gone. Do I keep re filling his food and hay or is there a limit bunnies should eat a day?
Roy, rabbits should not have nuts. It can make them sick or die. You should also not give rabbits full celery sticks because the string in them and clog the intestines.
I have a baby nine week old tomorrow how do I make sure she's getting a healthy diet
A bit of banana PEEL is better than banana itself (too much sugar)
I raise my rabbits and they eat lots of head l lettuce tons of grass, potatoes, tomatoes, chili peppers, thistles, dandelion, hay, beans, morning glory leaves, lots of clover, onion tops, carrots, beer, Apple's, pears, and I've never had any trouble no kidding only bad thing is they'll eat a five gallon bucket a day if you put it in front of them there free range unless one is pregnant best part is I only have to pull the lawn mower out a couple times of year! Good Luck! And they eat a bunch of other plants and flowers that I don't know what they are.
Can bunnys die from eating clover!?
Can bunny's eat a potatoes or not
Zendaya Rose
Bunnies are vegetarians.
So if i was to get a bunny, would i be able to give him, like left ocer scraps from meat, chicken breast or ham...
So my bunny started chewing on my dogs rawhide chewing stick. Is that ok?
I really thought lettuce was okay to give me and my boyfriend just purchased a baby boy dwarf bunny and just thinking it's crazy the pet shop doesn't mention anything about what they can't eat !!! They made it sound like lettuce was okay actually so happy for your site great read thank you !
can i feed my baby bunny (XD) carrots?
Please look up the definition of laudanum
I enjoy your site because it is so informative.I find the answers to all of my questions. Your facts could save someone's loved pet! Apparently we are taking Bugs Bunny too seriously,because mine isn't crazy about carrots ! Your info on lettuce was so enlightening. TY
Can bunny eat onions
My son's bunny died a day after being fed baby spinach & spring mix. I don't understand. I want to get him a new bunny, but afraid of feeding spinach and spring mix.
stop feeding your bunnies vegatable oil ishola! your killing the rabbits, take them to the vet cause your just gonna kill all of them
Ishola... WHY are you giving vegetable oil? 12 of your rabbits died, and you're still doing the same thing?? Take the living rabbits to the vet NOW. You poisoned them
My rabbits are newly weaned and they are dying with big belly. I have being given vegetable oil but still dying please help me I lost 12 within a week
I have a baby bunny and she is a girl if you have baby bunnies or a baby bunny make sure to give it lots of love take it out of its cage and play with it don't be afraid to pet it,rabbits are friendly little creatures and Love attention from you and play with them all you can when they are little so when they grow up they won't scratch and bite.Keep your bunny close to your heart. In contrast, keep your bunny or bunnies healthy and give love to your bunny or bunnies. Love, The Bunny Person
My 3 yr old bunny from the get go has basically hated anything to do with pellets. Most Rabbit food we have bought him he has not liked and after a few days still no go regards to eating it!! I basically given him sunflower unsaled seeds, some of the smaller things you find in other pet foods . Loves Romaine lettuce, carrots etc. Anyone have any other advice. He gets out daily for exercise and we change his cage very frequent, every 4-5 days, water is refilled every day. Any advice ??
Cool, my bunny is called Flopsy and I had her almost 2 years now
Grace, it doesnt say let them eat carrots...
Well, my bunny Meatloaf eats just about everything he shouldn't (I apparently looked at some bad sources) we have always fed him like this for 2 years now and he never had one single issue. My bunny is a boss
really good tips in this
Awful sources! Me and my friend bought her first rabbit and we fed it Timothy Hay, Carrots and the next week passed, and he DIED! Turns out carrots have too much sugar! PetHELPFUL!? More like PetKILLER! :( :(
Hello I have read through all of these comments and remember there are no stupid questions but I did come across one I found interesting it was the one about consuming arsenic, just so you know as humans we do consume arsenic. Google search toxins and poisons naturally occurring in foods. Then search all preservatives and their chemical make up. Daily humans produce and consume more toxins than they actually realize.
Hi I bought my rabbit to show for the fair he's a Califorian rabbit but I didn't know they were going to get him sold and killed. My mom paid as much money for me to keep my rabbit alive. Well since we had him he's a sweet rabbit, he's like a little puppy! People say not to feed them this and that, well I feed him whatever he likes. He'll smell it before he eats it and if he likes the smell and thinks it safe he'll eat it. My rabbit is an outdoor pet. At night he goes inside his cage or if it gets too hot we'll bring him inside until it cools down. My rabbit absolutely hates Timothy hay, I've bought him more than 10 different name brands. I gave him some alfalfa to see if he'll like it, and he absoultely loved it so we fed him that as part as his diet. He hasn't died or got sick so it's safe for some rabbits.
thank you so much I will be getting a rabbit soon and now I know what to feed them and not to feed them
THANK YOU
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My bunny Snowball eats a lot of cabbage and she's fine! In fact, when we first got her the only thing other than hay that she would eat was cabbage, cabbage, cabbage!
My son purchased a Norwegian Dwarf for Father's Day two years ago. He's a real character. Rabbits crave attention so don't be afraid to pet them and give them lots of love. I named him Dexter. He was on his way to be live feed for snakes. I can hardly believe that breeders sell these cute creatures for snake consumption. My rabbit loves pears, bananas, apples, carrots, rolled oats and timothy hay. I find that Oxbow has the best products on the market. I've had rabbits for30 years. He lives in my apartment and has freedom to roam the apartment. He's partially litter box trained. I give him a small amount of alfalfa once a week. Fresh water every day. He loves when I chase him around the apartment. He has a nice life. I have to take him to the vet to have his nails clipped. Iy's too stressful for me to clip them. The last Norwegian Dwarf I had lived 1 years. He was a sweet rabbit. I've had better luck with male rabbits than females.. Rabbits are very curious little animals. They are high maintenance and are not a pet to bget for small children as they require a lot of work.
Hi guys I work and a bunny refuge we grow our own greens for over 40 bunnys we never give them iceberg lettuce or cucumber also my bunny sketch dose not eat carrots we also give them oxbow pellets and fresh hay the baby's need loosen hay same with pregnant mothers hope this helps oh and all the bunnys live inside and don't forget toys and boxs to hide and play in. ADOPT NOT SHOP!!!!!
Bunny's belong INSIDE! I have had my bunny 6 years now. He gets lots of timothy hay, he does NOT get tap water. I give him spring water with bunny vitamin drops. NO iceberg lettuce!!
Mine loves, kale, green leaf lettuce, cilantro, dandelion leaves, green carrot tips, curly parsley, spinach, dark tips off romaine. Greens are important. Make sure U ive high quality pellets as well. NOTHING from a supermarket. Carrots are NOT a food source either, more of a treat. Too high in sugar. I give him a few pieces a week & a slice of apple & banana once a week. Keep the water clean as well as the cage. LOTS of timothy hay!! Fiber is big for them.THey like to play & chew on empty toilet paper rolls which is OK. It keeps them busy & teeth trimmed. Good luck!
Wish I read this yesterday. Today I fed my 3 baby bunnies white clover and they all died. Please, if you love your bunnies, don't feed them any clovers.
Can you feed them hey
Can u give rabbits Grapes
Can you keep your rabbits outside
well probably not try it and see.
Hi, i bought my bun Mello from a petstore and she was sneezing and the next day she had boogers in her nose so i took her back to the petstore and traded her in for my girl Smokie. The petstore is treating Mello and will sell her bavk to me once she is well. My question for you is both my girls are from the same litter and have only been seperated for about a week will i be able to just put them together immediately or will i have to reintroduce them
I read the part about the lettuce and i want to say: I have fed my rabbits lettuce all of their lives and there has never been any problems. they love lettuce and it doesn't harm them in any way. So does it matter what breed of rabbit they are?
First try pellets. If your bunny is not eating,try a new kind also don't feed it lettace! My bunnies LOVE snow peas.try those.
My grandma is giving me a Red bunnie and i dont know if i just give it bunnie pellets and lettace, i would very much like to know thank you and please no mean comments
DO NOT FEED ICEBERG LETTUCE AND CUCUMBER TO YOUR RABBITS, for goodness' sake!!! Please, please, go to rabbit.org for more info on proper rabbit care and consult your vet if your rabbits are sick and NOT pet shops! Majority of the pet shops are IGNORANT to the wellbeing of rabbits. Their only purpose is sell you the rabbits (mostly from backyard/unethical/illegal breeders) and let you deal with the animal. The WORST place to seek advice from are the pet shops!
Hi everyone,I have 2 rabbits that died today Ted was nearly 9 years old and Thumper about 8 1/2 both were in good health last night.
I gave them half an Iceberg lettuce each and some carrots and cucumber yesterday thinking it was a treat in this warm weather but after reading the threads on here to try and find a reason I realise it was a bad idea,they have had iceberg in the past but in small amounts,please take care with your feeding we have had rabbits for years but never knew about this as always thought it was a natural food.
Petshops should give more info ????
I gat my bunny maby a week or so ago, and I fed him lettuce. Iceberg lettuce. I didnt know it could die. Please please please can someone tell me if comit needs to go to the vet. Im scared about him dieing. Im 10 and I love my bunny
My rabbit has bin sick
Hi I fed my bunny some clover today cuz I heard that its very healthy for them! The bunny is only 8-10 weeks old and I don't know what to do! She is drinking and eating but I'm still really scared! Please tell me what to do!!!
I just got a bunny from the wild we are going to take them to a shelter tomorrow is it illegal to keep healthy wild bunnies in Texas?PLEASE HELP I DONT WANT TO GO TO JAIL!
What do i do if one of my rabbit eats other rabbit's hair?
Hi there
My dad bought me 4 bunnies for my birthday and i'm not sure where to buy a 'run' thing for them :/ And also, do I keep them outside or inside?
Elena, How much do you know about rabbits??,
Please email me back at: Rebekah4011@gmail.com
And if anyone else has a question about rabbits please feel free to email me also,
I have 8 Rabbits, And i know a lot about rabbits, In my room i have almost 75 books about rabbits, :)
So please email me at Rebekah4011@gmail.com
If you have any questions,
Thanks
Ps.Bunniez i'm not trying to steal your answer's or anything, I just want to help people and their Bunny's.
Please understand, Thanks Bunniez, :)
I strongly have to disagree with this article. You say no clover, thats one thing that rabbits LOVE. Wild rabbits eat it all the time and so do mine, I have never had an issue. As a show rabbit owner I only want top wuality for mine. My vet even recommends clover...
So I really don't trust this article
Bunniez, I would like to ask you a few questions about my Rabbits,
I have a Female with a little of 5 Babbie Bunnies, They will be 4 Weeks old on October the 19th, When i first got them, They were really skinny, So i read on the Internet, Before i found you,
That its best to feed your rabbit a diet, So my mom toke me to Tractor Supply and i got (Dumor- Advanced Diet) And they do really well on it, I have had my Rabbits for about 1 year, I have a young Female, And a Older Male, And Female, The Female is the one that had babbies as i said, I have fed them (Dumor- Brand ever sence,) Like on Alfalfa Chews, And Timothy Hay, And food, They really like that Brand, (I just wanna know if i'm choosing the right food, And is there any other things that they might need the most, Thanks, Please Comment me back, Rebekah♥
i am 10 years old i have a bunny and the before this one it died because it had stomach pain so if your bunny is doing somthing like that PLEASE TAKE IT TO A VET!!! but now i have a new one named autumn and it the best thing ever!!!
Bunniez, I would like to ask you a few questions about my Rabbits,
I have a Female with a little of 5 Babbie Bunnies, They will be 4 Weeks old on October the 19th, When i first got them, They were really skinny, So i read on the Internet, Before i found you,
That its best to feed your rabbit a diet, So my mom toke me to Tractor Supply and i got (Dumor- Advanced Diet) And they do really well on it, I have had my Rabbits for about 1 year, I have a young Female, And a Older Male, And Female, The Female is the one that had babbies as i said, I have fed them (Dumor- Brand ever sence,) Like on Alfalfa Chews, And Timothy Hay, And food, They really like that Brand, (I just wanna know if i'm choosing the right food, And is there any other things that they might need the most, Thanks, Please Comment me back, Rebekah♥
Congratulation on maintaining a great hub. My hub is about baby names and baby names meaning - All suggestion baby naming.
Can rabbits eat green onions?
Before deciding to have a pet rabbit, one must know what they should eat and should not eat. Our rabbit of course loves to eat carrots and every time we attempted to give the rabbit other food, the rabbit wouldn't dare to eat except for a few grasses.
so what IS good to feed my rabbit
Have been reading through the posts and it seems to that a lot of people on here should forget about getting a rabbit as a pet as they clearly have no clue as to how to look after them. Rabbits are not like cats, dogs or other pets..they are very fragile in the sense that so many things can upset the balace in rabbits leading to ill health and worse still "death". Think of raising your rabbit in the same terms as raising a baby..in dealing with a new baby we learn from others within society, others experience becomes our experience which we pass on. Ask questions, read articles and books, google it..do all this before you even consider getting a rabbit and perhaps then you will be able to make an informed choice as to whether a rabbit is right for you. And "please" as the above poster commented "IF YOUR RABBIT IS SICK, TAKE IT TO THE VET".......proud owner of a Black Havana, American Sable, Hotot and soon to be 2 Baby Lilacs..and just cosider this, the average spend on my 2 babies is £400 or $600 just for starters in the first year and this does not include food or unexpected vet bills....so please bear the long term cost in mind when making a decision....Scottish and proud :)
1. Y'all need Jesus
2. Y'all need to learn to spell
3. If it seems like your rabbit is sick, chances are it is TAKE IT TO THE VET!!!
my bunny ate alot of lettece is that okay for her
please help me
no. Im pretty sure most of the info on here is wrong. I have called serval vets asking what to feed my bunny. and rabbits loe romane lettuce. they just cant have ice berg! and when i got her..she loved clovers and was wild! and ate them all the time!
My rabbit got into some pumkin cake. Can this be harmful to him? Thank God it was a small amount. Please help!!!!! Thanks.
"...but you wouldn't eat a product that only contained small amounts of arsenic would you?"
Bit simplistic reasoning here. People are happy to eat apples even though they contain small amounts of cyanide.
hey im getting a bunnie what should i includ for food??? help me please im confuzed!!!
Feeding rabbits lettuce gives them severe diharea. So I do NOT recomend you feed your rabbit any kind of lettuce romaine or not.
im not sure how trustworthy this site is as it says not to give your rabbit alfalfa hay or clover, yet im buying rabbit food that is reccomended by vets and it has both of these things in it. :(
Our grandson fed the pet rabbit gum. Any suggestions as to what to do for the rabbit?
... Everyone. If you're interested in learning about proper rabbit care, read through http://www.rabbit.org or a new wiki being started at http://www.wabbitwiki.com . If you guys found this article, I am sure you can also do a proper google search to answer the questions you have instead of posting as comments.
WHY can't a rabbit have Clover or Parsnips?
Here Are The Things That Are Bad To Feed Your Rabbit/Bunny:Clover, Foxglove, Honeysuckle, Iris, Hemlock, Poppies, Deadly Nightshade, Buttercups, Bluebells, Arum Lilies, Ivy, Daffodils and other bulbs, Primulas, Jasmines, Fairy Primrose, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Larkspur, Snowdrops, Tulips Dried Fruits Lettuce (Note:Only Romaine Lettuce Not Much) Corn Human Food Hamster/Or Pellets That Isn't Rabbit/Bunny Pellets If You Have A Yard That Only Has Grass (Note: No Clovers) So Only Grass Is The Safest Slides And Fence Are Ok And Onions Are Bad Only A Bit Of Banana Atleast Once Day Cause Its Very Sugary
i feed wild rabbits cow milk is that ok
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