Foods to NEVER Feed Rabbits
There are some foods that are ok to feed rabbits, some foods that rabbits need, and some foods that should be avoided at all costs.
This article is about those foods that should be avoided at all costs.
DISCLAIMERS: *This is based on my research and my conversations with other breeders.*
*Each rabbit is different. Some rabbits can't handle fruits or veggies that are not on this list, whereas other rabbits can. Some rabbits can handle foods on this list. The foods below are the most common poisonous or hard-to-digest foods. But, personally, I think it's better to be safe than sorry so I avoid everything below for the health of my rabbits!*
ALFALFA HAY ~ Alfalfa hay is extremely high in protein, and too much alfalfa has been linked to kidney problems in rabbits. Alfalfa hay IS okay to give to your rabbit IF your rabbit doesn't eat alfalfa pellets. If your rabbit eats alfalfa pellets as the main part of his diet (which is completely fine and healthy for your rabbit, I do it), then alfalfa hay should be avoided. But some people feed Timothy hay based pellets, and if you do that, than alfalfa hay is okay to feed.
APPLE SEEDS ~ Poisonous to rabbits
AVOCADO ~ Poisonous to rabbits
BABY CARROTS ~ Baby carrots are processed differently than normal carrots, machines are used to shred them down, and then they are filled with water. Almost all the nutrients are gone, and carrots already aren't that good for them. If you are going to feed your rabbit a carrot it's best to be as natural as possible, (carrots already have a lot of sugar), this is true for every veggie or fruit.
BANANA PEEL ~ bananas are frequently sprayed with chemicals and pesticide, which are meant to bugs and small animals!
BROCCOLI ~ this is a cruciferous veggie, all cruciferious veggies are commonly avoided after having a baby if you breastfeed, because it causes gas and stomach aches, in really little human babies and in rabbits!
CABBAGE ~ also cruciferous!
CANDY ~ too much sugar, bad for rabbit teeth, etc!
CARPET ~ the fibers can get stuck in the rabbit's gut and get clogged.
CHERRIES AND CHERRY LEAVES ~ poisonous to rabbits
CHOCOLATE ~ poisonous to rabbits, like it's poisonous to dogs.
CITRUS PEELS ~ toxic!
CORN ~ Rabbits cannot digest corn very well and it can clog their digestive system. I try and find a pelleted feed that does not have corn, such as Purina Show, because many feeds have corn in them.
DAIRY ~ Rabbits are not meant to digest cow's milk! It is very harsh on their digestive tract and they cannot digest it very well.
DRIED FRUIT ~ I know very many people that feed dried fruit with no problems, but I personally do not do it because it can get stuck in the rabbit's teeth and rot. It can also clog the rabbit's digestive system if they eat too much.
GRASS , DANDELIONS, ETC. TREATED WITH CHEMICALS ~ The chemicals are poisonous!
HOUSE PLANTS ~ Most house plants are poisonous to rabbits.
LETTUCE ~ Lettuce is high in water content, and can give the rabbit stomach aches and make them sick and lethargic. Romaine lettuce is USUALLY okay, but it depends on the rabbit and what he can handle!
NUTS ~ rabbits cannot handle nuts very well, similar to corn. It can clog their digestive system and make it harder for them to poop.
PEAR SEEDS ~ poisonous to rabbits.
REFINED SUGAR (naturally occurring sugar found in fruits like banana, carrots, etc., is okay in moderation) ~ anything high in sugar, especially refined sugar, is bad for rabbits.
TOMATOES AND LEAVES ~ Tomato leaves are poisonous. Tomatoes are really high in water content.
WATERMELON (and other fruits/veggies high in water content) ~ I have actually had a friend that fed a small piece of watermelon to her rabbit, and he was lethargic and sick for a full day with an upset stomach. After he passed the watermelon he was fine. Any fruits and veggies high in water content can make your rabbit sick with gas and upset tummies.
This article is about those foods that should be avoided at all costs.
DISCLAIMERS: *This is based on my research and my conversations with other breeders.*
*Each rabbit is different. Some rabbits can't handle fruits or veggies that are not on this list, whereas other rabbits can. Some rabbits can handle foods on this list. The foods below are the most common poisonous or hard-to-digest foods. But, personally, I think it's better to be safe than sorry so I avoid everything below for the health of my rabbits!*
ALFALFA HAY ~ Alfalfa hay is extremely high in protein, and too much alfalfa has been linked to kidney problems in rabbits. Alfalfa hay IS okay to give to your rabbit IF your rabbit doesn't eat alfalfa pellets. If your rabbit eats alfalfa pellets as the main part of his diet (which is completely fine and healthy for your rabbit, I do it), then alfalfa hay should be avoided. But some people feed Timothy hay based pellets, and if you do that, than alfalfa hay is okay to feed.
APPLE SEEDS ~ Poisonous to rabbits
AVOCADO ~ Poisonous to rabbits
BABY CARROTS ~ Baby carrots are processed differently than normal carrots, machines are used to shred them down, and then they are filled with water. Almost all the nutrients are gone, and carrots already aren't that good for them. If you are going to feed your rabbit a carrot it's best to be as natural as possible, (carrots already have a lot of sugar), this is true for every veggie or fruit.
BANANA PEEL ~ bananas are frequently sprayed with chemicals and pesticide, which are meant to bugs and small animals!
BROCCOLI ~ this is a cruciferous veggie, all cruciferious veggies are commonly avoided after having a baby if you breastfeed, because it causes gas and stomach aches, in really little human babies and in rabbits!
CABBAGE ~ also cruciferous!
CANDY ~ too much sugar, bad for rabbit teeth, etc!
CARPET ~ the fibers can get stuck in the rabbit's gut and get clogged.
CHERRIES AND CHERRY LEAVES ~ poisonous to rabbits
CHOCOLATE ~ poisonous to rabbits, like it's poisonous to dogs.
CITRUS PEELS ~ toxic!
CORN ~ Rabbits cannot digest corn very well and it can clog their digestive system. I try and find a pelleted feed that does not have corn, such as Purina Show, because many feeds have corn in them.
DAIRY ~ Rabbits are not meant to digest cow's milk! It is very harsh on their digestive tract and they cannot digest it very well.
DRIED FRUIT ~ I know very many people that feed dried fruit with no problems, but I personally do not do it because it can get stuck in the rabbit's teeth and rot. It can also clog the rabbit's digestive system if they eat too much.
GRASS , DANDELIONS, ETC. TREATED WITH CHEMICALS ~ The chemicals are poisonous!
HOUSE PLANTS ~ Most house plants are poisonous to rabbits.
LETTUCE ~ Lettuce is high in water content, and can give the rabbit stomach aches and make them sick and lethargic. Romaine lettuce is USUALLY okay, but it depends on the rabbit and what he can handle!
NUTS ~ rabbits cannot handle nuts very well, similar to corn. It can clog their digestive system and make it harder for them to poop.
PEAR SEEDS ~ poisonous to rabbits.
REFINED SUGAR (naturally occurring sugar found in fruits like banana, carrots, etc., is okay in moderation) ~ anything high in sugar, especially refined sugar, is bad for rabbits.
TOMATOES AND LEAVES ~ Tomato leaves are poisonous. Tomatoes are really high in water content.
WATERMELON (and other fruits/veggies high in water content) ~ I have actually had a friend that fed a small piece of watermelon to her rabbit, and he was lethargic and sick for a full day with an upset stomach. After he passed the watermelon he was fine. Any fruits and veggies high in water content can make your rabbit sick with gas and upset tummies.