Forbidden foods for rabbits


The feeding of the rabbit, regardless of its breed (type belier, butterfly or mini-lop among others) should be based on the consumption of hay, fruits and vegetables and feed . Not all fruits and vegetables are good for our furry, so in this post we will talk about the forbidden foods for rabbits.


Forbidden foods for rabbits with carbohydrates

Excess carbohydrates are very harmful for rabbits since they are foods that are very difficult to digest, and in the event of a disproportionate consumption of these products we can cause fermentation in the rabbit’s stomach, damaging its intestinal system. have serious consequences on your body, they should never be offered.

  • Rice
  • Bread
  • Cookies
  • Walnuts
  • Sugary cereals
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Oatmeal
  • Do not use seed and cereal feed

Dairy foods are also prohibited for rabbits

Dairy products are very harmful to rabbits. Cheeses, butter, and any derivative of milk should under no circumstances be offered to rabbits.

Adult rabbits do not have adequate bacteria to digest milk derivatives in the cecum and intestine. In the absence of Lactobacteria, dairy derivatives accelerate the onset of stasis in adult rabbits .


Forbidden vegetables for rabbits

Vegetables should be offered to our rabbit on a daily basis and in moderate quantity, however, there are some varieties that are really toxic so their consumption should be prohibited.

Here are the most dangerous vegetables for rabbits:

  • The potato: contains a large quantity of a very toxic alkaloid called solanine, it is a very caloric food and rich in starch, which can cause severe digestive disorders.
  • Sweet potato: like potatoes, this tuber contains high doses of solanine and large amounts of sugar.
  • Garlic: It is a food that causes serious stomach disorders.
  • The onion: in addition to producing poor digestion, the onion contributes to the loss of red blood cells which causes weakness and dizziness in the rabbit. In the long run, its consumption can cause severe anemia and even death.
  • The turnip: the turnip itself is very indigestible for rabbits, however you can offer the leaves to your bunny since they are a food that they will love.
  • Leeks: their effects are similar to that of onion, it is a food that produces very poor digestion in rabbits. In addition, leeks give rise to the appearance of gases that the rabbit cannot expel.
  • Fungi: In addition to the really poisonous mushrooms, other varieties such as the classic mushrooms are still very dangerous for rabbits. In the long run they can cause tumors to appear.
  • Peas ,parsnip, and rhubarb: These three vegetables have excess sugar in common, which can lead to intestinal, brain, and kidney problems.
  • Broad beans: This food is very indigestible for the rabbit’s body.
  • Iceberg lettuce:  This type of lettuce is known for its heaviness and difficult digestion. It contains lactucarium, a chemical that can be harmful to your rabbit’s health. In addition, it contains a lot of water and few nutrients.
  • Cauliflower:  This vegetable should not be included in your meals. Cauliflower makes rabbits bloated and gassy.

Fruits forbidden for rabbits

Despite being allowed foods or suitable for consumption, their high sugar content does not make them recommended as a regular food, we recommend that you give your rabbit fruit as prizes or on special occasions.

  • Banana and banana: these foods are very rich nutritionally speaking and provide vitamin B1. However, they are foods that contain high sugar and are also very difficult to digest. In addition, they should never be green, but ripe. For this reason, it is better to avoid the consumption of these two foods or to offer them in very small quantities.
  • Cherimoya: in addition to being very rich in sugar, custard apple is a fruit that also contributes excessive fat to our rabbit. Its consumption should be avoided.
  • Figs: despite being a very rich fruit with many properties, the fig has a very high amount of sugar.
  • The apricot, the medlar, the plum and the peach: these three fruits, despite providing vitamin A and fiber to our little bunny, have in common the presence of cyanide in their seed. For that reason we should always cut it and wash it and never offer pieces of fruit close to the seed.
  • Avocado: contains a toxic compound called persin that is really harmful to the health of our bunny. We must never offer him avocado.

It is very important that we do not give our rabbit fruit with seeds. They are very harmful as they contain cyanide. We will have to wash the fruit and chop it before offering it to our little one.


Prohibited plants


The vast majority of plants that we have at home are toxic to rabbits. There are some poisonous because they have toxic elements in their composition, and others that are not toxic, but produce gases (As we already know, rabbits are unable to eliminate gases by flatulence)

Below we detail the prohibited plants:

  • Oleanders
  • Ferns
  • Belladonna
  • Hemlock, Ivy
  • Lilies
  • Laurel
  • Daffodils
  • Poppies
  • Spark
  • Burdock
  • Iris
  • Tulips
  • Stramonium
  • Milkweed
  • Good herb
  • Lupine
  • Rush
  • Marine junk
  • Bluebells
  • Honeysuckle
  • Snowdrop
  • Daffodils

If we observe any symptoms that make us suspect that our rabbit has been intoxicated, it will be essential to go to the vet as soon as possible. We must not forget that the rabbit is a very delicate animal that needs an active intestinal transit to feel good.


So, what is a good diet for our rabbit?

  • 80% Hay
  • 15% fresh food
  • 5% pellets (The daily feed quantity will be  1 or 2 tablespoons , in the case of young animals give less quantity)

Whenever you doubt whether a certain food is good or bad for your rabbit, ask the nearest veterinarian.


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