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Key takeaways
- Carrots are not a dietary staple for rabbits despite common belief, they should only be an occasional treat.
- 80% of a rabbit’s diet should be hay or grass, high sugar foods like carrots and fruit can cause obesity, gut problems and dental disease.
- Some plants, including lilies, foxglove and rhubarb leaves, are unsafe for rabbits.
Should rabbits eat carrots?
Many rabbit owners assume carrots are a staple part of a rabbit’s diet, but this is a common misconception. Carrots are high in sugar and should only ever be given as an occasional treat. Feeding carrots daily can contribute to obesity, gut problems and dental disease, some of the most common and preventable rabbit health problems vets see.
What should rabbits eat and not eat?
- 80% of a rabbit’s diet should be good quality hay, grass or a mixture of both
- Muesli can cause dental disease and obesity in rabbits
- Rabbits should be fed a small amount of pellets daily, about an egg cup full, as they are a good complementary source of vitamins and minerals
- Carrots are not good for rabbits as they are high in sugar and should only be given occasionally as a treat
- Green carrot tops are a more appropriate snack
- Around 15% of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of a variety of plants and vegetables such as courgettes, spring greens, broccoli and curly kale
- Avoid certain lettuces like iceberg, which contain lactucarium secretion that can be dangerous in large quantities
- Offer a variety of leafy greens rather than rely on the same one or two items every time
What foods are unsafe for rabbits?
Unsafe foods for rabbits include grass clippings and plants such as clematis, foxglove, ivy, lilies, lily of the valley, laburnum, poppies, privet, ragwort, rhododendron and rhubarb leaves.
What fruit can rabbits eat?
Fruit should only be given occasionally and in small quantities because it is also high in sugar. Apples, grapes, pears, plums, strawberries and tomatoes (but not tomato leaves) are some of the fruits that are suitable in small amounts.
Why is a good diet so important for rabbits?
Misconceptions about feeding mean many vets are seeing rabbits suffering from preventable and sometimes fatal health issues like obesity, gut problems and dental disease. Any changes to your rabbit’s diet should be made gradually, with advice from your vet, to avoid digestive upset.
It’s also worth knowing that rabbits eating their own droppings is completely normal. Alongside their usual hard droppings, rabbits produce soft droppings called caecotrophs, which they eat directly to reabsorb important nutrients. This is a normal and essential part of their digestion, not something to be concerned about.
If you are worried about your rabbit’s diet or health, contact your vet, or if out of hours, contact your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic.