This is a detailed list of plants that your bunny can and cannot eat.
Natural herbs and treats that can be found in gardens or paddocks. You can even grow some yourself and have a specialised bunny veggie patch. Others you have to be very aware of.
Danger
Warning
Some plants are in orange boxes, this means there is a huge warning attached to them and it’s up to your discretion whether you feed them to your bunny or not.
Caution
Some information on this page is not for the weak stomached. Please be aware that I have tried to collect as much information about these foods as I can only to keep you informed.
Advice
This is not veterinary advice. This is for information purposes only. Seek advice from your vet if you have questions or need reassurance.
Make sure that you wash everything thoroughly to make sure that there are no chemicals on the plants before giving them to your bunny.
If it can be peeled, then do so.
I got the nutritional information from the Australian Food Composition Database as well as other reliable and scientifically based sites.
DISCLAIMER
To the best of my knowledge this information is accurate; however, we will in no way be responsible for any negative results from usage of any plant; safe, dangerous or toxic. Each individual needs to familiarise themselves with a plant before feeding it to rabbits.
List of safe and dangerous plants
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Borage
Information
Dose:
5g of leaves per 1kg of body weight, given with greens once a month
Benefits:
Low in fat.
Maintains ideal body weight.
Keeps good fur condition.
Maintains healthy heart.
Manages intestinal issues.
Good source of fibre.
Dangers:
Can be toxic if bunny was given too much and bunny will get diarrhoea, seek veterinary advice immediately.
Bunnies can have trouble digesting Borage.
The flavour can be too strong for bunnies and may make them sick.
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Broccoli
DANGEROUS
Information
Part of the brassica family, can cause severe gas.
Bloating.
Can cause GI stasis.
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Brussels Sprouts
DANGEROUS
Information
Part of the brassica family, can cause severe gas.
Bloating.
Can cause GI stasis.
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Buttercup
DANGEROUS
Information
Contains toxin called protoanemonin which causes irritation to the mucous membranes.
Bloody diarrhoea.
Excessive salivation.
Colic.
Severe oral blistering.
Severe GI tract blistering.
Nervousness.
Difficulty breathing.
Convulsions.
Twitching of ears and lips.
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Cabbage
DANGEROUS
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Calendula
Information
Dose:
In moderation, not as daily feed.
Benefits:
Appetite stimulant.
Immunity.
Fibre.
Healthy digestive system.
Healing.
Dangers:
Overfeeding can cause GI stasis, diarrhoea, lack of fibre and uneaten caecotrophs.
Calendula is used as a rabbit repellent, don’t be surprised if they don’t eat it.
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Cannabis
TOXIC
Information
Leaves, flowers and stems are fatally toxic.
Rabbits get respiratory impacts from inhaling smoke.
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Carrot
Information
Dose:
Very small amounts, once a week.
Benefits:
Full of beta-carotene which is good for vision.
Immune system.
Reproductive system can be boosted with carrots.
Good for the heart, lungs and kidneys.
Dangers:
Has high sugar content.
Obesity.
Lethargy.
Red urine due to high levels of beta-carotene.
Digestive problems.
Tooth decay.
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Carrot Tops
Information
Dose:
Moderate amount, twice a week
Benefits:
Improves overall health.
Keeps skin infection free.
Frees toxins from body.
Increases coat shine.
Dangers:
Digestive issues.
Lower blood pressure.
Decay of muscle tissues.
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Celery
Information
Dose:
Dark green leaves, 1 x stalk (10cm long, with strings removed), washed thoroughly with greens at meal time.
Benefits:
Dark green celery leaves are good for helping to stop GI stasis.
Stalks are good for teeth.
Dangers:
Too much celery will stop your bunny eating hay.
Remove the strings as they are a choking hazard or can get caught in bunnies intestine.
High in sugar.
Causes upset stomach.
Soft stools.
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Chamomile
Information
Dose:
2-3 stalks with leaves, and flowers, given once a week.
Only give to mature bunnies (>6 months)
Benefits:
Helps with mouth pain, GI issues, small wounds, general stress, insomnia.
Does not have any nutritional value in bunny’s diet, it is not a good source of fibre, calories or protein.
Can mix in hay for foraging treat.
Steer clear of dried chamomile.
Has calming effect.
Dangers:
Only give green chamomile.
Avoid wilting, yellowed or insect eaten plants. Inspect for beetles, slugs and insects.
Wash with cool water, remove all dirt and pesticides.
Too much can make bunny fall asleep for an extended period of time.
Excessive amounts can cause digestive, respiration and brain inactivity and eventual death.
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Chickweed
Information
Dose:
Few stalks with leaves in meal once a fortnight.
Benefits:
Avoid making it a regular part of your bunny’s diet.
Rabbits love it but it doesn’t have much nutrition.
Fights mange.
Helps prevent pulmonary infection and arthritis pain.
Dangers:
Can lead to GI stasis if overdosed and bunny stops eating hay.
Diarrhoea if too much in one meal.
Soft uneaten caecotrophs due to lack of fibre.
Has a moderate level of calcium, be careful with the amount you feed.
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Chicory
DANGEROUS
Information
Very small amount every month, if necessary.
Contains insulin (natural prebiotic).
Helps digestive system.
High amount of dangerous acids that can cause digestive problems.
Low fibre.
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Chrysanthemum
TOXIC
Information
High levels of pyrethrins.
Refusal to eat.
Starvation.
Anorexia.
Twitching.
Seizures.
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Clover
Information
Dose:
Max 10 trifoliates (sets of three leaves), feed sparingly.
Benefits:
Helps with starting the gut again after GI stasis.
Rich in protein.
Helps digestion.
Dangers:
Low fibre.
High calcium.
It is a legume.
Has high protein.
Too much can cause digestive upset.
Weight gain.
Bloating.
Gas.
Increased urine production.
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Collard Greens
DANGEROUS
Information
Very small amount every month, if necessary. Feed sparingly
Also known as silverbeet.
Essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
Can cause gas – related to kale and cabbage.
Very vitamin rich which can make bunnies sick and over produce caecotrophs.
Very high in calcium.
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Coltsfoot
Information
Dose:
Very limited, few flowers and leaves once a fortnight.
Benefits:
High in fibre.
Thought to protect the health of the brain.
Dangers:
Can cause cancer, liver damage, blood clots.
Carcinogenic.
If given in high amounts can cause paralysis and/or death.
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Coriander
Information
Dose:
3-4 dark green stems, dark green leaves (and flowers) in moderation each day.
Benefits:
Aids digestion.
Prevents infections.
Reduces stress.
Alleviates symptoms of urinary tract infections.
Can prevent tumours.
Adds texture to their diet.
Feed fresh coriander, dried is OK but not as nutritious.
Sprinkle on top of bunny’s food.
Dangers:
Only feed the Chinese coriander to your bunny, others may cause digestive issues.
Introduce slowly can cause stomach problems.
Do not feed coriander seeds to bunny it is a potential choking hazard and can cause dietary imbalances.
Can cause diarrhoea, obesity and bloating.
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Corn, Fresh
Information
Dose:
Fresh 1-2 times a week on a trimmed cob.
Dried corn or maize – none.
Fresh leaves must be dried in shade.
Fresh cobs – remove leaves and rinse.
Shop bought cobs must have leaves removed and scolded with boiling water to kill parasites.
Amount to give depends on age.
Benefits:
Has essential vitamins and minerals.
Hardly any calcium in it – which also can be bad if it’s the only food fed.
Dangers:
Can increase body weight if given in excess.
Must be introduced slowly.
Pregnant does should not eat corn.
High calorie content.
Lack of protein.
Can cause digestive issues and allergies.
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Cornflowers
Information
Dose:
Handful in a meal twice a week.
Benefits:
High in fibre.
Soothing effect.
Dangers:
If too much given can cause excessive urination.
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Cranberry
Information
Dose:
3-4 berries as needed cut in half, once a week.
Benefits:
Elevated vitamin and antioxidants.
If bunny has strange stools or odd coloured urine this could mean your bunny could have a urinary tract infection cranberries may help naturally and quickly.
A boost of minerals and vitamins before cold weather sets in.
Dangers:
Don’t get dried/freeze dried cranberries, they are dried in sugar and can be deadly.
Excessive amounts of berries can cause stomach issues, weight gain, dental problems, nutritional imbalances.
High in sugar.
Do not feed to under 12 week old kits.
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Cucumber
Information
Dose:
1-2 slices a week.
Benefits:
Low in sugar.
High in water.
Low in calories.
Vitamins and minerals.
Low in fibre.
Dangers:
Can cause diarrhoea.
Can cause dehydration.
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Cucumber Leaves
Information
Dose:
2-3 leaves twice a week.
Benefits:
Low oxalic acid.
Packed with vitamins and minerals.
Lowers blood sugar and can help with weight loss.
High in fibre.
Dangers:
In excess can cause kidney damage.