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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Radicchio
Information
Dose:
Two leaves every second day.
Limit the intake of the white part, as it contains a lot of water.
Benefits:
Rich in vitamins, magnesium and phosphorus.
Low in calcium.
May lower the risk of catching parasites.
Helps with bowel movements.
Dangers:
Can develop an allergy to it.
Excessive amounts can cause constipation.
-
Radish
Information
Radishes can be fed in very limited supply to rabbits; however, it is not beneficial to them in any way.
Most rabbits won’t like radish.
They do like the radish tops, as these contain more fibre and nutrition.
-
Radish Tops
Information
Dose:
Introduce slowly.
Few leaves each week. Not many.
Benefits:
Low calcium content.
Dangers:
Full of starch.
Indigestion, bloating, diarrhoea.
Some rabbits don’t like the flavour.
-
Raspberry
Information
Dose:
3-4 berries a week.
Fresh or dried sticks and leaves.
Benefits:
Cure for digestive ailments, including diarrhoea.
Good for young kits.
Dangers:
Excessive amounts of berries can cause diarrhoea.
-
Rhododendron
TOXIC
Information
Death.
-
Rhubarb
TOXIC
Information
Large quantities will cause death.
Diarrhoea.
Lack of energy.
Dehydration.
Mouth irritation and redness.
-
Romaine Lettuce
Information
Dose:
Feed in moderation. 2-3 leaves without the white each day.
Benefits:
Also known as Cos Lettuce.
High in fibre and nutrients.
Good for hot or mildly dehydrated bunnies when needing water intake.
Dangers:
Diarrhoea, constipation, or bloating if you feed it too much.
-
Rose
Information
Dose:
Few petals mixed with food or hay.
Rose hips are good too, in small pieces.
Benefits:
Petals prevent infections, respiratory diseases.
Calming stress and anxiety.
Rose hips help digestion.
Dangers:
If fed too much or too often can cause longterm stomach issues.
-
Rosemary
Information
Dose:
1-2 twigs every week.
Benefits:
Helps with exhaustion and weakness.Depression.
Stems help circulation.
Stimulate digestion.
Good in winter.
Dangers:
No real harmful side effects.
-
Sage
Information
Dose:
Use with caution and sparingly.
Benefits:
Digestive stimulant.
Uterine stimulant.
Dangers:
No serious side effects.
-
Spinach
DANGEROUS
Information
Not much fibre which can cause behavioural issues.
Lots of vitamin C can cause bladder stones.
Painful teeth.
Gastrointestinal issues.
Gas.
GI Stasis.
High in calcium.
-
Swiss Chard
Information
See Beet Greens.
-
Tarragon
DANGEROUS
Information
Gut issues, nutritional imbalances.
-
Thyme
Information
Dose:
2 stems weekly on meal.
Benefits:
Eases stomach ache and digestive problems.
Expels worms.
Dangers:
Can cause irritation in mucus membranes, abdominal cramps, headaches, dizziness.
-
Tomato
Information
Dose:
Small amount of flesh once a week. No seeds, no greens.
Benefits:
Low in fat, good source of vitamins.
May help prevent cell damage.
Good source of fibre.
Dangers:
Leaves and stems are toxic.
Difficulty breathing.
Drooling.
Inflamed stomach.
Paralysis.
Death.
-
Turnip Greens
DANGEROUS
Information
Limited, to none.
Related to kale, cabbage, collard etc.
Has same effects.
Gas.
GI Stasis.
Bloating.
Cramps.
-
Violet
Information
Dose:
No more than two at a time.
Once a month.
Benefits:
Good source of vitamins and minerals.
Dangers:
Do not feed African violets, they will kill your bunny.
-
Willow
Information
Dose:
Bark only.
Small amount per month.
Best not to feed your bunny any willow as it can act as a sedative.
Benefits:
Protects body.
Calms inflammation.
Pain reliever.
Good source of fibre.
Dangers:
Too much can cause GI stasis, gut irritation and diarrhoea.
Used to create aspirin, has the same effects. Can be toxic to rabbits if fed incorrectly.
-
Wolfsbane
TOXIC
Information
Severe digestive problems.
Heart problems – beat slows down and eventually stops completely.
-
Yew
TOXIC
Information
Difficulty breathing.
Inflamed stomach.
Shaking.
Seizures.
Death.
-
Yucca
Information
Dose:
Very limited, usually included in good quality pellets or supplements.
Benefits:
Helps heart disease.
Immune system.
Anti-inflammatory.
Reduces ammonia in urine.
Aids prevention of liver and kidney disease.
Dangers:
Too much can cause GI stasis, gut irritation and diarrhoea.
Bladder infections.
-
Zucchini
Information
Dose:
Small amount, 1-2 slices per week.
Benefits:
Good for digestion, heart and lungs.
Dangers:
Digestion issues. Irritation of bowels. Possible overdoes can cause GI stasis.