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What rabbits can and cannot eat

17 foods with a verdict for rabbits specifically, because the answer genuinely differs by species — cats are several times more sensitive to onion than dogs, rabbits cannot vomit at all, and avocado is a mild caution for a dog and lethal for a bird.

If this has already been eaten, ring your vet or an animal poison control line now rather than waiting for signs to appear — for several of these the window in which treatment works closes before the animal looks unwell. Do not try to make the animal sick at home: home emetics are dangerous for corrosive and petroleum substances and for an animal already showing signs, and salt-based ones have themselves proved fatal.

Toxic — treat as an emergency

Food Why Dose known?
Onion, garlic, leek and chives The whole allium family should be kept away from rabbits. Yes
Avocado Avoid entirely. No
Rhubarb Rabbits are more likely to encounter it in a garden and more likely to be harmed. No

Everything else

Food Verdict Why
Lilies Risky Avoid.
Apple In moderation High in sugar. A slice occasionally, seeds removed.
Banana In moderation Very high in sugar for a rabbit. A thin slice at most, rarely.
Carrot In moderation Not the staple the cartoon suggests — a carrot is a sugary root, and hay should be most of the diet.
Tomato Risky A little ripe flesh is fine; leaves and stems are not.
Blueberries and strawberries In moderation Safe, but sugary enough to be an occasional treat only.
Watermelon and melon In moderation Very sugary. A small cube occasionally.
Pumpkin In moderation Safe in small amounts; sugary for a rabbit.
Potato Not safe Starchy and poorly suited to a rabbit gut even when cooked.
Cherries, peaches, plums and apricots Risky Flesh in tiny amounts; stones and leaves never.
Bread Not safe Starch disrupts the caecal fermentation a rabbit depends on.
Lettuce and leafy greens Risky Dark leafy varieties are good. Iceberg specifically is not.
Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower Risky Gas-producing. Rabbits cannot burp, so bloating is a real problem.
Peas, green beans and sweetcorn kernels Risky Peas and corn are starchy; green beans in small amounts only.

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