Foods Toxic to Rabbits

🚨 If your rabbit already ate something on this list

Don't wait for symptoms. Call your vet, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 / Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.

Never feed these to rabbits (14)

These are unsafe at any amount, or dangerous enough that they're not worth the risk.

Avocado Never Beans Never Bread, pasta & crackers Never Chocolate Never Corn Never Fruit pits & seeds Never Iceberg lettuce Never Leeks & chives Never Meat & dairy Never Nuts & seeds Never Onion Never Potato Never Rhubarb Never Yogurt drops Never

Why each one is a problem

Avocado. Contains persin — toxic and potentially fatal to rabbits. Never feed any part. Full details →

Beans. Cause serious gas and digestive upset. Never feed beans or legumes. Full details →

Bread, pasta & crackers. Starchy human carbs can trigger fatal gut bacteria overgrowth (enterotoxaemia). Not safe. Full details →

Chocolate. Toxic to rabbits like most pets. Never, ever feed. Full details →

Corn. Kernels are indigestible and can cause a dangerous blockage. Never feed corn. Full details →

Fruit pits & seeds. Apple/pear seeds and stone-fruit pits contain cyanide — always remove them before offering fruit. Full details →

Iceberg lettuce. Skip it — very low nutrition and contains lactucarium. Choose romaine or leaf lettuce instead. Full details →

Leeks & chives. Alliums like onion and garlic — toxic to rabbits. Keep them away. Full details →

Meat & dairy. Rabbits are strict herbivores — they can't digest meat or dairy at all. Full details →

Nuts & seeds. Too fatty and a choking risk — not part of a rabbit's diet. Full details →

Onion. Onion and garlic are toxic to rabbits and can damage red blood cells. Never feed. Full details →

Potato. Starchy, and the green parts contain solanine. Not safe for rabbits. Full details →

Rhubarb. Toxic — contains oxalic acid. Keep it well away from rabbits. Full details →

Yogurt drops. Sold as 'rabbit treats' but they're dairy and sugar — genuinely harmful. Skip them. Full details →

Safe only in moderation (19)

Not toxic, but these should be occasional or small-portion foods for rabbits — the reason is on each page.

Alfalfa hay Moderation Apple Moderation Banana Moderation Blueberry Moderation Broccoli Moderation Brussels sprouts Moderation Cabbage Moderation Carrot Moderation Grapes Moderation Kale Moderation Melon Moderation Parsley Moderation Pellets Moderation Pineapple Moderation Pumpkin Moderation Spinach Moderation Strawberry Moderation Swiss chard Moderation Tomato Moderation

What rabbits should actually be eating

For rabbits, unlimited grass hay (like timothy) should be roughly 80% of the diet, plus a daily variety of leafy greens. Everything else is an occasional extra.

Frequently asked questions

What foods are toxic to rabbits?

The most common unsafe foods for rabbits include avocado, beans, bread, pasta & crackers, chocolate, corn, fruit pits & seeds. Each is listed below with the reason why.

What should I do if my rabbit ate something toxic?

Contact your vet or a pet poison line immediately — ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.

How much of a toxic food is dangerous for rabbits?

It varies by food and by the size of the animal — some are dangerous in tiny amounts. Treat any amount as worth a call to your vet.

See the full list of what rabbits can and can't eat →

Ratings are compiled from recognized veterinary and animal-welfare sources — see our sources. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice.