Poisonous plants and food to avoid
The first rule of feeding bunnies and their delicate tummies is: if in doubt - don't let them eat it! Rabbits have strong tastebuds and will try anything even if it's poisonous - it's up to you to protect them!
Foods to avoid
Avoid giving your rabbits any 'human' food or treats such as bread, rice, potatoes, biscuits, chocolate, sweets, crisps and so on. Rabbits have a sweet tooth and will readily take this food from you, but it's VERY BAD for them and their sensitive digestive systems. Contrary to popular belief, rabbits shouldn't be given lettuce as it gives them diarrhea, and carrots are too high in sugar but can be given every so often as treats. A lot of shop-bought 'rabbit treats' have added sugar and dairy in, which they shouldn't be eating, or are too high in carbohydrates; try sticking to the natural ranges and check labels. To find out what your rabbits SHOULD be eating, please see 'What do rabbits eat?' and 'Food treats' for delicious food they can be given every so often.
Poisonous plants to avoid
If you’re feeding wild plants or your rabbit has access to a garden, make sure you can reliably identify the plants – you don’t want to poison your bunnies! This list of poisonous plants is taken from the RWAF Guide: Going green - healthy eating for your rabbit. It does not list all poisonous plants, so if a plant does not feature on this list it doesn't mean it's safe to eat. If you think your rabbit is ill you must seek veterinary advice immediately.
- All plants that grow from bulbs
- Amaryllis
- Arum lily (cuckoo point)
- Bindweed
- Bracken
- Bryony
- Buttercup (small quantities dried within hay is ok)
- Convolvulus (bindweed)
- Deadly nightshade (belladonna)
- Delphinium (larkspur)
- Elder
- Fools parsley
- Foxglove
- Hellebores (christmas rose)
- Hemlock
- Henbane
- Lily of the valley
- Lupin
- Laburnum
- Most evergreens
- Oak leaves
- Poppies
- Potato tops
- Privet
- Ragwort
- Rhubarb leaves
- Scarlet runnertoadflax
- Woody nightshade
- Yew