Can Rabbits Eat Avocado?
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Avocado is one of the best superfoods we humans can consume – so it stands to reason that you’re wondering whether it’s something you can share with your bunny.
They’re questions we hear all the time. Can you give avocado to a rabbit? Is avocado good for bunnies? How much avocado can a rabbit eat at once?
In case you’re in search of a quick answer, here it is: Rabbits shouldn’t eat avocado. Ever. Not even a tiny nibble.
Some people feel that it’s OK to give a rabbit avocado now and then (after all, it’s green and nutritious!) The truth is, this is one of a handful of foods a rabbit should never eat.
In our quick guide to avocado for rabbits, we offer a deep dive into the reasons why your bunny shouldn’t have avocado, along with some healthy alternatives.
Enjoy!
Avocado Nutrition Stats
Avocado isn’t good for rabbits, but it’s an incredible source of healthy fat to keep you feeling good.
If you eat a medium-sized ripe avocado, you’ll get approximately:
- 322 calories
- 17 g carbohydrates
- 5 g fiber
- 4 g protein
- 5 g fat
Avocado Nutritional Facts
While some shy away from avocado because of its fat content, this fruit (yep, it’s a fruit!) is packed with important vitamins and minerals.
That same medium-sized avocado offers about:
- 2 mcg vitamin K
- 975 mg potassium
- 1 mg vitamin C
- .5 mg vitamin B6
- .3 mg manganese
- 3 mg magnesium
- 8 mg pantothenic acid
- 2 mg vitamin E
Can Rabbits Have Avocado?
No! Rabbits shouldn’t eat avocado. No part of the avocado is safe for your bunny to eat, but there are more toxins in the pit, skin, and leaves than there are in the fleshy portion of the fruit.
In addition, avocado is high in fat – and a rabbit’s digestive tract isn’t designed to process much fat at all. Avocado can make your rabbit very uncomfortable and sick, even in small amounts.
Is Avocado Good For Rabbits?
No. Even though avocado contains nutrients that every mammal needs, rabbits can’t handle persin, which is a natural fungicidal toxin that’s found in avocados.
Persin doesn’t harm people, but it can cause serious health problems in rabbits. Persin from avocados is also toxic to birds, so keep that in mind in case you’ve got a feathered friend at home.
Do Rabbits Like Avocado?
Since avocados are so dangerous to rabbits, we’ve never checked to see if they like the flavor.
It just isn’t worth the risk.
How Much Avocado Can A Rabbit Eat?
So, is it ever OK for a rabbit to try avocado? Even a tiny bit? Our answer is no. Here’s how much avocado a to feed your rabbit:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby rabbit | None |
| Adult rabbit | None |
Can you tell that we’re serious? We really, really don’t want you to give your bunny rabbit avocado – not even a little smidge.
We don’t want to scare you but we do want you to know that it’s important to keep your bunny away from this food. The persin in avocados can cause breathing difficulty and heart failure in rabbits; ingesting it can even lead to death.
How Often Can A Rabbit Eat Avocado?
Never! Don’t ever let your rabbit eat avocado, and if you’re considering it as a treat for other pets, be sure to do a little bit of research first since avocado might be toxic or simply not good for them.
The Correct Diet is Important
Since rabbits can’t have avocado, what should you offer in its place? The truth is, a wild rabbit’s natural diet is very simple. Wild bunnies nibble grass and other low-lying plants.
They’ll occasionally find and enjoy wild berries and garden crops, too.
With a rabbit’s natural needs in mind, here’s what to feed your bunny every day:
- Unlimited fresh hay such as Timothy for nibbling; this should be separate from your rabbit’s bedding
- A tablespoon of seeds such as unsalted pepitas, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds, unless they’re already included in your rabbit’s food
- A serving of high-quality rabbit food; all brands are different so take a look at the label to see how much your rabbit should be eating every day
- Little bits of natural treats, meaning no more than about a teaspoon of fruit per two pounds of your rabbit’s body weight and a variety of colorful vegetables (you’ll see some suggestions listed below.)
- A daily “salad” that contains about 1 cup of leafy greens per 2 pounds of your rabbit’s body weight, plus crunchy veggies
- 24/7 access to clean, fresh water; be sure to rinse and refill your rabbit’s drinking bottle at least once a day.
Chewable items are just a important as the right rabbit food. Your bunny should have 24/7 access to goodies such as hay cubes, untreated softwood branches, unbleached loofah, or coconut shell.
Chewable rabbit toys are ideal, too. Your rabbit’s teeth never stop growing, and these essentials can help prevent painful, overgrown teeth.
In addition, chew toys help rabbits maintain good mental health and make their hutch feel more welcoming.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Avocado In A Rabbit’s Diet?
Great news: Even though rabbits and avocados don’t mix, bunnies can eat all sorts of things!
Here’s a quick list of some veggies rabbits like most:
- asparagus
- baby corn
- sweet corn
- cabbage
- basil
- cilantro
- carrot
- carrot tops
- romaine
- beets
- beet tops
- arugula
- swiss chard
- spinach
- endive
- escarole
- butter
- bibb
- rocket
- buttercrunch
- green beans
- cucumber
- summer squash
- winter squash
- pumpkin
- bell pepper
- zucchini
- celery
- parsnip
- sweet potato
- tomato
- broccoli
- broccolini
- cauliflower
- okra
- bok choy
- yu choy
- watercress
As you can see, if a certain vegetable is good for you, there’s a chance that it’s also good for your rabbit!
Of course, the opposite can be true too. As you just found out, certain foods that are perfectly healthy for humans are toxic to rabbits.
A few minutes spent researching will keep your bunny safe and give you peace of mind!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is avocado safe for rabbits?
No. Avocado is toxic to rabbits, and they shouldn’t eat it – ever.
Can avocado make my rabbit sick?
Yes, the fat in avocado can cause digestive distress even in small amounts. Even worse, avocados contain a toxin called persin that affects rabbits, birds, and some other animals. In rabbits, persin can contribute to respiratory failure, heart failure, and death.
Can my rabbit have avocado leaves?
No. Avocado leaves, stems, wood, and pits contain high levels of the toxin persin.
Can my rabbit have avocado skin?
No. Avocado skin is highly toxic to rabbits as it contains a high concentration of the toxin persin.
