Can rabbits eat rhubarb?
Quick verdict
Unsafe
Key risk
High in oxalates which are toxic and can cause serious illness.
Why
Rhubarb is poisonous to rabbits.
Can rabbits eat rhubarb, and why?
Rhubarb is poisonous to rabbits. High in oxalates which are toxic and can cause serious illness.
Rabbits are herbivores: roughly 85% of their diet should be good-quality hay or grass, plus a daily handful of leafy greens, with only small amounts of other veg and tiny occasional fruit. They have a sensitive hindgut that depends on constant fibre — sudden changes, sugar or starch can trigger dangerous gut stasis and bloat.
Warning — what to watch for
High in oxalates which are toxic and can cause serious illness.
If your rabbit has eaten rhubarb, don’t wait for symptoms — contact your vet immediately, or call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, UK). Signs of a problem can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, tremors or loss of appetite.
More foods rabbits might eat
Make treat time better
Handy kit for feeding rabbits well:
Frequently asked questions
Can rabbits eat rhubarb?
Unsafe. Rhubarb is poisonous to rabbits.
What happens if my rabbit eats rhubarb?
High in oxalates which are toxic and can cause serious illness. If your rabbit has eaten rhubarb, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is rhubarb poisonous to rabbits?
Unsafe. Rhubarb is poisonous to rabbits.
Check rhubarb for another pet