Can rabbits eat salt?
Quick verdict
Unsafe
Key risk
Rabbits need very little salt; salty foods can cause health problems.
Why
Salty foods are not suitable for rabbits.
Can rabbits eat salt, and why?
Salty foods are not suitable for rabbits. Rabbits need very little salt; salty foods can cause health problems.
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
Rabbits need very little salt; salty foods can cause health problems.
If your rabbit has eaten salt, 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 salt?
Unsafe. Salty foods are not suitable for rabbits.
What happens if my rabbit eats salt?
Rabbits need very little salt; salty foods can cause health problems. If your rabbit has eaten salt, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is salt poisonous to rabbits?
Unsafe. Salty foods are not suitable for rabbits.
Check salt for another pet