Although rabbits have a wide range of plants to eat from, there are certain vegetables that are toxic to them. As their human companion we must be careful what foods we offer them.
* Make sure to wash all fruits and vegetables and remove seeds and stems before offering them to your pet rabbit. Some experts recommend buying only organic *
Fresh foods are a wonderful addition to your rabbits diet but they make up a very small portion of it. It's important to be mindful of how much you are feeding them, especially when you first begin to introduce new foods! ONLY offer fresh fruits and vegetables to rabbits over 5 months of age.
A complete list of safe fruits for rabbits (offered in moderation only due to high sugar content):
Apples
Apricots
Bananas
Berries
Cherries
Kiwis
Mangos
Melons
Nectarines
Papayas
Peaches
Pears
Pineapples
A complete list of safe vegetables for rabbits:
Root leaves (carrot, radish, etc.)
Endive
Arugula
Canon
Watercress
Leaf Lettuce (never iceberg or cabbage)
Romaine
Spring Greens
Bell peppers
Brussel sprouts
Cucumber
Zucchini
Vegetables that you can offer occasionally (1-2 times a week):
Celery (cut in small pieces)
Broccoli leaves
Endives
Chard
Spinach
Chicory
Kale (very ocassionally)
Collard greens
Dill
Bok Choy
Carrot tops
Wild herbs you can offer:
Alfalfa (only for rabbits younger than 6 months old)
Mint
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Fennel
Dill
Coriander
Parsley
Basil
Clover
Dandelion
Thistle
Chickweed
Bramble leaves
Leaves of berries (such as blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.)
Tarragon
Nettle
Mustard
Mallow
Coltsfoot
As previously mentioned, there are certain fruits and vegetables that are toxic to rabbits. Among the most common you'll find:
Avocados: this fruit is deadly to rabbits. This is due to the fact that they contain a fungicidal toxin called persin, which is found in greater concentration in the shell and the bone.
Iceberg lettuce: as we have mentioned, lettuce is a great addition to a rabbit's diet. However, there is a variety of this vegetable, the iceberg, which contains a very toxic component for rabbits called lactucarium.
Rhubarb: this is a vegetable similar to chard, since they have a similar shape, but it stands out for its striking red color.
Potato and sweet potato (including leaves): potatoes and sweet potatoes are toxic to your rabbit because it contains solanine. In addition, it's very indigestible when raw due to its high concentration of carbohydrates.
Onion and leek: these two vegetables (and others similar to these) are indigestible for rabbits. Onions are also known to lower the concentration of red blood cells in rabbits..
Garlic: is indigestible for rabbits and will cause digestion issues if given.
Legumes: such as beans, peas, etc. They are very very difficult to digest for rabbits and, therefore, they are not advisable.
Processed Foods
Be sure to never intentionally feed or allow your rabbit access to any processed foods such as chips, crackers, bread, candy, chocolate and the like.