In today’s time, there are so many human food options that are available in the market and easily accessible for consumption. But, have you thought whether all human-made foods are healthy for your rabbit? The most consumed food item, not only loved by kids but adults as well, which is chocolates — is it healthy or safe for your pet rabbit? The answer is no, rabbits cannot eat chocolate (ever). Chocolate contains theobromine and it is extremely toxic to a lot of animals including rabbits. In addition to chocolates offering no nutritional value to your pet, it is a poison for your bunny if consumed in a large quantity. Be it white chocolate or dark chocolate, any form of cocoa, is dangerous to your rabbit if consumed. Chocolate can kill your rabbit very quickly and thus, if your rabbit consumes chocolate, it is important to immediately consult the vet.

Why Chocolate Is Not Safe For Rabbits

Theobromine found in chocolate is a toxic substance to rabbits and can cause an array of health issues if consumed. Caffeine (also found in chocolates) and theobromine can increase the heart rate in rabbits, resulting in rapid dehydration. In rabbits, both compounds can cause severe health problems such as heart arrhythmia, heart attacks, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, severe indigestion, respiratory failure, seizures, gastrointestinal stasis and even death.

Milk chocolate is especially dangerous to rabbits, as it contains higher levels of theobromine than dark chocolate. Rabbits are known to have sensitive stomach with delicate digestive system. They being herbivorous, the safe foods that they can consume include only nature-made vegetables and fruits. Any human-made foods that only includes hay, pellets, veggies and small quantities of fruits are safe for your rabbit. If your sweet bunny happens to eat small amounts of chocolate by mistake, it can be fatal to their overall health and their digestive system.

Some research allows consumption of dark chocolate in moderate quantity and very rarely. But majority of vets do not recommend to feed chocolate to the rabbits. And why should we, when there are so many options for them to eat?

Can Rabbits Eat Dairy Products

Chocolates contain milk. And dairy products like milk is an ideal drink for a human as well as an animal. But that doesn’t mean chocolate is too. Often, milk is the primary source of nutrition for most baby mammals. So, it’s common to think it’s safe to give mother’s milk or external milk to your rabbit. But, is it safe to give another mother’s milk, especially a different animal species, to the baby rabbit?

The answer depends on the age of the rabbit and what kind of milk is offered. Like most mammals, baby rabbits or kits always need their mother’s milk for several weeks. Without it, they won’t survive. If the mother’s milk is not available, it is important to know that cow’s milk is not the answer. Cow’s milk is heavy for the baby rabbit’s stomach and should not be given in absence of mother’s milk. Also, many milking cows have mastitis or breast swelling due to infection. This condition can form pus that can be found in the milk milked from the cows. Pus-contaminated milk can be risky to your rabbits as it can develop bacterial infections in them. If there is no way to procure another rabbit’s milk, some vets recommend to give goat’s milk in small quantities for sustenance.

Baby rabbits need milk to survive, almost for four weeks even when they begin having solid foods, but it’s a different story when it comes to adult rabbits. Upon reaching maturity, adult rabbits become lactose-intolerant, which means they cannot digest milk or any other dairy products. Adult rabbits lack the good bacteria that is needed to break down the lactose in milk. Thus, feeding them milk may not be life threatening but it is definitely not safe for their digestive system.

A quick look on which foods are safe for our rabbits:

• Can Rabbits Eat Watermelon
• Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkin
• Can Rabbits Eat Apples
• Can Rabbits Eat Grapes
• Can Rabbits Eat Spinach
• Can Rabbits Eat Cauliflower
• Can Rabbits Eat Kale
• Can Rabbits Eat Broccoli
• Can Rabbits Eat Tomato
• Can Rabbits Eat Blueberries

When Kits Do Not Have Mother’s Milk

If the mother’s milk is no available for the kit due to either the mother rabbit passing away or not present in the scene, you’ll need another resource from where milk can be procured. Try looking for another rabbit’s milk which will provide the necessary nutrients needed for the baby rabbit. Also, another rabbit’s milk is most safe for the baby rabbit in absence of their own mother’s milk. Make sure, cow’s milk is not used as an alternative. Feed the alternative milk to the baby rabbits until they are around 4 to 6 weeks. After that, you can slowly replace milk with water.
If another rabbit’s milk is not available, these other alternatives can be given:

Kitten Milk Replacer

Kitten milk replacer (KMR) is a protein-rich formula made from whey, eggs and oil for rabbits. It is known to be full of vitamins and minerals. This milk formula is available in veterinary clinics or pet stores.

Goat Milk

Since goat milk is not as high in lactose or sugar as cow milk, it is easier for the baby rabbit to break down the fat molecules and digest. But there are different goat breeds and not any milk will do. Milk from Meyenburg goats works best for baby rabbits.

The best approach is to mix it with a formula to meet the needs of the baby rabbit.

Source: PETA

Bottom Line

A healthy rabbit diet always consists of hay, pellets, vegetables, fruits, roots and stems. They’re natural herbivores and that means they should be fed veggies like cabbage, carrots, etc. and fruits like banana, mangoes, etc. Chocolate is a big NO. Or any other dairy product is a no for your rabbit. Less than 1 oz of milk chocolate could prove fatal to a rabbit. Make sure your rabbits are kept far away from any type of chocolate because even a small amount can be fatal for them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Why do rabbits like eating chocolate?

Rabbits are not picky eaters; they can eat anything given to them since they are just happy munching in. Surprisingly, rabbits are seen eating meat pieces as well. Simply put, they don’t know any better. It’s pet parents’ responsibility to make sure they do not eat chocolates.

– Can rabbits drink milk?

Milk is not the best option to be given to adult rabbits. Rabbits are lactose-intolerant. Also, refrain offering mineral-rich spring water, pond or puddle water, and chlorine-contaminated pool water. Feed only filtered water to your pet.

– What if rabbit eats sugar?

While it is safe for rabbits to eat natural sugar in small quantities extracted from fruits, it is not recommended to feed human-made sugar cubes. Rabbits’ teeth are very sensitive and prone to decay and diseases quickly.