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| Safe? | Yes, as a treat |
| How much | About 1/8 of an apple, or 1 teaspoon per 900 g (2 lb) of rabbit |
| How often | Once or twice a week |
| Best served | Fresh, washed, skin on, cut into a thin slice |
| Watch out for | Pips and core, soft droppings, weight gain |
Are apples safe for rabbits?
Yes. PDSA, Burgess and the House Rabbit Society all list apple as a safe fruit, with the pips removed. The catch is sugar. A rabbit's gut runs on fibre from hay and grass, which should make up about 85% of what they eat. Sugary foods feed the wrong gut bacteria and add weight, which is why every source puts apple in the treat column. You can read the full picture in our rabbit diet guide.
How much apple can a rabbit have?
PDSA gives a simple guide: about an eighth of an apple. The House Rabbit Society caps fruit at about 1 teaspoon per 900 g (2 lb) of body weight a day, so a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit would top out at around 2 teaspoons of chopped fruit, and that is all their fruit, not just apple. The Rabbit Welfare Association says no more than once or twice a week. We would follow the RWAF on how often and PDSA on how much: one thin slice, twice a week at most.
How to prepare apple for a rabbit
- Wash it. Rinse well to remove any spray or wax. PDSA warns against food treated with pesticides.
- Remove the core and pips. PDSA describes apple pips as poisonous. Cut the core out completely.
- Slice thinly. Leave the skin on and cut a slice about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick.
- Start small. The first time, offer a piece the size of your fingernail and check droppings over the next day.
Which parts and forms of apple are safe?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Flesh and skin | Yes, as a treat |
| Pips and core | No, remove every one |
| Leaves and twigs from unsprayed trees | Yes, the RWAF lists them as safe |
| Dried apple, apple sauce, juice | No, too much sugar |
Who should skip apple?
Leave it out for rabbits that are overweight, which PDSA specifically flags, and for any rabbit with soft droppings or a sensitive stomach. Young rabbits should settle on hay and greens first.
What to offer instead
Apple tree twigs give the same apple taste with far less sugar and lots of chewing. For other treats, see pears, blueberries and bananas, or check why carrots count as a treat too. Our safe food list for rabbits covers everything else, and the rabbit care guide covers the rest of daily life.
Apples and rabbits: questions
Are apple pips poisonous to rabbits?
Yes. PDSA describes apple pips as poisonous to rabbits, and the RSPCA lists fruit seeds and pits among foods to avoid. Cut the core and every pip out before you share apple. If your rabbit has swallowed one or two pips, watch their appetite and droppings and ring your vet if either drops.
Can rabbits eat apple skin?
Yes. The skin is part of the fruit and fine to feed. Wash the apple well first to remove any spray or wax, since PDSA warns against food that may have been treated with pesticides. The House Rabbit Society suggests washing vegetables and fruit for at least two minutes.
Can rabbits eat apple tree leaves and twigs?
Yes. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists apple leaves and twigs among safe plants, and Burgess lists apple tree leaves too. They are lower in sugar than the fruit and good for chewing. Only use branches from trees that have not been sprayed.
Can baby rabbits eat apples?
Wait. Young rabbits have a delicate gut and should settle on hay, grass and a few greens first. Hold off on fruit until your rabbit is fully grown and eating a range of greens without soft droppings, then start with a piece the size of your fingernail.
Can rabbits eat dried apple or apple sauce?
Skip them. Drying removes the water and leaves the sugar, so a small piece holds far more sugar than fresh apple. Apple sauce and juice are often sweetened and have no chewing value. Fresh apple, in a thin slice, is the better treat.
