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Castles and cathedrals
| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all |
| Watch out for | Guacamole, salads, toast leftovers, avocado houseplants |
Why is avocado bad for rabbits?
It is on every avoid list we checked. The RSPCA lists avocados among foods rabbits should not have, Woodgreen puts avocado on its foods-to-avoid list, and Burgess, the rabbit food maker, calls it "very fatty" and says it should never be fed.
There are two reasons. The first is fat. An avocado is rich in oil, and a rabbit is built to live on hay, grass and leaves, which are high in fibre and very low in fat. A rabbit's gut has no use for that much fat, and the House Rabbit Society lists other fatty foods, such as nuts and seeds, among foods not to feed. The second is the plant itself. Avocado plants contain a natural compound called persin, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to horses. We have not found a rabbit charity page that gives figures for persin in rabbits, but with the fat and that warning together, avocado is a firm no. Our rabbit diet guide explains what a rabbit's gut does need.
Which parts of the avocado are a problem?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Flesh | No |
| Skin and stone | No: also a choking and blockage risk |
| Leaves, stems, avocado plants grown from a stone | No |
| Guacamole, dips, avocado toast | No: also onion, garlic and salt |
| Avocado oil in treats | No |
My rabbit ate avocado. What should I do?
- Take the rest away. Note which part was eaten, how much, and when.
- Ring your vet for advice. The RSPCA says to call your vet as soon as you can if you think your rabbit has eaten something poisonous or unsafe.
- Offer hay and water. Keep fresh hay in front of your rabbit and make sure it is drinking.
- Watch closely. Look for eating less, fewer droppings, diarrhoea, a swollen tummy, laboured breathing or a rabbit that is quiet and hunched.
What to offer instead
If you want to share a fruit, a small cube of mango or a thin slice of banana once a week is far safer. And like avocado, onions are a firm no. See the full safe food list for rabbits and our rabbit care guide.
Avocado and rabbits: questions
Is a small piece of avocado OK for a rabbit?
No. None of the charities we read gives a safe amount, and Burgess says avocado should never be included in a rabbit diet. If your rabbit has already had a bite, take the rest away and ring your vet for advice rather than waiting to see what happens.
Can rabbits eat avocado skin or the stone?
No. Every part of the avocado is on the avoid list, and the hard stone and tough skin add a choking and blockage risk. Bin them where your rabbit can not get at them, and keep compost bins closed.
Can rabbits eat avocado leaves?
No. The leaves are part of the same plant, and the ASPCA lists the avocado plant as toxic to horses because of persin. Keep avocado houseplants out of reach of any rabbit that roams the house.
