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Yes, rabbits can eat Brussels sprouts, in moderation. PDSA lists them as safe in moderation because some greens can cause gas, and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund says brassicas like sprouts should be rotated, as large amounts may upset some rabbits. Give one sprout, or a few of the outer leaves, raw and washed, a few times a week.
| Safe? | Yes, in moderation |
|---|---|
| How much | One sprout or a few outer leaves |
| How often | A few times a week, rotated |
| Best served | Raw, plain, washed |
| Watch out for | Wind and soft droppings; cooked, buttered sprouts |
Are Brussels sprouts safe for rabbits?
Yes. Brussels sprouts are a brassica, like broccoli, cabbage and kale. PDSA lists them among safe vegetables, in moderation. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund puts them in its brassicas group, to rotate, warning that large amounts may cause digestive discomfort in some rabbits. House Rabbit Society lists them as a non-leafy vegetable.
Do sprouts give rabbits wind? Not every source agrees
PDSA and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund both warn brassicas can cause gas or discomfort in some rabbits. House Rabbit Society says the gas worry about broccoli and cabbage does not really apply to rabbits, but adds that any vegetable causing soft stools or gas should be stopped. We would follow the more careful advice: small amounts, rotated, and watch your rabbit.
How much Brussels sprout can a rabbit have?
House Rabbit Society suggests non-leafy vegetables like sprouts stay at about 1 tablespoon per 2 lb (0.9 kg) of rabbit a day in total, within a diet that is mostly hay. In practice, that is one sprout, halved, or a few outer leaves, a few times a week, as one of the plants in the daily greens.
Sprouts, leaves, stalks and cooked sprouts
| Part | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw sprouts | Yes, in moderation | Halve or quarter them |
| Outer leaves | Yes | Lighter than the whole sprout |
| Sprout tops (the leafy top of the stalk) | Yes, in moderation | A leafy brassica, same rules as kale |
| Cooked sprouts from dinner | No | Usually buttered or salted |
How to introduce sprouts
- Wash it. PDSA says never feed unwashed fresh food, or anything that may have been sprayed.
- Start with a little. Add one new food at a time, as the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund advises.
- Check droppings. Watch droppings, appetite and behaviour for a day or two before giving more.
If your rabbit is bloated, hunched, off their food or stops passing droppings after a new vegetable, ring your vet the same day. In rabbits, a slowed gut is always urgent.
See our rabbit food list, the rabbit diet guide and the rabbit care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can rabbits eat Brussels sprout leaves?
Yes. The outer leaves are a lighter way to give sprouts, and they count as part of the rotated brassica greens.
Can rabbits eat cooked Brussels sprouts?
Plain cooked sprouts are not toxic, but rabbits are built for raw plants, and sprouts from a meal usually have butter or salt. Give raw sprouts instead.
Can rabbits eat Brussels sprouts every day?
It is better to rotate them. PDSA lists sprouts as safe in moderation, and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund suggests rotating brassicas.
Can rabbits eat sprout stalks?
The leafy tops of the stalk are fine in moderation. The thick woody stalk is mostly ignored, so there is little point in offering it.
