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| Safe? | Yes, in moderation |
| How much | One or two leaves for a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit |
| How often | Two or three times a week, rotated |
| Best served | Raw, washed, darker outer leaves |
| Watch out for | Gas, bloating, rabbits with past tummy trouble |
Is cabbage safe for rabbits?
Yes. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists cabbage in its brassica group, which it says is safe for healthy rabbits "when offered in moderation". Woodgreen also says cabbage is safe, with a warning that brassicas can cause gas and bloating in large amounts. The House Rabbit Society lists cabbage of any type, and VetPartners lists cabbages among suitable vegetables.
The catch is gas. The Rabbit Welfare Association says brassicas "can ferment in the gut and produce gas in some rabbits", the House Rabbit Society advises caution with the cabbage family, and the RSPCA says cabbage can be fed safely "but should only be offered occasionally". The House Rabbit Society notes that for some rabbits that gas is painful.
How much cabbage can a rabbit have?
For a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit, one or two cabbage leaves is a good portion, as part of a mixed handful of three or more greens. The Rabbit Welfare Association says fresh vegetables should be around 5 to 10% of the daily diet, with unlimited hay making up the rest. We would give cabbage two or three days a week and use non-cabbage greens, such as romaine, herbs or fennel tops, on the other days.
Which cabbages are best?
| Type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Savoy, spring greens, sweetheart (pointed) | Best: darker, leafier |
| Green and red cabbage | Yes, a leaf or two |
| White cabbage | Yes, but pale and less nutritious |
| Pak choi (bok choy) | Yes, same brassica rules |
| Cooked cabbage, coleslaw, sauerkraut | No |
How to introduce cabbage
- Wash the leaves. Use the outer leaves if they are fresh, rinsed well.
- Start with half a leaf. Mix it with greens your rabbit already eats.
- Watch for 24 hours. Look for normal eating and plenty of round droppings, and no hunching or tummy pressing.
- Build up slowly. Go up to one or two leaves over a week or two.
Who should skip cabbage?
Woodgreen advises that rabbits with past digestive problems avoid brassicas. Young rabbits should meet greens one at a time, and cabbage is better as a later addition.
What to offer instead
Spring greens are the leafiest cabbage. Kale and broccoli are brassicas too, so count them in the same group. Our safe food list, rabbit diet guide and rabbit care guide cover the rest.
Cabbage and rabbits: questions
Can rabbits eat red cabbage?
Yes. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists green, sweetheart, white, red and savoy cabbage as safe brassicas. Red cabbage follows the same rules: a leaf or two, raw, a few times a week.
Can rabbits eat cabbage every day?
We would not. The Rabbit Welfare Association says brassicas are best rotated with other vegetables rather than fed in large amounts every day, and the RSPCA says cabbage should only be offered occasionally. Two or three days a week, with other greens in between, is a better pattern.
Can rabbits eat cabbage stalks and the core?
Yes, a little. The core is crunchy and gives good chewing, but it is denser than the leaf. Cut it into small pieces and count it in the same portion as the leaves, not on top.
Can rabbits eat cooked cabbage or coleslaw?
No. Cooked cabbage is soft and often buttered or salted, and coleslaw has mayonnaise, which contains egg and oil. Rabbits should only have raw, plain cabbage.
