Hides and houses
Shelves and ledges
Foraging and toys
Cage accessories
Kits and bundles
Fairy forest
Spooky mischief
Sweetie stash
Game mode
Forest floor
Castles and cathedrals
Yes, rabbits can eat carrot tops, and they are a much better choice than carrots. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund calls carrot tops an excellent leafy green, PDSA lists them as a safe vegetable, and the RSPCA says the leafy tops beat the root. The orange carrot is high in sugar and is only a small occasional treat.
| Safe? | Yes, an everyday leafy green |
|---|---|
| How much | A small bunch within the greens portion |
| How often | Daily or most days, rotated |
| Best served | Fresh, washed, leafy tops |
| Watch out for | Wilted or sprayed tops; confusing tops with the sugary root |
Carrot tops vs carrots
These are two very different foods. The leafy tops are a green; the orange root is a sweet treat.
| Part | OK? | How often | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot tops (leaves and stalks) | Yes | Most days, rotated | The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund calls them an excellent leafy green |
| Carrot (orange root) | Treat only | Occasionally, small piece | PDSA and the RSPCA say carrots are high in sugar |
So the cartoon picture of a rabbit with a carrot has it backwards: the leaves are the healthy part. Read more on can rabbits eat carrots.
How much carrot top can a rabbit have?
Carrot tops go in the leafy greens portion. PDSA suggests an adult-sized handful of greens, vegetables and herbs twice a day, made from five or six different plants. A small bunch of carrot tops is one of those. House Rabbit Society suggests leafy greens make up about 75% of a rabbit's fresh food, with at least three different leafy greens a day.
How to prepare carrot tops
- 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.
- Bright green, fresh leaves, not yellow or slimy
- Organic or home-grown where you can, as carrot tops are not washed for eating like salad
- Stalks and leaves both fine
Buy carrots with their tops on, give the tops to your rabbit and keep the roots for yourself. Cut the tops off as soon as you get home, as the leaves wilt fast and take moisture from the root.
Who should go easy?
Young rabbits should start fresh greens slowly; House Rabbit Society introduces them from about 12 weeks, one at a time. A rabbit with a sensitive stomach should have new greens in small amounts first.
Other leafy greens to rotate
Try spring greens, watercress and dandelion leaves. Parsnip, like carrot, is a sweet root and a treat only. See our rabbit food list, the rabbit diet guide and the rabbit care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can rabbits eat carrot tops every day?
Yes, as one of several leafy greens. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund lists carrot tops as an excellent leafy green. Rotate them with others for variety.
Are carrot tops better than carrots for rabbits?
Yes. The RSPCA says carrots are high in sugar and that the leafy tops are a better choice. Keep the orange root as a small occasional treat.
Can rabbits eat carrot top stalks?
Yes. The stalks are part of the leafy top and fine in the same amounts.
Can baby rabbits eat carrot tops?
House Rabbit Society starts fresh greens from about 12 weeks, in small amounts, one at a time. Carrot tops can be one of the first greens after that.
