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| Safe? | No |
| How much | None, of any kind |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all: keep plates and cheese boards out of reach |
| Watch out for | Eating less, soft droppings, fewer or smaller droppings |
Why can't rabbits eat cheese?
Because nothing in cheese suits a rabbit's gut. A healthy rabbit eats about 85% hay and grass, 10% leafy greens and 5% pellets, according to the RSPCA. That diet is high in fibre and low in fat. Cheese is the reverse: concentrated fat and protein from milk, plus salt, and no fibre to keep the gut moving or wear down the teeth.
Rabbits only drink milk as babies, before they are weaned onto plants. After that, dairy has no place in the diet, which is why the RSPCA, Animal Trust and Rabbit.org all name dairy foods such as cheese, milk and yoghurt as things to avoid. Our rabbit diet guide explains how the gut works.
Are some cheeses worse than others?
All cheese is a no, but some carry extra risk.
- Hard cheeses such as Cheddar: very high in fat and salt
- Soft and cream cheeses: high in fat, and often eaten in bigger mouthfuls
- Blue cheeses: very salty and rich
- Cheese with garlic, onion or chives: the RSPCA lists onions and garlic as foods rabbits must avoid, so ring your vet
- Cheese snacks and crackers: add starch and salt on top of the dairy
My rabbit ate cheese: what should I do?
- Remove the cheese. Check the floor and any plates in reach.
- Offer hay and water. A fresh pile of hay and clean water help the gut keep moving.
- Watch for 24 hours. Look for normal eating and plenty of round, dry droppings.
- Ring your vet if anything changes. PDSA says to call straight away if your rabbit eats less, and treats a rabbit that has stopped eating as an emergency.
What to offer instead
If your rabbit begs at the table, keep a pot of washed herbs such as basil, mint or coriander (cilantro) handy and give a sprig instead. Our rabbit safe food list covers every option. For other foods from the fridge, see why eggs and cat food are also a no, and why bread is too. The rabbit care guide has the rest.
Cheese and rabbits: questions
Can rabbits drink milk?
Not after weaning. Baby rabbits drink their mother's milk for the first weeks, then move onto hay and plants for life. The RSPCA lists dairy products among foods to avoid, and that includes cow's milk. Give your rabbit fresh water only, changed every day, from a bowl or bottle.
Can rabbits eat yoghurt or yoghurt drops?
No. Rabbit.org lists yoghurt among foods to avoid, and Burgess warns that milk-based yoghurt drops sold as rabbit treats can cause obesity and tooth decay. Pet-shop packaging does not make a food right for rabbits. Choose hay-based treats or a sprig of herbs instead.
My rabbit ate a small piece of cheese. Will it be OK?
Most likely, if it was a crumb or two. Take the rest away, put out fresh hay and water, and watch for 24 hours. PDSA says to contact your vet straight away if a rabbit is eating less than normal, and as an emergency if it stops eating altogether.
Is vegan or dairy-free cheese safe for rabbits?
No. No good source covers it directly, so we have reasoned from what they say about the diet: vegan cheese is a processed food, usually made from coconut oil, starch, nuts or soya, which are fatty, starchy or on avoid lists. It has none of the fibre a rabbit needs.
