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| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all, raw or cooked |
| Watch out for | Eating less, fewer droppings, weakness, pale gums |
Why can't rabbits eat leeks?
Leeks are alliums, the plant group that includes onions, garlic, shallots and chives. The RSPCA names leeks directly on its list of foods for rabbits to avoid, and the Rabbit Welfare Association says onions, garlic, shallots and chives are unsuitable and possibly harmful. Few sources study leeks in rabbits on their own, so we have reasoned from what is known about the family. In cats, PDSA explains that allium compounds damage red blood cells and cause anaemia, and that leeks and chives are harmful as well as onions. With two leading rabbit charities saying avoid, we treat leeks as a firm no. Our rabbit diet guide lists what to feed instead.
My rabbit ate leek: what should I do?
- Take the rest away. Remove any leek, trimmings or leftovers, and check the run or garden for more.
- Work out how much. Note roughly how much was eaten and when, to tell the vet.
- Ring your vet. Call for advice even if your rabbit looks well. Don't try home remedies.
- Keep watching for a week. Offer hay and water, and check appetite and droppings every few hours at first.
Are any parts of the leek safe?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| White stem | No |
| Green tops (flags) | No |
| Cooked leeks, soup, pie | No |
| Other alliums: onion, spring onion, garlic, chives, wild garlic | No |
How to keep leeks away from your rabbit
- Fence off leek, onion and garlic beds if your rabbit roams the garden
- Bin trimmings rather than adding them to an open compost heap
- Never share leftovers from soups, stews or stir-fries
- Check bagged salad and stir-fry mixes for spring onion before sharing any greens
What to offer instead
If your rabbit enjoys a crunchy stalk, celery is on the RWAF safe list. For leafy greens, try pak choi or spring greens. Our page on onions covers the rest of the family, and the rabbit health guide, safe food list and rabbit care guide have more.
Leeks and rabbits: questions
Are the green tops of leeks safe for rabbits?
No. The whole leek plant is part of the onion family: the white stem, the pale green middle and the dark green flags. None of it should be fed. Throw leek trimmings in the bin or a closed compost bin, not on an open heap your rabbit can reach.
Are cooked leeks safe for rabbits?
No. In cats, PDSA notes that onion-family plants stay harmful when cooked or dried, and there is no reason to think rabbits are different. Leek and potato soup, leek pie and cheesy leeks are doubly unsuitable, since potatoes and dairy are on the RSPCA's avoid list too.
Can rabbits eat spring onions, chives or wild garlic?
No. These are all onion-family plants. The Rabbit Welfare Association says onions, garlic, shallots and chives are unsuitable and possibly harmful, and Woodgreen lists wild garlic among plants to avoid. Keep rabbits away from patches of wild garlic and chives in the garden.
My rabbit only had a tiny nibble of leek. Should I worry?
A single nibble is unlikely to cause serious harm, but ring your vet for advice anyway, because signs in other pets can take days to show. Watch closely for eating less, fewer droppings, weakness or pale gums over the following week, and go straight back to the vet if you see any of them.
