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Yes, rabbits can eat mint. PDSA and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund list it as a safe herb, the RSPCA names it among safe daily herbs, and House Rabbit Society lists several varieties, including peppermint and spearmint. Give a sprig of fresh leaves as one of the greens in the daily mix. Mint sauce, sweets and mint oils are a different thing: no.
| Safe? | Yes, fresh leaves |
|---|---|
| How much | A sprig within the greens portion |
| How often | Daily or most days, rotated |
| Best served | Fresh, washed leaves and soft stems |
| Watch out for | Mint sauce, sweets, mint oils; plants you cannot identify |
Is mint good for rabbits?
Yes. Fresh mint is on the safe herb lists of PDSA, the RSPCA, the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund and House Rabbit Society. It is a strong-smelling herb many rabbits enjoy, and it fits in the leafy greens part of the diet, which the RSPCA puts at about 10%.
Which mint is safe?
| Mint | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden mint, spearmint | Yes | House Rabbit Society lists spearmint |
| Peppermint | Yes | Also on the House Rabbit Society list |
| Apple, orange, pineapple, chocolate mint | Yes | House Rabbit Society names these varieties too |
| Wild plants that look like mint | Only if sure | House Rabbit Society warns some mint-family plants may be toxic |
| Mint sauce, mint sweets, mint oils or teas | No | Sugar, vinegar, salt or concentrated oils, not fresh herb |
Only feed mint you know is mint: from the shop, or a plant you grew yourself. House Rabbit Society notes some plants in the mint family may be toxic, and PDSA says never feed anything you cannot identify.
How much mint can a rabbit have?
A sprig, or a few leaves, as one of the five or six plants in the handful of greens PDSA suggests twice a day. Rotate mint with other herbs through the week so it is never the only green.
How to give mint
- 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.
Mint spreads fast in the garden, so a pot by the back door gives you a steady, unsprayed supply all summer.
Other herbs to rotate with mint
Swap mint with basil, thyme and parsley. See our rabbit food list, the rabbit diet guide and the rabbit care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can rabbits eat peppermint?
Yes. House Rabbit Society lists peppermint among the mint varieties that are safe leafy greens for rabbits. Give fresh leaves, not peppermint oil or sweets.
Can rabbits eat mint stems?
The soft stems are fine with the leaves. Woody old stems are less tempting and most rabbits leave them.
Can rabbits eat mint every day?
Yes, as one of several greens. The RSPCA lists mint among safe daily herbs. Rotating herbs keeps things varied.
Can rabbits eat dried mint?
Plain dried mint is the same plant, so a little sprinkled in hay is fine. Avoid mint teas with added flavourings or other ingredients.
