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| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all; offer hay and leafy greens instead |
| Watch out for | Peelings in compost, potato plants in the garden, chips and crisps |
Why can't rabbits eat potatoes?
Every rabbit charity we checked says no. The Rabbit Welfare Association (RWAF) says "potatoes, potato foliage, tomato leaves and stems, aubergine, chilli peppers, onions, garlic, shallots and chives are unsuitable for rabbits and may be harmful", and lists potatoes and potato tops (haulm) on its avoid list. The RSPCA lists "potatoes and sweet potatoes (raw or cooked)" among foods to avoid. The House Rabbit Society, Animal Trust and Woodgreen say the same.
There are two problems. A potato is mostly starch, and a rabbit's gut is built for a high-fibre diet of hay and grass, so a starchy lump can upset the bacteria that keep its digestion moving. And potatoes belong to the nightshade family, and the RWAF puts the potato plant and its green tops on its avoid list too. We treat green or sprouting potatoes as the riskiest, because they are the most like the plant itself. Our rabbit diet guide explains why fibre matters so much.
Which parts of the potato are a problem?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Raw potato, including peelings | No |
| Green or sprouting potatoes, sprouts and eyes | No, and we treat these as the riskiest |
| Potato plant leaves, stems and flowers (haulm) | No, on the RWAF avoid list |
| Cooked, mashed, roast or boiled potato | No: the RSPCA says raw or cooked |
| Chips (fries), crisps (chips), waffles, potato snacks | No: starch plus salt, fat and flavourings |
My rabbit ate potato. What should I do?
- Take the rest away. Remove any potato, peelings or plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and whether it was green, raw or cooked.
- Offer hay and water. Plenty of fresh hay keeps the gut moving.
- Ring your vet for advice. The RSPCA says to call your vet as soon as you can if you think your rabbit has eaten something unsafe. Ring straight away if it ate green potato, sprouts or the plant.
- Watch for 24 hours. Look for eating less, fewer or smaller droppings, diarrhoea, drooling, a swollen tummy or a rabbit sitting hunched and quiet.
What to offer instead
If you want a crunchy root, a thin slice of parsnip or carrot is on the RWAF list as a treat only. Don't swap to sweet potato, which the RSPCA also says to avoid, and keep rabbits away from tomato plants, which are in the same family. See the safe food list for rabbits and our rabbit care guide.
Potatoes and rabbits: questions
Can rabbits eat potato peelings?
No. Peelings are still potato, and they are often the greenest part. The RSPCA and Rabbit Welfare Association both list potatoes among foods to avoid. Keep peelings out of any compost or scrap bowl your rabbit can reach, and never add them to a vegetable mix.
Can rabbits eat cooked potatoes or mash?
No. The RSPCA specifically says potatoes are to be avoided raw or cooked. Cooking softens the potato but it is still almost all starch, and mash, chips and roast potatoes usually carry butter, oil or salt as well, none of which suits a rabbit.
Can rabbits eat potato plant leaves?
No. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists potato tops (haulm) on its avoid list. If you grow potatoes, fence the bed off from free-roaming rabbits, and ring your vet for advice if yours has chewed the plant.
Is one chip going to hurt my rabbit?
A single stolen chip is unlikely to cause lasting harm, but it is starchy, salty and fatty, and it is on the avoid list for good reason. Take away the rest, offer hay, and watch eating and droppings for a day. Ring your vet if either drops off.
