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Foraging and toys
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Fairy forest
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Game mode
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Castles and cathedrals
| Safe? | No |
| How much | None, raw, roasted or shelled |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all; a small piece of raw pumpkin flesh instead |
| Watch out for | Seed-based treats, muesli mixes, salted snack seeds |
Why shouldn't rabbits eat pumpkin seeds?
Rabbits are grazers. Their teeth and gut are built for a steady supply of grass and hay, with a little leafy green food, and very little fat, starch or sugar. Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are the opposite: rich in oil and protein, and dense rather than fibrous. The House Rabbit Society tells owners to avoid "gourmet" foods that contain nuts, seeds or grains, and to never feed pellets with seeds mixed in. Burgess notes that nuts are high in fat, not fibre, and seeds are much the same.
No rabbit charity we read discusses pumpkin seeds by name, so this is our reasoning from what they say about seeds and rabbit diets in general. With a better choice on the same pumpkin, there is no reason to take the risk.
Pumpkin parts at a glance
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Raw pumpkin flesh | Yes, a small piece a couple of times a week |
| Raw seeds, in the shell | No |
| Shelled green seeds (pepitas) | No |
| Roasted, salted or spiced seeds | No |
| Pumpkin seed oil, seed butter | No |
| Treats or mixes containing pumpkin seeds | No, choose hay-based treats |
What to do if your rabbit ate pumpkin seeds
- Remove the rest. Clear any seeds from the floor, the run or the food bowl.
- Offer hay and water. Plenty of hay helps keep the gut moving.
- Watch for a day. Check your rabbit is eating normally and passing plenty of round, dry droppings.
- Ring your vet if anything changes. PDSA says to contact your vet straight away if a rabbit eats less than normal.
What to offer instead
Give a cube of raw flesh about 2 cm (3/4 in) across instead: our page on pumpkin for rabbits explains how. For other seeds, see sunflower seeds and our wider page on seeds for rabbits. The safe food list, rabbit diet guide and rabbit care guide cover the rest.
Pumpkin seeds and rabbits: questions
My rabbit ate a few pumpkin seeds. What should I do?
Do not panic. A few seeds are unlikely to cause serious harm in a healthy adult. Take away any others, offer plenty of hay and water, and watch for 24 hours. If your rabbit stops eating, passes fewer or smaller droppings, or sits hunched, ring your vet straight away.
Are roasted pumpkin seeds worse than raw?
Yes. Roasted pumpkin seeds for people are usually oiled and salted, and some are spiced or sugared. That adds more fat and salt to a food rabbits should not have anyway. Raw or roasted, the answer is no.
Do pumpkin seeds get rid of worms in rabbits?
Do not rely on pumpkin seeds or any home remedy for worms or parasites. Rabbit worming and parasite treatment should come from your vet, who can check the rabbit and give a proper product if one is needed.
Can rabbits eat the stringy middle of a pumpkin?
A little of the soft, stringy pulp from a fresh pumpkin is not harmful, but it is easy to leave seeds in it. We would scoop out the pulp with the seeds and give a clean piece of raw flesh instead.
