Hides and houses
Shelves and ledges
Foraging and toys
Cage accessories
Kits and bundles
Fairy forest
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Sweetie stash
Game mode
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Castles and cathedrals
| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all |
| Watch out for | Sweet potato treats and chews, leftovers, peelings |
Why can't rabbits eat sweet potato?
The RSPCA names sweet potato directly, raw or cooked, on its avoid list for rabbits, and that is the line we follow. Other charities don't name it, but their reasons cover it. The House Rabbit Society warns that a rabbit's gut bacteria "can be critically changed by sugar and starch", and sweet potato is high in both. The Rabbit Welfare Association marks carrot and parsnip as "treat only" because of their sugar, and sweet potato is sweeter and starchier than either.
Sweet potato is not a close relative of the ordinary potato, so the worry is not the same plant defences. The worry is starch and sugar reaching the hindgut, where they can feed the wrong bacteria and lead to soft droppings, gas or a gut that slows down. Our rabbit diet guide explains how the gut works.
Raw, cooked, dried and leaves
| Form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Raw sweet potato or peel | No |
| Cooked, baked or mashed | No: the RSPCA says raw or cooked |
| Dried sweet potato chews or "veggie" treats | No: even more concentrated sugar |
| Sweet potato fries or crisps | No: starch plus oil and salt |
| Sweet potato leaves and vines | Not on any charity list we read, so we would not offer them |
My rabbit ate some sweet potato. What now?
A small nibble is unlikely to do lasting harm, but treat it seriously. Take away what is left, give plenty of hay and fresh water, and watch for 24 hours. Look for soft or sticky droppings, fewer or smaller droppings, a swollen tummy, or a rabbit sitting hunched and refusing food. The RSPCA says to call your vet as soon as you can if you think your rabbit has eaten something unsafe.
Who is most at risk?
Young rabbits, older rabbits with dental problems, overweight rabbits and any rabbit with a history of soft droppings or gut slowdown are most likely to be upset by starch.
What to offer instead
A thin slice of carrot is the classic orange treat, and it is still a treat only. Plain pumpkin flesh in tiny amounts is another option. Like sweet potato, ordinary potatoes are a no. Our list of foods rabbits can eat and the rabbit care guide cover the rest.
Sweet potato and rabbits: questions
Is cooked sweet potato safe for rabbits?
No. The RSPCA lists sweet potatoes as a food to avoid whether raw or cooked. Cooking makes the starch easier to digest for people, which means more sugar reaching a rabbit gut quickly. There is no form of sweet potato we would offer a rabbit.
Can rabbits eat sweet potato leaves?
None of the rabbit charities we read lists sweet potato leaves as safe or unsafe. When a plant is not on any safe list, the careful choice is to leave it out. Offer leaves the Rabbit Welfare Association does list, such as spring greens, romaine lettuce or herbs.
Are sweet potato rabbit treats OK?
We would skip them. Dried sweet potato chews are concentrated sugar and starch, and the RSPCA lists sweet potato among foods to avoid. Most rabbits are happier with a handful of fresh herbs or a little dried grass and flowers.
