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| Safe? | Ripe flesh only, in small amounts |
| How much | 1 cherry tomato or 1 thin slice for a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit |
| How often | About once a week |
| Best served | Raw, ripe, washed, stalk and green top removed |
| Watch out for | Leaves, stems, green fruit, sauces |
Are tomatoes safe for rabbits?
The ripe fruit is. The Rabbit Welfare Association puts "tomato flesh (ripe only)" in its botanical fruits group, foods we eat as vegetables that are "lower in sugar than true fruits". The same list names tomato leaves and tomato stems as foods to avoid, and the RSPCA says the same. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, with potatoes and peppers, and the RWAF advises feeding nightshades only occasionally and in small amounts. So ripe flesh is fine as a small extra, and the green parts of the plant are a firm no. Our rabbit diet guide shows where extras like this fit.
How much tomato can a rabbit have?
The House Rabbit Society caps non-leafy vegetables at about 1 tablespoon per 900 g (2 lb) of body weight a day, for all of them together. Because tomato is a nightshade and quite acidic, we would stay well under that: one cherry tomato, halved, or one thin slice of a large tomato, about once a week for an average 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit.
How to prepare tomato
- Pick a ripe one. Fully red (or yellow for yellow types), with no green patches.
- Remove the green top. Pull off the stalk and the star-shaped calyx.
- Wash and cut. Halve a cherry tomato or cut one thin slice.
- Clear up. Take away anything left after an hour, as cut tomato goes off quickly.
Which parts of the tomato plant are safe?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Ripe flesh, skin and seeds inside | Yes, small amounts |
| Green, unripe fruit | No |
| Leaves, stems, stalk, calyx | No, avoid |
| Sauce, ketchup, soup, sun-dried, tinned | No |
Who should skip tomatoes?
Leave them out for young rabbits, rabbits with soft droppings or a sensitive stomach, and any rabbit that seems to get a sore mouth from acidic food.
What to offer instead
Cucumber is another RWAF botanical fruit and much milder. Green bell peppers are the RWAF's preferred nightshade. Never offer potatoes, which the RWAF says to avoid. See the safe food list for rabbits and our rabbit care guide for more.
Tomatoes and rabbits: questions
My rabbit ate tomato leaves. What should I do?
Move your rabbit away from the plant and note roughly how much was eaten. The RSPCA and Rabbit Welfare Association both say to avoid tomato leaves and stems. Ring your vet for advice, especially if more than a nibble was eaten, and watch closely for eating less, fewer droppings, drooling or a quiet, hunched rabbit.
Can rabbits eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, if they are fully ripe and the green stalk and calyx are pulled off. One cherry tomato, halved, is a good weekly portion for an average 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit. Smaller breeds can have half of one.
Can rabbits eat green tomatoes?
No. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists tomato flesh as safe for ripe fruit only, and green fruit is closer to the leaves and stems on its avoid list, so we would not feed it. Wait until the fruit is fully red, or yellow for yellow varieties, before sharing.
Can rabbits eat tomato sauce, ketchup or soup?
No. These have salt, sugar, onion or garlic added, and the RSPCA lists onions, garlic and sugary or salty human foods among things to avoid. Only plain, raw, ripe tomato flesh is suitable, and only in small amounts.
