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Yes, rabbits can eat watercress, and it is one of the best leafy greens for them. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund lists it as an excellent leafy green, the RSPCA names it among safe daily greens, and PDSA and House Rabbit Society list it too. Give a small bunch, washed, as one of several greens in the daily mix.
| Safe? | Yes, an everyday leafy green |
|---|---|
| How much | A small bunch within the greens portion |
| How often | Daily or most days, rotated |
| Best served | Fresh, washed, from a shop or clean supply |
| Watch out for | Wild watercress from streams; wilted or slimy leaves |
Is watercress good for rabbits?
Yes. Watercress is on every rabbit greens list we checked: the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (excellent leafy greens), the RSPCA (safe daily greens, with romaine, spring greens, rocket and dandelion leaves), PDSA's safe vegetables and House Rabbit Society's leafy greens. Woodgreen lists it with spinach and kale as a safe vegetable.
How much watercress can a rabbit have?
Leafy greens are about 10% of a rabbit's diet, according to the RSPCA. PDSA suggests an adult-sized handful of greens, vegetables and herbs twice a day from five or six different plants. A small bunch of watercress fits in that. House Rabbit Society suggests at least three different leafy greens a day.
| Source | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket watercress | Yes | Wash and feed |
| Bagged salad with watercress, rocket and spinach | Yes, plain | Check there is no iceberg or dressing; spinach only occasionally |
| Home-grown cress or watercress | Yes | Grown without sprays |
| Wild watercress from streams | Skip | You cannot know what is in the water, and PDSA says only feed what you can identify |
How to prepare watercress
- 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.
Watercress wilts fast. Keep it in its bag in the fridge, or stand the stems in water, and use it within a couple of days.
Who should go easy?
Young rabbits should start fresh greens slowly; House Rabbit Society introduces them from about 12 weeks. A rabbit with a sensitive stomach should have watercress in small amounts at first.
Other greens to rotate
Rotate watercress with spring greens, kale and carrot tops. See our rabbit food list, the rabbit diet guide and the rabbit care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can rabbits eat watercress every day?
Yes, as one of several leafy greens. The RSPCA lists watercress among safe daily greens. Rotating it with other leaves keeps the diet varied.
Can rabbits eat watercress from a bag of salad?
Yes, if the bag is plain leaves such as watercress, rocket and spinach, with no dressing. The RSPCA says avoid iceberg lettuce, so pick it out, and keep spinach occasional.
Can rabbits eat watercress stalks?
Yes. The stalks are part of the same plant and fine with the leaves.
Can rabbits eat wild watercress?
We would skip it. Wild watercress grows in streams and ditches where you cannot know what is in the water, and PDSA says only feed plants you can identify from clean areas.
