No, rabbits can’t eat cheese. As herbivores, rabbits should only eat a plant-based diet. Any animal product is unsuitable for your rabbit and will cause digestion issues. There are no types of cheese that are rabbit-friendly.
Rabbits can’t tolerate lactose and will get very sick if they try. Avoid dairy products, especially cheese, at all costs.
Why Can’t Rabbits Eat Cheese?
There are a bunch of reasons why cheese is bad for rabbits:
- Too much calcium: Excess calcium can cause blockages which can eventually lead to kidney stones and problems.
- It contains lactose: Adult rabbits can’t digest lactose because once they stop getting their mother’s milk, they stop getting lactase (an important enzyme used to digest sugar and lactose from dairy products).
- High in sugars and fats: With increased cholesterol and calories being eaten, your rabbit is at a high risk of gaining weight, having dental issues, and more. Eating too much of the wrong foods upsets your rabbit’s stomach.
- It’s dairy: Dairy products can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and indigestion. This can affect rabbits differently depending on the sensitivity of their stomachs but ultimately is problematic for them.
- The bacteria lactobacillus: This bacteria comes from dairy products and can’t pass through a rabbit’s cecum. If they eat it, they’ll be in a position where they can’t vomit but also can’t pass it out their body.
Cheese is also too low in fiber and too high in protein for your rabbit. They should be eating a balanced diet, with fiber-rich hay and nutritional vegetables making up the bulk of their diet. Pellets (daily) and treats (twice a week) are also part of their diet, alongside water.
What if My Rabbit Eats Cheese?
If your rabbit has eaten a little bit of cheese, they might be in discomfort but not suffer from any serious effects. You should take the cheese from them immediately and closely monitor your rabbit for the next day. Try and get them to eat some hay and drink water.
If your rabbit has eaten a lot of cheese or eats it regularly, they might be facing some serious problems. Watch out for diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, and constipation – they’re all signs that something is wrong and could get worse quickly. Take your rabbit to the vet ASAP if you notice any of these signs.
Related Questions
Can Rabbits Eat Any Dairy Products?
No, rabbits can’t eat any dairy products. This includes cheese, yogurt, cream, and milk. None of them are suitable for rabbits, and if your rabbit does eat a dairy product they’ll likely get sick from it.
Can Rabbits Eat Raw Cheese?
No, rabbits can’t eat raw cheese. Usually, raw food is the way forward with rabbits, but in this case, it makes no difference if cheese is cooked or not – it’s bad for them regardless. Stick with raw vegetables like green beans and asparagus.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Cheese?
No, rabbits can’t eat cooked cheese. Aside from the fact that they can’t eat any sort of cheese, cooking food usually decreases the nutritional value and changes the texture negatively. As a rule of thumb, your rabbit should always have their food raw.
Can Rabbits Eat Cheese Flavored Products?
No, your rabbit shouldn’t eat cheese-flavored products. Any food with cheese flavoring will have other ingredients that won’t agree with your rabbit’s digestion. An example of a product that should be avoided is cheese puffs.
Can Rabbits Eat Soybean Cheese?
No, rabbits can’t eat soybean cheese. It’s high in carbohydrates and proteins which can cause weight gain and stomach issues for your rabbit. Avoid letting your rabbit go anywhere near any type of cheese.