No, rabbits can’t eat onions. They are poisonous to rabbits, hard to digest, and would cause a whole heap of health problems. Eating even a small amount of onion can cause serious health problems for your rabbit.
All types of onions are poisonous. Green onions (onions that haven’t fully matured yet), red onions (that are actually purple), or plain brown onions – all should be avoided.
It also doesn’t make a difference if the onion is raw or cooked – both are bad.
Symptoms of Onion Poisoning for Your Rabbit
The distinct smell should warn away any rabbits that get near, but if your rabbit came across an onion, it’s very possible they’d take a bite anyway.
Look out for these signs of you think your rabbit has eaten an onion:
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive salivation
- Pale gums
- Red tinted urine
- Collapsing
- Panting
- Weakness
Any other signs of your rabbit behaving out of character like if they’re not eating normally or going to the toilet normally should also be considered a sign something isn’t right.
If your rabbit has eaten onion and you’re worried, contact a vet. If they’re displaying any of the symptoms listed above, you must get them to a vet ASAP.
What Can Rabbits Eat Instead of Onions?
Check out some nutritional and tasty treats you can give your rabbit:
- Carrots (including the green tops)
- Kale
- Beetroot (and their tops)
- Spinach
- Watercress
- Romaine Lettuce
- And many more!
There are so many other options for the vegetable and treat part of your rabbit’s diet. You should always read up on how much an ideal portion size is and if any preparation needs to be done (like washing the vegetable or cutting it into more manageable-sized chunks).
What Else Do Rabbits Eat?
Rabbits should eat a specific, balanced diet in order to get all the nutrients that they need to survive. There are several parts to the diet:
- The biggest part of their diet is hay. Your rabbit should have unlimited access to hay which is high in fiber and essential to aid their digestion.
- As well as hay, your rabbit needs a variety of fresh vegetables. You should mix them to make sure they can get a wide range of different vitamins and minerals. Leafy green vegetables are typically the best type for your rabbit, and they should be given to your rabbit twice daily.
- Also, your rabbit should have a small portion of store-bought pellets to top up the fiber. This can be given to your rabbit once per day.
- The final part of your rabbit’s diet is treats. Once or twice per week, your rabbit can enjoy treats like bananas, apples, carrots, and others. These should be in moderation and alternated so they aren’t having the same for weeks on end.
- Always make sure your rabbit has access to drinking water at all times.