No, your rabbit can’t eat sweet potatoes. Though they’re not toxic to rabbits, sweet potatoes aren’t nutritious and can lead to several health issues if your rabbit repeatedly eats them.
Though sweet potatoes do contain some nutrients (like beta-carotene, vitamin C, and magnesium) there aren’t enough of the vitamins or minerals to meet any of your rabbit’s nutritional needs. In this case, sweet potatoes would cause more harm than good if eaten.
Why Rabbits Can’t Eat Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are high in sugar and starches, and low in fiber. This combination can lead to a bunch of health issues if rabbits eat too many sweet potatoes:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis: If the balance of bacteria in your rabbit’s gut is upset, they can end up with gas, stomach pain, and bloating. This can gradually get worse, and can even be fatal in the worst cases.
- Diarrhea: Missing out on much-needed fiber can cause your rabbit’s stools to be loose. If your rabbit continuously has diarrhea, take them to a vet.
- Weight gain: Eating too many sugary foods will result in your rabbit gaining weight. If this continues, they’ll end up obese and then have a bunch of related problems to deal with (e.g. struggling to groom themselves or heart conditions).
- Dental issues: Another issue from rabbits eating too much sugar is their teeth rotting. They can also get overgrown teeth when they eat foods like sweet potatoes that are low in fiber.
If your rabbit does accidentally eat some sweet potato, don’t panic. If you give them plenty of water and hay and monitor them closely for a day or two, they might be okay.
If your rabbit does show signs of any of the conditions listed above, it’s worth getting them checked at the vet and reconsidering their diet.
Healthy Alternatives to Sweet Potato
If you’re wondering what rabbit-friendly snacks you can feed your pet instead of sweet potato, here are some suggestions:
- Spinach
- Watercress
- Carrots and carrot tops
- Kale
- Pumpkin
- And there’s so many more out there!
Related Questions
Can Rabbits Eat Potatoes?
No, rabbits can’t eat potatoes. They’re very starchy and contain traces of a toxin called solanine that’s especially high in leaves, stalks, and vines. Your rabbit could get very sick if they eat potatoes too often.
Can Rabbits Eat Sweet Potato Fries?
No, rabbits can’t eat sweet potato fries. The fries are seasoned and cooked which is doubly bad for rabbits. The seasonings, salts, and any extra ingredients would disagree with your rabbit’s gut, and cooking food makes it too soft for your rabbit to sink their teeth into.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Sweet Potatoes?
No, rabbits can’t eat cooked sweet potatoes. Apart from the fact that your rabbit shouldn’t have sweet potatoes at all, cooking them only makes them worse for your rabbit. The process of cooking makes vegetables softer which is not what your rabbit’s teeth needs. It also decreases what little nutrients the sweet potato contains.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Sweet Potatoes?
No, baby rabbits can’t eat sweet potatoes. Baby rabbits shouldn’t eat anything except hay or pellets until they’re at least three months old. Only when they’re old enough and their guts have matured can they begin to eat fruits and vegetables. However, sweet potato is not something they can eat at all, since it’s not good for them.
What Should Rabbits Eat?
Rabbits should get an unlimited supply of fiber-rich hay to eat. They also need a variety of fresh vegetables, pellets, and occasional treats. This should be alongside drinking water. You can check out which foods are rabbit-friendly online to make sure your rabbit is eating healthily and safely.