Avocados (Persea americana) are tropical evergreen trees that are native to the American continent. Their fruits are well known for being rich in healthy fats and full of flavor.
Avocados are treasured fruits at many tables, our family’s included.
However, avocados must never be fed to your homestead or pet rabbits. Avocados are seriously toxic to bunnies and must never be offered to your rabbits.
But why are avocados so dangerous to rabbits? And what toxic harmful to rabbits do avocados contain?
Fortunately, we are here to share the most important answers and information with you when it comes to avocados and rabbits, so read on!
Can You Feed Avocado To Bunnies
No, never feed an avocado to your bunnies.
Avocados naturally contain a fat-soluble compound called persin. Persin is actually a fungicide and helps the avocado tree to fight off fungal invaders, but when ingested by rabbits, it causes serious bodily harm.
What Happens If A Rabbit Eats Avocado
If a rabbit ingests avocado, they will suffer from persin poisoning. This usually results in heart failure and swelling and death of mammary glands, both of which can cause death.
Another fact worth mentioning is that the fruit of the avocado tree is pure fat, with an average fruit containing more than 20g of fat.
This amount of fat cannot be properly broken down by your rabbit’s sensitive and high-fiber dependant digestive system, which is just another reason why avocados must be kept far away from your bunnies.
Can Rabbits Eat Avocado Skin
Note that ALL parts of the avocado tree are toxic to bunnies because all parts contain persin!
This means rabbits must not only avoid the avocado fruit, but also the skin of the fruit as well as the stems, seed, leaves and the branches of the avocado tree.
Indeed, researchers have found that ingesting avocado leaves causes fatal heart failure in bunnies.
Fast Fact: Guatemalan avocado varieties are known for being most toxic for animals!
Symptoms of Persin Poisoning In Rabbits
As stated, persin will affect the cardiac and mammary gland systems of rabbits. This means that the most common symptoms of persin poisoning in rabbits are:
- Inflammation of the mammary glands
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Difficulty breathing
- Fluid around heart
- Sudden decrease or loss of milk production in lactating doe rabbits
If your rabbit ingests avocado, we recommend contacting your local veterinarian immediately, as your rabbit is in serious danger of death.
A very small amount of avocado may not cause death, but it is sure to create a serious stomach upset. Your vet may give your rabbit activated charcoal to help purge and pass the toxic fruit, but there is never any guarantee that your rabbit will survive.
How Much Avocado Will Kill A Rabbit
The exact quantity of avocado that is fatal to a rabbit depends on the type of avocado and the size and age of your rabbit.
But one thing is for sure: the aggressive and highly toxic nature of persin for rabbits leaves no room to guess. Do not ever offer the avocado fruit or parts of the avocado tree to your rabbits!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Eat Avocados
What Can Kill A Rabbit Suddenly?
Any toxic or indigestible foods can kill a rabbit very quickly if ingested in both small and large amounts.
This is why it is crucial to know What Rabbits Can Eat and what food items are dangerous for rabbits.
What Foods Are Toxic To Rabbits and What Rabbits Cannot Eat?
There are a number of foodstuffs that are toxic to rabbits if ingested, including:
- Lilies
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Mushrooms
Rabbits are sensitive creatures that are known for their delicate digestive system. Check out our post archive for more information on these poisonous foods!
Final Thoughts On Can A Rabbit Eat Avocados
Keep your homestead and pet bunnies well away from toxic avocados, as just a few mouthfuls of this poisonous plant can result in a quick death.
Instead, offer your bunnies healthy and safe treats such as fresh herbs or garden veggies.