If you are raising your bunny alongside other pets or homestead animals, you must wonder if it is safe to mix these animals’ foodstuff, especially if you run out of rabbit pellets but have an excess of raw or wet cat food!
We are glad you are asking this question as it is truly a matter of life or death: No, rabbits should never eat raw or wet cat food as it is indigestible for them and can cause serious internal issues and even death.
Read on to learn why rabbits can’t have cat food, which raw foods are safe for rabbits, and just what happens if a rabbit eats cat food.
Knowing Whether Or Not It Is Safe To Offer Your Bunnies Cat Food
Is A Matter Of Life and Death!
Food and Nutritional Needs: Cats and Rabbits
We must start at the basics when thinking about cat food for rabbits, which means taking a look at the biology and nutritional needs of these different animals.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to survive. As such, their digestive tracts are much shorter than other animals, which allows them to quickly and effectively digest dense animal proteins and fats.
And as any cat owner knows, a cat’s teeth are perfectly designed for catching and tearing at prey.
On the other hand, rabbits are strict herbivores that have sensitive digestive systems specialized in metabolizing coarse plant matter, primarily greens, grasses and hay.
Because of the naturally high-fiber diet they consume, a rabbit’s teeth never stop growing, are quite blunt, and naturally wear down by the rough foodstuff they consume.
Right off the bat, it is obvious that these two pet and homestead animals’ nutritional needs are very different and that each is equipped with bodily systems and tools that serve distinct purposes.
Can Rabbits Eat Wet Cat Food
No, rabbits cannot eat wet cat food. Offering your pet or homestead bunnies wet or raw cat food puts them at risk of serious digestive blockage and even death.
Wet cat food contains raw meats mixed with grains and has a high water content.
These two characteristics alone make it inappropriate and dangerous for rabbits, as bunnies cannot digest meat and can react negatively to foods with high water content.
Can Rabbits Eat Cat Pellets
No, rabbits cannot eat dry cat food or cat pellets.
Dry cat food or pellets also contain meats and other substances that rabbits cannot digest and are cooked to boot.
Remember, a bunny’s digestive system is only capable of safely and surely digesting and metabolizing raw, uncooked, and 100% plant based foods.
Even some plant foods are dangerous to rabbits, learn more about foods to avoid in our Poisonous Foods For Rabbits post.
Can I Give My Rabbit Cat Food
We never recommend giving your rabbit cat food.
These are some of the ways we ensure that we never mix up our homestead animals’ various foods:
- Keep your animal feeds in metal, topped bins in separate locations.
- Separate the feeding spaces of your animals, cats shouldn’t eat near rabbits and rabbits shouldn’t eat near cats.
- Make noticeable labels for each animal feed bin.
- If you use trays for your rabbit food and cat food, choose distinct colors or designs for each type of animal so that their feeding trays are never confused.
- Educate all family members on the dangers of mixing animal foodstuffs.
True or False: Can Cat Food Kill A Rabbit
If your rabbit is fed cat food, or eats more than just a few bites or pellets, your bunny can be facing serious digestive issues, blockages, and even death.
Yes, cat food can kill a rabbit.
If you find that your bunny has eaten cat food, wet or dry, we suggest contacting your local veterinarian clinic immediately for proper assistance.
What Happens If A Rabbit Eats Cat Food
Due to their notoriously sensitive digestive systems and their inability to properly digest meats and other more complex foods, a rabbit that has eaten cat food will most likely experience:
- Severe stomach pains
- Bloating
- Stress
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
All of these symptoms can result in serious internal damage and a sharp turn in the health and happiness of your bunny.
Remember, your rabbit will have no way to rid themselves of what they have swallowed because rabbits can’t throw up! This is why contacting a local veterinarian is a priority if you notice your rabbit nibbling on wet or dry cat food.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Pet Bunnies Eat Raw Cat Food
What Raw Foods Can Rabbits Eat?
The best food to offer you bunnies is high quality hay. Hay is a raw plant food that provides all the high fibers and many of the nutrients required to support growth and long term health.
In addition, there are many safe, healthy, and raw treat options for rabbits. To learn more about these check out our posts on:
Herbs For Rabbits – Fruits That Rabbits Can Eat – Daily Vegetable For Rabbits
What Can I Feed My Rabbit If I Run Out Of Food?
If you have run out of hay and rabbit pellets, your rabbit can get by for a day on fresh green grass and select vegetables and herbs (see the links above) until you can make it to your local feed store.
If you run out of appropriate rabbit food, NEVER offer your rabbit food intended for another type of animal, especially carnivorous ones like cats.
Final Thoughts On Can Rabbits Eat Cat Food
Because of the rabbit’s unique dietary needs and in particular their sensitive digestive system, we always think a month in advance and ensure that we have extra rabbit food for our bunnies.
This goes for our cats, goats, and other homestead animals as well. We never offer our rabbits food intended for a different animal, especially not raw, wet or dry cat food.
By thinking ahead, we never run out of high quality hay or rabbit pellets. Plus, buying animal feed in bulk usually saves money too!