Rabbits love all things leafy and green, but not all green veggies are necessarily good for rabbits.
Take for example brussel sprouts. When it comes to whether or not your rabbit can safely eat them, the answer isn’t as clear as you may think.
Fortunately, here at Hobby Farm Heaven we are ready to share all you need to know about brussel sprouts for rabbits!
Technically, yes adult rabbits can eat small amounts of brussel sprouts without negative effects. However, the natural characteristics and components of brussel sprouts make them a questionable option for your bunnies, and we suggest limiting the amount of and frequency at which you offer your bunnies brussel sprouts.
Are Brussel Sprouts Safe For Animals
Brussel sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) are like mini-cabbage heads, and due to their strong and often bitter flavor, are not liked by many human kiddos!
Their physical resemblance to cabbage is because they are a brassica, which is the same type of plant that boasts other common garden veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, and kale.
In general, brassicas are known for causing gas in the digestive system and for their sharp, bitter taste.
Common pet and homestead animals, such as dogs, cats, goats and cows can and do eat brussel sprouts. These animals aren’t usually bothered by the strong flavor of this veggie, although some do refuse to eat it!
In particular, rabbits are known for their picky eating and delicate digestive systems . In fact, rabbits are much more susceptible to a negative reaction and/or serious indigestion caused from eating brussel sprouts.
Can Rabbits Eat Brussel Sprouts Safely?
Remember, rabbits cannot throw up or pass gas as easily as you and me! This puts them at great risk of serious bloating and digestive issues at the hands of brussel sprouts.
And there is no way to get around it: brassicas cause gas due to their raffinose content, a natural sugar that ferments in the stomach!
For this exact reason we avoid offering this veggie to our bunnies, opting instead for less risky veggies.
How Many Brussel Sprouts Can A Rabbit Eat
Like many of its Brassica cousins, brussel sprouts offer some great nutrients per 100g serving including 3.8g of fiber (which is an essential component to a rabbit’s diet) as well as many glucosinolates, which are the precursors to some natural antioxidants.
Brussel sprouts also contain:
- Iron
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Folate
- Beta-carotene
Amongst other vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. But Regardless of this nutritional content, brussel sprouts shouldn’t be offered as anything more than a treat or snack for your rabbits.
By definition, this means that no more than 5-10% of your rabbit’s diet consists of brussel sprouts.
Again: because of the risk of gas and bloating, we usually don’t offer this veggie, or any other brassica, to our bunnies.
But if you do decide to offer raw brussel sprouts to your rabbit, be sure that you do not offer them any other brassica veggies that week and always make sure they have access to unlimited amounts of high fiber hay; this will help them digest the veggie effectively and with minimal side-effects.
Can Rabbits Have Brussel Sprout Stalks
Yes, if you buy your brussel sprouts still on the stalk, you can offer it in small amounts to your rabbits.
Always err on the side of caution and observe your rabbit closely after offering them any new foods!
Preparing Brussel Sprouts For Rabbits
It is important that you wash any brussel sprouts that you offer your bunnies.
This will remove any residual dirt and grime from the veggie. The few times we have offered brussel sprouts to our rabbits, we also cut them in half to ensure they weren’t wilted, moldy, or black inside.
Offer only raw, uncooked and unseasoned brussel sprouts to your rabbits. Bunnies have evolved to digest raw plant materials and domestic rabbits do best kept on this raw, herbivorous diet.
Always remove leftover brussel sprouts after 3-4 hours. They will start to wilt and aren’t best to eat at that point.
What Vegetables Rabbits Cannot Eat
While rabbits won’t have serious complications if a few brussel sprouts are ingested over time, there are some vegetables that will cause rabbits immediate issues if ingested because they are toxic.
Some such toxic veggies, that rabbits cannot eat, include:
- Onions
- Rhubarb
- Garlic
- Certain types of beans
- Green parts of the potato plant
- Green parts of the tomato plant
To learn more about these toxic veggies, browse our articles on these topics in our post archive!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Have Brussel Sprouts
Can Rabbits Have Broccoli?
Technically, yes adult rabbits can eat broccoli. However, as a member of the brassica family, broccoli can also cause some serious digestive issues for rabbits. Learn more in our post on Broccoli For Rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Cauliflower?
Similar answer as above: as a member of the brassica plant family cauliflower has the potential to upset your rabbits’ digestive systems.
However, cauliflower is nutritious! Read Cauliflower For Rabbits: Good Idea Or Big Mistake for more information on this white veggie.
Can Rabbits Eat Frozen Brussel Sprouts?
Feeding your rabbits frozen brussel sprouts can result in serious damage to their teeth, we never recommend offering frozen veggies to your rabbit for this reason.
Fresh, raw veggies are always best as they contain the most nutritional content!
Check out this video to understand more about the brassica group of plants!
Final Thoughts On Can Rabbits Eat Brussel Sprouts Safely
There you have it: brussel sprouts aren’t necessarily toxic to rabbits, but they can cause some serious health issues if eaten in large amounts or in excess.
As a rabbit owner, you get to choose how you will engage with this and if you want to offer this particular veggie to your rabbit.
Looking for more information on veggies for rabbits? Read our post on Vegetables Rabbits Can Have Daily.