If you are raising rabbits you know that your furry friends are very curious and will try to eat just about anything.
This is sometimes okay if your rabbit gets into the garden and nibbles at the parsley, but can be another story when they try the dog kibble that you left out.
Fortunately, we at Hobby Farm Heaven are here to share with you all you need to know about dog food and rabbits.
So, can rabbits eat dog food?
No, rabbits cannot eat dog food. Rabbits have evolved as herbivores and should never be offered or eat dog food. The typical dog food is not very healthy and is omnivore, if not carnivore, based. The animal proteins, grain carbohydrates and other fillers in dog food will greatly disrupt your bunnies digestive and metabolic processes and can lead to serious health issues.
Read On To Learn Why Dog Food Is NOT A Good Choice For Your Bunnies.
Can Dog Food Kill A Rabbit? Why Rabbits Shouldn’t Eat Dog Food
Rabbits are exclusive herbivores and have digestive systems that are finely tuned to metabolizing 100% raw plant foods. That means hay is an ideal food for rabbits. Hay is high in non-digestible fibers, which keep the unique bacteria in a rabbit’s gut happy and it’s internal systems running smoothly.
Now while bunnies are champions at digesting high fiber foods, they cannot properly digest cooked foods (which undergo chemical changes due to heating) or large amounts of proteins and grain carbohydrates.
As VetFolio states, too much protein can be detrimental to rabbits’ health and lead to enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) while too many grains or fermentable carbohydrates can also lead to enteritis, obesity, and other health issues.
With this in mind, we have to realize that dog food contains:
- Cooked or otherwise processed fruits and vegetables
- Dense animal proteins
- Grains and high amounts of other fermentable carbohydrates
Note that animal proteins are a completely foreign food substance for rabbits. Bunnies have never been carnivorous and have not evolved digesting animal proteins, amongst a number of other foods, which is why rabbits cannot eat chicken feed either.
For the great majority of rabbits, ingesting animal proteins even in very small amounts, will wreak havoc on your bunny’s gut, cause loose stool, and can even cause death.
(There are a few very unique exceptions to this rule, check out our post on Do Rabbits Eat Meat to learn more about this exception).
But our best advice is to keep kibble or wet dog food far away from your bunnies.
While dog chow is a great option for dogs, who have evolved as carnivores and host the correct bacterias, enzymes and bodily systems to break down animal proteins, grains and more, dog food is a dangerous and non-safe food item for rabbits.
If your rabbit ingests a plate of dog food, call a vet immediately.
If you do want to broaden your rabbit’s diet beyond the daily staples of hay and quality pellets, then please do choose 100% raw plant and rabbit-safe foods such as chamomile, strawberries, and zucchini. These treats, when given in moderation, that is small amounts not to exceed 5% of the rabbit’s daily diet, will safely boost the health and happiness of your bunnies.
Bottom line: Do not offer food not intended for a rabbit to your bunny, even hamster food is dangerous for rabbits!
Will Rabbits Eat Dog Food?
The questions of will and should a rabbit eat something are very different because a rabbit is apt to nibble at anything they find remotely interesting.
This means that they likely will eat dog food if they come across some kibble or wet food that was left out. However, as we explained above, rabbits should never eat dog food. It is up to you as an informed, multi-pet owner to prevent your curious bunnies from accessing and eating this forgein food item.
Is Dog Food Bad For Bunnies?
Without doubt, yes, dog food is bad for bunnies. To understand more about rabbits’ specialized digestive systems and why meats and certain grains can be so detrimental to their health, take a look at this great review article from Veterinary Clinics on rabbit’s gastrointestinal physiology.
Can Wild Rabbits Eat Dog Food?
Wild rabbits, just like your farm or pet rabbits, are naturally pure herbivores. So, just like your farm or pet rabbits, they cannot eat dog food.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Eat Dog Food
Can Rabbits Eat Dry Dog Food?
No, rabbits cannot eat any form of dog food as ALL dog foods have animal proteins and other components that pose a serious threat to your rabbit’s health.
Can Rabbits Die From Eating Dog Food?
Yes, rabbits can die from eating dog food, even in small amounts, because it contains foods that they cannot digest.
Here’s a video about how dog food is made
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Eat Dog Food
Dog food can kill your rabbit. It is not rabbit-safe food and should never be offered to your bunnies.
It is always important to understand and appreciate the differences in the biology and health needs of your various pets and farm animals, looking out for each one by only offering species-specific food items.
We never recommend feeding animal proteins, cooked food, or large amounts of fermentable grains to your bunnies.
Instead, make high-quality hay your rabbit’s number one dietary component, with moderate supplements of different, 100% plant foods!
For information concerning good foods for your rabbit click here: What Do Rabbits Eat?