Steamed cabbage is a favorite at our dinner table and we always mix in raw, crunchy cabbage into lunch salad greens. If after lunch we have any extra raw cabbage bits, we head out to our rabbit hutches and offer our furry homestead rabbits a little snack!
So, can rabbits have cabbage? If you are a rabbit homesteader, farmer or pet rabbit owner, you are looking for the best yes or no answer. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place!
Yes, mature rabbits can have cabbage. Cabbage is a rabbit-safe vegetable that can offer unique nutrition to your rabbits, although it should never be a primary constituent of your rabbits’ diet!
In This Post, We Will Go Over Best Practices And Cautions Regarding
Feeding Rabbits Cabbage
Is Cabbage Bad For Rabbits? Cabbage Nutritional Information
Raw cabbage is a very low calorie and low fat food. The USDA has determined that raw cabbage contains about 2.2g of fiber per serving as well as
- Potassium
- Folate
- Vitamin K
And a host of other vitamins including
- Calcium
- Iron
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
Many of these minerals and vitamins are essential for healthy and well functioning body systems, which make raw cabbage a healthy treat option for your mature rabbits!
Keep in mind that rabbits require very high in fiber foods to keep their teeth trim and gut bacterias happy.
With only 2.2g of fiber and almost 3g of sugar per serving, you must be aware that cabbage is not an ideal primary food for your bunnies.
If offered in large quantities or too often, your rabbits’ sensitive stomachs and digestive systems can become imbalanced due to the high sugar-to-fiber ratio of cabbage. Next thing you know you’ll have some serious health issues, like weight loss, diarrhea, or even GI stasis on your hands.
We recommend that you always keep high-in-fiber hay as the primary component of your mature rabbits’ diets and offer them green veggies as a supplement or infrequent treat.
For more tips on feeding hay to rabbits, check out our best hay for rabbits post.
Can Rabbits Eat Cabbage Everyday
While there aren’t any compounds in cabbage that make it unsafe for your mature rabbits to eat everyday, we do not recommend that you feed your bunnies cabbage everyday.
Rather, we suggest that you make raw cabbage a small part of a wide range of green vegetable food treats offered to your rabbits. This keeps your rabbit’s diet varied and delicious and supports their long term health and happiness.
Can Rabbits Eat Raw Cabbage
If you’ve noticed we have been referring to raw cabbage when talking about offering cabbage to your bunnies. This is because rabbits should NEVER be fed cooked or canned foods.
Rabbits’ sensitive digestive systems have evolved to metabolize raw plant materials. Feeding rabbits any cooked or canned foods can seriously harm them by throwing their stomach bacteria and digestion off balance.
What Part of Cabbage Can Rabbits Eat?
Now that we know cabbage is a safe treat option for your rabbits, let’s take a look at what part of cabbage is best to offer to your bunnies.
Can Rabbits Eat Cabbage Leaves
Yes, mature bunnies can enjoy crunchy cabbage leaves without issues. Cabbage leaves are sometimes referred to as ‘cabbage greens’, so if you’re wondering “can rabbits eat cabbage greens?” the yes answer still applies!
Do Rabbits Eat Cabbage Leaves
In our experience rabbits do eat cabbage leaves, some with more gusto than others. But don’t be alarmed if your bunny refuses to eat cabbage leaves. All rabbits are different and they will only eat what appeals to them!
Do Rabbits Eat Cabbage Plants?
The cabbage plant is made up of the edible cabbage head itself with additional leaves, so yes, rabbits do and can eat cabbage plants!
Can Rabbits Eat Cabbage Core
The core of the cabbage head is very tough and may not be that enjoyable for your bunnies. However, rabbits can technically eat cabbage cores. Try offering a bit to your rabbits and see what they think!
Can Rabbits Eat All Types Of Cabbage?
There are many types of cabbages out there, so if you are wondering if your rabbits can eat these types of cabbages, check out all the answers below!
Can Rabbits Eat White Cabbage
Yes, mature rabbits can eat white and green cabbages.
Can Rabbits Get Red Cabbage
Yes, rabbits can get red cabbage. You can treat red cabbage just like green or white cabbage and offer it in moderation to your mature rabbits.
Note that your rabbits may be more picky with red cabbages as they contain purple plant compounds and pigments that taste spicy.
Can Rabbits Eat Purple Cabbage
Yes, rabbits can eat purple cabbage, which is just another common name for red cabbages.
Can Rabbits Eat Savoy Cabbage
Yes, mature rabbits can enjoy bits of savoy cabbage without issue.
Can Rabbits Eat Cavolo Nero cabbage and Bok Choy
Yes, mature rabbits can also eat the cabbage variations cavolo nero and bok choy.
The most important thing to remember when offering any type of cabbage to your rabbits is that cabbage comes from the Brassicaceae plant family. This family is full of edible plants that are a bit spicy when raw and contain compounds that can encourage gas and bloating.
Therefore, it is best to offer your rabbit any and all types of cabbage in moderation and monitor your bunny’s reaction before giving them more!
Can Baby Rabbits Have Cabbage
No, never feed baby or immature (less than 12 weeks old) rabbits cabbage or any other leafy green vegetable.
Baby rabbits’ stomachs and digestive systems are still developing and, as such, are even more sensitive than those of adult rabbits.
The sugars and complex nutrients in cabbage will lead to serious stomach aches and other digestive issues in baby rabbits.
Instead, wait until your rabbit reaches 12 weeks of age and then slowly introduce greens and supplemental food items like cabbage.
A bit at a time with a 24hr observation period will help you determine when your newly mature rabbit is ready to digest more complex foods safely!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Have Cabbage?
How Much Cabbage Should A Rabbit Eat?
A mature rabbit’s healthy diet consists of unlimited hay (75% to 80% hay), quality pellets (10% to 15%), and leafy green vegetables (5% to 10%).
Cabbage should therefore not make up more than 5-10% of your mature bunny’s diet. We stick to 1-2 leaves a week and our rabbits have never shown negative signs.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Cabbage?
No, never feed cooked cabbage to your bunnies.
Rabbits have evolved to digest and metabolize raw plant materials. Any form of heat or cooking alters the chemical composition and nutrient value of foods, making cooked cabbage a foreign and indigestible substance for rabbits.
Here is a great video about what to feed rabbits
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Eat Cabbage
Offering you rabbit green vegetables is a great idea. It diversifies their diet while providing unique nutrients and acting as a healthy treat option.
So, feel free to offer your mature rabbits a bit of cabbage alongside other great treat foods like wheatgrass and dill, they will be sure to enjoy it and you will see their health and happiness benefit!
Just remember that greens like cabbage cannot provide rabbits with the high fibers they need and should not be a main part of their diet, and that baby rabbits are not yet ready to tackle these more complex foods.
Want to know more about vegetables for rabbits and what vegetables can rabbits have daily?
Check out our post on Vegetables for Rabbits