I’ve got my rabbit eating fresh greens, pellets and loads of hay, but I wonder, can rabbits eat acorns? Are acorns toxic for rabbits?
What foods are poisonous for rabbits? Can rabbits have tree nuts? What animals eat acorns? I’ve got too many acorns falling into my yard and need to know if I should remove them or let nature run its course.
If you do not want your rabbit eating toxic, unhealthy and potentially harmful foods, take a look at this article that focuses mostly on, can rabbits eat acorns.
Can Rabbits Eat Acorns?
No. Leave acorns for the squirrels or remove them from the vicinity of a rabbit who could gnaw, chew or swallow a potentially toxic nut that isn’t good for them. Acorns are too high in fats and proteins that rabbits do not need.
Tiny fragments of chewed acorns might not be a cause for concern, but ingesting them whole or as part of a ground meal that includes powdered acorns is not advised. Fruit seeds and pits are also off the menu for rabbits.
What Food Is Poisonous to a Rabbit?
There are plenty of foods that are either poisonous, toxic or unhealthy in small doses or even in tiny portions. Keep your rabbit away from the following foods:
- avocado
- chocolate
- fruit seeds
- fruit pits
- onions
- leeks
- garlic
- meat
- eggs
- dairy
- beans
- rhubarb
- acorns
- oak leaves
Avocados contain persin which is toxic for rabbits. Nuts, seeds and their pits have always been known as food for rodents like squirrels and chipmunks. Rabbits usually leave them alone and we should never place any of the foods above in their enclosures.
Is Oak Safe for Rabbits?
Nope. Do not offer oak leaves or keep your rabbit away from oak trees in particular. Rabbits will find anything to chew on as their teeth continue to grow. Keep clear of not only oak, but also the following:
- cedar
- rose
- oak
- olive
- fig
- citrus fruit branches
All of the above are considered toxic for rabbits. Instead, offer you rabbit chewables, chew toys, plenty of hay and pellets.
Can Rabbits Eat Pine Cones?
Rabbits can be found in the wild gnawing on pine cones. They do this to wear down their teeth. It’s a form of essential mouth exercise and pine cones have the perfect texture to help out.
Do not be alarmed if you see your rabbit gnawing on pine cones as they are not toxic for their sensitive digestive system. Pine cones are generally deemed safe for rabbits.
Can Rabbits Have Tree Nuts?
Some nuts in small amounts are safe if accidentally ingested by rabbits, but we should never offer it to them.
Rabbits will get into trouble sometimes when they let their teeth gnaw on various items or foods to file down their teeth. It can accidentally slip into their throats and they can swallow them.
Ingested acorns for example are toxic, but traces of nuts are not in most cases. Avoid nuts if you can for your rabbit.
Rabbits need more fiber and low calorie foods like hay instead of protein and fat dominant foods like nuts. Rabbits are sensitive and their digestive system is the key link to their overall health.
Are Potatoes Poisonous to Rabbits?
Potatoes are not poisonous for rabbits, but totally unnecessary. The thing is that rabbits don’t need much starch or carbohydrates in their diet.
They are herbivores that are concerned about maintaining a high fiber and low calorie content meal plan to mimic the way they forage in the wild.
Rabbits and potatoes do not go together, but that doesn’t mean a rabbit wouldn’t damage some potato plants in their quest to gnaw on anything to file down their teeth.
What Animals Eat Acorns?
There are more than 100 vertebrates in the animal kingdom that love to eat acorns. Your rabbit is not one of them.
Let’s look at some of animals that would prefer acorns:
- white-tailed deer
- gray squirrels
- fox squirrels
- flying squirrels
- mice
- voles
- rabbits
- raccoons
- opossums
- gray foxes
- red foxes
- wild hogs
If you wish to prevent potential predators or nuisance animals from entering your property for these acorns that keep dropping, it’s time to sweep them up and get rid of them.
Are Acorns Good for Rabbits?
Acorns are considered toxic for rabbits, but in most cases they will not die from accidental consumption. Their digestive systems do not wish to tolerate acorns because they are high in carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Rabbits only need 1-3% of their total diet to contain fats. Acorns contain 23.85 grams of fat per 100 grams and overload the gut of a rabbit.
What Happens When a Rabbit Eats Acorns?
A rabbit could develop digestive issues from eating acorns. They can show it by having:
- a shift in microflora organisms
- digestion problems
- diarrhea
- gas
- bloating
- weight gain
- obesity
- hepatic lipidosis
- GI Stasis
- aorta atherosclerosis
Can Rabbits Chew Branches?
Sure. Rabbits love chewing on plenty of branches, but which ones are safe and which are toxic. Let’s look at listing some of them right now to prevent any accidents.
Safe Branches
- Alfalfa
- Apple Wood
- Arbutus
- Ash
- Aspen
- Bamboo cane
- Blackberry
- Blackcurrant
- Borage
- Cholla
- Cottonwood
- Crabapple
- Dogwood
- Grapevine
- Hackberry
- Hazelnut
- Kiwi
- Kudzu
- Manzanita
- Maple
- Mesquite
- Poplar
- Sycamore
- Willow
Unsafe Branches
- Alder
- Almond
- Apricot
- Balsam Fir
- Beech
- Birch
- Black Locust
- Blackwood
- Bog Wood
- Boxwood
- Cashew
- Cedar
- Cherry
- Citrus Woods
- Cocobolo
- Cypress
- Dahoma
- Ebony
- Elang Mukulungu
- Elderberry
- Elm
- Eucalyptus
- Fig
- Fir
- Goncalo Alves
- Greenheart
- Hemlock
- Horse Chestnut
- Iroko
- Juniper
- Kapok
- Laurel
- Magnolia
- Mahogany
- Mansonia
- Maple
- Mimosa
- Mopane
- Myrtle
- Nectarine
- Oak
- Olive
- Peach
- Peroba Rosa
- Pine
- Plum
- Plywood
- Prune
- Quebracho
- Redwood
- Rosewood
- Satinwood
- Sassafras
- Sequoia
- Snakewood
- Spruce
- Teak
- Walnut
- Wenge
- Yew
- Yucca
- Yunnan
- Zebrawood
It’s up to us to figure out which branches and trees are located in our rabbits’ periphery and territory so we know which ones to offer and which to avoid.
Thank you for visiting PocketPetCentral.com for the best information to help you enjoy the life of your pocket pet companion in a fun, safe & healthy way.
