Can Rabbits Eat Almonds?

Pet rabbits love to try new types of foods and snacks but some of them are healthier for your bunny compared to others. We are often asked if rabbits can eat almonds safely. But before you give your rabbit a new type of food then you need to learn if they are healthy for your bunny. In this article you will learn if rabbits can have almonds and the health impact of eating them.

rabbit eating almonds

Let’s learn if rabbits can eat almonds safely!

Can Rabbits Eat Almonds?

Almonds are not toxic for rabbits but it is recommended by most veterinarians that you do not feed your pet rabbit almonds. Almonds do contain a variety of beneficial vitamins and nutrients but the issue is that nuts such as almonds are typically extremely high in fats and sodium. Both fats and salt can cause stomach and digestive issues for your rabbit.

A pet rabbits diet will typically consist of low fat foods and large amounts of grain and fiber. This will typically consist of grain such as hay and then a variety of fruits and vegetables. Almonds are high in fat and salt which can give your pet rabbit a stomach ache, diarrhea, bloating, or even cause them to throw up if they eat too many almonds or nuts.

What Happens If A Rabbit Eats Almonds?

If your pet rabbit only eats a small amount of almond then they typically won’t have any negative symptoms but if they eat too many almonds then this can cause digestive issues. If your pet bunny eats too many almonds then it will be common for them to suffer from an upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, or they might even start throwing up.

Since almonds are difficult for your rabbit to digest and can cause stomach issues it is recommended that you do not feed your pet rabbit almonds or other kinds of nuts. Almonds are also large and difficult for rabbits to chew which could become a chocking hazard for your rabbit.

Potential Health Benefits of Almonds For Rabbits

Almonds and other types of nuts are known to contain a varirty of beneficial vitamins and nutrients but this doesn’t mean they are a good option for your rabbit. Almonds contain large amounts of protein, iron, calcium, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and zinc. All of these vitamins and nutrients are considered healthy for most animals but the issue is that rabbits require a low fat and high fiber diet which almonds don’t provide.

By giving your rabbit almonds you are giving them unnatural and not providing them with the necessary nutrition requirements that they need. For this reason it isn’t recommended to give your rabbit almonds or other types of nuts.

Potential Health Dangerous of Almonds For Rabbits

Almonds contain roughly 50% saturated and unsaturated fats which makes them a high-fat food. Humans and other species require high amounts of fats but rabbits require a high-fiber diet instead. This makes it unnecessary and potentially dangerous for your rabbit to eat almonds or other nuts. If your rabbit eats too many almonds then it can cause serious stomach and digestive issues for your rabbit such as stomach pain or even diarrhea.

It is recommended that you don’t give your pet rabbit almonds. If you are looking to provide your rabbit with better nutritional snack it is recommended you give them strawberries, raw broccoli, or even watermelon.

What To Do If My Rabbit Ate Almonds

If your rabbit has eaten a small amount of almond then they will typically be fine without any negative symptoms. But if your bunny eats a large amount of almonds it will typically cause stomach pain and digestive issues.

Common Symptoms From Eating Almonds Will Be:

  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach Pain
  • Bloating
  • Low energy levels
  • Constipation
  • Potential choking hazard.

If your rabbit eats a large amount of almonds then it is recommended that you speak with your vet as they will know the current health condition of your rabbit.

Photo of author

Dr. Jacob Hawthorne, DVM

Dr. Jacob Hawthorne, DVM is a certified veterinarian who graduated from the University of California - Davis Veterinary School in 2012. He specializes in nutrition and veterinary medicine for companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and more. He has been featured in websites such as PetMD, Yahoo News, Hills Pet, Daily Paws, and more. Learn more about Dr. Jacob Hawthorne, DVM.