Can Rabbits Eat Tortilla Chips? What you need to know.

Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

While feeding small amounts of tortilla chips to rabbits is not harmful, feeding them large amounts of tortilla chips could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea and GI stasis.

Tortilla chips are mostly made out of corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water. All of which are not recommended to be fed to rabbits in large amounts.

If you notice any changes in your rabbit’s stool, both in size and consistency, immediately bring your rabbit to a veterinarian.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain the different risks and alternatives to tortilla chips:

Risk of overfeeding tortilla chips to rabbits.

Corn, being the main ingredient of tortilla chips, carries a certain risk when fed in large amounts because rabbits have difficulty digesting it.

Here are some of the risks associated with feeding your rabbits large amounts of tortilla chips:

Diarrhea

Diarrhea in rabbits is often caused by the wrong diet or when their diet is changed too fast. Feeding your rabbit large amounts of tortilla chips would check those two boxes I mentioned.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Gastrointestinal stasis is also possible when a rabbit is fed large amounts of tortilla chips, which are high in carbs and starch.

GI stasis happens when the balance of bacteria in your rabbit’s gut is disrupted due to a high-carb, low-fiber diet. This disruption would cause painful gas that would eventually lead to organ failure and death if not treated immediately.

The signs of GI stasis are:

• Depressed
• Hunched posture
• Bruxism
• Decreased appetite/anorexia

If you notice any of these signs, immediately bring your rabbit to a veterinarian.

Obesity

Obesity in rabbits is also possible when fed large amounts of starch. Rabbits that are confined in cages all day without exercise and fed large amounts of high-carb, low-fiber diets are the most susceptible to obesity.

Healthy alternative to tortilla chips as treats.

Here are some alternatives that you can give to your rabbits one to two times per week as a treat:

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Conclusion

A rabbit eating small amounts of tortilla chips or any corn-based chips is not a concern as long as the rabbit is on a fiber-rich diet. Just make sure that you monitor their stool for any changes both in consistency and size.

A rabbit that’s fed large amounts of corn, like tortilla chips, could lead to digestive distress like GI stasis and diarrhea. It could also lead to obesity, especially in rabbits who are confined in small cages all day without access to regular exercise.

If your rabbit is exhibiting signs of digestive distress, immediately bring them to a veterinarian.

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