Can Rabbits Eat Hazelnuts?

Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

While hazelnuts are not poisonous to rabbits, you should never feed them to your rabbits intentionally because they are high in fat and they carry the risk of aflatoxin poisoning.

100 grams of hazelnuts contains 61 grams of fat and 0.48 grams of starch, while rabbits should limit themselves to 0-138 grams of starch, meaning rabbits can be fine with or without any starch in their diet. Rabbits should also limit themself to 20-50 grams of fat per day.

Feeding fatty and starchy food like hazelnuts to your rabbits would do more harm than good, you should focus on feeding your rabbits high-quality hay instead.

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 in more detail why rabbits can’t eat hazelnuts:

Risk of overfeeding hazelnuts to rabbits.

Fatty and starchy food like hazelnuts should not be fed to rabbits intentionally. They carry certain risks when fed in large amounts because rabbits’ digestive system is not really designed to digest large amounts of food like hazelnuts.

Here are some of the risks associated when you feed your rabbits large amounts of hazelnuts :

Fatty liver disease

Because most hazelnuts are high in fat, feeding your rabbits hazelnuts long-term could lead to Hepatic Lipidosis or fatty liver disease. Rabbit’s diet should only consist of less than 3% fat, while hazelnuts are high in fat.

Here are the signs that your rabbit might be suffering from fatty liver disease caused by excess fat:

• Loss of appetite (anorexia) – may be sudden or gradual
• Weight loss
• Decline in number and size of droppings (feces)
• Dehydration
• Depression and lethargy

Aflatoxin Poisoning

Some hazelnuts may have unsafe levels of aflatoxins that can make pets and humans sick. Rabbits are one of the most sensitive species to aflatoxins, which is why it’s not recommended for them to consume any food that might contain it like corn, nuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.

Here are the most common symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in rabbits:

• Diarrhea
• Anorexia
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Reduced weight gains
• High mortality
• Depression

If you notice or suspect that your rabbit might be suffering from aflatoxin poisoning, immediately call your veterinarian or the animal poison control hotline.

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 hazelnuts would check those two boxes I mentioned.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Gastrointestinal stasis is also possible when a rabbit is fed large amounts of hazelnuts, which are high in fat. GI stasis mainly happens when a rabbit is fed a low-fiber diet.

GI stasis happens when the balance of bacteria in your rabbit’s gut is disrupted. 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.

Uneaten cecotropes

Soft uneaten cecotropes are also possible when rabbits are eating large amounts of hazelnuts instead of hay. This could lead to softer cecotropes due to the lack of fiber in your rabbit’s diet.

Obesity

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

Healthy alternative to hazelnuts as treats.

If you planning on giving your rabbits hazelnuts as treats, these alternatives are much healthier:

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

• Melon
• Nectarine
• Apple (remove seeds)
• Banana
• Papaya
• Peach
• blueberries
• blackberries
• Pear
• strawberries
• raspberries
• cranberries
• Pineapple
• Plum
• Watermelon
• Cherries (remove seeds)
• Grapes
• Orange

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Should you panic if your rabbit ate a little bit of hazelnuts?

While hazelnuts are not recommended for rabbits, it’s still not toxic. It’s just that hazelnuts are too high in fat and starch both of which are not digested well by rabbits.

If your worried about the potential aflatoxin toxicity, just observe your rabbit for any additional symptoms like loss of appetite, depression, jaundice, and diarrhea.

You can also call The Poison Control Hotlines if you suspect or are worried that your rabbit is experiencing intoxication.

Just feed them a lot of hay if you are worried. The extra fiber would likely fix the problem on its own.

What to do if your rabbit ate hazelnuts?

Observe their behavior and poop for any changes. You should also feed them a lot of hay. The extra fiber would help balance their gut flora. If you notice any changes in their poop or behavior, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Conclusion

Hazelnuts should never be fed to rabbits intentionally because they could potentially contain aflatoxins.

Also, rabbits that are fed large amounts of fatty and starchy food like hazelnuts could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea, fatty liver disease, and GI stasis. It could also lead to obesity, especially to 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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