Can Rabbits Eat Aloe Vera?

Last Updated on February 27, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

While aloe vera is not poisonous to rabbits, you should never intentionally feed it to your rabbits because it could lead to digestive problems.

If your rabbit accidentally ages aloe vera, just observe them for any changes in their behavior, poop, or urine. You should also feed them a lot of hay to help flush out any unwanted stuff in their gut.

If your rabbit is fine 6 hours after ingesting aloe vera, they are most likely fine. The gastric transit time (the time it takes for food to leave the stomach) of rabbits is approximately 3 to 6 hours.

But if you did notice any changes in your rabbit’s stool, both in size and consistency, immediately bring them 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 aloe vera:

Would rabbits intentionally eat aloe vera?

Yes, your rabbits would intentionally eat aloe vera. In fact, there are a lot of worried rabbit owners online because their rabbits eat bunch of aloe vera.

Here’s a few of them:

Help! My rabbit ate aloe plant! I she hasn’t eaten more than maybe an inch of a single leaf – will she be ok???

u/paperpheasant

My girlfriend’s rabbit ate a lot of aloe vera, when someone left the cage open, how long would she have before she had to take it to the vet, she’s feeding her bunny hay and lots of food but she’s still very worried. We can’t get to the vet at least until tomorrow, will her bunn be okay ?

u/Solliejay

Here’s a video of a rabbit eating an aloe vera plant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMLyEo-NY4o

As you can see, rabbits would most likely eat an aloe vera plant if you left it somewhere your rabbits could reach. So make sure that you don’t let your rabbits near one.

Risk of overfeeding aloe vera to rabbits.

While aloe vera is not poisonous to rabbits, there is still a risk when you feed it to your rabbit in large quantities, especially in young rabbits.

Here are some of the risks associated with feeding your rabbits large quantities of aloe vera:

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 aloe vera would check those two boxes I mentioned.

Also, the leaves of aloe vera are known to soften the stool of rabbits, especially young ones who are more susceptible to digestive problems.

I just want to add that diarrhea (a life-threatening condition) is often confused with uneaten cecotropes (which can be fixed by the right diet) in rabbits.

You can tell the difference between uneaten cecotropes and diarrhea by looking at your rabbit’s poop.

Rabbits that only have uneaten cecotropes would still produce solid poop pellets, while diarrhea would not.

Uneaten cecotropes

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

Healthy alternative to aloe vera.

If you planning on giving your rabbits aloe vera, these alternatives are much healthier.

Here’s a list of vegetables and leafy greens that are a great alternative to aloe vera:

• Spinach
• Celery
• Green peppers
• Basil
• Mint
• Alfalfa & Clover sprouts
• Beet greens (tops)
• Parsley
• Pea pods (flat edible kind)
• Peppermint leaves
• Bok choy
• Escarole
• Clover
• Peppermint leaves
• Carrot & carrot tops
• Radicchio
• Raspberry leaves
• Spinach
• Wheatgrass
• Watercress
• Cilantro
• Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)
• Radish

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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

While aloe vera is not recommended for rabbits, it’s still not toxic. It’s just that aloe vera is known to have a laxative effect on animals.

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 aloe vera?

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

Aloe vera should never be intentionally fed to rabbits because it could lead to digestive problems like diarrhea and uneaten cecotropes.

If your rabbit acidentally ate a bit of aloe vera, observe them for any changes in their behavior, poop, or urine for at least 8 hours. Rabbit’s gastric transit time is 3-6 hours.

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

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