Last Updated on March 19, 2023 by Marjon Ramos
While feeding small amounts of cereal to rabbits is not harmful, feeding them large amounts of cereal could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea and GI stasis.
Cereals are mostly made out of corn, wheat, rice, oats, sugar, and salt.
These ingredients 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 cereal:
Table of Contents
Risk of overfeeding cereal to rabbits.
Corn, wheat, rice, and oats, being the main ingredients of most cereals are risky when fed in large amounts.
Rabbits have difficulty digesting these ingredients.
Here are some of the risks associated with feeding your rabbits large amounts of cereal:
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 cereal would check those two boxes I mentioned.
Gastrointestinal Stasis
Gastrointestinal stasis is also possible when a rabbit is fed large amounts of cereal, 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 starchy food.
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 cereal as treats.
If you are planning on giving your bunnies cereal 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 eats a little bit of cereal?
No, as long as your rabbit is eating the right kind of diet and you are not giving them a bowl of cereal to snack on, they should be fine.
Feeding a lot of hay would help prevent any digestive problems that might occur if your rabbit accidentally ate a little bit of cereal.
What to do if your rabbit ate cereal?
Observe their behavior and poop for any changes.
You should also feed them a lot of hay.
If you do notice any changes in their poop, take them to a veterinarian.
Conclusion
A rabbit eating small amounts of cereal 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 cereal, 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.
