Can Rabbits Eat Corn?

Last Updated on March 4, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

While corn is not considered poisonous to rabbits, feeding them large amounts of corn could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea and GI stasis because rabbits don’t tolerate starchy foods well.

Corn is high in starch. It is not recommended to be given to rabbits in any amount, intentionally.

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 corn:

Why can’t rabbits eat corn?

In order to properly understand why rabbits can’t eat corn, you can use the nutrient constrain calculator for rabbits to see what nutrients your rabbit is getting whenever you feed them corn.

You can also click on the blue icon beside the nutrient to see its benefits and deficiency:

As you can see, 100 grams of corn contains 78 grams of starch. While the recommended amount of starch that should be fed to rabbits is 0–140 grams. Meaning, it’s best if you don’t feed them any.

Risk of overfeeding corn to rabbits.

Starchy foods like corn should not be fed to rabbits intentionally. They carry certain risks when fed in large amounts because rabbits’ digestive systems are not really designed to digest large amounts of starchy food like corn.

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

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 corn would check those two boxes I mentioned.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Gastrointestinal stasis is also possible when a rabbit is fed large amounts of corn, which are high in starch.

GI stasis mainly happens when a rabbit is fed a high-carb, 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 corn instead of hay.

This could lead to softer cecotropes due to the lack of fiber.

Healthy alternative to corn as treats.

If you are planning on giving your rabbits corn 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 corn?

While corn is not recommended for rabbits, it’s still not toxic.

It’s just that corn is too high in starch, which is not digested well by rabbits.

If you are worried, just feed them a lot of hay.

The extra fiber would likely fix the problem on its own.

What to do if your rabbit ate corn?

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

A rabbit that’s fed large amounts of starchy food like corn could be susceptible to digestive distress like GI stasis, soft uneaten cecotropes, 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.