Last Updated on March 17, 2023 by Marjon Ramos
While feeding small amounts of crackers to rabbits is not harmful, feeding them large amounts of crackers could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea, impaction, and GI stasis.
Crackers are mostly made out of salt, butter, flour, sugar, and eggs. Every ingredient in crackers is not recommended to be fed to rabbits.
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 eat crackers:
Table of Contents
Risk of overfeeding crackers to rabbits.
Flour-based foods like crackers or any kind of bread are risky when fed in large amounts because a rabbit’s diet should be high in fiber, not carbohydrates.
Here are some of the risks associated with feeding your rabbits large amounts of crackers:
Diarrhea
Diarrhea in rabbits is often caused by the wrong diet or when their diet is changed too fast.
Feeding your rabbit large quantities of crackers would check those two boxes I mentioned.
Gastrointestinal Stasis
Gastrointestinal stasis is also possible when a rabbit is fed large amounts of crackers, 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.
Healthy alternative to crackers as treats.
If you are planning on giving your rabbits crackers 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 crackers?
While crackers are not recommended for rabbits, they’re still not toxic.
It’s just that crackers or any flour-based food are too high in carbohydrates.
If you are worried, just feed them a lot of hay.
The extra fiber would likely fix the problem.
What to do if your rabbit ate crackers?
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 eating small amounts of crackers or any flour-based food 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 carbohydrates like crackers or bread could lead to digestive distress like GI stasis, impaction, 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.
