Last Updated on March 12, 2023 by Marjon Ramos
While Oreos are not toxic to rabbits, feeding them large amounts of Oreos could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea, dental problems, and GI stasis.
Oreos are mostly made out of sugar, flour, oil, cocoa, high fructose corn syrup, leavening, cornstarch, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin, and chocolate.
Every ingredients of Oreos are not recommended to be fed to rabbits, especially the sugar and corn-based stuff.
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 Oreos:
Table of Contents
Risk of overfeeding Oreos to rabbits.
Flour-based foods like Oreos or any kind of bread pose a risk when fed in large amounts. Rabbits’ diets should be high in fiber, not carbohydrates.
Here are some of the risks associated with feeding your rabbits large amounts of Oreos:
Diarrhea
Diarrhea in rabbits is often caused by the wrong diet or when the diet is changed too fast.
Feeding your rabbit large amounts of Oreos would check those two boxes I mentioned.
Gastrointestinal Stasis
Gastrointestinal stasis is also possible when a rabbit is fed large amounts of Oreos, 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.
Dental problems
Due to the high amounts of sugar in Oreos, feeding them to rabbits could cause damage to your rabbit’s delicate teeth and gums.
Dental damage in rabbits is extremely serious.
A rabbit that’s in pain due to dental damage would refuse to eat or only eat a little.
A rabbit that’s refusing to eat would eventually develop some kind of digestive problem like GI stasis.
Rabbits need to constantly eat for their gut to function properly.
Healthy alternative to Oreos as treats.
If you’re planning on giving your rabbits Oreos 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 bit of oreos?
While Oreos are not recommended for rabbits, they’re still not toxic.
It’s just that Oreos 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 Oreos?
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 Oreos 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 Oreos 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.
