Can Rabbits Eat Tomatoes? What You Need To Know.

Last Updated on March 10, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

Giving rabbits tomatoes as a treat is totally safe. But be careful that you only give it to them as a treat.

Feeding your rabbits tomatoes as a substitute for their regular food is a bad idea.

Tomatoes don’t have enough nutrients that a rabbit needs throughout the day.

Another thing that you need to consider before giving your pet rabbit some tomatoes is to make sure that they don’t have any renal dysfunction.

According to the book Rabbits’ Health, Husbandry, and Diseases by Virginia C. G., rabbits with renal dysfunction shouldn’t eat tomatoes because they contain a large amount of phosphorus.

You should also make sure that you don’t feed them any tomato leaves or vines.

According to the book Rabbit Feeding and Nutrition, tomato leaves or vines contain steroid alkaloids that can cause poisoning.

You should also wash the tomatoes and remove the seeds before giving them to your pet rabbits.

Do rabbits like eating tomatoes?

Yes, rabbits do like to eat tomatoes.

It’s a great treat to give to rabbits because it’s both accessible and nutritious.

Just make sure that you only give your rabbits small amounts per day (one cherry-sized tomato) so that they can still eat their required hay for the day.

Are tomatoes safe to be eaten by rabbits?

Yes, tomatoes are safe to be eaten by rabbits as long as you only give them to your rabbits as a treat.

The only risk associated with eating tomatoes is if you overfeed your rabbit or if your rabbit has renal dysfunction.

Otherwise, tomatoes are perfectly safe to be given to rabbits.

Are tomatoes good for rabbits?

Yes, tomatoes contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are a great addition to your rabbit’s diet.

The only problem with tomatoes or other treats is when rabbit owners feed their rabbits too much of the wrong stuff.

Your rabbit’s diet should mimic what it eats in the wild.

In the wild, rabbits have an abundance of choices when it comes to their diet.

What are the benefits of feeding tomatoes to rabbits?

Gist:

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and Choline. It’s also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

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Tomatoes are a great treat to give your pet rabbit.

It’s cheap and very accessible.

Not to mention that rabbits go crazy for them.

In order for you to properly know the benefits of feeding tomatoes to your rabbits, you can use this nutrient constraint calculator for rabbits:

As you can see from the nutritional constraint calculator above, 100 grams of tomatoes is within the nutritional constraint and is safe as long as you only feed it in moderation and your rabbit doesn’t have any renal dysfunction.

How many tomatoes can a rabbit eat?

You can give your rabbits a slice of tomato sometimes, or as an occasional treat.

Also, if you have cherry tomatoes, you can give them to your rabbits as a whole.

They are small enough to be a treat.

The reason why you should limit the amount you give them is that tomatoes have high amounts of phosphorus, which is bad if your rabbit has any renal problems.

The amount of tomatoes you should give your rabbits should be based on their age and weight.

You can use this diet portion calculator to determine how many tomatoes (treats) you should give your rabbits:

If you don’t know your rabbit’s weight, you can use this table to estimate its weight based on its breed:

The table above assumes that your rabbit is old enough (7 months old) to eat tomatoes.

Here’s a table to guide you on how many tomatoes you can feed your rabbits as they get older.

Just remember to slowly introduce any new food to your rabbits to prevent triggering any digestive problems.

When should you not feed tomatoes to rabbits?

Gist:

Do not feed tomatoes to rabbits When it has renal dysfunction, kidney stones or digestive problems.

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Feeding your rabbit when they have any renal dysfunction or kidney stones is not recommended.

Food with a high amount of phosphorus would just make the problem worse for your furry friend.

Another reason why you should not feed your rabbits tomatoes is if they become addicted to them for some reason and stop eating their regular food.

Relying on tomatoes as the only food source for rabbits is a bad idea. It contains very few nutrients that a rabbit needs.

Risk of overfeeding tomatoes to rabbits.

Renal Dysfunction

Rabbits that already have renal dysfunction should not eat tomatoes or other foods that are high in phosphorus.

If you notice any changes in their urine or any odd behavior, you should immediately stop giving your rabbit any treats like tomatoes and stick to hay for now until they are better.

Also, get your rabbits checked by a vet that knows rabbits.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Gastrointestinal stasis happens when your rabbit’s diet lacks fiber. That’s why you should never overfeed your rabbit’s tomatoes—they are low in fiber.

To lower the chance of gastrointestinal stasis, only feed your rabbits small amounts of tomatoes and never feed them when they are young.

Gastrointestinal stasis is very dangerous for rabbits and is often fatal.

Diarrhea

Overfeeding tomatoes to rabbits can cause diarrhea. 

If you feed your rabbit too many tomatoes, it could disrupt their gut flora.

Be careful not to overfeed tomatoes to your rabbit. Doing so could lead to death, especially if they are young.

Great alternatives to tomatoes.

Although rabbits can eat tomatoes, there is much better food that you can give your rabbits.

Here’s a list of alternatives to give to your rabbits:

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

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can rabbits eat tomato vines?

No, tomato vines contain steroid alkaloids that are poisonous to rabbits.

Be careful if you have any tomato plants that are accessible to your pet rabbits.

Both the leaves and the vines are poisonous to them.

Although they would usually avoid eating both the leaves and vines, would you take that chance?

Can rabbits eat tomato leaves?

No, tomato leaves, just like tomato vines, contain steroid alkaloids that are poison to rabbits.

Be careful that you remove any leaves that are left on the stems of tomatoes before giving them to your pet rabbits.

Also, if you have a tomato plant lying around, make sure that your rabbit cannot reach them and accidentally eat them.

Other than that, tomatoes are perfectly safe as long as they’re given only as a treat.

Can rabbits eat tomato seeds?

Although tomato seeds are not poisonous to rabbits, it’s still much better to not feed them any.

It’s okay for a rabbit to eat small amounts of tomato seed accidentally, just don’t make it a habit and monitor their poop.

Can rabbits eat tomato skin?

Yes, you can feed tomatoes to rabbits without removing the skin.

Just make sure that you wash your tomatoes first to remove any dirt and pesticides.

Can rabbits eat cherry tomatoes?

Yes, cherry tomatoes are safe for rabbits.

Just make sure that you only give it to your rabbits as an occasional treat.

Cherry tomatoes are actually the perfect size to give to your rabbits per day.

They’re small enough to be given, unlike large tomatoes.

Can rabbits eat tomato plants?

No, rabbits cannot eat tomato plants.

This includes tomato leaves, flowers, or stems.

If you have a tomato plant around your house, make sure that your rabbit will not be able to eat it accidentally.

Conclusion

Giving your pet rabbit an occasional tomato as a treat is not a problem.

What matters is that you make sure that the seeds are removed before giving them to them.

You should also be careful not to feed them any tomato vines or leaves.

They contain steroid alkaloids that are poisonous to rabbits.

Another thing that you should check before giving your rabbits any tomatoes is to make sure that they don’t have any renal dysfunction or kidney stones.

Tomatoes contain a large amount of phosphorus that would only make the problem worse.

If your rabbit is healthy, giving them tomatoes from time to time is even beneficial.

Tomatoes are a great source of Vitamin C and calcium, which are great for pet rabbits.