Can Rabbits Eat Wheatgrass? What you need to know.

Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

Wheatgrass is safe to be eaten by rabbits that are at least 12 weeks old. You should also limit the amount you give your rabbits to 15 grams if it’s their first time eating wheatgrass. You can then gradually increase it over time.

The proper amount of wheatgrass to feed your rabbits would depend on their age and weight. You can check the diet calculator below to know how much wheatgrass (a vegetable) to give your rabbits.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain in more detail why rabbits can eat wheatgrass:

Do rabbits like eating wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is highly regarded as one of the most recommended foods for rabbits due to its nutritional benefits. Wild rabbits will always eat wheatgrass if they ever encounter one in the wild.

The same can be said for domestic pet rabbits. Your babies will gobble up wheatgrass as soon as it leaves your hands. In my case, both of my rabbits love wheatgrass, so I always give them some whenever I make wheatgrass juice.

I also asked several of my friends who have rabbits, and all of them reported giving wheatgrass to their pets due to how much they love the stuff.

Is wheatgrass safe to be eaten by rabbits?

As long as you stick to only giving the recommended amount of wheatgrass and your rabbit is at the proper age to consume wheatgrass, then it’s completely safe.

The only possible way wheatgrass could harm your rabbit is if you’re giving too much of it and your rabbit is eating wheatgrass in lieu of hay.

Also, young rabbits are more susceptible to digestive problems, so make sure that you follow the instructions to prevent said digestive problems.

How much wheatgrass can a rabbit eat?

The proper amount of wheatgrass to give your rabbits would depend on their age and weight. You can use the nutrient constrain calculator below to see how much wheatgrass (vegetables) to give your rabbits:

If you currently have no idea of your rabbit’s weight, here’s a table that shows the average weight of rabbits based on their breed and how much wheatgrass to give:

When can rabbits start eating wheatgrass?

The table above assumes that your rabbit is at least 12 weeks old. Another important factor when deciding how much wheatgrass or leafy greens to give your rabbit is their age.

Here’s a table that shows how much wheatgrass (vegetables) to give your rabbits as they get older:

When should you not feed wheatgrass to rabbits?

Gist:

Stop giving wheatgrass to young rabbits(<12 weeks) or rabbits that are having digestive problems.

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If you notice or suspect that your rabbits are having digestive problems, the proper protocol is to stop giving any other food, except hay.

This would ensure that your rabbit is getting enough fiber in its diet. But, as an extra precaution, you should still bring your rabbits to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

Risk of overfeeding wheatgrass to rabbits.

The risk associated with wheatgrass is mainly due to overfeeding. Overfeeding any other food to rabbits (except hay) is dangerous because rabbits wouldn’t be able to get their required fiber for the day.

Here are the most common problems when rabbit owners overfeed wheatgrass to their rabbits:

• Gastrointestinal Stasis: Overfeeding wheatgrass in lieu of hay to your rabbits could lead to GI stasis, which is caused by a lack of fiber in your rabbit’s diet.
• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is also possible when rabbit owners overfeed large amounts of wheatgrass to their rabbits too fast. Always introduce any new diet to your rabbits slowly.
• Uneaten cecotropes:  Soft uneaten cecotropes are also possible when rabbits are eating large amounts of wheatgrass instead of hay. This could lead to softer cecotropes due to the lack of fiber.

Healthy alternatives to wheatgrass.

While wheatgrass is safe for rabbits, you should still mix in some other vegetables to your rabbit’s diet. Here are some alternatives to wheatgrass that you can 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)

Conclusion

Rabbits can eat wheatgrass given that your rabbits are at least 12 weeks old and make sure that your rabbit is not eating wheatgrass in lieu of hay (fiber). Also, when feeding wheatgrass for the first time, introduce it slowly and only give 15 grams per day, then gradually increase over time.

Following the above rule would ensure that your rabbits wouldn’t develop any digestive problems, because most of the time, the lack of fiber is the main culprit when it comes to digestive problems in rabbits.