Safe vegetables and greens for rabbits: the complete shopping list
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Which vegetables and greens are safe for a rabbit? The short answer: fresh, varied, well-washed leafy greens — endive, carrot tops, celery stalks, coriander, flat-leaf parsley (in moderation), basil, dark leafy lettuces such as romaine or oak leaf — at roughly 8% of the rabbit’s body weight per day, alongside unlimited hay. Sugary root vegetables (carrot, beetroot) remain occasional treats, never a staple.
Contents · 5 sections
Which greens belong on the weekly shopping list?
For a 1.5 to 2 kg rabbit, plan on three different varieties per day. The safe bets at the supermarket or the farmers’ market:
- Endive (around 2.50 € per kilo): very easy to digest, ideal for beginners;
- Celery stalks (2 to 3 € a head): leaves and stems alike, rich in fibre;
- Carrot and radish tops: often free if you buy the whole bunches;
- Fresh herbs (coriander, basil, dill, 1 to 2 € a bunch): palatable and safe;
- Dark lettuces (romaine, batavia, lamb’s lettuce): never iceberg, which is watery and nutritionally poor.
A realistic budget: 5 to 10 € per week for a dwarf rabbit, a little more in winter when wild greens are scarce.
Which vegetables are forbidden or risky?
Some foods cause serious digestive trouble: potato, onion, garlic, leek, avocado, rhubarb, dried beans and all the green parts of nightshades (tomato, aubergine). Cabbage is tolerated in very small amounts by rabbits used to it, but it ferments easily. If diarrhoea or gut stasis follows a new food, contact an exotics vet immediately: in rabbits, gut stasis is an emergency.
How do you introduce a new vegetable safely?
Introduce one new food at a time, in small amounts, over three to four days, and keep an eye on the droppings. A young rabbit under three months old gets virtually no greens: its digestive system is built around hay first, as we explain in our guide to choosing the right hay.
Do greens replace hay or pellets?
No. The hierarchy stands: unlimited hay (80% of the ration), daily greens, then a small measure of pellets. Find all our comparisons in the rabbit food section and our other guides on the rabbit hub.
Frequently asked questions
Should store-bought greens be washed?
Yes, always, under running water, to remove pesticide residue and soil. Serve them wet: the extra water intake is a welcome bonus.
Can I feed grass from the garden?
Yes, as long as it is untreated, not soiled by other animals, and picked well away from roads. Introduce it gradually in spring.
How many times a day should vegetables be served?
Ideally in two meals, morning and evening, to keep the rabbit busy and limit waste.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Wooden hay rack with tray for rabbit, guinea pig and chinchilla (€21.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
