Food safety
Can Rabbits Eat Cabbage? Yes, in Small Amounts
Yes, rabbits can eat cabbage, and the House Rabbit Society includes it on its list of safe leafy greens. It comes with one caution: the Society notes that too much cabbage can cause enlargement of the thyroid and digestive problems. The answer is portion and variety. A torn leaf or two mixed into a bowl of other greens is fine for an adult rabbit, while a bowl that is mostly cabbage, every day, is not. Introduce it slowly and watch for gas.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read4 sources
Why cabbage is on the safe list
The House Rabbit Society names cabbage among the leafy greens rabbits can eat, alongside romaine, bok choy, kale and collard greens. It suggests leafy greens make up about three quarters of a rabbit's daily vegetables, with hay as the bulk of the diet.
VCA Animal Hospitals says high-quality grass hay such as timothy, orchard or brome should make up most of what a rabbit eats and be available at all times. Cabbage is one of many greens that can sit on top of that.
The caution: too much cabbage
The House Rabbit Society attaches a note to cabbage that it gives few other greens: too much can cause enlargement of the thyroid and digestive problems. Cabbage is a brassica, and the Society also discusses goitrogens, compounds in this family that can affect the thyroid, saying they are not a concern in normal feeding amounts.
The practical reading is simple. Cabbage is fine as one green in a varied mix. It should not become the main green your rabbit gets day after day, and a sudden large helping is more likely to cause gas and soft droppings.
Green, red or savoy?
Green, red and savoy cabbage are all cabbage, and the same guidance applies to each: wash well, tear into pieces and use as part of a mix. Peel off and discard any outer leaves that are torn, slimy or discolored before you wash the rest.
What to skip is prepared cabbage. Coleslaw comes in mayonnaise and dressing, sauerkraut is fermented and salted, and cooked cabbage from your plate may carry butter, salt or onion. The House Rabbit Society lists onions among foods rabbits should avoid, so feed only raw, plain leaves.
How to introduce and serve cabbage
The House Rabbit Society advises introducing one new vegetable at a time and waiting 24 hours before adding another, and stopping any vegetable that causes soft stools or gas. Start with a small piece of one leaf and check the litter box the next day.
Rinse the leaves well and serve them wet, as the Society suggests, since the water helps keep the gut moving. Remove any leaves that wilt or start to spoil; the Society says never to feed spoiled vegetables.
Treats are a small part of a rabbit's day; most of it should be hay and room to move, which is why a roomy indoor rabbit cage and a small animal playpen for exercise matter more than any snack.
How much cabbage is right
The House Rabbit Society suggests about one cup of packed greens for every two pounds of rabbit each day. Cabbage should be only part of that cup. For an average adult rabbit, a leaf or two of cabbage, torn up among romaine, herbs and other greens, is a reasonable share.
Rotate it. Offer cabbage a few times a week rather than daily, and swap in other greens on the remaining days. Variety spreads nutrients and keeps any one food from dominating the bowl.
Cabbage for young rabbits
The House Rabbit Society advises starting vegetables only after about 12 weeks of age, one at a time and in amounts under half an ounce. Cabbage is not the ideal first green because of the gas risk; milder leaves such as romaine are an easier start.
Once a young rabbit handles a few greens well, a small piece of cabbage can join the mix. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that low-fiber diets raise the risk of severe digestive illness, especially in young rabbits, so hay always comes first.
Gas, stasis and when to call a vet
Mild gas can show as a rabbit that sits still, presses its belly to the floor or eats less for a few hours. Stop the cabbage and offer hay and water. Soft droppings usually firm up once the new green is removed.
The Merck Veterinary Manual says to seek veterinary care promptly if a rabbit stops eating or shows signs of digestive upset, and warns that GI stasis can become life-threatening without treatment. No droppings for several hours, a bloated belly or a rabbit that refuses all food means a same-day visit to a vet who treats rabbits.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can rabbits eat red cabbage?
Yes. Red cabbage is cabbage, so the House Rabbit Society caution applies: a little is fine as part of a mix, but too much can cause digestive problems. Wash it, tear it up and serve a small amount.
Can rabbits eat cabbage every day?
It is better not to. The House Rabbit Society warns that too much cabbage can cause thyroid enlargement and digestive problems. Rotate it a few times a week with romaine, herbs and other safe greens.
Can rabbits eat cabbage stalks and cores?
The tough core is not needed. Stick to the leaves and the thinner ribs, cut into small pieces. A rabbit gets its chewing from unlimited hay, which also keeps its continuously growing teeth worn down.
Does cabbage give rabbits gas?
It can, especially in a large first helping. Introduce cabbage slowly, one small piece at first, and stop if droppings soften or your rabbit seems uncomfortable. Call a vet if it stops eating.
Can rabbits eat cooked cabbage or coleslaw?
No. Cooked cabbage often carries butter, salt or onion, and coleslaw comes in dressing. Rabbits should only have raw, washed leaves, alongside unlimited hay and fresh water.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
