Why
Cilantro is on nearly every rabbit-safe list. The House Rabbit Society lists cilantro among its leafy greens without any rotation note, the RSPCA names coriander among good greens and herbs to feed daily, and the Royal Veterinary College, PDSA, VCA Animal Hospitals and Pasadena Humane all include it.
Herbs add strong flavors to a rabbit's salad. The Royal Veterinary College notes that herbs often have powerful tastes, so some rabbits take time to get used to them, and Rabbit.org notes that rabbits appreciate food with a strong taste.
What to watch out for
- Cilantro introduced together with several other new foods
- Herbs picked outdoors where pets, wildlife or pesticides may have reached them
- Salsa, chutney and other dishes with onion, garlic, chili or salt
- Wilted or slimy bunches
- Soft droppings after a new herb
How to serve it
- Wash the bunch well.
- Add a small handful of leaves and soft stems to the day's greens.
- Mix cilantro with at least two other leafy greens.
- Introduce cilantro on its own the first time and check the droppings the next day.
How much?
Cilantro counts as one of the leafy greens, which Rabbit.org and the Merck Veterinary Manual put at about 1 cup per 2 pounds (about 1 kg) of body weight per day in total. The House Rabbit Society recommends at least three different leafy greens daily, and cilantro can be one of them.
Cilantro and coriander are the same plant
Cilantro and coriander both refer to Coriandrum sativum. American English usually calls the leaves cilantro, while British sources such as the RSPCA, PDSA and the Royal Veterinary College call the herb coriander.
The leaves and soft stems are the parts rabbit guides mean. Rabbit.org lists coriander or cilantro both among leafy greens and among rabbit-safe herbs and flowers.
Cilantro versus parsley
Cilantro and parsley look similar but are treated differently. The House Rabbit Society marks parsley as high in oxalic acid and in need of rotation, while cilantro carries no such note, and VCA Animal Hospitals lists parsley among vegetables to give rarely while listing cilantro among good vegetables.
Cilantro and parsley can both be part of a rabbit's week. Cilantro can appear more often, and parsley works best as an occasional extra.
Growing herbs for a rabbit
Rabbit.org suggests growing rabbit-safe herbs fresh indoors in a pot. A pot on a windowsill gives a supply of clean, unsprayed leaves.
Herbs picked outdoors need more care. Rabbit.org warns that plants should not have been in contact with cat, dog or fox feces, pesticides or chemicals, and PDSA advises never feeding a plant you cannot identify.
Common questions
Is cilantro good for rabbits?
Yes, as part of a hay-based diet. Cilantro is on nearly every rabbit-safe list. The House Rabbit Society lists cilantro among its leafy greens without any rotation note, the RSPCA names coriander among good greens and herbs to feed daily, and the Royal Veterinary College, PDSA, VCA Animal Hospitals and Pasadena Humane all include it.
Is cilantro bad for rabbits?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: cilantro introduced together with several other new foods.
Are rabbits allowed to have cilantro?
Yes. Wash the bunch well.
Can rabbits eat cilantro every day?
Cilantro can be part of a rabbit's daily greens. The RSPCA lists coriander among greens and herbs to feed daily, and Pasadena Humane lists herbs such as cilantro among vegetables that can be fed daily.
What other herbs can rabbits eat?
The Royal Veterinary College lists basil, coriander, dill, peppermint, parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme as herbs safe for rabbits. Parsley is high in oxalic acid, so the House Rabbit Society suggests rotating it.
Sources
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Rabbit.org. Best Vegetables for Rabbits: A Healthy Diet Guide (Paige K Parsons; adapted from WabbitWiki).
- Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service. Feeding Your Rabbit (Rabbit feeding guidelines, 2022).
- RSPCA. What Do Rabbits Eat? Rabbit Diet Advice.
- PDSA. Feeding Your Rabbits.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Spotlight: Bunny Care Basics.
- Pasadena Humane. Rabbit Safe Vegetable and Fruit List.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Diet for Rabbits (Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP).
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Disorders and Diseases of Rabbits.
If your rabbit has eaten something harmful, or stops eating or passing droppings, contact a veterinarian who treats rabbits right away, even if your rabbit seems fine. Rabbits cannot vomit, so do not try to make your rabbit throw up.