Why
Grapes are listed as a rabbit treat by the House Rabbit Society, PDSA and Pasadena Humane. PDSA names grapes among the fruits that are safe for rabbits in small amounts.
Grapes are also singled out as one of the sweetest options. Rabbit.org's diet guide says high glycemic fruits such as bananas and grapes should be used only as occasional treats, because rabbits will happily eat sugary foods in place of the hay and greens they need.
Grapes are toxic to dogs, and owners often wonder whether the same is true for rabbits. None of the rabbit diet guides used here lists grapes as toxic to rabbits, but the sugar alone is reason to keep grapes rare.
Risks to watch for
- More than one grape at a time
- Grapes given several times a week
- Raisins, which are dried grapes and far more concentrated
- Grape seeds
- Grape juice, jam and other grape products with added sugar
- Soft droppings or a drop in appetite after a sugary treat
How to share safely
- Choose a seedless grape and wash it well.
- Cut the grape into halves or quarters.
- Offer the pieces as a treat, separate from the daily greens.
- Wait several days before giving fruit again.
How much?
The House Rabbit Society suggests no more than about 1 teaspoon of fresh fruit per 2 pounds (about 1 kg) of body weight per day, and Rabbit.org recommends fruit only once or twice a week. For most rabbits, one grape cut into pieces is a full serving of fruit.
Grapes are toxic to dogs. What about rabbits?
Grape and raisin poisoning is a well-documented problem in dogs, described in the Merck Veterinary Manual. Rabbit diet guides tell a different story: the House Rabbit Society, PDSA and Pasadena Humane all list grapes among rabbit treats, and the Merck Veterinary Manual's table of foods harmful to rabbits places fruits in general among foods to limit rather than listing grapes as toxic.
Being on a treat list does not make grapes a good food. Rabbit.org groups grapes with bananas as high glycemic fruits for occasional use only, so the safe answer for rabbits is a small amount, rarely.
Raisins pack the sugar of many grapes
A raisin is a whole grape with the water removed. Rabbit.org notes that dried fruit is about three times as concentrated as fresh, so portions need to shrink to match.
Nutrition scientist Susan Smith, writing for Rabbit.org, describes an occasional raisin as an acceptable sweet treat. One raisin, not a handful, is the scale she means.
Seeds and seedless grapes
Seedless grapes are the easier choice. The RSPCA lists fruit seeds and pits among the foods rabbits should not eat.
If only seeded grapes are on hand, cut the grape open and remove the seeds before offering a piece.
Common questions
Are grapes good for rabbits?
Only in limited ways. Grapes are listed as a rabbit treat by the House Rabbit Society, PDSA and Pasadena Humane. PDSA names grapes among the fruits that are safe for rabbits in small amounts.
Are grapes bad for rabbits?
It can be. Risks to watch for: more than one grape at a time and grapes given several times a week.
Are rabbits allowed to have grapes?
Only in small amounts and the right form. Choose a seedless grape and wash it well.
How many grapes can a rabbit eat?
One grape, cut into pieces, is a full fruit serving for most rabbits. The House Rabbit Society suggests no more than about 1 teaspoon of fresh fruit per 2 pounds (about 1 kg) of body weight per day, and Rabbit.org recommends fruit only once or twice a week.
My rabbit ate several grapes. What should I do?
Remove any remaining fruit, offer plenty of hay and water, and watch the rabbit's appetite and droppings closely for the next day. Call a vet straight away if the rabbit stops eating, stops passing droppings or has diarrhea. Rabbits cannot vomit, so do not try to make the rabbit bring the grapes back up.
Sources
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Rabbit.org. Healthy Rabbit Diet Guide: Safe Foods & Treats (Paige K Parsons).
- Rabbit.org. Treat Foods (Susan Smith, PhD).
- Rabbit.org. Treat Your Bunny Right (Amy Ramnaraine).
- PDSA. Feeding Your Rabbits.
- Pasadena Humane. Rabbit Safe Vegetable and Fruit List.
- RSPCA. What Do Rabbits Eat? Rabbit Diet Advice.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Diet for Rabbits (Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP).
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind (Vitis spp, Tamarindus spp) Toxicosis in Dogs.
- 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.