Why
Spinach is on rabbit-safe lists with a limit attached. The Royal Veterinary College lists spinach as occasional only, the RSPCA says spinach can be fed safely but only occasionally, PDSA lists it in moderation, and Pasadena Humane suggests spinach one or two times a week.
Oxalic acid is the reason spinach is limited. The House Rabbit Society marks spinach among greens that need to be rotated because of their oxalic acid content, and suggests that only one of a rabbit's three daily greens come from that group. An older House Rabbit Journal article republished on Rabbit.org, written in consultation with a veterinarian, explains that oxalates can build up in the body over time and suggests limiting greens such as spinach to one to three meals a week.
Risks to watch for
- Spinach served every day or as the main green
- Spinach together with other high-oxalate greens on the same day
- Rabbits with a history of bladder sludge or stones
- Creamed spinach, spinach dip and other cooked dishes
- Wilted or slimy leaves
How to share safely
- Wash the leaves well.
- Offer a few leaves mixed with lower-oxalate greens such as romaine or cilantro.
- Give spinach on one or two days a week, then switch to other greens.
- Introduce spinach on its own and watch the droppings for a day.
How much?
Spinach should be one of several greens rather than a full serving. Rabbit.org and the Merck Veterinary Manual put total fresh vegetables at about 1 cup per 2 pounds (about 1 kg) of body weight per day, and a Rabbit.org nutrition article suggests limiting high-oxalate greens like spinach to one to three meals a week.
What oxalic acid means for a rabbit
Oxalic acid is a natural compound found in higher amounts in some leafy greens. The Rabbit.org nutrition article notes that the salts of oxalic acid, called oxalates, can accumulate and cause toxicity over time, while also pointing out that these greens are nutritious and loved by most rabbits.
The answer to oxalic acid is rotation, not removal. The article suggests feeding a high-oxalate green for a few days, then leaving it out for a week or so, and the House Rabbit Society suggests no more than one high-oxalate green among the three daily greens.
Rabbits with bladder sludge or stones
Some rabbits are prone to urinary sludge or bladder stones. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that too much calcium over time can contribute to kidney damage or bladder and kidney stones in rabbits, and PDSA advises speaking to a vet about diet if a rabbit has a urinary or bladder problem.
The Rabbit.org nutrition article suggests taking the same rotation approach with high-calcium greens for rabbits prone to urinary stones. A rabbit with a urinary history should have its greens chosen with a vet.
Other greens to rotate like spinach
The House Rabbit Society marks these leafy greens as needing rotation because of their oxalic acid content:
- Parsley
- Swiss chard
- Mustard greens
- Beet greens
- Radish tops
- Sprouts
Common questions
Is spinach good for rabbits?
Only in limited ways. Spinach is on rabbit-safe lists with a limit attached. The Royal Veterinary College lists spinach as occasional only, the RSPCA says spinach can be fed safely but only occasionally, PDSA lists it in moderation, and Pasadena Humane suggests spinach one or two times a week.
Is spinach bad for rabbits?
It can be. Risks to watch for: spinach served every day or as the main green and spinach together with other high-oxalate greens on the same day.
Are rabbits allowed to have spinach?
Only in small amounts and the right form. Wash the leaves well.
How often can a rabbit eat spinach?
Once or twice a week is a common guide. Pasadena Humane suggests spinach one or two times a week, and a Rabbit.org nutrition article suggests limiting high-oxalate greens to one to three meals a week.
Can rabbits eat cooked or creamed spinach?
No. Cooked spinach dishes for people usually include butter, cream, cheese, salt or garlic. Rabbit.org's diet guide warns that processed human foods are especially dangerous for rabbits.
Sources
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Rabbit.org. Natural Nutrition Part II: Pellets and Veggies (Elizabeth TeSelle, in consultation with Cindy McBee, DVM). Originally published in House Rabbit Journal.
- Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service. Feeding Your Rabbit (Rabbit feeding guidelines, 2022).
- RSPCA. What Do Rabbits Eat? Rabbit Diet Advice.
- PDSA. Feeding Your Rabbits.
- 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.