Oak Leaves

[Steve Parker]

My rabbit stays outside on my deck part of the day. There is a large oak tree nearby that is shedding its leaves. Some of the leaves fall on the deck and my rabbit eats a few before I can clean them off. Will they hurt him?

[Steve Parker]

Oh, Here is a bit more info. He gets really mad at me if I try to take any leaves away. He must like the taste since he bypasses his hay to munch oak leaves.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Here si a list of toxic plants for rabbits; It included oak (foliage) I would not let him eat them anymore!

http://www.adoptarabbit.com/articles/toxic.html

[Steve Parker]

Thanks for the info. I’ll try to stop him from getting oak leaves. It won’t be easy!

 

[Gravehearted]

Hi Parker,

It’s dangerous for rabbits to eat tree leaves – many kinds (including oak) are very toxic and some can cause cyanide poisoning!
Although he might like to eat the oak leaves, it’s a very bad idea to allow it to continue.
If there’s no way to keep him from the leaves on your deck, it would be much safer to keep him off the deck entirely.

[TheAngora]

That is incorrect, rabbits can eat many types of leaves, including oak leaves. Rabbits generally don’t eat what could be bad for them of it’s not sweet. Also, what do you think rabbits eat in the wild? There are no people to take particular leaves away from them, so they know what they can eat and what not. Leaves and sticks are very good for rabbits and I would suggest giving them to your rabbits. My rabbits love European buckthorn(no berries), maple, and apple. The sticks and the leaves.

[DanaNM]

I’m guessing the toxicity goes way down once the leaves are dead and dried, but yes Oak is on the list of poisonous plants, so best to avoid entirely!

At the rabbit rescue in town the bunnies are always trying to eat the fallen leaves from a nearby avocado tree, which are definitely poisonous, so rabbits do NOT know what is safe for them. 

A domestic rabbit does not have the same instincts as a wild one, and wild rabbits grow up learning what plants are safe from their parents. 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LBJ10]

Good golly, this thread is 10 years old. I’m going to lock this. Feel free to start a new one if there are questions.

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