Can Nuts & Grains Be Given to Rabbits?

Rabbits have very delicate and complex digestive systems that do well with a high-fiber, low-fat and low-carbohydrate diet of hay and fresh green vegetables. Nuts and grains are not recommended as part of a rabbit's diet as they are not something they would normally eat when wild in nature. They can also cause a variety of health problems because of their impact on the digestive system.

  1. GI Stasis

    • A serious health issue that can lead to death if not caught and treated right away, the shutting down of the gastrointestinal tract is called GI stasis. Most often this is caused by a compaction of foods and hair that will not pass properly through the system. Because grains, legumes and nuts are low in fiber and high in fat, they do not break down properly and can lead to this condition.

    Gut Sludge

    • If the bladder loses its ability to excrete calcium efficiently, this calcium can become a sludgelike substance and stay in the bladder area. This is called gut sludge and is often associated with foods that contain oxalates, specifically almonds, cashews, peanuts, seeds, soybeans and tofu.

    Hepatic Lipidosis

    • Commonly known as fatty liver disease, this health issue is often linked to GI stasis because it can be caused by not eating (a symptom of GI stasis). It is also often caused by diets that are too low in fiber, such as those heavily supplemented with treat foods, nuts, grains, fruits and even some pellets.

    Cecal Dysbiosis

    • The cecum is an important part of a rabbit's system and utilizes natural bacteria and yeast to help it digest foods. When this system becomes imbalanced because of an improper diet of foods that are high in fat and simple carbs, it is called cecal dysbiosis. These foods include cereals, grains, nuts, oatmeal, crackers and cookies.