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Home > General > Can Rabbits Eat Asparagus? Vet-Reviewed Safety Facts & FAQ

Can Rabbits Eat Asparagus? Vet-Reviewed Safety Facts & FAQ

Can Rabbits Eat_asparagus

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Dr. Maja Platisa Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Maja Platisa

Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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There’s no doubt that feeding your pet rabbit can be an incredibly enjoyable and heart-warming experience. Watching their tiny mouths devour hay, alongside a small variety of fresh vegetables and occasional fruit, has certainly been one of our favorite parts of the day!

But did you know that rabbits have much, much different digestive systems than humans? If you’ve ever wondered why your rabbits eat what they do, it’s mainly due to their herbivore diet, species-specific dental formula, and digestive functions. Not to mention the presence of gut bacteria and production of two types of feces.

That’s why today, we’re going to be covering everything you need to know about feeding your rabbit asparagus! First, you’ll learn that rabbits can eat asparagus. But then, you’ll see how much is actually safe for them, what the potential downsides are, as well as how to prepare asparagus for your rabbit.

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Yes! Rabbits Can Eat Asparagus

asparagus on wooden table
Image Credit: macroworlds, Shutterstock

With their tender, bitter green stalks, asparagus is a favorite food of many house rabbits. In fact, if you’re growing asparagus in your garden, sometimes wild rabbits may also show interest in the asparagus just as much as domesticated ones! However, a wild rabbit’s diet is based on grass, clover, flowers, seedlings, roots, weeds, and more, and they rarely show interest in vegetables or fruits.

In short, rabbits absolutely can eat asparagus, but only in moderation and with some precautions in mind. If you’re buying it from a grocery store, though, be sure to look for organically grown asparagus to avoid any pesticides.

Nutrition Facts for Asparagus

According to the USDA, a database of statistics for every food imaginable, asparagus has the following qualities:

  • Moderately low sugar content
  • Contains carotenoids, vitamin E, and K
  • Moderate fiber content
  • Small amounts of complex B vitamins

Overall, asparagus is made up primarily of water and carbohydrates with small amounts of proteins and fats, making it suitable only as an occasional choice for your rabbit. All the veggie options should make no more than 10% of their total daily food intake, as a rabbit’s diet needs to be based on hay.

Health Benefits of Asparagus

Health benefits of asparagus for people unfortunately cannot be extrapolated to our rabbit companions. For example, rabbits can make their own vitamin C, while we can’t. Their digestive tract is very different from ours and needs constant fiber in order to properly function. Asparagus on its own will not provide your rabbit with any significant health benefits or nutrients.

The combination of moderate sugar content and low fiber and the ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats makes asparagus one of the raw foods to feed your rabbit as an occasional treat. However, too much asparagus, or too frequent, particularly in combination with other rich veggies, may lead to a digestive upset, such as gut stasis and diarrhea, which may be life threatening. 

asparagus and scissors on wooden platform
Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay

How to Feed Asparagus to Your Rabbits

If rabbits were humans, they would definitely be raw vegans! So, when thinking of feeding your rabbit asparagus, make sure that it’s fresh and raw. Don’t even think about cooking it, as cooked vegetables are not suitable for rabbits and their digestion.

Any time you’re introducing a new food to your rabbit’s diet, first consult with your veterinarian, and give them only a small portion initially, no matter how much they might beg for more! Then, wait several days to make sure that your rabbit is eating and pooping normally to confirm that the food is settling well with them.

As a rule, you should feed your rabbit only organic and pesticide-free vegetables. Though they’re often more expensive, removing the pesticides and waxes usually found in non-organic produce is an essential step to maintaining your rabbit’s sensitive digestive health. Wash the vegetables well before offering any to your bunny.

How Much Asparagus Should I Feed My Rabbit?

How much of any vegetable you feed your rabbit is highly dependent on their size and the food itself, mainly their carb and fiber content. Whereas a Flemish Giant might be fine with several stalks, the petite Netherland Dwarf could easily make a meal out of just the tops of a few.

Here’s the general ratio of rabbit nutrition: The bulk of their diet should consist of hay, with only a daily serving of vegetables to provide important vitamins and minerals. Keep a close eye on the quality of your rabbit’s droppings: If they’re runny or infrequent, you’re likely feeding them too many treats and not enough hay. Alongside digestive issues, this will also lead to dental problems with improper tooth wear and formation of sharp spurs.

asparagus
Image Credit: Taken from Pixabay

Types of Asparagus to Feed Your Rabbit

Asparagus comes in green, purple, and white varieties, each being more common in a different part of the world. While their nutritional differences are minimal, they each have a particular taste to them. Try feeding some to your rabbit and let them decide if they have a favorite, but remember to do so in strict moderation and only occasionally!

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Final Thoughts

Asparagus is a readily available, tasty vegetable to feed your rabbit sparingly and occasionally in accordance with your vet’s recommendation and alongside other daily fresh veggie options. However, remember that hay must make 85% of your rabbit’s daily food intake in order to keep their digestion running smoothly. They can eat asparagus, and most rabbits will do so happily, but moderation is key! We hope you’ve learned everything you need to know about feeding asparagus to your rabbit, and wish you many more days filled with your hay-munching bunnies!

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