Can rabbits eat tinned fish?
Quick verdict
Unsafe
Key risk
Fish, salt and oil are all harmful to rabbits.
Why
Rabbits are herbivores and must never eat tinned fish.
Can rabbits eat tinned fish, and why?
Rabbits are herbivores and must never eat tinned fish. Fish, salt and oil are all harmful to rabbits.
Rabbits are herbivores: roughly 85% of their diet should be good-quality hay or grass, plus a daily handful of leafy greens, with only small amounts of other veg and tiny occasional fruit. They have a sensitive hindgut that depends on constant fibre — sudden changes, sugar or starch can trigger dangerous gut stasis and bloat.
Warning — what to watch for
Fish, salt and oil are all harmful to rabbits.
If your rabbit has eaten tinned fish, don’t wait for symptoms — contact your vet immediately, or call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, UK). Signs of a problem can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, tremors or loss of appetite.
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Frequently asked questions
Can rabbits eat tinned fish?
Unsafe. Rabbits are herbivores and must never eat tinned fish.
What happens if my rabbit eats tinned fish?
Fish, salt and oil are all harmful to rabbits. If your rabbit has eaten tinned fish, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is tinned fish poisonous to rabbits?
Unsafe. Rabbits are herbivores and must never eat tinned fish.
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