Dog food is not good for rabbits, and you should never feed your rabbit dog food.
Rabbits are herbivores. That means they eat plant material.
They need a lot of fiber, and that should come from good quality hay, a limited amount of formulated pellets, and leafy, dark green vegetables.
On the other hand, dog food is rich in proteins (that come from meat), fat, and carbohydrates.
Too many of these elements can lead to obesity and different serious health conditions.
What Will Happen If My Rabbits Eat Dog Food?
If your rabbit eats a small amount of dog food, it probably will not experience any major problems.
But if he eats large amounts of dog food or eats it on a regular basis, eventually that will damage your bunny’s health.
Dog food is not poisonous to rabbits, it is simply not good for them since rabbits don’t have the enzymes needed to digest meat and other things that can be found in dog food.
They don’t have them naturally, nor can they develop those enzymes even if they regularly consume that kind of food.
Since rabbits need food rich in fiber, they have to eat a lot of hay, some pellets, and dark green veggies.
Intake of large amounts of fat, carbs, and meat-based proteins may upset their digestive system and cause different stomach issues. Also, high fat and carbs diet may lead to obesity.
On the other hand, dog food is quite poor in fiber, which is not good for rabbits’ health. A low-fiber diet can lead to GI stasis and other gastrointestinal issues that could be life-threatening for your bunny.
If your bunny eats a lot of dog food at once( for example, 1/2 cup), you should monitor him for at least 24 hours.
Pay attention to his eating and drinking habits, as well as potty behavior and energy level.
Offer your rabbit to eat hay only for a day or two, just to help him get rid of the things that are not good for him.
If you notice any change, contact the vet ASAP.
Can Dog Food Kill A Rabbit?
This really depends on how much is eaten. Too much can certainly kill your rabbit.
This is a combination of the lack of nutritional value to them as well as the devastation digesting meat can do to a herbivore’s insides.
Final Words
Rabbits should not eat dog food. It’s as simple as that; not even in limited quantities.
It can cause a lot of issues, so it is not something that you should try or even experiment with.
Rabbits are pure herbivores and have a high need for fiber in their diet.
Feeding them specially formulated pellets, hay, vegetables and treats is the best way to ensure your rabbit leads a happy and healthy life.
