Do rabbits eat succulents? Of course, you cannot blame these tiny creatures for eating your plants since they are herbivores. But are succulents safe and healthy for them?
Rabbits, like most small pets, eat whatever diets they see in their surroundings. Hence, having rabbit pets and a garden filled with different plants, including succulents, can be a cause of concern. So, do rabbits eat succulents?
Yes, rabbits do eat succulents when there is no other food available for them. But it is best not to allow them to eat any succulents they come across in your garden.
Even though some succulents are perfectly healthy for your rabbits, some are poisonous to them. And these poisonous plants can expose rabbits to serious health problems. While some succulents may seem harmless to us, for rabbits, these plants can be a potential hazard.
What types of succulents are unhealthy for your rabbits? How do you prevent these little creatures from eating your succulents?
In this article, we will provide answers to these questions and more. Get comfortable and read on!
Do Rabbits Eat Succulents?
Fortunately, some succulents are safe for rabbits to eat. If you have these types of succulents in your garden, you have nothing to worry about.
But some succulents can expose bunnies to diarrhea, rashes, and other life-threatening illnesses.
Here are 5 types of succulents that are poisonous to rabbits:
1. Kalanchoe
Also known as the panda plant, Kalanchoe is a poisonous plant for rabbits and other pets. This plant produces insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate your rabbits’ mouths.
It may also cause these small animals to drool, or experience difficulty in swallowing. If you have kalanchoe in your garden, make sure your bunnies cannot get close to it.
2. Aloe Vera
Despite having healing properties, aloe vera can expose your rabbits to serious health problems. These plants produce saponin, a substance that is highly poisonous for your rabbit pets. If your rabbits eat aloe vera, they may experience diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and body weakness.
3. Euphorbia
Pencil cactus or euphorbia are popular plants among homeowners because of their beauty. However, the Euphorbia leaves produce a milky sap which is poisonous to rabbits. Not only that, the milky sap is toxic to humans and other animals too.
There’s a chance your rabbits will begin to experience rashes if they come into contact with Euphorbia sap. Ingesting the sap may also lead to gastrointestinal problems in rabbits.
4. ZZ Plant
There’s no doubt that the ZZ plants improve your environment, whether they are indoors or outdoors. Nevertheless, you need to keep these plants where your rabbits cannot reach them.
Interestingly, all parts of the ZZ plants are toxic to your small pets. Make sure you don’t allow your rabbits to chew on any part of the plant, no matter how little.
5. Seneca Rowleyanus
Popularly known as the “string of pearls,” Seneca Rowleyanus is another succulent your rabbits should not nibble on. Just like Euphorbia, Seneca Rowleyenus produces a sap that causes skin irritation in rabbits. Ingesting these plants can also cause diarrhea, drooling, and body weakness in rabbits.
How To Stop Rabbits From Eating Succulents
Normally, rabbits do not go around looking for the best succulents to eat unless they are hungry. Most of the time, they feed on vegetables, herbs, hay, fruits, and other healthy plants.
But if you notice that these bunnies are constantly eating your succulents, you may need to stop them.
Follow these 4 simple tips:
1. Make A Fence
To prevent rabbits from feasting on your succulents, build a fence. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need to build a high fence to keep these small animals away. Sure, rabbits can jump, but there’s a limit to what they can jump into.
Make sure there are no openings in the fence that the rabbits can pass through. Remember, they can dig their way into a garden and also squeeze themselves through a tiny hole.
2. Use Repellents
Consider using natural methods to keep rabbits away from your garden to save money. Many owners use lemon and orange peels to chase rabbits away from their gardens. Some people also use bone meal to ward off rabbits from their garden.
But it is better to use lemon and orange peels as they don’t smell as badly as bone meal.
3. Provide Enough Diets
Constantly nibbling on plants is one of the rabbits’ numerous habits. Hence, it is difficult to stop a hungry rabbit from eating your succulents. This means you need to supply these animals with enough food, such as chewable materials and hay.
Normally, rabbits do not eat succulents unless there are no other alternatives.
4. Keep Your Succulents Away
Consider keeping your succulents indoors or in a different place if other methods are not effective. Despite being small animals, rabbits have a smart nature. Hence, it’s not surprising if they keep finding a way into your garden.
If your succulents are poisonous, keep them in a high place where the rabbits cannot reach them.
What Should You Do If Your Rabbits Eat Poisonous Succulents?
Once you notice your rabbits have ingested a poisonous succulent, don’t panic. Watch out for signs such as weakness, skin rashes, drooling, or breathing difficulty. Sometimes, the succulents may not harm your rabbits if they nibble on a small part of them.
Besides, a large bunny may not show strange signs after eating a small number of poisonous succulents. Some rabbits can handle unhealthy diets as long as they don’t ingest large amounts.
Regardless, keep on checking up on your bunnies to ensure they are not showing any symptoms. If you notice anything unusual, do not hesitate to call your vet.
Also see: How Long Should I Keep My Dog Off New Sod?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Animals Like to Eat Succulents?
Yes, some animals like to feed on succulents. They include mice, squirrels, rodents, voles, and possums.
Although dogs and cats can eat succulents, they don’t spend much time on the plants after tasting them. Birds also eat succulents to get extra water or nutrients from them.
If you keep cats and dogs as pets, keep poisonous succulents away from the places they can reach.
What Plants Harm Rabbits?
Some of the plants that can harm rabbits include Ragwort, Hemlock, Buttercups, Daffodils, Azalea, Bittersweet, and Poppies. Other garden plants you shouldn’t give rabbits include hyacinth, clematis, tulips, iris, begonias, and primrose. Potato plants, tomato plants, garlic, onions, and rhubarb are also not safe for bunnies.
Do Rabbits Eat Plants?
Yes, rabbits eat different species of plants, including fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Rabbits eat plants majorly, which is why they constantly nibble on all the plants they come across. But while some plants are healthy for your rabbits, others can harm them.
So, if you have rabbit pets, keep an eye on the diets they eat for their safety.
Final Thoughts
Monitoring the plants your rabbits eat in the garden is not an easy task. Since they are curious creatures, these small creatures will want to taste any plant they come across. Therefore, keep all poisonous plants away from where they can be reached.
Rabbits do not eat succulents except when they don’t have anything else to chew. Hence, you need to constantly feed them with hay, vegetables, fruits, and other healthy diets.
If you notice your rabbit has chewed a large part of a poisonous succulent, call your vet immediately.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below