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Bunnies are rather easygoing pets to have, as they can get along quite well with humans. They feed on a variety of foods, but you should know all of the foods that rabbits can and can’t eat. If you’re reading this, chances are that you want to know if rabbits can eat green onions, a popular household veggie that we humans eat on a regular basis.
The truth is that you should never give your bunny green onions. They can be extremely harmful, and we’ll explain why you should keep your rabbit as far away from this product as possible.
Why Are Green Onions Dangerous for Rabbits?
The reason why you can’t give bunnies green onions is that they are toxic to their digestive system. If they consume onions of any kind, it will result in an issue known as hemolytic anemia. This causes not only digestive distress but also the damage and destruction of their red blood cells, a very dangerous condition.
That’s not something that will make your buddy happy! In the wild, rabbits always avoid green onion plants because their scent is a natural deterrent, which is an evolutionary response to the dangers of onions.
Of course, humans have different nutritional needs and completely different compositions, so we can handle them without experiencing these issues.
What Vegetables Can Rabbits Eat?
We might’ve discussed why you shouldn’t feed your fluffy rodent any green onions, but what about other members of the onion family? As it turns out, all Allium/Amaryllidaceae plants are toxic to our rabbit companions. That includes red onions, white onions, chives, and garlic.
If you have any of these planted in your house, it may be wise to remove them, so your rabbit doesn’t become anxious from the smells.
What Are the Best Alternatives to Green Onions?
Although you might have some green onions lying around, there are much healthier and more enjoyable treats for your bunny to munch on. Tops are classics that we all know and they are very inexpensive if you buy them in bulk. You can also reward them with herbs like parsley, cilantro, and arugula.
Don’t forget, besides the leafy greens, you can consider small pieces of veggies like bok choy, bell peppers (without seeds), or zucchini. They’re packed with nutrients, and your furry friends will go crazy for them!
Other Vegetables That Your Bunny Shouldn’t Eat
Just in case you wanted to know about other common vegetables and if they are okay for your bunny to eat, we’ve made a short list that shows which ones you want to steer clear of.
Conclusion
Now that you know how and why rabbits can’t eat green onions (or any other Alliums, for that matter), you can be confident that your pet will be safe so long as they stay clear of these veggies. There are many alternatives that we’ve mentioned as well, but hopefully, this guide showed you the essentials of your rabbit’s vegetarian diet!
