Can Rabbits Eat Peas?

Peas seem like an ideal rabbit snack since they are already the perfect size and packed with vitamins – but are they safe?

A small number of fresh peas should be safe to feed to your bunny from time to time. They contain some healthy nutrients, and many bunnies enjoy them, but you need to make sure that you aren’t offering them too frequently or in large quantities. Only give your rabbit fresh peas, not dried peas.

Are Peas Healthy For Rabbits?

Peas are packed with nutrients. They contain vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C, along with phosphorus, manganese, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, riboflavin, and thiamine. They also contain antioxidants, which will boost your rabbit’s immune system and keep it healthy.

A few peas can therefore be good for rabbits, but they should not eat a lot of them.

Are Peas Dangerous For Rabbits?

Peas can be dangerous because, despite the nutrients listed above, they also contain several things that make them unsuitable. They are high in phosphorus and protein, which rabbits do not need in large quantities.

High amounts of protein will put a strain on your rabbit’s liver and kidney, which is not good for its health, especially in the long term.

Peas are also full of starch, carbohydrates, and sugars, which again need to make up only a very small part of a rabbit’s diet. You should not give your rabbit a lot of carbohydrates or sugar because these will both contribute to weight gain.

They can also play havoc with the digestive system, giving your rabbit diarrhea or constipation and uncomfortable gas. The fact that peas are low in fiber exacerbates this issue because unless your rabbit is eating lots of hay, this food can linger in the digestive tract.

It’s also worth noting that peas contain something known as “anti-nutrients,” which can make it harder for humans to absorb iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. It isn’t yet known whether these have the same effect on bunnies, but it is important to be aware that they could.

As long as your rabbit is only eating a few peas at a time, none of these things should be very problematic because it won’t be getting big doses. However, if your rabbit eats a lot of peas, you may notice that it seems uncomfortable due to gas buildup and that it is gaining weight.

How Can I Test Whether My Rabbit Likes Peas?

The best way to test whether a rabbit likes peas is to offer it one or two. Simply add a couple of peas to your rabbit’s bowl and wait to see if your bunny is enthusiastic about this treat or if it ignores it.

If your rabbit ignores it, remove the peas, as you don’t want them to be left to turn moldy in the cage. You can try again another day if you like.

If your rabbit eats the peas, keep an eye on it for a couple of days to make sure that they don’t upset its digestive system. If it stops eating or pooping, avoid feeding it peas in the future, and take it to a vet if the symptoms seem serious.

If the peas don’t cause any upset, you can start occasionally feeding them to your rabbit every few weeks, but keep the quantities low. The more peas you feed to your rabbit, the greater the risk of stomach upsets becomes.

How Many Peas Can My Rabbit Have?

Recommendations vary a little, but a teaspoon of peas per two pounds of your rabbit’s body weight should usually be okay, provided your rabbit is healthy and not overweight. If it is on the heavy side, avoid peas because the carbohydrates and sugars will add to the weight issue.

Don’t feed your rabbit peas every day. Space out the helpings and rotate them with other vegetables so that your rabbit is getting a varied diet. The more variety it has, the healthier it is likely to be.

What If My Rabbit Eats A Lot Of Peas?

If your rabbit eats too many peas, you might have to take it to a vet. First, give it some fresh water and some hay, and watch to see whether it shows any symptoms. If it appears uncomfortable, or if it stops eating or pooping, make sure that you take it to a vet as soon as you can.

In some cases, eating lots of peas won’t do any harm as long as it is a one-off and your rabbit then eats plenty of fiber-rich foods, like hay. Try to minimize other low-fiber foods until the rabbit’s digestive system has normalized again.

You should also limit other foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars because your rabbit is at risk of gaining weight. Instead, give your bunny mostly hay, with a few low-sugar and high-fiber vegetables mixed in.

Can Rabbits Eat Pea Pods?

rabbit eating pea pods from a hand

Yes, rabbits can eat pea pods, and these are a little better in terms of fiber content. They will help to keep your rabbit’s teeth in good shape since they are tougher. However, they do still contain more sugar than is healthy, and you might notice that your rabbit seems agitated and restless after eating them.

If you are going to offer your bunny pea pods, wash them first, and limit the numbers. In general, one or two pea pods should be sufficient. Only feed them occasionally, and mix them with other suitable treats, such as celery, zucchini, bell peppers, herbs, and other vegetables.

Conclusion

As long as you are maintaining balance in your rabbit’s diet, it shouldn’t be harmful to feed it a few peas occasionally but be aware that they are not a particularly healthy or suitable choice, and they can contribute to weight gain. If you are going to give them to your rabbit, minimize other sugary treats, and ensure it is eating plenty of hay.

Lou Carter

I’ve loved rabbits for as long as I can remember, so it felt natural to share my passion for lagomorphs with a much wider audience. My objective is to help owners to keep their pet rabbits happy and healthy.


Cite this article:

MLA Style: Carter, Lou. "Can Rabbits Eat Peas?" Rabbit Care Tips, (May 19, 2023), https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/can-rabbits-eat-peas/.

APA Style: Carter, L. (May 19, 2023). Can Rabbits Eat Peas?. Rabbit Care Tips. Retrieved May 19, 2023, from https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/can-rabbits-eat-peas/

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