I know I like variety in my diet, and I’m sure my rabbit would too. 

When I dig into my produce drawer, I’m always looking for treats to give my pet bunny, but I know I have to check to make sure it’s safe and healthy. 

When I found some broccoli rabe there, I wondered if I could give it to my little Oreo. I did the research, and here’s what I found. 

As a general rule, broccoli rabe leaves, stems, and flowers are safe and healthy for rabbits. The leaves are a good source of calcium and fit the bill for the needed leafy greens in a bunny diet. The rest of the vegetable is healthy too, though it’s considered a treat and used in only smaller amounts. 

Let’s take a deeper look at this vegetable and how it fits into a good diet for your pet rabbit. 

can rabbits eat broccoli rabe banner

Broccoli Rabe And Pet Rabbits

Broccoli rabe isn’t related to broccoli at all. It’s closer in relation to a turnip. 

As such, we need to look at the overall nutrients of the plant and each part of the veggie to determine what role it serves in a good diet. 

Nutrition Of Broccoli Rabe

Let’s take a look at this table for the nutrition facts for 100 g of broccoli rabe. 

Vitamin/MineralsAmount
Vitamin A4534 IU
Vitamin C37 mg
Vitamin D0 mg
Vitamin E2.5 mg
Vitamin K256 mcg
Calcium118 mg
Iron1.3 mg
Phosphorous82 mg
Potassium343 mg

Information comes from Nutrition Data.

As you saw above, this veggie has many significant nutritional elements, especially calcium, iron, and vitamins K and A. 

Note: Because the calcium value is high, don’t pair this with another green high in calcium. 

Veggies high in calcium include: 

  • Dandelion greens
  • Turnip greens
  • Yu Choy
  • Carrot tops
  • Collard greens

Broccoli Rabe Leaves

The leaves are the healthiest part of the green for pet rabbits. They satisfy the requirement for leafy greens in the diet (see the section below). 

Mix it in with other veggies and leafy greens to provide a good salad for your rabbit. 

One cup would be suitable for a two-pound rabbit. 

The biggest concern with the leaves here is gas. 

Rabbits have sensitive stomachs and are prone to upset tummies. 

Broccoli rabe has the same problem as actual broccoli in causing a lot of gas and bloating if given too much. 

(This is true for us humans too!)

Make this a part of your pet’s salad, and start with small amounts to get your fuzzy friend used to it and see how they react. 

Broccoli Rabe Stems

The stems are also packed with healthy nutrients, but they aren’t as easy on the digestive system. 

Use these as a treat in their diet, similar to other non-leafy greens. 

Again, variety is vital with this veggie; it shouldn’t be the only thing they eat. 

As a treat food, it should only make up 0-5% of their daily diet. 

Other Parts Of Broccoli Rabe

The other parts of broccoli rabe aren’t something you want to use, or if you do, use them sparingly. 

The flowers, flower heads, and anything else may be mixed in with the leafy greens, but make sure only to use them in smaller amounts. 

After all, the leaves are where the nutrition is.

Pet Rabbit Diet In A Nutshell

I’ve mentioned this veggie should be part of the leafy greens section of the rabbit diet, but I haven’t gone into much detail other than this. 

Here is what your rabbit diet needs to consist of: 

rabbit diet percentage chart

Grassy Hay 80%

Pick up grassy hay from any pet store, online pet retailer, or Tractor Supply. It’s usually pretty affordable. 

It’s possible to make it yourself or pick it up from somewhere else, but you want to make sure it’s not infected with any little bugs or chemicals. 

This is why I usually just buy in bulk from Tractor Supply. 

Leafy Greens 10-15%

These are great and may go higher in percentage than what’s written here on occasion. This is where broccoli rabe leaves may fit. 

Good leafy greens include: 

  • Parsley
  • Spinach
  • Mustard greens
  • Beet greens
  • Swiss chard
  • Radish tops
  • Sprouts
  • Arugula
  • Carrot tops
  • Cucumber leaves
  • Endive
  • Escarole
  • Frisee Lettuce
  • Kale (all types)
  • Mache
  • Red or green lettuce
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Spring greens
  • Turnip greens
  • Dandelion greens
  • Mint (any kind)
  • Basil (any kind)
  • Watercress
  • Wheatgrass
  • Chicory
  • Raspberry leaves
  • Cilantro
  • Radicchio
  • Bok Choy
  • Fennel 
  • Borage leaves
  • Dill leaves
  • Yu Choy

Fiber Pellets 5-10%

Get these from a pet store or Tractor Supply. You need some of these to make sure your pet has an overall healthy diet. 

Treats 0-5%

Any other fruit, no-leafy green, or commercial rabbit treat fits in the treat category and should be given in low amounts. 

Most of the time, these parts are higher in sugar. 

Too much sugar causes severe weight gain and other health issues. 

FAQ

What food is poisonous to rabbits? – Human foods are dangerous for rabbits. 

Stick with natural greens to make sure they stay safe. 

These foods, in particular, may cause a severe reaction, including death: 

  • Yogurt, yogurt drops
  • Anything bread-related (cookies, crackers, etc.)
  • Avocado
  • Cereals
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Chard
  • Hamster food
  • Walnuts
  • Oatmeal
  • Chocolate
  • Peanut butter
  • Potatoes
  • Rhubarb
  • Any meat

Can you give a rabbit sugar water? – If you need to give water to a hydrated or ill bunny, you may want to add a small amount of natural sugar to the water. 

This will get the bunny’s attention and encourage it to drink. 

Only do this on rare occasions. It shouldn’t be an everyday thing. 

What wild plants are dangerous to rabbits? – Most wild plants are safe to eat, but there are a few you’ll want to avoid. 

Here’s a quick list of common ones you may find around your yard: 

  • Nightshade
  • Hydrangea
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Lilies
  • Cannabis (especially flowers and stems)
  • Onion
  • Poppy
  • Hemlock
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Iris
  • Daffodil 
  • Ivy
  • Hyacinth
  • Rhubarb
  • Foxglove