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11 Deadly: Are Succulents Poisonous To Rabbits?

Are Succulents Poisonous To Rabbits?

Rabbits prefer to gaze at lush green grass while exploring around. This is wonderful, as grazing on grass is beneficial to your rabbit’s digestive system and helps to maintain their teeth in good shape.

However, not everything that’s growing in your yard is going to be beneficial for your rabbit; in fact, several very common plants might be rather harmful. If you have rabbits and succulents in your house, you might be curious about whether or not the two do well together or whether or not succulents are poisonous to rabbits!

Are Succulents Poisonous To Rabbits?

Rabbits may safely consume some succulents, but not all of them. You should keep your rabbit away from succulents like:

  • Jade plant
  • ZZ plant
  • Pencil cactus
  • Aloe vera
  • Silver jade plant
  • Snake plant
  • Crown of thorns
  • String of pearls
  • Panda plant
  • Mother of thousands
  • Mother of millions

It is because these succulents contain toxic substances that are not good for your rabbits.

Can Rabbit Eat Succulents?

Bunnies are curious animals who have a strong urge to munch on everything tasty that comes into their range. They are herbivores, which means they consume plants, and to feed their appetites; they bite pieces out of succulents. Bunnies are drawn to the juicy green leaves, which they ingest without experiencing the adverse effects of the plant. Are Succulents Poisonous To Rabbits?

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Several succulents are both poisonous and non-poisonous (as discussed above). So, try to keep succulents away from rabbits. 

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Rabbits may experience pain and even become more vulnerable if they consume toxic succulents in large amounts. These plants produce a white sap that collects on their leaves and has the potential to irritate the skin of both humans and rabbits.

In addition to the succulents, some fertilizers and pesticides should not come into touch with the bunnies since they might be harmful to them. If you let your rabbits free range in your succulent garden bed while you fertilize the plants, there is a chance that the bunnies can ingest residues from the fertilizer, which might cause stomach or mouth irritation or even make them ill.

Therefore, if you want to take care of rabbits and succulents simultaneously, make careful to cultivate plants that rabbits aren’t interested in eating. Keep succulents out of the reach of rabbits. This will protect the plant as well as the rabbits.

All The Reasons Why Rabbit Must Not Eat Succulents

There are several reasons why succulents should not be given to rabbits to eat, including your rabbit’s safety and yard.

Let’s discuss all these reasons in detail

•       Some Succulents Are Toxic for Bunnies

Although not all succulents contain toxins, quite a number of them are incredibly harmful to rabbits and should not be fed to them (List is mentioned above)

Your rabbit can pass away if it consumes even a small amount of a toxic succulent and does not receive prompt medical attention.

Not only may your rabbit be poisoned by the white sap or juice that comes from the leaf, but the white sap that comes from certain succulents can also irritate your rabbit’s skin.

•       Succulent Munching and Pulling Destroys Your Garden

Even while consuming toxic succulents is bad for your rabbit, feeding them to your succulents and other plants in your yard is just as bad.

•       Rabbits are burrowers by their very nature

It is possible that your rabbit may dig in the gardening container or your gardening bed in addition to chewing on a succulent leaf while it is doing so.

This digging will not only produce a mess, but it will also likely cause the soil or potting mix in the container to get displaced, and your bunny may even uproot the succulent.

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•       Rabbits Can Get Hurt by Prickly Cacti

Some succulents have spines and leaves that are covered in hundreds of tiny thorns.

Your rabbit can get wounded if it comes too close to the prickly cactus or even if it only brushes up against it while trying to reach a leaf that looks delicious.

How can I Prevent Bunnies from Consuming my Succulents and other Plants?

Think about keeping rabbits in your garden by growing succulents from known pest-free kinds. You may provide your succulents with an additional layer of defense by placing ornamental pebbles on the soil’s surface around them. Rabbits have an instinct to dig, and they will not miss a chance to destroy the potting mix you’ve used for your succulents.

5 Symptoms: What to Do If Your Rabbit Consumes Poisonous Succulents?

You can do a few things if you discover that your rabbit has consumed a succulent.

At the very start, you need to determine whether or not the plant is harmful to rabbits. In that case, you should get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the plant does not contain any toxins, you should be sure to provide enough fresh hay and water for your rabbit.

You can also wish to provide some fresh veggies for those who are interested in increasing their nutrient intake. Keep a watchful eye out for any signs/symptoms of disease exhibited by your rabbit, and if you have any worries, get in touch with your pet’s veterinarian. 

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Step 1: Be aware of the signs and symptoms of poisoning.

First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the signs that should alert you to the possibility that your bunny has been poisoned.

You’ll know if your bunny has consumed a portion of a toxic succulent if it exhibits any of the following symptoms:

  • Weak
  • Drooling
  • Lethargic
  • Having irregular patterns of breathing
  • Does not eat or has lost his or her appetite
  • Suffering from discomfort, which might be abdominal
  • Picking at their skin or suffering from a rash on their body

Step 2: Keep Calm

If you discover that your rabbit is ill, you should maintain your composure. It is also in your best interest to ensure that your rabbit is relaxed.

Maintaining your composure is the most effective approach for you to assist and perhaps preserve your rabbit.

Step 3: Make an Effort to Determine Which Carnivorous Plants Your Rabbit Ate

Investigate the area to find out what delectable treat your rabbit ate. If the damage has a clean-cut and seems to have been “bitten” at an angle of 45 degrees on the succulent’s stem or leaf, then you can be sure that your rabbit was the culprit.

In addition, look for “eaten” plant parts that are close to the ground because this is where bunnies tend to seek food.

Step 4: Determine the Amount of the Cactus or Succulent That Your Rabbit Ate

It would be helpful if you could figure out how much of the succulent (plant) your rabbit ate.

Step 5: Make an Appointment with Your Rabbit Vet

Call your veterinarian immediately if you see any signs of illness in your rabbit after he or she has consumed dangerous succulents or plants, of which you are unsure whether or not they are toxic to rabbits.

Even if you don’t notice anything wrong with your rabbit right now, you should still call your vet because it consumes a considerable amount of succulents in relation to its body size.

Provide your rabbit vet with as much information as you can, including the symptoms you are observing, the succulent(s) your rabbit consumed, the quantity, and any other pertinent information.

5 Healthy: What kinds of Succulents are Rabbits allowed to eat?

There are certain succulents that are safe for rabbits to eat as well. At first, it wasn’t easy to put my faith in them. However, after observing the effects that these succulents have on rabbits, it can be said with absolute certainty that they are harmless and do not contain any poisons.

  1. Stonecrop, also known as Sedum species.

Stonecrop is a type of succulent that rabbits may consume without any problems. Its thick, fleshy leaves can be either green or red in color, and it is a plant that is native to Europe. This plant is safe for rabbits to consume and is a healthy addition to their diet it.

2. Sedum morganianum, often known as burro’s tail.

The succulent known as burro’s tail is perfectly OK to feed rabbits. Long, trailing stalks that are covered with bluish-green leaves characterize this plant, which originally hails from Mexico. This plant is safe for rabbits to consume and is a healthy addition to their diet it.

3. Pincushion cactus, a species of the genus Mammillaria.

Another type of succulents that rabbits are able to consume is the pincushion cactus. Round, spiky stems that are adorned with tiny, white flowers characterize this Mexican native plant, which also hails from Mexico. This plant is safe for rabbits to consume and is a healthy addition to their diet because of it.

4. Blue Echeveria.

The succulent known as blue echeveria is entirely risk-free for rabbits to consume. It is characterized by thick leaves with a bluish-green tint and is found naturally in Mexico. It is safe for rabbits to consume this plant; therefore, it will make a healthy addition to their diet.

5. Zebra Haworthia.

The succulent known as zebra haworthia is entirely risk-free for rabbits to consume. It is endemic to South Africa (SA) and has thick, meaty leaves that are marbled with either white or light green. The plant may be identified by its South African origin. This plant is safe for rabbits to consume and is a healthy addition to their diet because of it.

Final Thoughts – Are Succulents Poisonous To Rabbits?

It is possible for rabbits to ingest some succulents without risk, but not all of them because some of them are toxic to rabbits, such as ZZ plant, jade plant, aloe vera, etc. So, you should discuss this with your pet vet before planting any succulents in your garden.

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