by Angie Pollock

Created on: October 19, 2008   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

Our environment is filled with poisonous substances that are dangerous to humans as well as our pets. Rabbits are notorious for nibbling on articles that aren't necessarily good for their health which includes many common plants that can be potentially dangerous, even deadly. While many plants are toxic to animals, rabbits can be more susceptible as it can take the smallest amount of toxins to cause irreversible damage. There are literally hundreds of plants or portions of plants that are poisonous to rabbits but there are a few that are more common.

MILKWEED

One of the most common plant poisoning in rabbits is milkweed poisoning. Almost all cases of poisoning by this plant have been reported only in the southwestern United States. The poisoning occurs when rabbits have been given hay that was harvested containing the wooly pod milkweed. It only takes 1/4 of a percent of the rabbit's body weight of green milkweed to kill a rabbit. Usually the toxin causes paralysis in the neck muscles and is sometimes referred to as "head down disease". If the rabbit survives the poisoning, an owner will need to provide nursing care until the rabbit has recovered.

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

Many common fruits are given regularly to rabbits as treats that they truly enjoy. However, the seeds of the apple and pear and the pits of apricots contain cyanide and are poisonous to rabbits and should always be removed before given to your pet for consumption. Other poisonous foods include the avocado, green parts and the eyes of potatoes and the eggplant and tomato plant (excluding the fruit), among others.

FLOWERS

There a many popular flowers that gardeners commonly grow that can be potentially fatal to rabbits. These include the bulbs of daffodils, calla lily, daisy, California geranium and morning glory, among many others. Even small amounts of some flowers such as Elephant's Ear, hemlock and yew can cause death in rabbits. Rabbits should be kept out of flower gardens to stay safe from these potential deadly plants.

ALOE VERA

The juice inside the aloe vera plant can cause a range of problems for rabbits including stomach upset to even death. The severity of the reaction can depend upon how much was consumed, the size and age of your rabbit compared to how much was consumed and on the actual type of aloe vera plant that was eaten.

This information provided includes some of the more commonly known toxic plants that cause poisoning in rabbits. If you allow your rabbit to roam outdoors in the yard or in a rabbit run, you should familiarize yourself with other plants that can be potentially fatal to your rabbit. Outdoor areas should not only be free from toxic plants but also pesticides that are used to kill weeds. Rabbit owners should never feed their pets any type of fruit, vegetable, plant or any part of a plant unless they are certain it is safe. If you suspect any type of poisoning of your rabbit, seek veterinarian care immediately.

References: THE RABBIT HANDBOOK by Karen Gendron, copyright 2000

COMPLETE CARE MADE EASY RABBITS by Virginia Parker Guidry, copyright 2001

http://www.allearssac.org/poison.html

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