Best Fresh Greens for Rabbits

A weekly shopping guide for your pet bunny! This will simplify rotating fresh greens for your bunny - making both of you very Hoppy. ;-)

What do pet rabbits eat?! Primarily, hay! Timothy is great. :-) Pellets are good to offer too as English Angoras are expending energy growing their soft, warm wool. Once they reach adulthood pellets should be about 1/4-1/2 cup per day. The bulk of their diet should come from hay.

In addition to hay and pellets, a handful of leafy greens every day provides essential vitamins (like A, C, and K), hydration, additional fiber for smooth digestion, and natural variety. Your bunny may have personal preferences on the following suggestions, so don't be surprised if she or he turns their nose up at something. Learning your bunny's preferences is part of the fun. :-)

However, please introduce these greens slowly and watch how your bunny reacts.

If hay, is the foundation or main course, of a rabbit’s healthy diet - Then fresh greens are the nutrient-packed side dishes that keep things exciting and balanced.

Let's break down the best fresh greens for rabbits. Below you will find the safest/most beneficial greens to offer, how much to feed, what to rotate for optimal nutrition, and the few to limit or avoid—so your bunny stays happy, healthy, and hopping with energy. :-)

Best Fresh Greens for Your Pet Rabbit

#1 Daily Staples: Safe for everyday

#2 Good: 3-4 times per week

#3 Limit: 1-3 times per week (high in oxalates)

#4 Treat Greens: 1-2 times per week, only a small amount

#5 Oxalates: An overview of what these are

Cilantro: Anti-inflammatory & freshens breath

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#1 Daily Staples: Safe for everyday, rotate a variety of 4–6 of these

• Romaine lettuce → hydrating, balanced calcium

• Green leaf lettuce → all-around perfect nutrition

• Red leaf lettuce → extra antioxidants

• Butter/Boston/Bibb lettuce → soft & very hydrating

• Cilantro → anti-inflammatory, freshens breath

• Parsley → vitamin C & K, supports urinary health

• Dandelion greens → liver detox, natural diuretic, vitamin bomb

• Arugula → peppery flavor, great Calcium to Potassium ratio

• Endive/Escarole → high fiber, low calorie

• Wheatgrass → digestion & tooth wear superstar

• Carrot tops → vitamin A for eyes & immunity

• Spring mix (no iceberg) → convenient variety

• Fresh herbs (basil, mint, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme) → flavor + natural de-wormer

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#2 Good: 3–4 Times a Week

• Bok choy → nice calcium level

• Broccoli leaves → vitamin-rich

• Celery leaves → crunchy & hydrating

• Watercress → excellent for urinary tract

• Radicchio → bitter variety most bunnies love

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#3 Limit: 1–3 Times a Week Only (high calcium or oxalates so small amount too)

• Kale (any type) → can cause sludge if overfed

• Spinach → high oxalates

• Swiss chard → high oxalates

• Beet greens → tiny amounts only

• Collard, mustard, turnip greens → powerful but strong

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#4 Treat Greens: Small Amounts, 1–2 times a Week

• Cucumber leaves

• Pea shoots

• Radish tops

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#5 Oxalates (or oxalic acid)

Oxalates are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, including leafy greens. For bunnies, high-oxalate greens may pose risks when fed in excess or too frequently. This is because oxalates bind with calcium (often present in the same greens) to form insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.

This binding can reduce calcium absorption in the gut (potentially leading to deficiencies over time) and, more commonly in rabbits, contribute to urinary issues like: bladder sludge (thick, chalky urine) or calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract.

Rabbits have a unique calcium metabolism: they absorb most dietary calcium (regardless of need) and excrete excess through urine, where it can form sludge or stones in the alkaline environment.

However, the Oxalates are not toxic in moderation, and many experts note that dietary oxalates are often bound to calcium in the gut and excreted via feces rather than absorbed.

The key is balance: rotate greens to avoid over-relying on high-oxalate ones, prioritize low-oxalate staples like romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley (in moderation), dandelion greens, and endive, and ensure unlimited hay (which helps flush the system), plenty of water, and exercise.

For rabbits with a history of urinary sludge or stones, vets often recommend limiting high-oxalate greens entirely and focusing on low-oxalate, low-calcium options.

Again, always introduce any new green slowly and watch for soft stools. These treats add fun and variety but should never replace daily staples like romaine, cilantro, and parsley.

If your bunny has any health concerns (like urinary sludge), skip the higher-calcium ones and check with a rabbit-savvy vet!

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Links to articles supporting above info below. Click on the arrows to see the drop down list. :-) If you are unsure, its always wise to check with your bunny savvy vet. :-)

Links on what greens to feed, and how much:

1. House Rabbit Society – "Suggested Vegetables and Fruits for a Rabbit Diet" (via WabbitWiki)https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Vegetables → Leafy greens: Arugula, basil, beet greens, bok choy, carrot tops, dandelion greens, endive, escarole, kale (limited), mustard greens (limited), parsley, radicchio, Swiss chard (limited), watercress, wheatgrass. Excerpt: "Leafy greens should make up approximately 75% of the fresh vegetables fed daily... Detailed nutrition for rabbit-safe vegetables." Benefits: High in vitamins A/C/K, fiber for digestion; avoid high-oxalate for urinary health.

2. San Diego House Rabbit Society – "Daily Fresh Leafy Greens"https://sandiegorabbits.org/education/daily-fresh-leafy-greens → Includes romaine, green/red leaf lettuce, cilantro, parsley, dandelion greens, arugula, endive, carrot tops, kale (limited), spinach (limited), Swiss chard (limited), bok choy, broccoli leaves, celery leaves, watercress, radicchio, herbs (basil, mint, dill). Excerpt: "Select at least three types of greens daily... Fresh greens help house rabbits stay hydrated and provide fiber and essential nutrients." Benefits: Hydration, fiber, vitamins; 1–2 cups per 4 lbs body weight.

3. RSPCA UK – "Feeding Your Pet Rabbit a Healthy Diet"https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/diet → Recommends spinach, celery, cabbage, kale, broccoli, parsley, mint, dandelion leaves (daily variety); limit carrots. Excerpt: "A large handful of safe, washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds daily... Good foods are spinach, celery, cabbage, kale, broccoli, rosemary, parsley, mint and dandelion leaves." Benefits: Fiber for teeth/digestion, variety for enrichment; introduce gradually.

4. RSPCA Australia – "What Should I Feed My Rabbits?"https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-should-i-feed-my-rabbits/ → Broccoli, cucumber, capsicum, celery, carrots (treat), Brussel sprouts, cabbage, Asian greens (bok choy), herbs (coriander, parsley, mint, dill), carrot tops. Excerpt: "Providing three to five different types of greens and vegetables daily... up to about 15% of your rabbits’ diet." Benefits: Variety for nutrients, hydration; wash thoroughly.

5. Oxbow Animal Health – "What Are the Best Vegetables and Leafy Greens for Rabbits?"https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/what-are-the-best-vegetables-and-leafy-greens-for-rabbits/ → Romaine lettuce, arugula, dandelion greens, cilantro, kale (limited), spinach (limited), Swiss chard (limited), bok choy, broccoli leaves, celery leaves, watercress, radicchio. Excerpt: "Greens and veggies are excellent sources of vitamins A, B, C, and K... soluble fiber and trace minerals." Benefits: Vitamins/minerals for immunity/digestion; 1 cup per 2 lbs daily; rotate to avoid gas.

6. Veterinary Partner (VIN) – "Vegetables and Fruits for a Rabbit Diet"https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5262547 → Leafy greens (75% of fresh diet): Romaine, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, cilantro, collard/dandelion (limited), parsley, kale, Swiss chard, escarole. Excerpt: "Fresh foods provide additional nutrients... more moisture in the diet, which is good for kidney and bladder function." Benefits: Hydration for urinary health, fiber/vitamins; variety essential.

7. VCA Animal Hospitals – "Feeding Your Rabbit"https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feeding-your-rabbit → Romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, cilantro; limit collard/dandelion/parsley/kale/Swiss chard/escarole. Excerpt: "1/4 to 1/2 cup of a variety of leafy green vegetables every day... Variety is important." Benefits: Fiber, moisture; prevents dental issues.

Links to info about Oxalates:

1. dvm360 – Rabbit Calcium Metabolism, Bladder Sludge, and Urolithiasis (Proceedings)https://www.dvm360.com/view/rabbit-calcium-metabolism-bladder-sludge-and-urolithiasis-proceedings → Explains that many vegetables are high in calcium but often contain calcium oxalate, which rabbits do not metabolize and thus cannot contribute to urinary sludge or stones. Focuses on diet, water intake, and exercise for prevention.

2. Veterinary Partner (VIN) – Bladder Stones and Sludge in Rabbitshttps://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102923&id=6048312 → Discusses multifactorial causes of sludge/stones, emphasizing increased water consumption as the top prevention factor; mentions oxalates in passing as part of dietary considerations.

3. Long Beach Animal Hospital – Urinary Stones and Sludge in Rabbits (Hypercalciuria)https://lbah.com/rabbit/rabbit-urinary-stones-and-sludge/ → Covers causes, symptoms, and prevention, noting rabbits' unique calcium absorption and how excess can lead to sludge; advises on diet to minimize risks.

4. House Rabbit Resource Network – Fresh Foods for Rabbitshttps://rabbitresource.org/rabbit-care-information-and-resources/diet/fresh-foods/ → Breaks down leafy greens into high-oxalate (e.g., spinach, parsley, kale) and low-oxalate categories; recommends limiting high-oxalate greens to avoid potential toxicity or sludge.

5. WabbitWiki – Bladder Sludge and Stoneshttps://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bladder_sludge_and_stones → Comprehensive overview shifting focus from calcium alone to water intake, exercise, and obesity; notes that dietary oxalates bind calcium but are often excreted via feces.

6. Oxbow Animal Health – What Are the Best Vegetables and Leafy Greens for Rabbits?https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/what-are-the-best-vegetables-and-leafy-greens-for-rabbits/ → Recommends limiting high-oxalate greens like spinach, parsley, and Swiss chard, especially for rabbits prone to bladder issues.