There’s a common misconception that rabbits need to eat lettuce, carrot, and not much else. In reality, your bunny needs a diet made up mainly of fresh hay and supplemented by vegetables and pellets.
But where does lettuce fit in? Can rabbits eat lettuce?
The answer is yes. Rabbits can eat lettuce in moderation. However, dark-leaf lettuce, such as romaine and red leaf lettuce, tends to be the best option for your furry friend, while iceberg lettuce should never be given to rabbits. Keep reading to find out why.
Is Lettuce Good for Rabbits?
Lettuce may be commonly dismissed as “rabbit food”, but does that mean it should form a major part of your rabbit’s diet? No.
Fresh hay should make up the majority of your bunny’s diet, while adding a limited amount of pellets and vegetables into the mix can help provide complete nutrition for your pet. And this is where lettuce comes in.
Lettuce has a high water content, so it can help your bunny stay hydrated, while it’s also a source of fiber to aid proper digestion. However, according to the UK RSPCA, light-colored lettuces have minimal nutritional value and are not recommended.
Instead, darker, more leafy types of lettuce should be fed as they are higher in fiber and other nutrients. It should also be fed in moderation and should never make up a significate part of your pet’s diet.
But exactly what kind of lettuce can rabbits eat? Let’s take a closer look.
Can Rabbits Eat Romaine Lettuce?
Also known as cos lettuce, this commonly used salad green is a good source of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, and a number of vitamins.
Several sources also list it as a safe type of lettuce for rabbits to eat, so romaine lettuce is safe to feed to your bunny.
Can Rabbits Eat Iceberg Lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce is a wonderful inclusion on a burger for humans, but is it safe for bunnies?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Iceberg lettuce is high in water and quite low in nutritional value, so it doesn’t offer many health benefits for your furry friend. The high water content can lead to diarrhea if your pet consumes too much.
Iceberg lettuce also contains lactucarium, a chemical that can potentially be harmful to your bunny. Lactucarium is a milky fluid that actually has a sedative effect on your pet and can be dangerous in large quantities.
As a result, you should never share iceberg lettuce with your beautiful bunny.
Can Rabbits Eat Green Leaf Lettuce?
Low in calories and a good source of a number of vitamins, green leaf lettuce is readily available from your local grocery store. It’s also a safe option for bunnies so that you can include a small amount of green leaf lettuce in your rabbit’s diet with confidence.
Can Rabbits Eat Red Leaf Lettuce?
Red leaf lettuce looks a lot like romaine lettuce but has reddish-purple tips. It’s beneficial if you want to add some vibrant color to a salad and is a rich source of vitamins A and K.
And just like green leaf lettuce, it’s also safe to give to your precious bunny in small amounts.
Can Rabbits Eat Butter Lettuce?
Butter lettuce is a type of lettuce with soft and tender leaves. Boston lettuce and Bibb lettuce are classified as types of butter lettuce, and this vibrant green vegetable is a popular salad ingredient.
Butter lettuce is also OK to feed to your bunny. However, as always, make sure to only feed it in moderation.
Can Rabbits Eat Arugula?
If you’ve never heard of arugula before, you may know its leaves better by another name: rocket. Boasting a peppery, tangy taste, arugula is low in calories but high in calcium, potassium, vitamin C and more.
Native to the Mediterranean, arugula is widely available in countries all around the world. Best of all, it’s another lettuce variety that you can safely give to your rabbit in moderation.
For more information about the nutritional value of a variety of popular lettuce types, check out the table below.
| Iceberg lettuce (includes crisphead types) | Romaine lettuce | Arugula | Green leaf lettuce | Red leaf lettuce | Boston lettuce | |
| Water | 95.64 g | 93.47 g | 91.71 g | 94.98 g | 95.64 g | 95.63 g |
| Energy | 14 kcal | 19 kcal | 25 kcal | 15 kcal | 13 kcal | 13 kcal |
| Protein | 0.9 g | 1.39 g | 2.58 g | 1.36 g | 1.33 g | 1.35 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.14 g | 0.27 g | 0.66 g | 0.15 g | 0.22 g | 0.22 g |
| Carbohydrate | 2.97 g | 3.78 g | 3.65 g | 2.87 g | 2.26 g | 2.23 g |
| Total dietary fiber | 1.2 g | 3.1 g | 1.6 g | 1.3 g | 0.9 g | 1.1 g |
| Calcium | 18 mg | 62 mg | 160 mg | 36 mg | 33 mg | 35 mg |
| Magnesium | 7 mg | 20 mg | 47 mg | 13 mg | 12 mg | 13 mg |
| Phosphorus | 20 mg | 35 mg | 52 mg | 29 mg | 28 mg | 33 mg |
| Potassium | 141 mg | 327 mg | 369 mg | 194 mg | 187 mg | 238 mg |
| Vitamin C | 2.8 mg | 11.5 mg | 15 mg | 9.2 mg | 3.7 mg | 3.7 mg |
Source: FoodData Central
How to Introduce Lettuce to Your Rabbit’s Diet
The key when introducing any new vegetable into your bunny’s diet is to do it slowly. Any new food has the potential to cause an upset stomach for your unfortunate pet, so don’t rush into things.
Make sure to wash any lettuce thoroughly before giving it to your pet, just as you would before preparing a salad for yourself. Start with a small amount of lettuce in among other safe vegetables for rabbits to eat to reduce the risk of diarrhea. You may want to shred the leaves up into smaller pieces for your bunny to chew on.
Monitor your rabbit closely for signs of any adverse effects. If lettuce doesn’t agree with their stomach, there are plenty of other delicious veggies your pet will happily munch on.
Final Thoughts
There’s no real need for your bunny to have lettuce in their diet. But if you want to give your rabbit some lettuce, it’s safe to do so in moderation. Just make sure you choose a safe variety for bunnies to eat, such as romaine, and never give iceberg lettuce to your furry friend.
