The question of can rabbits eat grapes has caused a lot of controversy in veterinarian circles. This has caused confusion for owners as well. There are many who say one thing and some who say another. That leaves pet owners like yourself a little confused, to say the least.

So, what is the answer, can bunnies eat grapes or are they poisonous? And what about raisins and sultanas? Well, let’s find out.

Can Rabbits Eat Grapes?

There are many experts who warn against rabbits eating grapes. There are studies that suggest that they can cause kidney stones and even kidney failure. The same applies to dogs and cats, and this has cause a lot of panic with owners. On the other hand though, there are many sources that say grapes are perfectly fine.

So, what is the truth? Can rabbits eat grapes? Well, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. It is highly unlikely that small portions of grapes are going to do any harm to your little furry friend. However, they may cause harm in larger doses.

It’s not just about the potential for kidney problems either. Grapes are also high in sugar and sugar is bad for bunnies in larger doses. It is okay every now and then when given as a treat, but high doses of sugary foods on a regular basis can wreck havoc on a rabbit’s digestive system and should be avoided.

So, while the jury is still out on the kidney issue and while it is almost certainly a non-issue with small doses, you should still limit the amount of grapes that you give your rabbit in order to keep the sugar levels low. There are other treats to give them as well, ones that we know will not cause harm, so there is no need to resort to feeding them grapes.

Can Rabbits Eat Raisins?

Yes rabbits can eat raisins, but they shouldn’t and there are better options.

Raisins are dried grapes. They essentially condense all of that sugar and those other ingredients into other easier-to-eat raisin. Humans love them and your bunny will probably chomp through them in no time as well. But you should keep them away.

Again, it’s more of an issue because of the sugar content than anything else. But if what people are saying about grapes in general is true, then raisins are a very bad idea. There are suggestions that the reasons grapes are so bad lie within the grape skin. This is still present in a raisin and it might actually contain a higher concentration of the ingredients that do harm.

Can Rabbits Eat Sultanas?

Rabbits should not eat sultanas. Small pieces will probably not do any harm, but when the jury is still out on the damage caused by grapes and dried grapes, it’s not worth the risk. There is also the sugar content to bear in mind. We won’t repeat ourselves here again, but needless to say bunnies need to limit the sugar in their diet and these small pieces of high-sugar treats can cause a damage before you even realize you’ve given them more than you should.