Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?

Yes, adult rabbits can eat fresh, plain cilantro in small amounts. Both the leaves and tender stems are fair game, so there’s no need to spend time picking the herb apart. 

But while cilantro itself is rabbit-friendly, many of the foods it shows up in aren’t. Salsa, guacamole, dressings, rice dishes, and sauces can contain salt, oil, garlic, onion, avocado, dairy, and other ingredients that don’t belong in your rabbit’s diet. 

If you want a treat you can serve straight from the package instead, there are several rabbit-friendly options made with herbs like: 

Cilantro isn’t just there to make your rabbit’s greens smell more interesting. This fresh herb packs several nutrients into those little leaves and stems, making it a worthwhile addition to the salad mix. 

The main benefits are: 

• Beta-carotene: Cilantro is rich in beta-carotene, which your rabbit’s body can turn into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps support healthy vision, immune function, and normal cell growth. And your rabbit needs to get it from their diet since they can’t make it themselves. 
• Vitamin K: Cilantro also provides vitamin K, which plays an important role in normal blood clotting and bone health. 
• Some fiber: Cilantro contributes some fiber, but a few sprigs won’t make a big dent in your rabbit’s daily needs. ​​Most of your bunny’s fiber should come from hay. 
• Something different to explore: Cilantro’s strong aroma and tender texture can make mealtime more interesting, especially for rabbits who enjoy exploring different foods. 

For most healthy adult rabbits, cilantro is a fairly harmless green. The main problems tend to come from giving too much too quickly or serving cilantro with other ingredients that aren’t good for rabbits.  

The biggest concerns are: 

• Digestive upset: A big serving of cilantro can be a lot for a rabbit who isn’t used to it. Too much may lead to gas, bloating, soft stool, diarrhea, or a change in appetite. 
• Diet imbalance: Fresh greens shouldn’t leave your rabbit too full for hay. Hay provides the fiber that keeps food moving through the digestive tract, and without enough of it, gut motility can slow and increase the risk of GI stasis. 
• Prepared foods: Cilantro often comes paired with ingredients that aren’t rabbit-friendly. Salsa, guacamole, dressings, and sauces may contain garlic, onion, avocado, salt, oil, dairy, or other ingredients your rabbit shouldn’t eat. 
• Spoiled herbs: Fresh herbs can go downhill quickly. Toss cilantro that has become slimy, moldy, or otherwise spoiled—it can make your rabbit sick. 

For most healthy adult rabbits, 2–3 sprigs mixed in with their other fresh greens two to three times a week is a reasonable serving. 

If cilantro is brand-new to your bunny, give them a small amount at first, then monitor their appetite and droppings. You can work up to the full amount once you see that they tolerate it well. 

And make sure to alternate cilantro with other rabbit-safe greens, like kale, parsley, and romaine lettuce, throughout the week so your rabbit gets a good mix of nutrients, flavors, and textures. 

Cilantro is easy to serve, but those bunches from the grocery store still need a little attention before your bunny digs in. 

Here’s how to prep it: 

• Look for crisp green leaves and stems, and toss anything slimy, moldy, or well past its prime. 
• Wash it under running water to remove dirt and potential pesticide residue. 
• Remove any unusually tough or woody pieces. There’s no need to pick off every leaf—rabbits can eat the soft stems. 
• Serve it raw and plain. Don’t add oil, salt, dressing, citrus juice, or other seasonings. 
• Clear away the leftovers. Fresh cilantro wilts quickly, so pick up whatever your rabbit leaves behind before it starts to spoil. 

If your rabbit polished off more cilantro than you meant to give them, how they’re doing afterward matters more than the exact number of sprigs they ate.  

Watch them closely and call your veterinarian if you notice: 

• Diarrhea or very soft stool 
• Bloating 
• Low appetite 
• Fewer or no droppings 
• Low energy 
• Teeth grinding 
• Signs of pain or discomfort 

If your rabbit stops eating or pooping, call your veterinarian right away. These can be signs of GI stasis, which can become serious quickly. If your regular veterinarian isn’t available, take your rabbit to an emergency veterinarian who treats rabbits. 

If the cilantro was paired with potentially harmful ingredients, such as garlic or onion, you can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for guidance. 

If cilantro isn’t a hit, there are plenty of other fresh herbs and leafy greens your rabbit can try instead.  

Some other rabbit-safe options include: 

• Basil 
• Dandelion greens 
• Dill  
• Kale 
• Mint 
• Parsley 
• Romaine lettuce 
• Watercress 

Try alternating a few different options throughout the week, while keeping unlimited grass hay available at all times. And whenever you introduce something new, start small to make sure it agrees with your rabbit. 

Wait until your rabbit is at least 12 weeks old before introducing fresh greens like cilantro. Young rabbits have more sensitive digestive systems, so start with a small amount and introduce new foods one at a time. If you’re unsure whether your bunny is ready for cilantro, check with your veterinarian. 

Yes, tender cilantro stems are safe for rabbits to eat too. Just skip any stems that are too tough or have become slimy or spoiled. 

Yes, rabbits can eat plain, dried cilantro in small amounts, but fresh cilantro is the better choice. Dried cilantro is more concentrated and doesn’t have the fresh texture, or water content, of the raw herb. Avoid cilantro seasoning blends, which may contain salt, garlic, onion, or other ingredients that aren’t safe for rabbits. 

Rabbits can eat cilantro regularly, but it’s better not to serve it every day. For most healthy adult rabbits, a few sprigs two to three times per week is a reasonable amount. Alternate cilantro with other rabbit-safe greens and herbs throughout the week to give your bunny a good mix of nutrients, flavors, and textures.