Find out more about the most common, potentially serious poisons that can affect rabbits and learn what symptoms to look out for and what treatment is likely to be required.

Rodent Poisons (‘rodenticides’)
The following specifically refers to anticoagulant rodenticides [1], for example bromadiolone, difenacoum and warfarin [2]. Anticoagulants act by preventing blood clotting.

These products are used both indoors and outside to control rodent infestations. Rabbits housed indoors are at risk as well as those housed outside as they may be attracted to these baits.

Poisoning may result in life-threatening bleeding; effects may not appear for several days. Bleeding may be internal and therefore is not always visible. Severely poisoned rabbits are usually lethargic before severe signs occur.

Take your rabbit to the vet if you suspect it has been exposed to this poison. Most rabbits will require a course of the antidote. Blood tests may confirm poisoning.

[1] Not all rodenticides are anticoagulants; it is important to check which one your pet has ingested.
[2] Also brodifacoum, chlorphacinone, coumatetralyl, diphacinone and flocoumafen.


Ivy (Hedera helix)
Ivy is commonly found in woodlands and gardens and is popular as a house and conservatory plant. All parts of the plant can act as an irritant if eaten and are potentially poisonous, but the leaves and berries are particularly toxic.

Common signs of ivy poisoning in rabbits are lethargy, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. Severe poisoning can result in twitching or fitting, collapse, and fatal paralysis. Severely poisoned rabbits seldom survive.

Take your rabbit to the vet urgently if you suspect it has eaten this plant.


Rhubarb (Rheum spp)
Rhubarb is a common garden plant as the leaf stalks are used in cooking. However, all parts of the plant can act as an irritant and are potentially poisonous when eaten raw by animals.

Common signs of rhubard poisoning in rabbits include irritation of the mouth, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness and severe dehydration. Death can occur but this is rare.

Take your rabbit to the vet if you suspect it has eaten this plant.


Foxglove (Digitalis spp)
Foxgloves are found growing wild in woodlands and hedges, but are also cultivated in gardens as they have attractive flowers in summer.

All parts of the plant contain toxic substances called cardiac glycosides and any amount is potentially very poisonous.

Common signs of foxglove poisoning in rabbits include diarrhoea, dehydration, abdominal pain, weakness and an irregular heart rhythm. In severe poisonings tremors and fits would be expected, but such cases are very rare.

Take your rabbit to the vet urgently if you suspect it has eaten this plant.


Glyphosate herbicide products
Glyphosate is the active ingredient of many herbicides. Rabbits may become exposed to herbicides if they gain access to weeds and plants that have been recently sprayed or treated. Other ingredients in these products may also be poisonous.

Poisoned rabbits often become lethargic, weak and lose their appetite. Some develop obvious abdominal pain, and breathing difficulties. Rabbits with these signs may not survive, even with treatment.

Take your rabbit to the vet if you suspect it has been exposed to this poison.


If you think your rabbit has been poisoned, contact your vet immediately.

You can also read our top tips for more information on what to do if you think your rabbit has been poisoned: Poisoning in rabbits.

Acknowledgement for this information is made to The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS). The VPIS is a specialist 24-hour emergency service, which is only available to veterinary professionals and animal welfare organisations, providing information and advice on the treatment of animals exposed to toxic substances. It is not a public access service. Some helpful information is available on their website www.vpisuk.co.uk.