Do deer and rabbits eat rhubarb?

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Deer are the most likely grazers and will eat rhubarb down to the ground. They generally only bother the rhubarb in the early spring, when other food sources are scarce. Raccoons may also occasionally eat rhubarb.



Herein, do rabbits eat rhubarb?

Rhubarb is on the list of foods that you should never give to your rabbit. Each part of this plant can be irritant and even poisonous for your rabbit. Sometimes the consequences of rhubarb poisoning can be fatal. Because of that, it is best to avoid feeding your rabbit rhubarb, especially rhubarb leaves.

Also Know, what would be eating my rhubarb leaves? Slugs are rhubarb pests that are commonly found on the stalks and occasionally on the leaves. If the edges of the rhubarb leaves are being eaten away (jagged edges) or there are large holes in the leaves, or the stalks have scars, the problem may be slugs (see image below).

Regarding this, are rhubarb leaves poisonous to animals?

Rhubarb (or Rheum rhabarbarum) leaves contain soluble calcium oxalate crystals and oxalic acid. Ingestion of sufficient quantities can cause hypocalcemia, tremors, drooling, stomach upset and, if enough is ingested, renal failure. Rarely are dogs or cats interested in the plant since the leaves have a bitter taste.

Do mice eat rhubarb?

Grapes/raisins, rhubarb and walnuts are poisonous to mice, and lettuce can cause them to have diarrhoea. Mice are opportunistic omnivores and will eat both plant and animal based food.

38 Related Question Answers Found

When should I not eat rhubarb?

It is generally recommended that home gardeners stop harvesting rhubarb in early to mid-June. Continued harvest through the summer months would weaken the plants and reduce the yield and quality of next year's crop. The rhubarb stalks may become somewhat woody by mid-summer, but they don't become poisonous.

What foods are toxic to rabbits?

What Foods Are Rabbits Not Allowed to Eat?
  • 1) Avocados. Avocado is one of the most dangerous foods for rabbits.
  • 2) Fruit Pips and Seeds. Although small amounts of apple flesh are OK, apple seeds are a no-no.
  • 3) Rhubarb.
  • 4) Chocolate.
  • 5) Allium Vegetables.
  • 6) Iceberg Lettuce.
  • 7) Potato Leaves.
  • 8) Sugary Processed Foods.

What animals can eat rhubarb leaves?

Deer are the most likely grazers and will eat rhubarb down to the ground. They generally only bother the rhubarb in the early spring, when other food sources are scarce. Raccoons may also occasionally eat rhubarb. Cows and sheep will graze on wild rhubarb in fields, but in a home landscape, this shouldn't be a problem.

Can rabbits eat cucumber?

Yes, but in very small amounts. Cucumbers can be a healthful and fun snack for your rabbit but not to a greater extent. Don't feed him too much as it can cause digestive problems that could lead to runny stools (rabbit diarrhea) and a poor appetite. Cucumber is not a nutritionally dense food for your bunny.

How long can rabbits go without hay?


Technically, they can live without hay for years, but it's not good for them to go without for too long. The chewing hay helps wear down the teeth, it's high fiber, helps keep their gut moving, etc.

Can rabbits eat bananas?

The simple answer is yes, they can eat bananas. According to the veterinarians, rabbits can eat bananas safely but as a rare treat. But regular use of bananas in excessive amounts can be very harmful for the health of rabbits. As a result, rabbit owners need to be careful while feeding bananas.

What plants are toxic to rabbits?

Poisonous plants and your rabbit
  • Aloe.
  • Apple seeds.
  • Apricot plants (except the fruit)
  • Avocado leaves.
  • Azalea leaves.
  • Begonia.
  • Calendula.
  • Cherry trees.

What can I feed wild rabbits?

The best food items that you should provide the wild rabbits is hay. It is safe and also favorite to them. You may provide timothy hay, alfalfa hay, orchard grass or oat hays. If you want to give them grain then you should provide vegetables, wheat, rye or something like that.

What part of rhubarb is poisonous to dogs?

The chewy and bitter stalks of the rhubarb plant may cause stomach upset in your dog, but the real concern are the leaves. Rhubarb greens contain a compound known as oxalic acid (a poisonous crystalline acid) that can cause tremors, kidney failure and coma.

Is rhubarb toxic to dogs or cats?


Rhubarb is a common plant grown for edible consumption, and is also known as the pie plant. The leaves contain soluble oxalate crystals, with less of the crystals being prevalent in the stalk. However, when ingested in large enough quantities in small animals, it can result in poisoning in dogs, cats, and even humans.

Do squirrels eat rhubarb?

Would definitely not risk rhubarb, since even people have died from it and squirrels/humans have many similar food tolerances.

Can you do anything with rhubarb leaves?

Use Rhubarb Leaves as Mulch
The leaves of rhubarb can grow quite large which makes it easy to just lay them down as mulch between plants. They do a nice job of temporarily blocking weeds. They do decompose quickly and will need to be replaced. And like composting them, it is perfectly safe to use them in the garden.

Why is rhubarb good for you?

Rhubarb is a unique vegetable that people use in cooking and baking. Since it may be high in oxalate, you should avoid eating too much of it and try to select stalks from low-oxalate varieties. On the bright side, rhubarb is a good source of antioxidants, vitamin K, and fiber.

Can you touch rhubarb leaves?

The leaves of rhubarb are poisonous when ingested, the stalk a culinary delight, and the roots were long revered for their medicinal properties. Rhubarb is often sold with some leaves on the stalks; simply trim them off and discard. (They are not toxic to touch).

What plants are toxic to dogs?


The 16 Most Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs
  • #1 Sago Palm. These ornamental palms are popular in warmer climates and every part of it is toxic to dogs.
  • #2 Tomato Plant. With summer comes tomato plants in the garden.
  • #3 Aloe Vera.
  • #4 Ivy.
  • #5 Amaryllis.
  • #6 Gladiola.
  • #7 American Holly.
  • #8 Daffodil.

How poisonous is rhubarb leaves?

Rhubarb leaves contain poisonous substances, including oxalic acid, which is a nephrotoxin in many plants. Humans have been poisoned after ingesting the leaves, a particular problem during World War I when the leaves were mistakenly recommended as a food source in Britain.

What happens if you eat the leaves of rhubarb?

Rhubarb. Rhubarb leaves are very high in oxalic acid, which quickly causes kidney failure in humans. About 25 grams of pure oxalic acid is the average amount needed to kill a human. That said, rhubarb leaves aren't pure oxalic acid, and it would take around 11 pounds of the leaves to secure that much.