Can Dogs Eat Rabbit Meat?

9/18/24

Reviewed by: Dr. Tori

Can Dogs Eat Rabbit Meat Safely?

It’s no secret that dogs love to chase rabbits. It’s a sign of their hunting instinct—a callback to their ancestral lifestyle. This might make you wonder: Is rabbit meat good for dogs?

As it turns out, rabbit meat is excellent for dogs—it’s generally safe to eat and offers an excellent nutrient profile, particularly for adult dogs.

In this article, we’ll cover all the benefits of rabbit protein dog food, as well as helpful tips for incorporating it into your dog’s diet.

Nutritional Benefits of Rabbit Meat for Dogs

Rabbit packs significant nutritional benefits for dogs. Here are a few of its desirable traits:

Delivers plenty of protein – Just like people, dogs need ample protein to thrive. Rabbit meat comes fully loaded.
Promotes muscle development – Protein contains amino acids like isoleucine and valine, which help repair tissue and support muscles.¹
Contains little fat — Nutritionists consider rabbit a “lean” meat. This means it’s low in calories and cholesterol, which helps prevent obesity. ²
Features essential vitamins and minerals – Rabbit meat, especially rabbit liver, features a heavy dose of critical vitamins, such as vitamin B12 (which boosts blood cell growth and helps with healthy digestion).³
Supports coat health – Healthy fats help keep your pup’s coat sleek and shiny and support healthy skin.⁴ Fortunately, rabbit meat offers plenty of them.

While every dog has different tastes, most pups will also love the flavor of rabbit—and as a dog owner, you know that delivering health benefits in a delightful package is always ideal.

Rabbit is also an excellent novel protein alternative for dogs who suffer from food sensitivities and allergies to more mainstream meats, such as red meat, chicken, and fish.

If you’re curious whether if raw fish diet for dogs is safe, it’s generally a healthy protein option. But like rabbit protein, it’s best to consult your vet or Darwin’s pet food consultants to ensure that the raw food diet is suitable for your dog's dietary needs.

Comparing Rabbit Meat to Other Protein Sources

Rabbit certainly isn’t the only protein source around. Case in point: Most pet parents feed their furry friends with dog foods that feature chicken and beef as their primary proteins. These are both solid options—so, how does rabbit stack up against them?

Let’s take a look.

Rabbit vs. Chicken

Chicken is well-known as an optimal source of protein. Despite its stellar reputation, however, chicken comes in second place after rabbit.

This is because a rabbit:

Offers superior levels of digestible proteins⁵
Packs fewer calories ⁶

Rabbit is also lower in cholesterol.⁷

Rabbit vs. Beef

So, a rabbit has a chicken beat—but what about red meat like beef?

Rabbit comes out on top yet again. That’s because rabbit delivers superior protein levels alongside a top-notch nutrient profile.

Another area where rabbit edges out beef is in its saturated fat content. Even lean beef cuts feature around 4.5 grams of saturated fat per serving (100 grams).⁸ In comparison, a similar serving size of rabbit meat boats only 0.9 grams of saturated fat.⁹

While beef still offers plenty of benefits for your dog, excessive saturated fat intake can lead to obesity and, in some cases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). ¹⁰

Potential Hazards of Feeding Dogs Rabbit Meat

As with any menu item, rabbit isn’t 100% perfect. There are a few risks you’ll want to keep in mind if you decide to add rabbit to your dog’s diet:

Tularemia – Although extremely unlikely, it’s possible for dogs to contract this serious bacterial infection from ingesting rabbits. Careful preparation (heating to a minimum of 165 Fahrenheit)¹¹renders this risk extremely low. To that end, it’s best to avoid serving raw meat to your dog.
Allergic reactions – Rabbit allergies can be a concern for some dogs. Symptoms of a rabbit allergy include: chronic gas, diarrhea, vomiting, hives, and fur loss.¹² While this reaction is uncommon, make sure to keep an eye on your pup after eating.
Nutritional deficits – When it comes to protein and vitamins, rabbit meat has plenty to offer. But it doesn’t include everything dogs need to thrive. In other words, ensure that your pup eats a well-rounded diet that includes more than just rabbit meat.

Best Practices for Incorporating Rabbit Meat

If you’ve decided to help your dog get in touch with their ancestral past by adding some rabbit to their diet, it’s best to take the following approach:

Check with your vet – Before making any dietary changes, consult your vet. They’ll offer advice on elements like portion sizing.
Introduce slowly – Always avoid sudden, drastic alterations to your dog’s diet, especially when introducing raw dog food. Slowly working rabbit into the meal rotation can help prevent stomach upset.
Practice responsible sourcing – Obtain your rabbit meat from high-quality producers that guarantee pathogen-free preparation. If you want the convenience of high-quality meals delivered directly to your door, Darwin’s offers an easy and reliable pet food delivery service.
Balance treats with regular meals – If you’re wondering how many treats per day for a dog is appropriate, your vet can provide guidance based on your dog’s size and activity level."

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products: Your Partner for a Happy, Well-Fed Pup

Your dog may no longer be a free-roaming hunter like its ancestors, but they can still enjoy a hunter’s diet. Adding rabbit, or an exceptional rabbit protein supplement such as Darwin’s Dog Rabbit Protein, to their menu is a fantastic way to realign them with their roots while supporting their nutritional intake.

At Darwin’s, we strive to put pet health first. That means using only the finest organic ingredients, such as those found in our Natural Selections natural dog food. Our dietary consultants are standing by, ready to answer any questions you have and help you tailor a meal plan based on your dog’s unique needs. We understand that cultivating a healthy diet and lifestyle for your dog takes work, but we also know it’s worth the effort—and we’re with you every step of the way.

Sources:

¹WebMD. BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): Are There Health Benefits?

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-bcaas

²WebMD. What Are the Health Benefits of Rabbit Meat?

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rabbit-meat

³American Kennel Club. Fish Oil for Dogs: What to Know. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fish-oil-for-dogs/#:~:text=Fish%20oil%20supports%20your%20dog's,

⁴Wholey. Rabbit Meat Health Benefit Guide

https://wholey.com/resources/healthy-eating/rabbit-meat-health-benefit-guide/#:~:text=To%20fully%20understand%20the%20benefits,rabbit%20is%20an%20excellent%20choice.

⁵WebMD. Foods High in Saturated Fats. https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-saturated-fat

⁶BetterVet. Pancreatitis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments.

⁷Missouri Department of Conservation. Rabbit: Safety and Health.

⁸Wag! Rabbit Allergies in Dogs.