Can Cats Eat Rabbit?

While browsing online or at your local pet store, you'll come across dozens of pet foods that include unusual meats like venison, duck, and rabbit. These might sound like interesting alternatives to traditional pet foods — but can cats eat rabbit safely as part of their diet? 

The answer is yes — cats can eat rabbit meat. Rabbit meat is lower in fat and higher in protein than some other meats like beef, chicken, and lamb. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium.

Plus, you can add rabbit meat to your cat's daily diet. In fact, many big-name pet food brands, including Instinct, Stella & Chewy's, and Dr. Elsey's, use rabbit meat in their recipes.

Keep reading to learn more about whether your cat can eat rabbit, its potential health benefits, how much rabbit meat you can feed your cat, and more!

Yes — cats generally like the taste of rabbit meat. All cats can be picky about their foods, so your feline friend may feel differently about rabbit meat. Some fussy felines might like to stick to the familiar flavor of chicken or fish, while others will love the gamey taste of rabbit meat. 

Here are a few reasons why pet parents pick rabbit meat as part of their cat's daily diet. 

Protein and saturated fat

Rabbit meat is an excellent choice for cats as it's high in protein — it contains more protein per pound than chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, or pork. As a result, rabbit meat will give your cat plenty of energy and the building blocks for lean muscle mass. 

In addition to being high in protein, rabbit is low in saturated fat. It contains less fat than several popular meats, including beef, lamb, and chicken. For example, rabbit meat has a fat content of 5.3%, while chicken has over 9%. 

As a result, rabbit meat will provide your cat with bounds of energy for exploring, while keeping them slim and trim. 

Omega fatty acids

Rabbit meat is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which help improve the quality and appearance of your cat's fur, skin, and nails. 

These fatty acids promote joint mobility, which is ideal if your cat is getting older or has arthritis. With its anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3 can even help if your cat suffers from allergies and certain skin conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids also support brain, heart, and kidney health. 

B-vitamins and minerals

Rabbit meat is high in two essential B vitamins: vitamin B3 and vitamin B12. 

Vitamin B3, or niacin, promotes healthy skin, supports the nervous system, and is key to energy metabolization and digestive health. Vitamin B12 helps the digestive tract, immune system, and nervous system. It's essential for keeping your cat's eyes in perfect condition. 

Rabbit meat is also higher in several minerals than other meats. Selenium is abundant in rabbit meat, improving skin condition and boosting immunity. High levels of calcium, which supports bone and teeth strength, are found in rabbit meat. Rabbit meat is also a great source of phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. 

Here's a breakdown of the key nutrients in 100 grams of cooked rabbit meat:

• Protein: 29.1 grams
• Fat: 8.05 grams
• Energy: 197 calories
• Sodium: 47 milligrams
• Calcium: 19 milligrams
• Potassium: 383 milligrams
• Magnesium: 21 milligrams
• Selenium: 38.5 micrograms
• Vitamin B12: 8.3 micrograms
• Niacin: 8.43 milligrams

You can feed your cat rabbit meat every day, just like you would with beef, chicken, or fish. Cats are obligate carnivores that need a meat protein source to survive, and rabbit meat is an excellent source of lean protein. 

That being said, you shouldn't just feed your cat purely rabbit — you need to ensure their meals meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) nutrient profile guidelines. Your cat's meals should be "complete and balanced," meeting all their nutritional needs.

Yes, you can feed your cat raw rabbit. However, you shouldn't let your cat eat wild rabbit meat as rabbits carry diseases like Tularemia (rabbit fever), which can be fatal. Raw rabbit meat that isn't treated correctly can also carry pathogens like Listeria. 

If you want to feed your cat raw rabbit, several cat food brands, like Primal, Viva Raw, and Stella & Chewy's, sell raw rabbit cat food, which is generally safe for your fur-baby to enjoy.

Yes, cats have been known to hunt and kill rabbits out of fun and necessity. That said, a well-fed, well-stimulated cat is unlikely to seek out rabbits to kill due to their size. 

If you have a pet rabbit, it's best to keep your cat and bunny separated — cats hunt out of instinct and don't see any difference between domesticated and wild rabbits.