Rabbits are herbivores and do not eat frogs. Their diet consists entirely of plants such as hay, wood, and a small number of leafy greens. Frogs are not harmful to rabbits, but poisonous frogs are. Most frogs can peacefully coexist with rabbits.
Frogs are not inherently harmful to rabbits. However, certain frogs, such as tree frogs or toads, have developed methods for protecting themselves against predators.
The primary method these animals use is to secrete mild toxins from their skin. This will harm any predator who tries to eat them. But since rabbits don’t eat frogs, this is usually nothing to be concerned about.
What You'll Learn
Can Frogs Harm Rabbits?
Frogs can harm rabbits through the previously mentioned poison in their skin.
These frogs only pose a threat if a rabbit eats them (which isn’t likely to happen) or if the frog’s skin slime gets into the drinking water of rabbits. The direct effects of this have not been studied in rabbits, but they have been observed in other mammals such as dogs or cats.
Dogs and cats have only been harmed by trying to eat these varieties of frogs and toads. The symptoms are typically mild sickness and sometimes vomiting.
Should Outdoor Rabbit Enclosures Be Frog Proof?
Enclosures should be frog proof just to err on the safe side. Nothing extra needs to be done for indoor rabbits. For outdoor rabbits, their cages should not be hospitable to frogs, and the rabbit run shouldn’t be too close to any frog habitat.
If the occasional frog wanders in, this is okay. The key is to avoid having the rabbit’s cage and play space overlap with areas that are heavily frequented by frogs.
Just wisely choose an area where there won’t be many frogs. Do not be alarmed if you see a frog near your rabbits. They will most likely scare each other and leave each other alone. Both of these animals can be a bit jumpy.
Are Rabbits Afraid of Frogs?
Your pet rabbits are prey animals, and it is normal for them to be afraid. Any sudden movements, loud noises, unfamiliar smells, and larger creatures (including their owners) can trigger a fear response.
Most animal defense mechanisms fall into the category of fight, flight, or freeze. Rabbits tend towards the flight instinct and will sometimes go for freezing. They have various defense mechanisms, and there are several ways to tell if they are afraid.
Rabbits freeze or run and hide when they are scared. The freeze response includes looking, listening, and smelling intently.
The rabbit will be on all fours and body tense in preparation to run if necessary. Rabbits thump their back feet on the ground when they feel threatened. They may growl, grunt, or squeal a warning that says ‘back off.’
Types of Frogs That Can Be Dangerous to Rabbits
Several varieties of poisonous frogs live in the United States. They don’t need to be a huge concern for rabbit owners, as they will only harm animals that try to harm them.
Pickerel Frogs
Pickerel frogs live in a range of habitats, usually not too far from water. These frogs can be found in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, Louisiana, most of Mississippi, Alabama, Carolina, and Georgia.
They are typically active from late spring to early fall. Like many other toads and frogs, they will secrete toxins if they feel threatened by predators. Most animals leave these frogs alone.
American Toads
The American toad is common in every southeastern state in North America. They come in three types, the Dwarf American, Eastern American, and the Hudson Bay toads.
In different temperatures, habitats, and humidity levels, they can change colors and patterns. They also hibernate during winters. The American toad needs a freshwater source, such as a pool or a pond with shallow water. They are also more common around dense vegetation.
Cane Toads
Cane toads can be found in Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They’re usually brown or gray in color. Some cane toads have been able to grow up to nine inches.
You’ll know if one of these is around because of their massive size! If a pet comes into contact with a cane toad, it may drool, vomit, or experience red gums. Rabbits are not likely to get close to them.
Tree Frogs
There aren’t many varieties of tree frogs in North America. There are more varieties in countries around the equator that have tropical climates.
Tree frogs in North America tend to not be as harmful as tree frogs in tropical areas. They have to live in humid climates that don’t get too cold. They live in parts of the pacific west, the east coast, and the south. They are not as common in the plains or dry mountainous regions of the United States.
Keeping Rabbits Safe
To protect your rabbits, you simply need to house your rabbits in areas that don’t have too much overlap with frog territory. Avoid places with standing water, ponds, streams, and other water sources and you should be fine. Rabbits are not aggressors, nor are they carnivores. Frogs and toads have never been known to harm rabbits.
