Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

My indoor cat just ate a piece of cooked rabbit from my plate. When would symptoms of illness show up, and how long would they last if anything goes wrong?

Cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Symptoms from cooked rabbit are unlikely, but if they appear, they would show within 6 to 24 hours. The main risk with any meat left out is bacterial growth — salmonella or campylobacter — which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Cooking kills most bacteria, so properly prepared rabbit is much safer than raw. If your cat develops GI signs, they typically last 24 to 48 hours with supportive care. Keep her indoors, offer fresh water, and call your vet if she stops eating or her vomiting doesn't stop after a few hours.

Rabbit — Food safety facts

Safe to share · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

Cooked rabbit is a common novel protein in pet food. Never feed raw wild rabbit.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Safe to share), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Rabbit is not toxic to cats. The real limit is calories, fat and salt, so treat it as a small extra alongside the normal ration rather than a meal in itself.

There is no poisoning risk here, and the usual problem is simply eating too much at once: a heavy fat or salt load can bring on loose stools or a single vomit. Offer water, keep an eye on the pet for 24 hours, and do not induce vomiting.

Why these cautions matter

Raw animal protein carries Salmonella and E. coli risk, and those bacteria can spread to the people in the household too.

Rabbit can stay on the rotation, but only as an extra mouthful: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the litter box and how quickly they finish the next meal.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Rabbit food facts page.

Open the full food page: Rabbit food facts →