Milly Gaines
Rabbits have very specific dietary needs and require a balanced, high-fibre diet. Their diet should consist predominantly of hay, with a daily serving of fresh vegetables and a small portion of pellets. Hay is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing roughage to reduce the danger of hairballs and other blockages, and helping to grind down their constantly growing teeth to prevent overgrowth. Fresh vegetables can be offered as treats, rather than a daily supplement, and rabbits can become overweight if fed an abundance of high-calorie treats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main food group | Hay and/or grass |
| Hay type | Timothy, orchard grass, brome, oat hay |
| Amount of hay | Unlimited supply |
| Vegetables | Leafy greens, herbs, lettuce, spinach, celery, cabbage, kale, broccoli, etc. |
| Amount of vegetables | 1-3 cups |
| Fruit | Apple, pear, berries, etc. |
| Amount of fruit | 1-2 tablespoons, once or twice a week |
| Pellets | Timothy-based, high-fibre |
| Amount of pellets | 1/4-1/2 cups |
| Water | Fresh water should be available 24 hours a day |
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What You'll Learn
Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet
Hay is an essential part of a rabbit's diet. As grazing animals, rabbits need to have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily. Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet. It is at the bottom of the rabbit food pyramid and provides the long-stemmed fibre that rabbits need.
Good types of grass hay for rabbits include Timothy, orchard grass, brome, oat hay, and alfalfa hay. You can feed your rabbit one type of grass hay or a mixture of different hays. Hay is high in fibre, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit's healthy digestive tract. Fibre is needed to keep the intestinal tract moving, and rabbits can die if they are not able to digest fibre.
Rabbits have continuously growing teeth, and the right food will wear them down and keep them the right size and shape. Hay, grass, and leafy green plants help to keep rabbit teeth in good condition.
You can give your rabbit a bundle of hay that is as big as they are every day. If your rabbit is reluctant to eat hay, take them to the vet to check there are no underlying health problems. If there are no health issues, try a different type of hay or a different provider.
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Introduce new foods slowly
Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems, so it's important to introduce new foods to them slowly. This is true whether you are transitioning to a new type of pellet, or introducing new fruits, vegetables, or greens.
When transitioning to a new type or brand of pellets, gradually transition by mixing a small amount of the new pellets with the current pellets. Slowly increase the proportion of new pellets over multiple days until you have fully transitioned.
When introducing new vegetables, add only one new type to the diet at a time. Introduce new types of greens gradually and in small amounts to avoid potential stomach upsets. Provide your rabbit with at least 3-5 different types of fresh plants and veggies every day to give them a good balance of vegetables and greens.
When introducing fruit, do so one at a time. Fruits are considered "treats" because of their high sugar content. Feed fruit to your rabbit no more than once or twice per week, in very limited quantities: no more than 1-2 tablespoons of high-fiber fresh fruit for every 5 pounds of body weight.
If you introduce new foods too quickly, your rabbit's normal digestive flora (normal bacteria) will be disturbed and gas/toxin-producing bacteria can overgrow, causing your rabbit to become sick and possibly die.
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Vegetables to include and avoid
A rabbit's diet should be mostly hay, with fresh vegetables and a few pellets. Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet. Timothy hay is the most fibre-dense type of hay and is excellent for a rabbit's digestive health and teeth. Other types of grass hay include orchard grass, brome, and oat hay. Alfalfa hay is nutrient-dense and is recommended for young bunnies to support their growth.
Rabbits love fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens. It is recommended to give rabbits 1-3 cups of vegetables every day, depending on their size. Leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, and dandelion leaves are all good choices. However, some leafy greens, such as spinach, sprouts, parsley, chard, collard greens, and Swiss chard, should be fed in moderation as they are high in calcium and oxalic acid.
Other vegetables that rabbits can eat include broccoli, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, endive, wheatgrass, radicchio, and squash. Root vegetables like carrots should be given in small amounts as they are high in carbohydrates.
It is important to introduce new vegetables gradually and in small quantities to avoid upsetting your rabbit's stomach. Some vegetables should be avoided altogether, such as potatoes, corn, beans, seeds, and nuts, as they are difficult for rabbits to digest and can cause health issues.
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Fruits as treats
A rabbit's diet should consist mainly of hay and grass, with some leafy greens and a few pellets. Fruits should be given sparingly as treats, one to two times per week.
Rabbits have sensitive digestive tracts, so new fruits should be introduced slowly and one at a time. The appropriate serving is 1 to 2 tablespoons of fruit (either one kind or a mixture) per 5 pounds of body weight.
Fruits that are safe for rabbits include apples, bananas, berries, and grapes. These fruits are high in sugar, so they should be fed in small pieces as treats. For example, a rabbit can have half a grape, a quarter-inch slice of banana, or a 1-inch cube of apple.
Some fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, are also high in sugar and should be considered treats. Too much sugar can lead to obesity, soft stools, diarrhea, and dental problems, which can cause long-term health issues.
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Pellets for nutrients
While hay should make up the bulk of your rabbit's diet, pellets can be a great supplement to provide extra nutrition. Rabbits might not get certain nutrients if they are fed only hay and fresh foods. High-quality rabbit pellets provide trace nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Pellets are also a good source of protein, which is important for muscle development and maintaining a healthy coat.
It is important to be cautious when choosing rabbit pellets, as many products sold for rabbits are in fact harmful, unhealthy, or toxic. Pellets that are marketed as ""gourmet"" or "performance feeds" often contain high levels of protein, as well as nuts, seeds, grains, or dried fruit, which are not suitable for rabbits. These types of pellets can cause health issues such as obesity, dental problems, and digestive issues.
When selecting pellets, choose a high-quality, high-fibre option that is fresh and relatively high in fibre (at least 18% fibre). Timothy-based pellets are a good choice. You can also find vitamin- and mineral-fortified pellets that promote digestive health.
The amount of pellets you feed your rabbit will depend on its age, size, and individual needs. Growing, pregnant, nursing, or underweight rabbits may need larger portions. On average, an adult rabbit only needs 1/4 cup of pellets daily, while rabbits under 5 pounds should be fed just 1/8 of a cup. Rabbits larger than 10 pounds do not need more than 1/4 cup. Rabbits under 1 year old can be fed alfalfa pellets, while rabbits over 7 months old can have Timothy hay pellets.
Remember, pellets should only be a small part of your rabbit's diet, and hay should always be available in unlimited quantities.
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Frequently asked questions
The main part of a rabbit's diet should be grass and hay, with some leafy greens and a few pellets. Timothy hay is the most fibre-dense type of hay and is excellent for a rabbit's digestive health and teeth. You can also mix in other types of grass hay, such as orchard grass, brome and oat hay.
Rabbits also enjoy fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens. Good options include spinach, celery, cabbage, kale, broccoli, rosemary, parsley, mint and dandelion leaves.
Fruit and root vegetables like carrots and apples should only be given occasionally as treats.
Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet, so they should have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily.
For leafy greens, give 1-3 cups per day depending on the size of the rabbit. Introduce new types of greens gradually and in small amounts to avoid potential stomach upsets.
For pellets, give 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fortified pellets per day, according to the rabbit's body weight. Rabbits under 5 pounds should be given just 1/8 of a cup.
Fruit should be given sparingly, no more than 1-2 tablespoons once or twice a week.
Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems and can become ill if fed lawnmower clippings, or food that is high in sugar or calories, such as cookies, nuts, seeds, grains and bread.
Some vegetables can also be harmful and should be fed sparingly or avoided, including potatoes, corn, beans, seeds and nuts.
Yes, rabbits with special dietary needs may require different proportions of hay, veggies and pellets. For example, long-haired rabbits may need more pellets to support the growth of their fur, while overweight rabbits might need fewer pellets. Elderly rabbits that are underweight may need unlimited access to pellets. Consult with your veterinarian for advice.
