Jeffrey Salazar
A rabbit's diet should consist of a variety of foods, including hay, grass, vegetables, and pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's diet, as it provides roughage to reduce the risk of hairballs and other blockages, and helps to grind down their constantly growing teeth. Rabbits also need access to fresh, clean water at all times, and this should be changed daily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Consistency | Unlimited supply of food at all times |
| Diet Contents | Hay, fresh vegetables, and a few pellets |
| Hay Type | Timothy, orchard, brome, or oat hay |
| Hay Quantity | 80-85% of the diet |
| Fresh Vegetables | 1-2 cups for every 4 lbs of body weight |
| Fresh Vegetables Type | Leafy greens, romaine lettuce, Bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, parsley, kale, Swiss chard, escarole, broccoli, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, endive, wheat grass, radicchio, and squash |
| Fruits | Only as treats due to high sugar content |
| Water | Unlimited supply of fresh water changed daily |
| Weight | Regularly monitored to prevent obesity |
| Special Circumstances | Consult a vet for dietary needs of young, pregnant, nursing, ill, or elderly rabbits |
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What You'll Learn
Hay, grass and greens
Hay, grass, and greens should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet. Hay is the foundation of a healthy rabbit diet, providing roughage that reduces the danger of hairballs and other blockages. It also helps to grind down their constantly growing teeth to prevent overgrowth. Hay should comprise 80-85% of an adult rabbit's diet, with fresh, high-quality grass hay offered daily. Timothy, orchard, brome, and oat hay are good grass hay options.
Grass is also an important part of a rabbit's diet, providing necessary fibre. Fresh grass can be fed to rabbits if plucked from the ground, but avoid grass from roadsides or places where it may have been treated with pesticides or contaminated with faeces. Lawn mower clippings should also be avoided as they can contain metal slivers and oil, which can be harmful.
Greens, such as leafy green vegetables, are a great source of fibre and essential nutrients for rabbits. They also help house rabbits stay hydrated. It is recommended to select at least three types of green leafy vegetables daily to provide a variety of nutrients. Good options include romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, and broccoli greens. Introduce new vegetables slowly and in small quantities, and monitor for any signs of digestive upset.
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Pellets
Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems, so it is important to introduce any new food gradually. This is especially true when introducing pellets, as a diet based primarily on pellets can lead to obesity, heart and liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and kidney disease due to their high concentration of calories, low fiber content, and high calcium levels.
When choosing pellets, look for those that are high in fiber (a minimum of 18%) and made from timothy hay. These pellets will be dark green and well-compressed. Avoid pellets that contain seeds, grains, nuts, or other fatty ingredients, as these are too high in sugar and carbohydrates and can cause health issues such as obesity and digestive problems.
The amount of pellets fed to a rabbit will depend on its age, size, and individual needs. Young rabbits under 7-8 months old should be fed alfalfa pellets, as they need the extra protein and calcium for growth. Adult rabbits, on the other hand, should be fed grass hay pellets such as timothy, orchard, or brome, as these are lower in calories and calcium. An average-sized adult rabbit (6-10 pounds) needs only 1/4 cup of pellets daily, while a rabbit under 5 pounds should be fed just 1/8 cup. Rabbits larger than 10 pounds do not need more than 1/4 cup, as pellets are not a crucial part of their diet.
It is important to note that rabbits should always have access to fresh water, hay, and vegetables in addition to pellets. Hay is the foundation of a rabbit's diet and should make up 80-90% of their daily intake. Fresh vegetables should also be offered daily, with a variety of two to three types selected.
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Vegetables
Rabbits are herbivores and grazers, meaning they eat continuously and have a complex digestive system. They require a balanced diet of hay, fresh vegetables, and a few pellets. Hay is the foundation of a rabbit's diet and should be available at all times. It provides roughage, which reduces the danger of hairballs and other blockages, and helps to grind down their constantly growing teeth to prevent overgrowth. Hay should comprise 80-90% of an adult rabbit's diet.
Fresh vegetables can be offered as treats rather than a daily supplement. Rabbits should be fed 1-2 cups of vegetables for every 4 lbs of body weight. It is important to select at least three types of green leafy vegetables daily to provide a variety of nutrients. Introduce new vegetables slowly and in small quantities, and monitor for soft feces, diarrhea, or signs of gas pain. Particularly good vegetables include leafy greens like romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, and broccoli greens. Some leafy greens, such as collard and dandelion greens, parsley, kale, Swiss chard, and escarole, should be fed in limited quantities, as they are high in calcium and may contribute to the development of calcium-based bladder stones if fed in excess. Other acceptable vegetables include broccoli, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, endive, wheatgrass, radicchio, and squash.
Rabbits should not be fed potatoes, corn, beans, seeds, or nuts, as these foods are difficult for rabbits to digest and can cause serious digestive problems. Root vegetables, like carrots, can be given occasionally, but they are high in carbohydrates and sugar, so they should not be offered daily. All fruit should be regarded as a treat due to its high sugar content, and even then, it should be fed in limited quantities as it can lead to gastrointestinal disturbance and dental problems.
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Fruits
A rabbit's diet should consist mostly of hay, fresh vegetables, and a few pellets. However, rabbits can also eat fruit, but only in small amounts and as an occasional treat. Fruits are considered treats due to their high sugar content, which can upset a rabbit's normal gut bacteria if consumed in excess.
Rabbits have sensitive digestive tracts, so it is important to introduce new fruits to their diet slowly and in small quantities. Fruits should make up less than 5% of a rabbit's daily diet. Suitable fruits for rabbits include apples, pears, berries, bananas, and grapes. However, it is important to note that high-glycemic fruits, such as bananas and grapes, should only be given as rare treats due to their high sugar content.
The appropriate serving size for fruit is 1 to 2 tablespoons per 5 pounds of body weight, one or two times a week. For example, an average-sized rabbit weighing 6-10 pounds can have 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruit per week. It is important to introduce new fruits gradually and one at a time to avoid any digestive issues.
In addition to fruit, rabbits can also enjoy root vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes as treats. However, carrots are high in carbohydrates and should be strictly rationed. It is important to monitor your rabbit's droppings, as any changes in consistency or quantity can indicate digestive problems.
Overall, it is important to provide a balanced and varied diet for your rabbit, ensuring they have access to fresh hay, vegetables, and a small number of pellets, with fruit and other treats given in moderation.
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Water
Rabbits should have an unlimited supply of water, which should be changed at least twice per day, even if they haven't drunk it all. The water container should be cleaned with soap and water at least every few days. Rabbits tend to prefer drinking water from a heavy ceramic bowl, but can also drink from drip-feed bottles. If using bottles, inspect them daily to ensure they are not blocked.
If you offer your rabbit water in a bowl, make sure they do not spill it in their cage or soil it with faeces. If your rabbit is drinking from a bottle, consider also offering a bowl of water to see if they will use it. Rabbits do not naturally lap up water with their tongues, so licking the ball at the end of a water bottle is an unnatural way for them to drink. Additionally, only a small drop of water comes out of the bottle at a time, so it is much harder for rabbits to drink enough water to stay hydrated using a bottle alone.
Fresh greens can also help rabbits stay hydrated, in addition to providing fibre and essential nutrients.
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Frequently asked questions
A rabbit's diet should consist of a variety of hay, fresh vegetables, and a few pellets. Hay is the foundation of a rabbit's diet and should be available at all times. Fresh vegetables should be given in limited quantities, and pellets should be viewed as a supplement to their diet.
Grass hays such as timothy, orchard, brome, and oat hay are good options. Alfalfa hay is usually too nutrient-dense for adult rabbits but can be fed to babies, nursing mothers, and elderly or injured rabbits.
Rabbits can eat most green vegetables, including romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, and broccoli. Vegetables like carrots, which are high in carbohydrates, should be given sparingly as treats.
The amount of food you feed your rabbit will depend on its size and weight. Adult rabbits should be fed 1-2 cups of vegetables for every 4 lbs of body weight. An average-sized adult rabbit (6-10 lbs) only needs 1/4 cup of pellets daily. Rabbits should be weighed regularly, and their diet should be adjusted to maintain a healthy weight.
