Brenda Khan
A rabbit's diet should consist of a variety of foods, including hay, grass, vegetables, and pellets. The specific proportions of these food groups may vary depending on the rabbit's age, weight, health, and lifestyle. For example, younger rabbits may require more calcium and protein, while overweight rabbits may need to reduce their pellet intake. It is important to gradually introduce new foods to avoid upsetting the rabbit's sensitive digestive system. While rabbits enjoy sweet treats like fruits, these should be given sparingly due to their high sugar content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main food group | Hay, grass, vegetables, and pellets |
| Hay type | Timothy, orchard, brome, and oat hay |
| Hay quantity | Unlimited, large amounts |
| Vegetable quantity | 1-2 cups for every 4 lbs of body weight |
| Fruit | Occasional treats |
| Pellets | High-fibre, fresh, and uncoloured |
| Weight | Should be regularly weighed to prevent obesity or underweight |
| Water | Unlimited access to fresh water |
| Dietary transition | Gradual |
| Food to avoid | Cookies, nuts, seeds, grains, bread, and other high-carbohydrate foods |
| Special cases | Consult a vet |
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What You'll Learn
Hay and grass
Rabbits should be fed large, unlimited amounts of fresh hay daily. Good types of grass hay include timothy, orchard grass, brome, and oat hay. You can feed your rabbit either one type or a mixture of different grass hays. Alfalfa hay is not a good choice for an adult rabbit as it is too rich to be fed daily, but it can be given to rabbits under one year old.
Fresh grass can be fed to a rabbit 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 not be fed to rabbits as they can contain metal slivers and oil, which can be harmful.
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Vegetables
A rabbit's diet should consist of 80% hay, 10% vegetables, and less than 5% fruits as treats. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's diet. They should have unlimited access to high-quality grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, or brome. Hay is high in fiber, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit's healthy digestive tract.
When it comes to vegetables, rabbits should be fed 1-2 cups of vegetables for every 4 lbs of body weight. It is recommended to select at least three types of green leafy vegetables daily to provide a variety of nutrients. Good vegetables include leafy greens like romaine lettuce, Bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, and cilantro. Some vegetables, like carrots, are high in carbohydrates and sugar and should be fed sparingly as treats.
It is important to introduce new vegetables slowly and in small quantities, monitoring for any signs of digestive problems such as soft feces, diarrhea, or gas. Rabbits have sensitive digestive tracts, so any changes to their diet should be made gradually.
In addition to hay and vegetables, rabbits can also be fed a small amount of high-quality rabbit pellets, which should be fresh and relatively high in fiber (at least 18% minimum fiber). It is important to avoid "gourmet" pellets that contain nuts, seeds, or grains, as these can be high in carbohydrates and cause health problems for rabbits.
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Pellets
The amount of pellets in a rabbit's diet will vary depending on the rabbit's age, size, and overall health. Young rabbits, under 7 to 8 months old, should be fed alfalfa pellets and alfalfa hay. They need the extra protein and calcium as they grow. At around 7 months old, rabbits should be transitioned to an adult diet. An average-sized adult rabbit (6-10 pounds) needs only 1/4 cup of pellets daily. Smaller rabbits (under 5 pounds) should be fed 1/8 of a cup, and larger rabbits (over 10 pounds) do not need more than 1/4 cup.
Rabbits with special dietary needs may require more or fewer pellets. For example, overweight rabbits may need fewer pellets, while older, ill, or underweight rabbits may need more pellets or calorie-dense foods. Mother rabbits that are nursing need access to unlimited pellets and hay, as producing milk for babies requires a lot of calories. Long-haired rabbits, such as Lion Heads, Angoras, and Jersey Woolies, may have higher protein and pellet needs to support the growth of their long fur.
When transitioning to a new type or brand of pellets, it is important to do so gradually. This can be done by mixing a small amount of the new pellets with the current pellets and slowly increasing the proportion of new pellets over multiple days.
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Fruit
Bunnies should eat a natural, high-fibre, vegetarian diet. Fruits can be fed to rabbits but only in moderation, as they are high in natural sugars and can be bad for bunnies if consumed in large quantities. Fruits should be given to bunnies one to three days a week. The appropriate serving is 1 to 2 tablespoons of fruit (either one kind or a mixture) per 5 pounds of body weight.
Some fruits that rabbits can eat include apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, star fruit, mangoes, pears, pineapples, plums, peaches, and grapes. Bananas and grapes are very high in sugar and should only be given in small amounts (such as 3 grapes or 3 thin slices of banana) 2 or 3 times a month as a treat. Always be sure to remove all seeds and the stem before giving fruit to your rabbit.
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Treats
A rabbit's diet should consist of 80% hay, 10% fresh vegetables, and less than 5% fruits as treats.
Rabbits love their treats, and like humans, treats are at the top of the food pyramid for bunnies. However, they should be fed sparingly. Here are some healthy treats for your rabbit:
- Small pieces of fresh or freeze-dried fruit, such as bananas and grapes, are great occasional treats. However, they should be fed in limited quantities as fruits are high in sugar and can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and dental problems.
- Natural, unprocessed mixes that include hay and dried flowers, such as calendula, chamomile, daylily, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, and rose.
- Commercial rabbit treats, such as the Oxbow brand, can be given but always read the ingredients list as not all store-bought treats are safe for rabbits. Avoid treats with added sugar, preservatives, and artificial coloring.
- Alfalfa hay can be given to rabbits as a treat but only occasionally. It is a legume, not a grass, and is too rich to be fed daily.
- Freshly washed or cleaned vegetables can be offered as treats. Carrots, for example, are high in carbohydrates and sugar and should be given sparingly.
- Timothy hay pellets can be given to bunnies in small quantities as treats.
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Frequently asked questions
A bunny's diet should consist of 80% hay, 10% fresh vegetables, and less than 5% fruits as treats. Hay should be available at all times, as rabbits need to eat continuously. Fresh, clean water should also be available at all times.
Alfalfa hay should only be given to baby bunnies, nursing mothers, and elderly or injured rabbits. Adult bunnies should be fed grass hay, such as timothy, orchard grass, brome, or oat hay.
Dark, leafy greens are a good option for bunnies. You can offer vegetables like 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 your bunny for any signs of digestive issues.
