Complete Rabbit Feeding Guide — What Rabbits Should Eat
Feeding a rabbit correctly is one of the most important aspects of rabbit care, yet it is also one of the most frequently misunderstood. Many pet owners believe that rabbits primarily eat pellets and the occasional carrot — in fact, the opposite is true. This guide covers everything you need to know about what to feed your rabbit, in what proportions, and what to avoid.
The Foundation: Unlimited Grass Hay
Grass hay should make up approximately 80–85% of a rabbit's diet by volume and should be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is not optional — it is the single most important element of rabbit nutrition. Hay provides the long-stem fibre that keeps the rabbit's digestive system moving (preventing the potentially fatal condition of GI stasis), provides continuous dental wear (rabbits' teeth grow continuously and must be kept worn down), and occupies the extended foraging time that is natural to the species.
The best hay for most rabbits is timothy hay or meadow hay. Orchard grass and oat hay are also suitable. Alfalfa hay is high in calcium and protein and should only be fed to rabbits under 6 months old, pregnant, or nursing. Adult rabbits on alfalfa develop bladder sludge and obesity. Hay should smell fresh and sweet — dusty or mouldy hay can cause respiratory issues.
Fresh Leafy Greens — Daily
A daily portion of fresh leafy greens provides moisture, additional fibre, and nutritional variety. As a rough guide, offer approximately one packed cup of fresh greens per 1 kg of body weight daily. Rotate varieties to prevent nutrient imbalances.
Safe greens for daily feeding include: dark leaf lettuce (romaine, cos, butterleaf — not iceberg), kale in small amounts (high in oxalate, so limit), bok choy, watercress, herbs (basil, parsley, coriander, dill, mint in moderation), and leafy tops from safe root vegetables. Introduce new greens gradually, one at a time, to avoid digestive upset — rabbits have sensitive GI flora that can be disrupted by sudden dietary changes.
Pellets — Small, Measured Portions
Pellets should be a supplement to hay and greens, not a dietary staple. A common mistake is providing pellets freely (ad lib) — this leads to rabbits eating too many pellets at the expense of hay, resulting in obesity and dental disease. The recommended amount is approximately 25g of high-quality plain timothy pellets per kg of body weight per day for adults.
Choose plain, high-fibre grass-based pellets (minimum 18% crude fibre). Avoid muesli-style mixes, which allow selective feeding — rabbits pick out the high-sugar pieces and leave the nutritious ones. Muesli mix is associated with dental disease, obesity, and GI problems. No treats should be embedded in pellets.
Safe Treats and Fruit (Small Amounts Only)
Fruit is high in natural sugars and should be offered only as an occasional treat — no more than 1–2 tablespoons per day maximum for an average adult rabbit, and some rabbits (particularly those prone to GI upset or obesity) should have no fruit at all. Safe fruits in small amounts include: apple (no seeds — apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides), pear (no seeds), blueberries, strawberries, raspberry (small amounts), and mango.
Herb treats like dried chamomile, dried rose petals (unsprayed), and dried herbs can be offered more freely. Commercial rabbit treats are often high in sugar, starch, or unhealthy additives — check ingredients carefully and limit quantity. Plain dried hay-based treats without added sugars are the healthiest commercial option.
Foods Rabbits Must Never Eat
The following foods are toxic or highly dangerous for rabbits: all alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, chives — cause haemolytic anaemia); rhubarb and rhubarb leaves (oxalic acid — highly toxic); avocado (persin toxicity); potato and tomato leaves and stems (solanine); iceberg lettuce (high in lactucarium, can cause diarrhoea); biscuits, bread, crackers, and cereals (inappropriate starch disrupts gut flora); meat, dairy, and eggs (rabbits are strict herbivores and lack the digestive physiology to process animal products); and seeds or pips from apples, pears, cherries, and plums (contain cyanogenic compounds).
Always wash greens thoroughly before feeding. Do not offer grass clippings from a lawnmower — the fermentation process that begins immediately in cut grass can cause serious GI problems. Never feed plants treated with pesticides.