Rabbit Diet Guide – What to Feed Your Rabbit (Vet-Approved)

🥕 🥦 🌾

Introduction to Rabbit Nutrition

A rabbit's digestive system is complex and highly specialized. They are herbivores called "hindgut fermenters," meaning they digest plant matter heavily in the latter part of their digestive tract (the cecum). Keeping food moving constantly through this system is absolutely critical to their survival.

Unlike dogs or cats, rabbits cannot vomit. Therefore, what goes in must come out. A poor diet is the leading cause of life-threatening illnesses like Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis.

The Golden Rule

A rabbit's diet should consist of 80% high-quality grass hay, 10% fresh vegetables, 5% high-quality pellets, and 5% treats.

The 80/20 Rule: Hay is the Foundation

Hay is not just bedding; it is the absolute foundation of a rabbit's diet. It provides the essential long-strand fiber needed to keep the digestive tract moving and helps wear down their continuously growing teeth.

Timothy Hay: The gold standard for adult rabbits. It has the perfect balance of fiber, protein, and calcium.
Orchard Grass / Oat Hay: Great alternatives if you or your rabbit are allergic to Timothy hay.
Alfalfa Hay: Only suitable for rabbits under 6 months old or pregnant/nursing mothers, as it is too high in calcium and calories for healthy adults.

Your rabbit must have unlimited access to fresh hay 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Safe Vegetables and Leafy Greens

Fresh vegetables provide moisture, vitamins, and varying nutrients. Introduce new vegetables slowly, one at a time, to monitor for soft stools.

Provide roughly 1 packed cup of greens per 2 lbs of rabbit body weight daily.

Excellent Daily Greens:

Romaine lettuce (never Iceberg)
Cilantro
Bok choy
Bell peppers (any color, seeds removed)

Use Sparingly (High in Calcium/Oxalates):

Kale
Spinach
Parsley
Carrot tops

Pellets: How Much is Enough?

A common mistake is overfeeding pellets. They should be viewed as a vitamin supplement rather than a main meal. Choose a plain, high-fiber (at least 18%), Timothy-based pellet without colorful bits, seeds, or nuts mixed in.

Portion: Approximately 1/4 cup of pellets per 6 lbs of body weight daily.

Fruits as Treats (Limited Portions)

Rabbits have a sweet tooth, but fruits are very high in sugar and can disrupt their delicate gut flora if overfed. Limit treats to 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Safe treats include small slices of apple (no seeds), banana, strawberries, and blueberries.

Toxic Foods to Avoid

Iceberg lettuce (causes severe diarrhea)
Avocado (toxic)
Onions, garlic, chives, leeks
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Chocolate, bread, pasta, cookies
Seeds and nuts (choking hazard, too fatty)

Hydration Tips

Rabbits drink a surprising amount of water—often as much as a small dog! Provide fresh water daily in a heavy ceramic bowl rather than a drip bottle. Rabbits drink much more naturally and comfortably from a bowl, which encourages better hydration.