Food and Diet

Rabbits require a balanced diet of hay, fresh veggies/herbs, fruit, and a small amount of pellets. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems and it is important that you gradually introduce new things into their diet to allow their digestive tract to adjust. This process should take a few weeks with each new item.

Hay

Hay is the primary staple of a rabbit’s diet and should make up about 80-90% of their daily food intake. They should have easy access to hay that is fresh, dry, clean, and of good quality at all times. Eating hay all day helps their digestion and keeps their teeth healthy.

Timothy hay is the most recommended type of hay for rabbits, but they can also eat orchard, meadow, oat, or local mixed hay. Alfalfa hay should only be given as a treat, to baby rabbits younger than 4-6 months old, pregnant or nursing rabbits, or to older rabbits who need extra calories, as advised by a vet.

Young rabbits should start eating hay as soon as they are old enough; they generally begin eating hay around 3 – 7 weeks, depending on the rabbit and how quickly they progress. Make sure they can eat the hay without difficulty; baby bunnies should eat a mixture of timothy and alfalfa hay until they are 6 months of age.

Without this critical fiber provided by hay, a rabbit’s digestive system will not function properly. Rabbits have a very sensitive digestive system, and a lack of continuous movement of food through the gut will result in illness and poor health that can be fatal.

A rabbit’s teeth continue to grow all the time. Eating hay grinds their teeth down so they don’t get too long. If their teeth get too long, it’s hard for them to eat, swallow, and groom themselves, all of which are essential for their health and happiness. Their front teeth pull the hay into their mouths, and the back teeth grind it up before they swallow.

What Types Of Hay Are Suitable To Feed?

  • Timothy Hay – The top recommended hay to feed

  • Orchard Grass Hay – Best for people who struggle with allergies

  • Meadow Hay

  • Alfalfa Hay – Best for pregnant or young rabbits


Timothy Hay

The most common and popular of the hays and veterinary recommended. Timothy hay tastes delicious, contains a high fibre content, balanced protein, and calcium rabbits need for their digestion, bone and dental health. The texture of this hay is balanced and has coarse and soft strands.

Orchard Hay

This hay smells delicious and most rabbit’s love it! Orchard hay has a sweeter smell and is softer than timothy hay. If your rabbit struggles to eat timothy because it is too coarse you can add a handful of orchard hay. Orchard hay is also known to be better for people who struggle with their allergies because it has less dust.

Oat Hay

Oat hay is very crunchy, hearty, and savory. It’s harvested before the oat develops into a seed, providing savory husks that are rich in fiber and flavor. Adding oat hay as a treat is a fun way to introduce extra enrichment and variety into your rabbit’s diet. I always keep a small bale of each type of Oxbow hay and give a handful to the rabbits here and there with their timothy hay, and they love it!

Meadow Hay

Meadow hay is composed of soft-stemmed pasture grasses. It can also contain other flowers and plants such as dandelions, thistles, and daisies that grow in grass, and some of these may be toxic. Meadow hay is typically very thin and soft. Oxbow organic meadow hay is an excellent choice, as it is grown naturally without the use of chemicals. It’s crucial to ensure that you’re purchasing a reputable brand of hay because not all hay brands are of good quality, and feeding poor-quality hay can make a rabbit very sick.

Alfalfa Hay

Alfalfa is the most nutritionally dense hay, with much higher protein and calcium content. Bunnies LOVE this hay and will go crazy for it. It's like the chocolate of hay. However, if adult rabbits eat too much of it, it can lead to obesity, urine sludge, and other health issues over time. It’s okay to feed small amounts to adults occasionally to add variety to their diet. Pregnant and young rabbits can eat unlimited amounts of alfalfa to provide extra nutrients. We recommend weaning young rabbits off of alfalfa hay at around 6 months and starting the transition to timothy hay.

How to Store Hay 

  • Store in a large container with an airtight lid that will keep moisture out.

  • Keep in a dry and cool place that is well ventilated.

  • Store in a dark place to avoid the UV rays from the sun to avoid damaging it or a dark bin. Sunlight will bleach the hay causing it to lose important nutrients such as Vitamin A and Protein.

  • Keep off the ground to avoid attracting pests and moisture that can lead to mould that can be fatal if ingested.

  • Keep the bin clean and dump out any dust or older hay.

Choosing and Inspecting High Quality Hay

  • When it comes to hay for your rabbit, quality matters. Purchasing from local farmers or feed stores like Willow Wind, Buckerfields, Mitchells Farm, and Shar-kare, offers several advantages. Not only is this more cost-effective, but the hay is also fresher.

  • If you’re an experienced rabbit owner, you might want to take an extra step and examine the hay before buying it.

  • Never feed moldy hay or hay that has been exposed to water and moisture, as it can make your rabbit very ill.

  • Inspect the hay for any spear grass.

  • Avoid feeding hay that is excessively dusty.

  • Check for any signs of deceased rodents in the hay.

Pellets

Pellets are not a crucial part of a rabbit’s diet, so they should only be given in small amounts. An adult rabbit should consume only ¼ cup of pellets daily, or ¼ cup twice daily, depending on the rabbit’s weight and individual needs. For young rabbits under a year old, it’s best to start with alfalfa pellets and then transition to timothy pellets when they are approximately 6 months old. Adult rabbits should only be fed alfalfa pellets if they are pregnant, nursing, or if it is recommended by a rabbit-savvy veterinarian.

Avoid feeding low-quality pellets that contain seeds, fruit, and other additives like sugar, as these are unhealthy for your rabbit. Many products sold in pet stores are not suitable and should never be given to your rabbit. Stick to trusted brands like Oxbow, Sherwood Pet Health, or Martin Little Friends. We cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is for your rabbit’s health and well-being to provide them with a well-balanced and high-quality diet. Investing a little more in quality pellets upfront can save on the cost of medical care in the long run. The visible sheen of a rabbit’s coat can serve as a good indicator of whether they are receiving adequate nutrition.

Vegetables and Herbs

Rabbits adore their veggies and herbs! However, too much of a good thing can be bad for your rabbit. Your rabbit should not consume more than 2 cups of fresh vegetables or herbs daily. It’s important to gradually introduce one item at a time and feed no more than 2 to 3 different items per serving to avoid stomach upset or soft stools. As you get to know your rabbit, you’ll discover their preferences and what works best for them. Vegetables should always be fresh and not wilted because during the breakdown stage, they can produce gases that upset their tummies.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, so always consult your veterinarian to confirm which food items are suitable for your specific rabbit. Additionally, be aware that there are conflicting resources online regarding safe and toxic foods for rabbits, so it’s advisable to consult your veterinarian for confirmation.

Vegetables that can be fed to a rabbit daily:

  • Bell peppers

  • Carrot tops

  • Cucumber

  • Endive

  • Escarole

  • Fennel

  • Herbs: cilantro, dill, sage, thyme

  • Radicchio

  • Radish tops

  • Watercress

  • Wheatgrass

  • Zucchini

Vegetables and plants to give sparingly (one or two times a week) to a bunny:

  • Bok choy

  • Broccoli (stems and leaves only)

  • Brussels sprouts

  • Carrots

  • Chard

  • Clover (pesticide-free)

  • Collard greens

  • Dandelion greens (pesticide-free)

  • Flowers: calendula, chamomile, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, pot marigold, nasturtium, pansy, rose, sunflower, lavender

  • Herbs: basil, mint, flat leaf and Italian parsley, oregano, rosemary

  • Kale

  • Lettuces: romaine, green leaf, red leaf, Boston bibb, arugula, butter

  • Okra leaves

  • Spinach

  • Sprouts: alfalfa, radish, clover

  • Willow leaves

Fruits

Fruit is high in sugar, and if a rabbit is overfed it, this can lead to obesity and other health issues. The following fruits are okay to give given once or twice a week, and in very small amounts:

  • Apple (without seeds)

  • Banana

  • Berries: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, craisins

  • Cantaloupe and honeydew melon

  • Nectarine

  • Orange

  • Papaya

  • Pear (without seeds)

  • Pineapple

  • Watermelon (without seeds)

Highly Toxic Food and Plants

The following should never be fed to rabbits as they can be highly toxic and potentially fatal:

  • All human treats

  • Avocado

  • Beans

  • Beet greens

  • Cabbage

  • Cauliflower

  • Cereal

  • Cheese

  • Chocolate

  • Corn or corn-cob treats
    Crackers

  • Houseplants

  • Iceberg lettuce

  • Legumes

  • Meat/dairy/eggs

  • Mushrooms

  • Mustard greens

  • Nuts

  • Onion/Garlic/Leeks

  • Pasta

  • Peach/Plum/Cherry pits

  • Peas

  • Potatoes

  • Rhubarb

  • Rhododendron

  • Seeds

  • Sugar

  • Turnip greens

  • Yogurt

Treats

When purchasing treats, always check the ingredients as the more natural the better for your rabbit. Avoid anything with the above items as they are not good for your rabbit. Again, most things that are marketed in pet stores are NOT suitable. Treats should be fed no more than once daily. Homemade treats and brands like Oxbow or other companies that make rabbit-safe products are best to stick with. We always recommend doing your research from multiple resources, reading reviews on products, and always reading the ingredients list. When in doubt, please consult with your veterinarian or connect with Amy’s Bunny Barn.

Water

Your rabbit should always have access to an unlimited supply of clean and fresh water. A large and heavy ceramic water dish (or multiple) is ideal as rabbits lap up water the way a cat or dog would. Using a large and heavy dish will ensure your rabbit does not run out of water, it is easy to clean, and hard for a rabbit to knock over and spill. Water bowls should be changed daily and washed frequently. Water bottles are not recommended as they lead to rabbits not getting the proper water consumption (leading to dehydration), they are hard to clean, and they can collect bacteria easily.