A rabbit's diet is crucial to its health and well-being. Many people mistakenly believe that carrots and lettuce are sufficient, but a proper rabbit diet requires a balanced mix of hay, fresh vegetables, fruits, and a limited amount of pellets. It's essential to introduce any new food gradually due to rabbits' sensitive digestive systems.
The Foundation: Hay
Hay should constitute 80-90% of a rabbit’s diet. As grazing animals, rabbits need an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily to ensure proper digestive function and prevent blockages. Timothy, orchard grass, brome, and oat hay are excellent choices for adult rabbits. You can feed your bunnies either one type or a mixture of different grass hays. Always opt for the freshest hay and check for mold or dust, which can be harmful to your rabbit.
Alfalfa hay, being a legume, is too rich for daily consumption by adult rabbits. It can be given occasionally as a treat. Rabbits under one year old can consume alfalfa hay but should transition to grass hay as they mature, especially if they also eat alfalfa pellets.
Pellets: A Supplement, Not a Staple
Timothy hay pellets should be given in small quantities. An average-size (6-10 pounds) adult rabbit only needs 1/4 cup of pellets daily. Smaller rabbits (under 5 pounds) require 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.
Young rabbits (under 1 year) can eat alfalfa pellets. If you feed your young rabbit alfalfa pellets, ensure they also get grass hay. Look for pellets with high fiber content. Be cautious of rabbit food products that may be harmful; always scrutinize the ingredients.
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Vegetables: A Daily Delight
Vegetables and herbs are a favorite among rabbits. Most supermarket greens are safe for rabbits, with some exceptions. Adult rabbits should receive no more than 2 cups of fresh vegetables daily. Dwarf breeds and rabbits under 5 pounds should only get 1 cup of fresh veggies per day. A variety of two or three vegetables is ideal. Introduce one new vegetable at a time, watching for signs of loose stool or diarrhea.
Avoid feeding rabbits potatoes, corn, beans, seeds, or nuts, as they are difficult to digest and can cause serious digestive problems.
Vegetables for Daily Consumption
- Bell peppers
- Bok choy
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrot tops
- Cucumber
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fennel
- Herbs: Basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme
- Lettuces: Romaine, green leaf, red leaf, Boston bibb, arugula, butter
- Okra leaves
- Radicchio
- Radish tops
- Sprouts: Alfalfa, radish, clover
- Watercress
- Wheatgrass
- Zucchini
Vegetables for Limited Consumption (1-2 times per week)
- Broccoli (stems and leaves only)
- Carrots
- Chard
- Clover
- Collard greens
- Dandelion greens (pesticide-free)
- Flowers: Calendula, chamomile, daylily, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, rose
- Kale
- Spinach
Fruit: An Occasional Treat
Fruit should be given once or twice a week, with a serving size of 1 to 2 tablespoons per 5 pounds of body weight. Introduce fruits slowly and one at a time.
Recommended Fruits
- Apple (no seeds)
- Banana
- Berries: Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries
- Cherries (no seeds)
- Grapes
- Melon
- Nectarine
- Orange
- Papaya
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Watermelon
Treats: Sparingly Given
Healthy treats include small pieces of fresh or freeze-dried fruit, natural mixes with hay and dried flowers, and Oxbow brand rabbit treats. Avoid treats with added sugar, preservatives, and artificial coloring, and never give human treats to your rabbit.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods are harmful to rabbits and should never be given:
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- All human treats
- Beans
- Beet greens
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cereal
- Chocolate
- Corn or corn-cob treats
- Crackers
- Iceberg lettuce
- Legumes
- Mustard greens
- Nuts
- Pasta
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Rhubarb
- Seeds
- Sugar
- Turnip greens
- Yogurt
Fresh Water: Always Available
Rabbits need an unlimited supply of fresh water, changed daily. Bowls are preferable to water bottles because they are easier to clean.
Dietary Guidelines by Age
A rabbit's diet varies with age, health, and activity level.
Adult Rabbit Diet (1-5 years)
- Unlimited hay (Timothy, orchard, oat, or other grass hays)
- Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs of body weight per day
- 1/4 cup pellets per 6 lbs
Young Adult Diet (7 months - 1 year)
- Unlimited grass hay
- 1/2 cup timothy pellets
- 1 cup greens
- 1 oz. fruit
Senior Diet (6 years +)
- Unlimited grass hay (add alfalfa if underweight)
- Alfalfa pellets (if underweight) / timothy pellets (if healthy weight)
- 2 cup greens
- 2 oz. fruit
Important Considerations for Vegetables
- Organic Produce: Opt for organic produce to avoid pesticides.
- Washing: Thoroughly wash all produce to remove potential contaminants. House Rabbit Society recommends washing all vegetables for at least two minutes, in a bowl, changing the water several times.
- Introduction: Introduce new vegetables gradually, one at a time, to monitor for adverse reactions.
- Spoiled Vegetables: Never feed spoiled vegetables to your rabbit.
- Water Content: Be cautious with vegetables high in water content, as they can cause diarrhea.
- Goitrogenic Vegetables: While some vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are goitrogenic in humans, rabbits would need to consume huge quantities over several weeks for any abnormalities to occur.
Vegetables to Incorporate
- Bok choy / Pak choi / Pak choy (Brassica rapa subsp.
- Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f.
- Savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var.
- Collard greens (Brassica oleracea var.
- Escarole (Cichorium endivia var.
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - leafy tops and base.
- Kai lan / Gai lan (Brassica oleracea var.
- Kale (Brassica oleracea var.
- Komatsuna / Mustard spinach (Brassica rapa var.
- Napa cabbage / Pe tsai (Brassica rapa subsp.
- Oriental radish / Daikon (Raphanus sativus var.
- Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var.
- Broccolini (Brassica oleracea var.
- Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var.
- Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.
- Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var.
Herbs and Flowering Plants
These can add flavor to your rabbit’s diet. Bunnies have more taste buds than humans and will appreciate food that actually tastes strong.
- Milk thistle / lady’s thistle / holy thistle / St.
- Plantain / ribwort (Plantago spp.) - specifically, broad-leafed plantains (P. major) and narrow-leafed plantains (P.
Vegetables to Avoid
- Iceberg lettuce - safe for rabbits to eat, but low in nutrients and higher in water content than other darker lettuces.
Leafy Greens: Calcium and Oxalate Levels
When selecting leafy greens, consider their calcium and oxalate concentrations, especially for rabbits with bladder issues.
Best Leafy Greens for Rabbits
| Type of Leafy Green | Calcium Concentrations (%) | Oxalate Concentrations (mg/kg (ppm)) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce (Romaine, Butterhead, Bibb) | 0.035% | 0 | |
| Red or Green Leaf Lettuce | 0.037% | 0 | |
| Arugula | 0.160% | 0 | |
| Basil | 0.175% | 1250 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Bok Choy | 0.105% | 0 | |
| Chicory | 0.015% | 2050 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Cilantro | 0.070% | 50 | |
| Dandelion Leaves | 0.185% | 1000 | |
| Dill leaves | 0.210% | 1000 | |
| Endive | 0.053% | 0 | |
| Escarole | 0.095% | 400 | |
| Kale (all types) | 0.255% | 25 | |
| Mint | 0.200% | 350 | |
| Mustard Greens | 0.100% | 1300 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Parsley | 0.140% | 17,000 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Radicchio | 0.015% | 500 | |
| Raspberry leaves | 0.017% | No data | |
| Spinach | 0.090% | 12,000 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Swiss Chard | 0.050% | 12,500 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Turnip Greens | 0.190% | 500 | |
| Watercress | 0.120% | 3050 | Feed sparingly or avoid completely for rabbits with bladder issues |
| Wheat Grass | 0.175% | No data |
Best Vegetables for Rabbits
| Type of Vegetable | Calcium Concentrations (%) | Oxalate Concentrations (mg/kg (ppm)) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Peppers | 0.020% | 100 | Remove seeds and cap before offering |
| Broccoli leaves and stems | 0.050% | 80 | May cause bloating or gas in rabbits with sensitive stomachs |
| Broccolini | 0.050% | 75 | May cause bloating or gas in rabbits with sensitive stomachs |
| Brussels Sprouts | 0.040% | 100 | May cause bloating or gas in rabbits with sensitive stomachs |
| Cabbage | 0.055% | 25 | May cause bloating or gas in rabbits with sensitive stomachs |
| Carrots (leaves/greens intact) | 0.060% | 300 | High in simple carbohydrates, feed sparingly or as treat only |
| Celery | 0.040% | 100 | Remove veins or cut into chunks |
| Cucumber (with peel) | 0.025% | 0 | |
| Kohlrabi | 0.035% | 0 | |
| Parsnip | 0.040% | 550 | High in simple carbohydrates, feed sparingly or as treat only |
| Summer squash | 0.030% | 25 | |
| Zucchini | 0.030% | 25 |
Daily Dietary Requirements Based on Weight
| Rabbit Weight (lbs.) | Hay and Water | Pellets (Cups) | Leafy Greens (Cups) | Vegetables (Tbsps.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unlimited | 1/8 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 2 | Unlimited | 1/8 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 3 | Unlimited | 1/8 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| 4 | Unlimited | 1/8 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 5 | Unlimited | 1/4 to 1/3 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| 6 | Unlimited | 1/4 to 1/3 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| 7 | Unlimited | 1/4 to 1/3 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| 8 | Unlimited | 1/3 to 1/2 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| 9 | Unlimited | 1/3 to 1/2 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| 10 | Unlimited | 1/3 to 1/2 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 11 | Unlimited | 3/4 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 12 | Unlimited | 3/4 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 13 | Unlimited | 3/4 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 14 | Unlimited | 3/4 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 15 | Unlimited | 3/4 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
Common Questions about Vegetables for Rabbits
- Can rabbits have celery? Yes, celery is safe in moderation. Remove strings or cut into small chunks to prevent choking.
- Can rabbits eat cucumbers? Yes, cucumbers (with peel) are low-calorie and hydrating. Feed in small portions.
- Can rabbits eat broccoli? Yes, but broccoli can cause gas in sensitive rabbits. Offer leaves and stems sparingly.
- Can rabbits eat cabbage? Cabbage is okay in moderation but may cause bloating. Introduce slowly and watch for GI issues.
- Can rabbits eat spinach? Spinach is high in oxalates and should be fed sparingly, especially for rabbits prone to bladder issues.
- Can baby rabbits eat vegetables? Baby rabbits should primarily have their mother’s milk, then hay and pellets. Introduce veggies slowly after 12 weeks of age.
- How often should I feed veggies? Daily. Aim for 1 cup of greens per 2 pounds of body weight and adjust based on your rabbit’s health and vet advice.
- What is a bunny’s favorite food? Most rabbits love fresh greens like romaine, parsley, and cilantro.
Read also: Is Kaytee Forti-Diet Good for Rabbits?
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