Rabbits are often sold with a bag of pellets and not much else in the way of dietary guidance. The reality is that rabbits have a digestive system that requires a specific balance of fibre, fresh food, and limited concentrated feed. Getting this wrong early leads to dental problems, gut stasis, and obesity. All of which are common and largely preventable.
Hay is not optional ¶
Hay should make up about 80% of a rabbit's diet by volume. This is not a rough guideline, it is a physiological requirement. Rabbits' teeth grow continuously and need the abrasive action of long-strand fibre to wear down correctly. A rabbit that eats mostly pellets and not enough hay will develop dental spurs, which are painful and require veterinary treatment. Timothy hay is the standard recommendation for adult rabbits. Meadow hay is also suitable. Alfalfa hay is high in calcium and protein and is appropriate for young rabbits under six months but should not be the primary hay for adults.
Fresh greens: what to give and how much ¶
Fresh leafy greens should be offered daily, roughly a large handful per kilogram of body weight. Good options include romaine lettuce, rocket, fresh herbs like parsley and basil, and leafy greens like kale in small amounts. Iceberg lettuce has very little nutritional value and a high water content that can cause loose stools. Fruit should be treated as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of the diet. The sugar content is high relative to what rabbits would encounter in the wild.
Pellets: less than you think ¶
Pellets are a concentrated food source and should be given in limited quantities: roughly one to two tablespoons per kilogram of body weight per day for an adult rabbit. More than this displaces hay consumption, which is the more important part of the diet. Choose a plain pellet over a muesli-style mix. Muesli mixes allow selective feeding, meaning the rabbit eats the sweet bits and leaves the nutritious bits, which defeats the purpose.
Water and common mistakes ¶
Rabbits need constant access to fresh water. Both bowls and bottles work, though bowls allow a more natural drinking posture. Change the water daily. Common dietary mistakes include feeding too many carrots (high sugar, should be a treat), feeding iceberg lettuce regularly, giving pellets as the primary food source, and not providing enough hay. If you are setting up a rabbit's diet for the first time, the hay-first principle is the one to hold onto.
We stock Timothy hay from a single farm in Wiltshire, along with a small range of rabbit-appropriate pellets and fresh-food supplements. If you want advice on setting up a diet for a new rabbit, come in and we'll walk you through it.