Rabbits · Diet
What Do Rabbits Eat? A Simple Rabbit Diet Guide
A rabbit's diet should be about 85% hay and grass, 10% leafy greens and 5% pellets. Give a bundle of good-quality hay as big as your rabbit every day (with unlimited access), a large handful of washed leafy greens, and about 25 g of pellets per kg of body weight. Fresh water must always be available. Avoid muesli-style mixes, iceberg lettuce, chocolate, onions, avocado and bread, and treat fruit and carrots as occasional treats. A rabbit that stops eating or pooing needs a vet immediately.
| Hay and grass | 85%: a rabbit-sized bundle daily, unlimited access |
|---|---|
| Leafy greens | 10%: a large handful of washed greens and herbs daily |
| Pellets | 5%: about 25 g (an egg cup) per kg of body weight |
| Avoid | Muesli mixes, iceberg lettuce, chocolate, onions, avocado, bread |
| Emergency | Not eating or fewer/no droppings: see a vet immediately |
Hay and grass: 85% of the diet
The RSPCA recommends rabbits always have unlimited good-quality hay or grass, with a rabbit-sized bundle (as big as they are) of hay every day. Hay keeps their gut moving and wears down their teeth, which grow continuously, around 2–3 mm a week.
Leafy greens: 10%
Give a large handful of safe, washed leafy greens, herbs and weeds every day. Introduce new greens gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach.
Pellets: 5%
Allow about 25 g of nuggets per kg of body weight (roughly an egg cup per kilo). Growing, pregnant, nursing or underweight rabbits may need more; ask your vet.
Why not muesli mixes?
Muesli-style foods encourage selective feeding: rabbits pick out the tasty, low-fibre bits, which can lead to dental and digestive problems and obesity. If your rabbit is on muesli, switch slowly to hay and pellets over 14–28 days.
Treats and foods to avoid
Fruit (without pips, which are poisonous to rabbits) and vegetables like carrots are occasional treats only: carrots are high in sugar. Foods the RSPCA lists to avoid include:
- Muesli-style mixes, cereals, bread, pasta and processed foods
- Iceberg lettuce
- Chocolate and caffeine
- Onions, leeks and garlic
- Avocado, rhubarb, mushrooms, potatoes and sweetcorn
- Meat, eggs and dairy
- Lawnmower clippings and house plants
Water
Fresh, clean drinking water must be available all day. Without it, rabbits can become seriously ill.
Frequently asked questions
What should rabbits eat every day?
Mostly hay or grass (about 85%), a large handful of leafy greens (10%) and a small portion of pellets (5%), plus fresh water.
How much hay does a rabbit need?
Unlimited access, with at least a bundle as big as the rabbit every day.
Can rabbits eat carrots?
Only occasionally as a treat. Carrots are high in sugar and can cause weight gain and digestive problems.
Can rabbits eat iceberg lettuce?
No. The RSPCA lists iceberg lettuce among foods to avoid.
What if my rabbit stops eating?
See a vet immediately. Not eating or producing fewer droppings can be signs of GI stasis, which can be life-threatening.
Sources
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different; ask your vet before changing your pet's diet or care, especially if they have a health condition, are overweight, or have a sensitive stomach.