Frequently Asked Questions - Diet
Most rabbits consider anything hand-fed a treat, especially fresh veggies. It is not necessary to feed a lot of sweet treats or commercial “treats.” Rabbits should have no more than one tablespoon per day of any of the following:
- Fruits: banana, strawberry, blueberry, grapes, papaya, pineapple, apple
- Other: whole oats, whole peanuts, alfalfa cube
- Unlimited timothy, grass hay, or oat hay
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism and/or proportionate to veggies)
- Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. body weight
- Fruit daily ration no more than 1 tablespoon per 6 lbs. body weight.
- Introduce timothy hay, grass hay, and oat hays, decrease alfalfa
- Decrease pellets to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs. body weight
- Introduce daily vegetables, and gradually increase quantity
- Fruit daily ration no more than 1 tablespoon per 6 lbs. body weight (because of calories)
Pellets should make up a small portion of your rabbit’s diet. Unless your rabbit is under 6 months old, they should get a set amount of pellets daily and not have constant access to pellets. Pellets should be high in fiber (>18%), and low in protein (<14%), calcium (<0.9%) and fat (<2%). Avoid pellet mixes that contain seeds, grains, dried corn, or other colorful additives, as these items can be difficult for your rabbit to digest and have little nutritional value. It is advisable not to purchase more than 6 weeks worth of feed at a time, as nutritional value degrades over time.
Rabbit enjoy many fresh greens and vegetables and can have up to 2 cups per 5 lbs of body weight daily. Most produce is safe to feed your rabbit. They are likely to particularly enjoy: Romaine lettuce, most herbs, broccoli, carrots (& tops), spinach, kale, collard greens and many others. Try to serve at least three different veggies each day, introducing one new food at a time. This will help you determine if any particular food is not well tolerated by your rabbit.
AVOID: Rhubarb leaves, peas, potatoes, beans, corn, onions and garlic.
Grass hay should be the foundation of your rabbit’s diet as it is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing roughage, which reduces the danger of hairballs and other blockages. Hay should be available at all times. Most rabbits can eat a pile the size of themselves almost every day.
A rabbit's diet should be made up of fresh grass hay (timothy, orchard or oat), fresh vegetables, water and good quality pellets. Anything beyond that is a "treat" and should be given in limited quantities (approx 1 tablespoon per day total).
