What are Rabbits allowed to Eat?
- Unlimited Grass Hay– Grass hay is needed for all rabbits whether you feed them pellets or not.
- Leafy Green Vegetables– 1 cup of greens per day.
- Unlimited Water – Rabbits mostly prefer to drink from a bowl.
*The following are optional but help to enhance a rabbit’s diet:
- High-Fiber Rabbit Pellets– Typically 25g – 50g per day
- Other Vegetables (celery, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.) No more than 3 tablespoons.
- Fruit –Occasionally, in tiny amounts.
- Access to growing grass for grazing.
Rabbits have special dietary requirements. If not met, your rabbit may become very sick. Not to mention that a hungry rabbit is more likely to graze on unhealthy and toxic foods.
Importance of Fiber for Rabbits
Rabbits should get most of their fiber from hay. Hay should comprise 80% of a rabbit’s diet. Timothy hay is ideal due to its low calcium and protein content. Each day, provide a bundle of hay that’s at least as big as them.
Hay is a great choice for rabbits because the act of chewing shortens their teeth. It may also help to prevent Enterotoxemia by cleaning the GI tract.
In addition to hay, rabbits should be given moderate amounts of leafy green vegetables and small portions of other vegetables. These provide additional fiber as well as water, vitamins, and minerals.
What Vegetables Can I Feed My Rabbit?
Leafy Greens
- Curly kale
- Spring greens
- Rocket
- Small amounts of Romaine lettuce
- Dark green cabbage
- Beetroot greens
- Radish greens
Rabbits can be fed small amounts of the following vegetables:
- Broccoli
- Celery
- Bell pepper
- Jerusalem artichoke
- Celeriac
Rabbits can also be fed small amounts of herbs such as Basil, Dill, and Mint.
Rabbit Pellet Portion Sizes
Most rabbit owners will supplement their rabbit’s diet with pellets. Pellets are beneficial because they provide protein, nutrients, and additional fiber. But remember, it’s important not to overfeed your rabbit.
The bulk of a rabbit’s diet comes from hay, so they don’t need a huge serving of pellets (typically 1 egg cup per day).
Healthy Treats to feed Rabbits
Many foods that we think are OK for rabbits are harmful. So, what is a good treat for rabbits? Here are some options:
- Brussel sprouts (make sure the stalk is not attached)
- Small pieces of apple (remove any pips)
- Small amounts of carrot/carrot tops
- Small pieces of sweet potato
Fruit should not be given every day as it can damage the rabbit’s teeth.
My Rabbit Won’t Eat Hay! Help!
Sometimes, rabbits don’t take an interest in hay. This is problematic because, if they don’t curb their appetite with hay, they’re more likely to overeat pellets. Or, they’ll steal poisonous foods, such as chocolate or cookies. If your rabbit seems to dislike hay, try the below:
- Choose a high-quality variety that’s free from dust.
- Your rabbit may prefer a different variety so try hay cubes, kiln-dried grass, and hay cookies.
- Pull apart the hay a little and sprinkle some herbs inside.
- Stuff some of their hay inside a cardboard tube, so they need to work harder to get at it. This can make the hay more interesting.
- Reduce the number of pellets but do so gradually.
