The Rabbit Diet Chart
The RSPCA says a rabbit’s diet should be mostly hay and grass (85 percent), with some leafy greens (10 percent) and a few pellets (5 percent). Treats and water make up the rest.
| Food | How much | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hay and grass | Unlimited. A bundle as big as the rabbit, every day | About 85 percent of the diet. Wears down teeth and keeps the gut moving |
| Leafy greens and herbs | A large handful of washed greens a day, in a mix | About 10 percent of the diet |
| Pellets | About 25 g (an egg cup) for every kilogram of the rabbit | About 5 percent. Extra vitamins and minerals |
| Treats | Occasional, in small amounts | Variety, but high in sugar |
| Water | Always available | Without it, rabbits can become seriously ill |
Hay: The Main Meal
Hay and grass should be there all the time. The RSPCA says to give a rabbit-sized bundle of good-quality hay every day, and that it should be sweet-smelling and dust-free. A hay rack or a grazing tray keeps it clean. Our Organic Timothy Hay and Fresh Grass Hay are packed at our farm and delivered across Delhi NCR: see hay delivery, and our guide to the best hay for how to choose and store it.
Greens and Herbs
Offer a mix of several leafy greens and herbs each day and rotate them, instead of feeding the same few. The RSPCA lists these as good to feed daily:
- romaine lettuce and spring greens
- coriander (dhaniya), mint (pudina) and basil (tulsi)
- watercress, rocket and dandelion leaves
- rosemary
Spinach (palak), cabbage and celery can be fed safely but only now and then. Introduce each new green slowly and in small amounts. Rabbits graze at dawn and dusk, so the RSPCA suggests offering greens and pellets in the early morning and late afternoon.
Pellets
Feed a small measured ration of good-quality, high-fibre pellets, about 25 g for every kilogram of body weight. A 2 kg rabbit gets about 50 g a day. Do not keep topping up the bowl, because a rabbit that fills up on pellets will eat less hay. Growing, pregnant, nursing or underweight rabbits may need more, so ask a vet. Our Timothy Hay Pellets are pressed from timothy hay and sit next to loose hay, never instead of it.
Treats
The RSPCA lists banana, strawberries and apple (but never the pips), and carrot, celery, cucumber and green beans, as occasional treats. Carrots are high in sugar and often add to weight gain and tummy problems, so do not feed them every day.
Never Feed
The RSPCA’s list is long. The ones that matter most at home:
- onion, leeks and garlic
- potatoes and sweet potatoes, raw or cooked
- avocado, chocolate, and fruit seeds or pits
- iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, sweetcorn and chilli peppers
- bread, pasta, cereals and other processed foods, which is where roti, rice and biscuits belong
- meat, eggs and dairy
- muesli-style mixes of seeds, grains and dried bits
- sugary or salty human foods, and anything with xylitol
If you think your rabbit has eaten something unsafe, call your vet as soon as you can.
Water and Changing the Diet
The RSPCA says rabbits tend to prefer water in a heavy ceramic bowl but can drink from a bottle, and that a bottle’s tip should be checked every day in case it is blocked. Change the water twice a day, and in summer look out for algae. If you want to change what your rabbit eats, speak to your vet first and make the change over several weeks, because sudden changes can seriously upset the gut.
A rabbit that stops eating or stops making droppings needs a vet straight away. See the rabbit care guide for the rest of the day, and the cage and pen guide for space. Ready for a rabbit? See the rabbits at the farm.
Rabbit Diet Questions
What do rabbits eat?
Mostly hay and grass, with a large handful of washed leafy greens a day, a small ration of pellets and occasional treats, says the RSPCA.
Can rabbits eat carrots every day?
No. The RSPCA says carrots are high in sugar and often contribute to weight gain and digestive problems. They are an occasional treat.
Can rabbits eat roti or rice?
No. Bread, pasta, cereals and processed human food are on the RSPCA’s list of foods to avoid, and roti and rice are in the same family. Feed hay, greens and a few pellets.
How much hay does a rabbit eat?
As much as it wants. The RSPCA says to give a bundle as big as the rabbit every day, and to make sure it never runs out.
How many pellets should a rabbit get?
About 25 g, or an egg cup, for every kilogram of the rabbit, according to the RSPCA. Do not keep topping up the bowl.
Can rabbits eat coriander and mint?
Yes. The RSPCA lists coriander and mint among the herbs to feed daily, in a mix with other greens. Wash them first.
Sources
- RSPCA, rabbit diet: the 85, 10 and 5 percent split, hay, greens, pellets at 25 g per kg, treats, foods to avoid, water and changing the diet.