What your rabbit eats plays a critical role in their overall health, from digestion and gut health to dental care and long-term wellbeing. Rabbits are herbivores whose bodies are biologically designed to thrive on fibrous plant material — especially long-stem hay. Giving your rabbit the right mix of hay, vegetables, pellets, and occasional treats supports healthy digestion, prevents dental problems, and helps them live a comfortable, energetic life. Mistakes in diet, on the other hand, can lead to digestive blockages, obesity, or chronic illness.
Hay: The Foundation of a Rabbit’s Diet
The most important food for an adult rabbit is hay. According to Rabbit.org, hay should make up roughly 85% of your rabbit’s daily diet. When offered in large, unlimited amounts every day, hay delivers vital roughage that promotes proper digestion and helps prevent dangerous blockages or hairballs. It also aids in naturally wearing down a rabbit’s teeth, which continuously grow — without enough fibrous chewing, teeth can overgrow and cause pain or dental issues.
When selecting hay, certain types are better suited for adult rabbits. Grass hays such as timothy, orchard, oat, or other grass-based hays are ideal because they are lower in calories, calcium, and protein compared with richer hays like alfalfa. Alfalfa hay, while nutritious, is too calorie- and calcium-dense for most healthy adult rabbits and should typically be reserved for young bunnies (under ~6–12 months), pregnant or nursing rabbits, or senior or ill rabbits who may need more calories or protein.
It’s best to provide hay unrestricted, meaning your rabbit always has access to a generous portion — at least as large as they are. This ensures they can graze and chew whenever they like, which is natural to a rabbit’s lifestyle.
Leafy Greens: Essential Nutrients and Variety
While hay should constitute the majority of your rabbit’s diet, fresh leafy vegetables add important vitamins, minerals, and hydration. According to Rabbit.org, about 10% of an adult rabbit’s diet can consist of fresh veggies — provided in the right amounts and variety.
As a general guideline, you can offer approximately 1–2 cups of fresh vegetables per four pounds of your rabbit’s body weight each day. It’s wise to offer a variety: choose at least three different kinds of leafy greens daily to ensure a broad spectrum of nutrients. When introducing a new green, do so gradually, adding only one new type at a time and monitoring your rabbit’s stool. If you notice soft stools or diarrhea, hold off on that vegetable and revisit later.
Good green choices include Romaine lettuce (not iceberg), various types of lettuce, parsley, cilantro, dandelion greens (if pesticide-free), carrot tops, basil, mint, and other rabbit-safe herbs. Some greens higher in calcium can be included occasionally but should not dominate the diet.
Greens contribute not only nutrition but also enrichment — offering different tastes and textures, which make mealtime more stimulating and closer to natural rabbit foraging.
Pellets: Important but in Small Amounts
Pellets serve as a secondary component of a rabbit’s diet. They provide balanced micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals that hay and fresh greens may not fully supply. However, pellets should never replace hay as the primary food source. According to experts, pellets should account for only about 5–10% of an adult rabbit’s diet.
Choosing the right pellets matters. High-quality, timothy-hay based pellets with a minimum fiber content of 18% are best. Avoid pellet mixes that include dried fruits, seeds, grains, or “treat bits.” Such mixes are often high in carbohydrates, low in fiber, and can contribute to obesity, digestive problems, or selective eating (where rabbits pick out only the tasty but unhealthy bits).
For adult rabbits, feeding should be limited. As a rough guideline, ¼ cup of pellets per 5 to 6 lbs of rabbit body weight per day is often recommended (some sources allow up to ½ cup depending on size and activity). Always provide pellets in measured amounts — never free-feed — and if changing pellet type or brand, do so gradually by mixing new pellets with the old over several days.
Treats and Fruits: Use Rarely
Rabbits tend to love sweet, sugary foods — but these are not part of a healthy regular diet. Treats such as fruits, carrots, or processed “treat” pellets should be given sparingly, constituting no more than 5–10% of the total diet. In many cases the amount should be far less, limited to occasional small servings one or two times per week.
High-sugar or high-carbohydrate treats can lead to digestive upset, obesity, or even serious gastrointestinal issues if fed frequently. Fruits and carrots should always be considered special treats, not staples. Many rabbit-care guides recommend avoiding sugary “gourmet” mixes or snack pellets entirely.
Instead, treat time can be better spent offering fresh hay, a new type of leafy green (if safe), or a safe chew toy. These enrichments are healthier for your rabbit and support their natural chewing and digestive behaviors.
Special Dietary Needs: Age, Health, and Life Stage
Not all rabbits require the exact same diet. Age, health status, and physiological state (pregnant, nursing, young, senior, or ill) can significantly affect nutritional needs. For example, baby rabbits — under about six to twelve months — often need more protein and calcium for growth, so higher-calorie hays like alfalfa may be appropriate during that period.
Similarly, senior rabbits, underweight rabbits, or those recovering from illness may need adjusted diets, with potentially more pellets or more nutrient-dense foods temporarily. On the other hand, overweight rabbits or rabbits prone to urinary or kidney issues may benefit from diets heavier on hay and greens and lighter on pellets and rich hays.
Because of these variables, it’s wise to consult a veterinarian — ideally one experienced with rabbits — to tailor the diet to your rabbit’s individual needs.
Water: Always Available and Fresh
Alongside proper food, continuously available clean water is essential. Rabbits often drink more water relative to their size than many other mammals, and hydration is crucial for healthy digestion, kidney function, and overall well-being. Provide water in a heavy, tip-proof bowl or a clean bottle (depending on your rabbit’s preference) and refresh it daily. Clean bowls or bottles often to avoid bacterial build-up.
Final Thoughts
A healthy rabbit diet centers on unlimited, high-quality grass hay as the primary food. Complement hay with daily servings of fresh leafy greens, a small measured portion of high-fiber, plain pellets, and occasional treats only in tiny amounts. Customize the diet if your rabbit is a baby, senior or has special health needs, and always ensure clean water is available.
With this balanced approach, you support your rabbit’s digestive health, dental health, proper weight, and overall happiness — helping them live a longer, healthier life.