What do rabbits eat? A complete feeding guide
The three-pillar rule
A rabbit’s diet rests on three components that cannot replace one another:
- Hay (80–85% of the ration) — the absolute base, available at all times
- Fresh vegetables (10–15%) — varied leafy greens every day
- Pellets (~5%) — a measured nutritional supplement
Fresh water, renewed daily, is essential alongside all of this.
Hay: the non-negotiable base
Hay makes up the overwhelming majority of an adult rabbit’s diet. Its long fibers perform three vital functions: they wear down teeth (which grow continuously), stimulate gut motility, and keep the rabbit mentally occupied for several hours a day.
An adult rabbit weighing 1.5 kg should consume a volume roughly equal to its own body size in hay each day. In practice, hay is never rationed: the rack must always be topped up. For details on quantities and types, see our guide on daily hay amounts.
Recommended types:
- Timothy hay (1st or 2nd cut) for adults
- Meadow hay to vary palatability
- Alfalfa reserved for kits under 6 months
Fresh vegetables: daily greens
Fresh vegetables supply water, vitamins and variety. They do not replace hay but round out the ration effectively.
Recommended daily amount: approximately 1–2 cups of fresh greens per kilogram of body weight per day.
Vegetables to give regularly:
- Basil, flat-leaf parsley, coriander
- Rocket, lamb’s lettuce, chicory/endive
- Outer leaves of savoy cabbage (not the stalk)
- Fennel, celery stalk
- Carrot tops, radish tops
Always wash vegetables and pat them dry before serving. Introduce each new vegetable separately to check digestive tolerance. For the complete list with amounts, see our article on vegetables for rabbits.
Pellets: a supplement, not a base
Despite what many first-time owners believe, pellets are only a nutritional top-up. Given in excess, they reduce hay consumption and promote obesity.
Recommended amounts:
- Kit (up to 6 months): pellets ad libitum
- Young adult (6–12 months): 30–50 g per day
- Adult: 15–25 g per kg of body weight per day (roughly 25–35 g for a 1.5 kg rabbit)
- Senior (6+ years): adjust based on weight and vet advice
Choose pellets with at least 18% crude fiber and no puffed grains or added sugars. For full details on selection and doses, see our pellet guide.
Water: an underestimated need
An adult dwarf rabbit drinks between 50 and 150 ml of water per day depending on temperature and the water content of its vegetables. Provide fresh water in a ceramic bowl or a bottle, renewed every day.
In summer, increase the refresh frequency to prevent bacterial growth.
What to absolutely avoid
Some foods are toxic or strongly inadvisable for rabbits:
- Onion, garlic, shallot, leek (toxic)
- Rhubarb, avocado (toxic)
- Raw potato
- Corn kernels, legumes (peas, beans) in large amounts
- Sweets, sugar, dairy products
- Bread, crackers, chips
For the complete list of forbidden foods, see our article on foods rabbits cannot eat.
Summary
| Component | Proportion | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Hay | 80–85% | Ad libitum, at all times |
| Fresh vegetables | 10–15% | 1–2 times per day |
| Pellets | ~5% | Once a day, measured portion |
| Fresh water | — | Renewed daily |
The rabbit species page covers the fundamental biological characteristics and nutritional needs of the domestic rabbit.
Frequently asked questions
Can rabbits eat fruit?
Yes, but only in very small amounts: one or two small bites per week at most. Fruit is high in sugar and can cause digestive imbalances if given too often.
Can you feed a rabbit on pellets alone?
No. Pellets alone do not cover the long-fiber needs that are essential for proper dental wear and gut motility. Hay must always make up the bulk of the diet.
How many times a day should I feed my rabbit?
Hay is available ad libitum at all times. Fresh vegetables are given once or twice a day. Pellets once a day in a measured portion.
From what age can a kit eat vegetables?
From around 12 weeks, introducing one vegetable at a time in a very small amount to monitor digestive tolerance.