What do rabbits eat?
Despite popular belief, carrots aren’t the main source of food for rabbits – nor should they be. From leafy greens to fresh hay and grass, with the occasional fruit or vegetable treat, rabbits need a suitable and nutritious diet to thrive.
On this page you’ll find out what makes a good diet for pet rabbits, what foods to avoid and how to check they’re healthy.
Jump to:
The ideal diet for rabbits
A rabbit diet should consist mostly of fresh hay and grass (85%), with some leafy greens (10%) and a few pellets or nuggets (5%). Certain fruits and vegetables can be given in moderation as an occasional treat. Make sure they always have fresh water available to drink.
85% of diet
Fresh hay and grass
10% of diet
Leafy greens
5% of diet
Pellets or nuggets
Rabbit diet requirements
As with all animals, a good diet is crucial for rabbits. Nutritious food keeps them healthy, happy, energised and can prevent digestive and dental issues. Rabbit teeth also grow continuously, and the right diet will help to encourage the chewing action needed to wear them down and maintain the right length and shape. An unsuitable diet can contribute to dental problems and may lead to serious dental disease.
Another aspect of their diet is their droppings. Rabbits produce two types of droppings – hard dry pellets, and softer moist pellets (known as ‘caecotrophs’), which they eat directly from their bottom. These are an essential part of their diet, but this one they’ll sort themselves.
Rabbits should always have unlimited access to good-quality hay or grass. Offer their daily pellets and fresh greens during their most active hours (early morning and late afternoon), when they naturally like to graze, forage and socialise. Keep anywhere they eat from clean, and replace food and water regularly.
Remember; eating too much of any of these foods can lead to stomach discomfort and obesity. Only serve appropriate amounts and as part of a balanced diet.
Important: Avoid sudden changes in their diet, as this can upset a rabbit’s digestive system and make them ill. If you’re planning to change what they eat, speak to your vet first for advice.
Is your rabbit refusing their food?
Some rabbits may be reluctant to eat. If this is the case, take them to a vet to check there are no underlying health problems, such as gut stasis (a slowdown or stopping of the normal movement of food through the digestive system), which needs immediate attention, or dental disease, which can make chewing uncomfortable and reduce their willingness to eat.
If the vet confirms there are no health problems and your rabbit still refuses to eat, try them on a different type of food (such as hay from a different provider) to see if they prefer it.
Types of rabbit food
Hay and grass
As the main part of their diet – making up 85% of what they eat – pet rabbits should always have access to good quality, high-fibre hay (sweet-smelling and dust-free) and grass. As a guide, always provide a ‘rabbit-sized’ bundle of good-quality hay every day (it should be as big as they are).
You can give your rabbits hay in various ways – such as in a wooden hay feeder or a grazing tray. Keeping hay in racks or hanging baskets helps to keep the hay clean and grazing trays encourage natural foraging behaviour, while placing hay close to or above litter trays may encourage some rabbits to eat more.
Hay and grass are vital to rabbits’ health, helping to:
- Keep their digestive system functioning
- Provide vital fibre
- Wear down their continually-growing teeth
- Encourage natural grazing and foraging behaviours, supporting their wellbeing
In the wild, rabbits graze on grass and other plants, mainly at dawn and dusk. Rabbits should always have unlimited access to hay and, where possible, safe access to fresh-growing grass or kiln-dried grass. Don't feed them lawnmower clippings, as these can make them ill.
Leafy greens and herbs
Rabbits need a large handful of safe, washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds daily – making up 10% of their diet.
Aim to offer a mix of several different leafy greens and herbs, rotating them regularly rather than feeding the same few types every day. For flavourful fun for your rabbit, mix several ingredients together, or try our very own flower salad.
Good leafy greens and herbs to feed daily include:
- Romaine lettuce
- Spring greens
- Watercress
- Rocket
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Coriander
- Mint
- Dandelion leaves
Some greens (such as spinach, cabbage and celery) can also be fed safely but should only be offered occasionally.
Introduce new types of greens gradually, in small amounts, to avoid potential stomach upsets.
Warning: Some plants are poisonous, such as bluebells, foxgloves, holly and tulips. Find out more about which plants are rabbit-safe and which plants to avoid, or speak to your vet if you’re unsure. Take care when choosing what leafy greens to feed your rabbits – if in doubt, leave it out!
Pellets and nuggets
Pellets are compressed supplements made from grains, hay, minerals and vitamins. Nuggets are made from the same ingredients as pellets, but are shaped with heat and moisture to create a crunchy texture.
Feed your rabbits a small, measured ration of good-quality commercial rabbit pellets or nuggets each day (making up 5% of their daily diet), to help them get a balanced diet by providing additional vitamins and minerals. Avoid constantly topping up pellets and nuggets, as the rabbits might stop eating hay or grass in favour of pellets, when hay and grass should make up the majority of their diet.
Make sure the pellets or nuggets are high quality and contain high fibre levels. For a healthy adult rabbit, allow 25g (approximately an egg cup-full) of nuggets per kilogram of their body weight, but take care to adjust the amount given according to individual rabbit’s needs, based on their lifestyle, activity levels, age and overall health.
Growing, pregnant, nursing or underweight rabbits may need larger portions. If you’re unsure about the right amount for your rabbits, seek advice from a vet.
Note: Scatter nuggets or pellets around your rabbit’s enclosure for them to find, as a fun and enriching activity.
Water requirements
Rabbits should have access to fresh and clean drinking water all throughout the day. Without it, they can become seriously ill.
Rabbits tend to prefer water in a heavy ceramic bowl, but can drink from drip-feed bottles. If using bottles, check them daily to make sure the end isn't blocked. Clean the water containers every day and change the water twice a day, even if the rabbits haven’t finished it all.
During summer, look out for algae (the water or container will appear green) – and clean thoroughly if there are any signs of it. During winter, make sure the water hasn’t frozen over. It's useful to have a spare bottle or two available for when you're cleaning the bottle, or if the water has frozen.
A rabbit’s diet remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of their care. Feeding an appropriate diet is vital to their health and wellbeing, which is why understanding their nutritional needs is so important for every rabbit owner – and every rabbit.
Occasional treats
Like us, rabbits enjoy eating and deserve an occasional treat. Whether used as a reward, to provide variety or simply an act of kindness, the following treats can be given in moderation and as part of a balanced diet:
- Fruit: Like bananas, strawberries and apples (but not their pips, as these are poisonous to rabbits).
- Vegetables: Like carrots, celery, cucumber, swede, green beans, etc.
- Treats: Like mixes of dried flowers or herbs, or any of the treats in our shop.
Did you know?
Carrots aren’t the best food for rabbits.
They’re high in sugar and often contribute to weight gain and digestive problems. Instead, give your rabbits carrot tops (the leafy green part) as part of a varied selection of leafy greens.
Foods to avoid
Now you know what to feed a bunny, it’s just as important that you also understand what not to feed them. Rabbits may nibble on a wide range of things, but not all of what they ingest is nutritious or safe. Many are toxic, causing mild ailments like excessive gas or leading to life-threatening conditions like bleeding or paralysis, and non-toxic foods can lead to digestive issues and other health problems.
- Muesli-style mixes
- Avocados
- Chocolate
- Cereals
- Fruit seeds/pits
- Onions
- Leeks
- Garlic
- Meat
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Broad beans
- Kidney beans
- Rhubarb
- Iceberg lettuce
- Lawnmower clippings
- Mushrooms
- Sweetcorn (including dried corn (maize))
- Chilli peppers
- Tomato leaves and stems
- House plants
- Processed foods
- Bread
- Pasta
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes (raw or cooked)
- Products containing artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol)
- Caffeine
- Sugary or salty human foods
If you think your rabbit has eaten something poisonous or unsafe, call your vet as soon as you can.
A note on muesli
Muesli-style foods (which are commercial products containing different foods such as flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains and seeds) aren't recommended for rabbits as they encourages selective feeding. Rabbits may selectively eat the tastier, lower-fibre ingredients and leave behind the more nutritious parts, which can contribute to an unbalanced diet, leading to an increased risk of serious dental problems and digestive issues, as well as excessive weight gain and obesity.
If your rabbits are currently on a muesli diet, gradually transfer them onto a healthier diet, which will help their digestive system in a relatively short period of time. This change should be done slowly over 14 to 28 days to avoid potentially serious tummy upsets (the exact time-scale will depend on each individual animal).
To do so, mix a small amount of nuggets into their current food, gradually reducing the amount of muesli, until it has been completely replaced. Your vet can advise you on how to provide the best diet for each of your rabbits and how to safely transition them onto a hay, leafy greens and nugget based feeding plan.
Has your rabbit eaten something they shouldn’t?
Worried that your rabbit has eaten something poisonous, or is showing signs of illness after eating? Contact your vet immediately.
Tips on keeping your rabbit healthy
Your rabbit’s food requirements depend on several things, including their age, lifestyle, activity levels and general health. The best way to ensure they stay healthy is to keep an eye on them, making note of any unusual changes to their appetite, bowel movements, behaviour and weight.
Introducing them to a healthy diet
If you’re thinking of changing your rabbit’s diet, or introducing them to new, more appropriate foods, make sure to:
- Talk to a vet first: To ask for advice or express any concerns.
- Make the change over several weeks: Sudden changes can cause serious digestive issues.
- Monitor your rabbits at least twice daily: To make sure they’re eating plenty of hay and leafy greens and enough pellets/nuggets. If they're not eating enough, please take them to a vet immediately.
- Know your rabbit’s weight and body condition score: The quantity of food they need depends on their age, lifestyle and general health, so you can adjust their food if they’re becoming overweight or underweight.
Keeping an eye on their appetite and droppings
As prey animals, rabbits in pain often hide their discomfort, as showing weakness can make them vulnerable to predators. This can make it difficult to spot signs that they’re suffering. However, the more you know your rabbit’s usual behaviour, the easier it’ll be to spot when something is unusual. This often includes changes to their appetites and droppings.
Changes to their appetite
Make sure to monitor the amount they eat and drink on a normal day. If their dietary habits change in any significant way, or you’re concerned about what or how much they’re eating, talk to your vet immediately – this may be a sign your rabbit is seriously ill.
Some appetite changes to look out for:
- Refusing to eat
- Showing reduced interest in certain foods
- Drooling or signs of difficulty eating
- Weight gain or loss
Changes to their droppings
First, get to know what their droppings look like. Then, when you monitor them, ask yourself, do their droppings look normal? Are they eating them?
Rabbits eat the caecotroph droppings directly from their own bottoms – which helps them get as much goodness as possible from their food. If you see sticky droppings in toilet areas, bedding or stuck to the fur around their bottoms, it can be a sign that they’re not eating them. This can lead to digestive issues and an increased risk of flystrike. If your rabbit regularly has uneaten caecotrophs, speak to a vet for advice.
Any change in the size, shape, quantity, or consistency of the hard poo pellets can mean your rabbit is poorly. If you're concerned, monitor your rabbit closely and keep track of their eating, drinking and behaviour. If your rabbit has diarrhoea, is passing soft faeces or the quantity and consistency of their poo pellets doesn’t return to normal within 24 hours, book an appointment with a vet as soon as possible.
Pet rabbit rehoming
Adopt a rabbit
Looking to rehome a rabbit or two? You don’t need to go down a rabbit hole of your own – we can find the right bunnies for you and your home.
What rabbits need
A rabbit's digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly so a healthy supply is extremely important. Their teeth grow continuously and the right food will wear them down and keep them the right size and shape – think grass and/or hay and leafy green plants. The wrong diet can cause serious dental disease.
Avoid sudden changes in diet though, as this can upset a rabbit’s digestive system and make them ill.
Give your rabbits
- 85% hay and fresh grass
- 10% leafy green vegetables and herbs
- 5% pellets
Give fresh clean drinking water at all times
Without water rabbits become seriously ill. So make sure your rabbits have constant access to fresh, clean water.
Rabbits tend to prefer water in a heavy ceramic bowl, but can drink from drip-feed bottles. If using bottles, check them daily to make sure the end isn't blocked. Clean the water containers every day and change the water twice a day, even if the rabbits haven’t drunk it all.
Look out for algae in summer (the water or container will appear green) and the water freezing over in winter. It's useful to have a spare bottle or two at home, for when you're cleaning the bottle or if the water has frozen.
Feed them mostly hay and grass
Pet rabbits should always have good quality hay and/or grass available to eat, as it should be the main part of their diet. Give them at least one bundle of good quality hay every day – it should be as big as they are!
Their digestive systems need grass and/or hay to function properly. In the wild, they graze on grass and other plants, mainly at dawn and dusk. So, let them graze on growing grass or kiln-dried grass. But don't feed them lawnmower clippings, as these can make them ill.
Some rabbits might be fussy and reluctant to eat hay. If this is the case, take them to a vet to check there are no underlying health problems. Dental disease can make chewing uncomfortable, so they’re less likely to eat hay or grass. If the vet confirms that there are no health problems and your rabbit still refuses to eat hay, try them on a different type of hay or hay from a different provider to see if it suits them better.
Add in some leafy greens
Rabbits need a large handful of safe, washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds daily. It’s best to give them a variety each day – ideally five to six different types. Good foods are spinach, celery, cabbage, kale, broccoli, rosemary, parsley, mint and dandelion leaves. Introduce new types of greens gradually, in small amounts, to avoid potential stomach upsets
Take care as some plants are poisonous – bluebells, foxgloves, holly and tulips, for example.
Find out more about which plants are rabbit-safe and which plants to avoid. A vet can also advise. But if in doubt, leave it out!
Products for small furries
Occasional treats
Pellets/nuggets
You can give pet rabbits a small, measured amount of good-quality pellets or nuggets each day – follow the manufacturer's instructions. Don't top-up the bowl as the rabbits might stop eating enough hay/grass. Growing, pregnant, nursing or underweight rabbits may need larger portions.
Root vegetables and fruit
Only give your rabbits small amounts of root vegetables and fruit, such as carrots and apples, as an occasional treat.
What to avoid
Muesli-style foods aren't recommended for rabbits as they can lead to serious dental disease and digestive problems and can cause rabbits to put on excessive weight, even becoming obese. Muesli is a commercial product and contains different foods such as flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains and seeds.
If your rabbits are currently on a muesli diet, you can still change them to a healthier diet as this will help their digestive system in a relatively short period of time.
Please note that we strongly recommend transferring them to a healthier diet gradually over several weeks, as any sudden change can cause serious digestive upset.
Moving your rabbit onto a healthy diet
Talk to a vet immediately if you have concerns while moving your rabbit from muesli to a healthy diet.
- Mix some pellets or nuggets with muesli, gradually reducing the muesli and increasing the pellets or nuggets until the muesli is completely replaced.
- Use good quality pellets or nuggets designed for rabbits.
- Good-quality hay and/or grass should eventually make up the bulk of your rabbit's diet and should be available to them constantly, along with clean water.
Monitor your rabbits at least twice daily during this time to make sure they eat plenty of hay and leafy greens and enough pellets/nuggets. If they're not eating enough, please take them to a vet immediately.
Do their droppings look normal? Are they eating their own droppings? See Know their droppings, below.
Top tips for keeping your rabbit healthy
Know your rabbit’s weight
The quantities of food they need depends on their age, lifestyle and general health, so you can adjust their food if they’re becoming overweight or underweight. Ask your vet for advice if you’re concerned.
Monitor the amount they eat and drink
If their dietary habits change, talk to your vet immediately as your rabbit could be seriously ill.
Know their droppings
Rabbits produce two types of droppings – hard, dry, waste pellets and softer moist pellets (known as ‘caecotrophs’). They eat the caecotrophs directly from their own bottoms. This is a healthy thing for rabbits to do as it helps them get as much goodness as possible from their food. So, if you see sticky droppings in toilet areas, bedding or stuck to the fur around their bottoms, it can be a sign that they’re not eating them. This can cause digestive problems and lead to flystrike.
Any change in the consistency of the hard poo pellets can mean your rabbit is poorly. If you're concerned, please monitor your rabbit closely. If you notice your rabbit has diarrhoea or is passing soft faeces, book an appointment with a vet as soon as possible. You should also take your rabbit to see a vet if you notice minor changes in poo pellet quantity and consistency that don't return to normal within 24 hours.
Different rabbits have different needs
Young, pregnant, nursing or ill rabbits have different needs, so talk to your vet about suitable diets.
