What Do Rabbits Eat? What To Feed Rabbits?

Rabbits are unique pets. These hoppy friends are intelligent, playful and more doable to maintain than cats or dogs. It’s essential to understand their lifestyle when choosing a rabbit as a companion animal.

To live a happy life with a bunny, it is vital to study their body language and how they communicate, their natural preferences, and mainly their sustenance. Every responsible pet owner would know that nutrition and diet is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy pet.

If you are a first-time rabbit owner or are just searching for the best available rabbit food for your fuzzball, you’ve come to the right place. Right here and right now, we will be addressing everything related to feeding your bunnies.

See Also:

• Can Rabbits Eat Bananas For A Healthy Diet? How Much is Too Much?
• Can Rabbits Eat Apples? Does Eating A Apple A Day Keep The Vet Away?
• Can Rabbits Eat Cucumber? Safe or No?

We aim to equip you with enough information to pick the best food for them irrespective of breed or size. Consider it the ultimate rabbit nutrition guide that you always needed. We detail everything from hay, vegetables, and the best rabbit food brands to keep your bunny fit and happy.

Did You Know?

Bunnies do a “binky” when they’re super happy!

Only the cutest thing in the world, a rabbit jumps up and down into the air repeatedly when it shows its delight. Bunnies jump for joy.

Like humans, bunnies get bored quickly.

If left to live alone, rabbits can become depressed or socially withdrawn. They need toys and playmates to keep them amused, opportunities to socialize with other bunnies and space to exercise and run around.

They are very territorial.

They have specific spots where they like to sleep, eat, and potty. If you invade a bunny’s space, he or she will get grumpy so know when to back off.

Rabbits are prey animals.

Since the beginning of time, rabbits have faced dangers from predators like cats, wolves, and birds like falcons and hawks. This fear of danger means that bunnies will do anything to show that they’re not weak, easy targets for animals who want to eat them.

If they’re injured or ill, rabbits will conceal it as best they can. So, it’s essential for a bunny owner to pay close attention to them to make sure they’re healthy and doing good.

Rabbits are not Easter gifts for kids.

Most parents assume a rabbit is a suitable “starter pet” for their children. However, rabbits are easily frightened by restraint and don’t like anyone holding them the same as dogs or cats. They are quite sensitive that even the enthusiasm of a gentle toddler is stressful for them.

Because they don’t “play” like other animal companions, children often lose interest in them when the novelty wears off, leaving them to suffer all alone in cages.

Bunnies have a lifespan of 7- 10 years.

If your family is planning to adopt one, make sure you’re ready for the responsibility. If you think that you’re someone who would enjoy sharing your home with a bunny, research the type of care and the kind of rabbit that would suit your lifestyle.

Types of Rabbits

Rabbits come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some breeds can weigh less than five pounds when fully grown while some as are huge as tabby cats.

Rabbits are commonly classified by; Body Type, Fur Type, Size, and Domestic vs. Wild. Wild rabbits belong in the wild and should not be made pets, while domestic rabbits rely on humans for food and care. [1]

Rabbit Body Types

Their body type commonly classifies domestic rabbits by American Rabbit Breeders Association standards.

Commercial Rabbit Breeds:

Examples: Angoras: French, Giant and Satin, Champagne D’Argent, Californian

Rabbit breeders raise commercial rabbits for meat and fur production. They tend to grow faster than other breeds and have large meaty loins.

Compact Rabbit Breeds:

Examples: American Fuzzy Lop, English Angora, Standard Chinchilla

Smaller breeds of rabbits make up the Compact Rabbit Breeds category mostly. They are tightly built and have an overall round shape.

Cylindrical Rabbit Breeds:

This category currently consists of only the Himalayan Rabbit whose shape is long, slinky and circular in nature.

Full-Arch Rabbit Breeds:

Examples: Belgian Hare, Britannia Petite, English Spot

A fully arched rabbit appears alert and ready to bolt. It stands on its toes, and you can see daylight under its abdomen.

Semi-Arch Rabbit Breeds:

Examples: English Lop, Flemish Giant, Giant Chinchilla

Commonly referred to as the “Gentle Giants,” these rabbits are the largest of all 47 of the ARBA recognized breeds and possess low shoulders and a mandolin-shaped back.

Rabbit Fur Types:

• Ordinary Rabbit Fur: The fur of many of the different breeds of rabbits
• Rex Rabbit Fur: One of the rarest types of rabbit fur known to have a softer and more velvety texture.
• Satin Rabbit Fur: Only Satin and Mini Satin rabbits have this soft type of coat.
• Wool Rabbit Fur: Sometimes referred to as Angora Rabbit Fur, wool fur is quite similar to the fluff found on sheep.

Rabbit Sizes:

• Small Rabbit Breeds: Under 2.7 kg
• Medium Rabbit Breeds: 2.7kg to 4.1kg
• Large Rabbit Breeds: 4.1 kg to 5 kg
• Giant Rabbit Breeds: Over 5 kg+

Domestic vs. Wild Rabbits

Pet rabbits are always domestic rabbits. Humans have bred domestic rabbits over the years to live peacefully in human enclosures. Wild rabbits, on the other hand, survive in the wild outdoors because that is their natural habitat. [2]

What to Feed Rabbits?

Domestic rabbit breeds today originated from wild rabbits that were later tamed to keep as pets. From a digestive point of view, there is very little difference between the diet of a wild rabbit and a house rabbit.

Hay

Like wild bunnies who feed on naturally available grass, your first effort must be to enhance your rabbit’s diet with a supply of hay or natural grass.

Here is a nutrient summary of each type of hay:

• Orchard grass 32 percent Fiber, 10 percent Protein, 0.33 percent Calcium
• Alfalfa 34 percent Fiber, 19 percent Protein, 1.5 percent Calcium
• Timothy 34 percent Fiber, 11 percent Protein, 0.5 percent Calcium

Feed baby rabbits with more alfalfa grass which is high in calories and protein. Adults need more fiber and not so many calories, so a mix of orchard and Timothy is a good choice.

Fresh Veggies

As healthy as hay can be, loss of some of the nutrients is unavoidable due to the drying process. Fresh herbs and vegetables can give the rabbit the moisture that is lacking in dry hay. You can mix at least 2 -3 types of leafy greens (except lettuce) and spread them out over the week. Caution: Overdoing it may trigger side effects of oxalates.

Dry food

What comprises a large part of most house rabbits’ diets; dry food is for caged rabbits bred to eat meat. For this reason, it packs in more concentrated nutrients than what your rabbit would need on a daily basis.

Dry food can either be in the form of mixed foods or pellets. Pellets or nuggets are uniform sized chunks of dried grass. Blended foods are a blend of different dried and processed ingredients that look similar to breakfast cereals.

The top priority to check on is the nutritional value on the product information label. This sense of caution becomes all the more essential if your pet does not continuously eat grass hay or other fresh veggies and herbs. [3]

Best Rabbit Foods in the Market:

There are tons of rabbit food brands to pick from and the term ‘best rabbit food brand’ will depend on your rabbit’s age and type.

If this is your first-time shopping for your pet’s nibbles, we have a guide of the top rabbit foods in the market.

Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Perfect Blend Timothy Hay Pet Food (Hay)

There’s a difference in quality in many brands of hay available in stores. If your bunny has been refusing to eat Timothy hay, then you’d want to try switching to Small Pet Select.

This relatively new brand has been rising in popularity recently thanks to their organic and personal approach to providing top quality supplies for our small furry friends.

The hay from Small Pet Select is of the freshest in the market. Selected and arranged by hand, Small Pet Select hay is not mass manufactured. It is the second cutting Timothy hay, which is softer than the first cutting but not to the extremes.

Their hay is long and delicious with very little to no powdery residue (which is an indicator of a stale batch). It also does not contain any mites or bugs commonly found in cheaper hay brands.

Are you interested in learning more? Click here for more information and the avenue to order yours today:

Oxbow Animal Health Bunny Basics Essentials Adult Rabbit Pet Food (Pellets)

Dry food for rabbits serves two purposes: to fill in the nutrition gaps in their diet and secondly, to cater their taste buds. If your bunny is on the cusp of adulthood, then the Oxbow Adult Rabbit Food is an excellent food choice.

Oxbow Essentials boasts of the complete dietary profile among dried foods. It covers a blend of natural ingredients that incorporate healthy fats, vitamins, protein, minerals, and calcium that an adult rabbit needs every day.

Their formula includes timothy hay for fiber, wheat for carbohydrates and soy for protein and fats. Their comprehensive vitamin blend consists of Vitamins A, D, E and B vitamins which are vital for the rabbit’s skin, fur, eyes, and nails.

Many veterinarians recommend swapping over to the Oxbow essential range of quality rabbit foods, especially if rabbits are facing problems like gastric stasis or poor fur quality. Oxbow pellets are soft and easily chewable for rabbits of all ages.

You will find on this product as well as how to place your order today.

Kaytee Timothy Complete Diet for Rabbit (Pellets)

Ask any pet store for good quality dry rabbit food and the first one they’d recommend will almost always be Kaytee Timothy. This type is hands down, amongst the most widely used adult rabbit food on the market.

The pellets are fresh, soft and most bunny parents swear their rabbits instantly devour it without any hesitation. If you have been using generic brands before, you will notice a marked difference in the color of your bunny’s poo after switching to Kaytee. That’s because Kaytee does not use any artificial flavors or coloring.

The formula’s main ingredient is nutritious, hand-selected and sun-cured Timothy hay along with other essential vitamins and nutrients necessary for your rabbit. Kaytee Timothy Complete is extraordinarily high in fiber to support adult rabbit digestive health.

The vitamin blend contains Rosemary, Vitamins A, E, B12, Niacin, Folic acid among others. Find more facts and how to orders yours today right here on Amazon:

Kaytee Timothy (Hay)

Kaytee Timothy Hay has a slight edge concerning pricing. If you compare it per ounce, this brand is cheaper than any other variety of hay.

For the price point, the quality of hay is pretty acceptable. Though it is not as good as the one from Small Select, it all boils down to your budget.

Each Kaytee Timothy hay bag has a proper leaf to stem ratio and enough long fiber strands to support digestive health. You will find a few brown hay strands and dust in this bag, but that is normal for hays at this price level.

Timothy hay is ideal for rabbits over seven months of age. Compared to alfalfa, it is lower in protein and calcium (which is good for urinary health) and higher in fiber to support adult rabbit digestion.

To buy this leader in food for your bunny, click here:

Small Pet Select Combo Pack for Rabbits (Hay and Pellets)

Despite being a new brand that caters to a niche population of fresh bunny food lovers, it is hard to find Small Pet Select food in markets. That may be because they don’t mass produce their food in a factory.

Instead, they produce less than 500 packets of the food in a month and sell exclusively on Amazon. That process is to ensure that only fresh batches are sold and given the attention to quality lacking in many mass-produced facilities.

The Small Pet Select Combo Pack is everything your rabbit needs to thrive, in one convenient package. This food package includes the Small Pet Select Timothy Hay and the Small Pet Select Timothy Hay Based Food Pellets.

As stated earlier on this list, Small Pet Select hay is not your typical store-bought hay. It is select and carefully boxed, premium 2nd cutting Timothy fiber to ensure only the best quality for your pets.

The soft pellets consist primarily of Timothy hay which makes it an excellent source of indigestible fiber. It also contains soy elements for fat and a healthy blend of vitamins. Some of the notable ones are calcium, Vitamin A, D, E, B vitamins, proteins, and phosphorus.

This product is by a small family business in the USA comprising four employees. They give you a full refund if you are not happy with the quality. It sounds like this unique product is one Rabbit owners want to keep on hand.

You can place your order here to be sure your name is on the list of happy customers and happy bunnies:

Adult Healthier & Happier by Sherwood (Pellets)

Many rabbit parents don’t want to feed their pets dry foods derived from soy or grain at the risk of an allergic reaction. If you are one of them, you’ll be worry-free with Sherwood.

For rabbits allergic to grains or soy, the Sherwood pellets are more natural on their digestive system and contain a blend of nutrients to keep their coat shiny. Plus, the pellets boast a bright green color from the fresh Timothy in it, with no artificial preservatives or colorants added.

A low calorie and balanced meal, Sherwood Adult Healthier & Happier provides extra Timothy grass hay in every pellet. This one supplies essential nutrients needed for optimal health, and to aid your rabbit in achieving a healthy weight.

Whether your rabbit is currently underweight or you’re looking to maintain its’ current healthy weight, Healthier and Happier is a great choice for your rabbits’ daily diet.

An establishment makes this product with excellent transparency and a real passion for rabbits and their health. You can find this product on Amazon today by clicking here:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between all the hay cuts?

A: First cut Timothy Hay is coarser than second and third cuts. It helps to wear down your rabbit’s teeth and keeps their digestion functioning accurately.

Second Cut Timothy Hay is merely the harvest of hay that has regrown after the first cut. It’s an excellent choice for your rabbit if they are aging and need softer grass.

Third Cut Timothy Hay has fewer stems and lots of leaves. It is incredibly soft and ready to eat for any rabbit. With each cutting of the hay, the protein gets slightly higher, and the fiber becomes somewhat lower.

Alfalfa Hay is high in minerals like protein and calcium. However, it does not have enough fiber to maintain the digestion of a healthy adult rabbit. That is best for growing rabbits between the age of 3 weeks and seven months to help them build to a healthy weight.

Orchard Grass is soft grass hay like second cut timothy hay and is an excellent alternative if you are allergic to Timothy Hay. It is low in protein but very high in fiber.

Q: How much food should I feed my rabbit?

A: Rabbits are natural scavengers, and in a human enclosure like an urban home, it is likely to overfeed them.

• Water: Your pet needs a never-ending supply of fresh drinking water at all times.
• Hay: For adult rabbits, maintain one bundle of hay that is the same size as they are.
• Leafy greens: Keep leafy greens to a handful only and spread them out over the day. You can alternate three different greens in a week to acquaint your rabbit with new nutrients. Avoid iceberg lettuce.
• Fruits: Rabbits see apples and carrots as treats so an occasional serving will keep them happy and healthy. Limit this to one treat a day.
• Pellets: For every kilo of a rabbit’s weight, it needs 25 grams of pellets. For an adult rabbit of 4 kg, that translates into 50 grams of pellets per day.

Q: What shouldn’t a rabbit eat?

A: Prohibit dairy and yogurts as they could lead to serious health concerns. Keep an eye out for starchy and sugary veggies like broccoli because of possible gastrointestinal disturbances.

The same goes for fruits loaded with natural sugars and starches. They make for excellent treats but should not be a regular part of your rabbit’s diet.

Q: What food should I feed baby rabbits?

A: From birth, until they reach three weeks of age, let them nurse on mother’s milk. When they reach three weeks, this is a great time to introduce alfalfa in tiny quantities.

On their fifth week, you can give them access to food pellets in addition to mother’s milk and alfalfa. After seven weeks, wean them off the mother’s milk and alfalfa and provide them with access to their dry food and their blend of hay.

At 12 weeks, the bunny is a young adult, and you can start to introduce leafy greens in their diet, one at a time.

When a rabbit has matured, you can start experimenting with fresh veggies and give them unlimited access to their hay.

Q: So, what’s ideal for senior rabbits?

A: Continue a diet like that of the adult if your senior does not exhibit any illness. However, if the rabbit has old problems, like hypercalcemia or is underweight, they may need more alfalfa or pellets.

Conclusion

Rabbit nutrition is simple. Because they eat a lot frequently, their daily nutritional requirement spreads over a variety of foods tailored to them.

A healthy diet is essential to provide rabbits with enough energy for daily activities and is vital for proper brain function. Remember, an energetic and responsive rabbit is a well-fed one.

When you give your rabbit the right amount of care and attention as well as the best nourishment, a happy companionship is just a hop, skip and thump away.

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