List of Rabbit Foods

Rabbits can safely consume a combination of foods, including hay, pellets, vegetables and fruit. Knowing the role each food plays in a rabbit's health and how much a rabbit should eat is important. Remember that recommended quantities of food differ from various sources, so check with your pet's veterinarian for personalized advice.

  1. Hay

    • Hay is an essential part of a rabbit's diet. "Perhaps the single most important item in the rabbit diet is grass hay, and it should be fed in unlimited quantities to both adults and baby rabbits," advises Dana Krempel, Ph.D., of Miami University. Hay promotes normal digestion and prevents hairballs because of its fiber content. "Offer fresh grass hays, such as timothy, oat, coastal, brome, Bahia or wheat," Krempel notes. Alfalfa has too much protein and calcium to offer in unlimited quantities.

    Pellets

    • Pellets are another acceptable food for rabbits. Krempel recommends a good quality commercial rabbit pellet since many trace nutrients, vitamins and minerals are included that a rabbit might not get if it is fed only hay and fresh foods. She added that only a small amount of pellets are needed for a rabbit's health. Make sure the pellet has no fruit, nuts, seeds or other colorful objects. "Rabbits are strict herbivores, and in nature they rarely get fruit, nuts or other such fatty, starchy foods," Krempel advised. Rabbits can eat one-eighth of a cup of pellets each day for every 5 lbs. of body weight.

    Vegetables

    • Contrary to belief, vegetables do not give rabbits diarrhea; they just make it easier for the bunny to pass the food through its system. The benefits of fresh vegetables and greens are the trace nutrients, fiber and good taste. Serve the vegetables wet to increase liquid intake, and make sure the vegetables are fresh since rabbits are sensitive to rotting food. Champaign County Humane Society recommends feeding rabbits a minimum of 1 cup of fresh food daily per 5 lbs. of body weight.

    Fruits

    • Fruits are not a part of a rabbit's diet and, if given, should be considered a treat and disbursed in very limited quantities. Virtually all fruit is acceptable to give to a rabbit, including strawberries, blueberries, mango, cactus fruit and tomatoes. Fruits may cause cecal dysbiosis and other intestinal problems as well as creating a preference over the bunny's normal, healthy foods. Krempel recommends the treat should not be more than 1 heaping tbsp. for every 4 lbs. of body weight.