What Should Rabbits Eat? A Simple Guide to Feeding your Rabbits a Healthy Diet

Getting your rabbits diet right can sometimes feel like a minefield. Recent decades have seen the topic of rabbit diet undergo significant transformation and become the subject of conflicting information and viewpoints. In this straightforward guide, we’ll walk through the basics of providing rabbits with an appropriate diet to ensure they stay happy and healthy.

First things first, it’s important to understand some fundamentals of rabbit digestions. Rabbits have a unique gastrointestinal system to allow them to consume large amounts of fibre. Its vital rabbits have a constant source of high-fibre, low-sugar foods moving through their digestive tract to avoid health issues. Like wild rabbits who spend most of their time grazing on roughage, domestic rabbits require large amounts of fibre to keep their digestion moving.

Rabbits are hindgut fermenters which means after food passes through the stomach and small intestine, it enters a fermentation chamber called the cecum. Here, beneficial bacteria breaks down undigested plant fibres and cecotropes are produced, small shiny droppings which rabbits usually eat. Cecotropes allow rabbits to reabsorb essential nutrients, vitamins and proteins which are created during fermentation.

Hay: Getting the Foundations Right

To provide the large amounts of fibre rabbits need, unlimited hay should form the foundation of your rabbit’s diet. Hay not only supports normal digestive function, but provides great enrichment, allowing your rabbit to display natural grazing behaviours. There are many types of hay, Timothy or Meadow hay are a good daily staple as they have a high fibre, low calcium content. Selecting a good quality hay is key to encouraging your rabbits to eat hay. Many hays sold by pet shops are dusty, short-stranded and may have been sat in a warehouse for long periods before reaching your rabbit. Instead, opt for sweet-smelling, dust-extracted, long-stranded hay. Local farms or feedstores often sell large bales of Timothy or Meadow hay which provide a great cost-effective solution. Or there are many online retailers who sell good quality hay specifically for small pets. Some of our favourites are LittleHayCo, PillowWad and HayBox. A good indication your rabbit is getting enough fibre is their poop! Their dropping should be uniform, dry and golden-brown in colour. Small, dark, irregular dropping may be a sign your rabbit is not eating enough hay.

Feeding your Rabbit Greens:

Following hay, fresh greens should make up the second largest proportion of your rabbit’s diet. Fresh greens provide rabbits with essential vitamins and minerals, and boost hydration and variety. Avoid sugary foods such as carrots and apples and stick to leafy greens and fresh herbs which are nutritious and easy to digest. Safe greens include Coriander, Mint, Dill and Parsley. Gassy greens such as Broccoli and Cabbage should be avoided or fed very minimally. For a full list of safe greens and ones to avoid, check out this post. A good rule of thumb is to provide rabbits with around a handful or fresh greens per day, although each rabbit is different. Some rabbits who are prone to issues such as GI Stasis may need a reduced selection of greens or a smaller amount.

Quick Tip:

Always introduce new foods slowly, this is especially important when it comes to feeding fresh greens as feeding new foods too fast can lead to stomach upsets.

Supplementing with Pellets

Pellets can provide an additional supplement to your rabbit’s diet. Too many pellets can lead to digestive issues, obesity, dental issues and reduced hay consumptions. Rabbits only need a very small number of pellets, about a teaspoon each per day. Look for pellets which are high in fibre and low in unnatural, heavily processed ingredients. Cold-pressed pellets such as the Rosewood Meadow Menu are a good option as they contain natural ingredients and are minimally processed. Make sure to avoid muesli-style foods which are high in sugar and encourage selective feeding.

Treats

Treats aren’t essential but your rabbit will definitely appreciate the occasional one and they can be useful for gaining the trust of nervous rabbits. Unfortunately, many commonly sold treats are unsuitable and contain harmful, unhealthy ingredients such as seeds and honey. Instead, try to stick to a small amount of fruit such as apple or banana, or opt for more natural options. Some favourites with our guests are pea flakes, barley rings and dandelion roots!

Last but not least...

Always ensure your rabbits have fresh drinking water. Rabbits drink A LOT, as much as a small dog in some cases. For this reason, water bowls work best as they allow your rabbit to drink in a more natural position and consume more water. If your rabbit is used to using a water bottle, start by providing both a bottle and a bowl to see which one they prefer.

The Rabbit Diet Pyramid (Source: Author, 2026)

To Summarise

Providing a suitable diet is an important baseline for happy rabbits and getting it right can reduce the risk of certain health problems. Rabbits thrive on a simple, fibre-based diet centered around unlimited good quality hay and nutritious greens and supplemented with a small number of pellets. At Clover’s Pet Care, we’re passionate about providing rabbits with a species-appropriate diet to ensure they can thrive. If you have any questions about your rabbit’s diet, feel free to get in touch.

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