What Do Rabbits Eat

What do rabbits eat? All the new rabbit owners were curious about what to feed their rabbits. Rabbits eat most human foods except grass; water, fresh leafy greens, fresh vegetables, and fruits.

However, it’s important to know when and how much of these foods should be given based on their weight. So, in this article, I am going to tell you what you should feed your rabbit and how much and when.

So let’s begin.

Which hay to feed and why

Hay is one of the most important parts of your rabbit’s diet. 80% of their food should be grass. Basically you want them to have an unlimited supply of hay.

This doesn’t mean you have to give them bales and bales of hay, but just make sure that if their hay is running low at night, then that probably means you should give them a little bit more on a daily basis so that they never end up running out.

Because it is really healthy for their digestive system, the high fiber content helps their digestion keep moving at a regular pace, which is vitally important for rabbits.

It’s also very good for their teeth because rabbits have teeth that keep growing, and the hay helps them to keep munching and wear them down a little bit over time just by eating their daily diet. So, hay is definitely the most important part of a rabbit’s diet.

Now, which type of hay should you provide for your rabbit?

Now, let’s talk about the different types of hay that are good for rabbits. For that, timothy hay comes first; it is generally highest in the amount of fiber. So, the main hay that you should be giving your rabbit is timothy hay.

However, there are other types of grassy spaces that are also good for your rabbits, such as:

• Orchard grass hay

• Ryegrass hay

• Wheatgrass hay

• Bermuda grass hay

• Meadow hay

• Alfalfa hay (It’s best for young rabbits less than six months old who are still growing and need to gain weight to stay healthy, but it’s not ideal to give adult rabbits more than six months old)

You can feed your rabbit those types of grass all day.

Vegetables and Leafy Greens

Now, let’s talk about some vegetables and leafy greens that you can give your rabbit to feed.

In your rabbit’s diet, 15% of their diet should consist of vegetables and leafy greens. They are very important for your rabbit because they add nutrients quite a bit of fiber and water.

The amount you give your rabbit will vary depending on their weight. Look at the chart here so you can see how much you should give your rabbit on a daily basis.

Weight of the rabbit	Maximum amount of leafy greens
2 pounds	1.0 cup
3 pounds	1.5 cup
4 pounds	2.0 cup
5 pounds	2.5 cup
6 pounds	3.0 cup
7 pounds	3.5 cup
8 pounds	4.0 cup
9 pounds	4.5 cup
10 pounds	5.0 cup

It doesn’t have to be completely exact; this is really just a guideline so that you can have an idea of how much you should give your rabbit.

Here are some vegetables and leafy greens that you should give your rabbit to eat:

Parsley
Cilantro 
Dill 
Rosemary Thyme
Bok choy
Basil
Mint
Kale
Arugula
Brussels sprouts
Watercress
spinach
Spring greens
Broccoli
Celery
Capsicum
Cilantro
Turnips
Turnips (both the roots and the green leaves)
All lettuces (except iceberg lettuce) such as romaine lettuce, leafy lettuce, Red and green lettuce, and butter lettuce.

Make sure you give your rabbit vegetables and leafy greens in the evening or late afternoon. Also don’t just give them the same leafy green over and over again.

It’s really good to kind of mix it up and then give them three or four different types in a day.

Pellets

Pellets should be given in very small quantities, like 5% of their food; think of them like a side dish and give them in the morning or early evening. Make sure the pellets you feed your bunnies have a minimum of 18% fiber. I personally use small pets like Timothy pellets with 25% fiber.

Here are some recommended percentages of pellets based on their weight.

Weight of the rabbit	Amount of daily pellets
2 pounds	2 TBSP
3 pounds	3 TBSP
4 pounds	1/4 CUP
5 pounds	1/4 CUP + 1 TBSP
6 pounds	1/4 CUP + 2 TBSP
7 pounds	1/4 CUP + 3 TBSP
8 pounds	1/2 CUP
9 pounds	1/2 CUP + 1 TBSP
1o pounds	1/2 CUP + 2 TBSP

Pellets contain more nutrients, proteins, and vitamins, so it’s beneficial to include a small amount in your rabbit’s daily diet for added nutrition.

Don’t give them too many pellets to eat, as it can cause health issues such as digestive problems and dental issues. Give them according to the percentage I have provided.

Fruits as Treats

Fruit shouldn’t be given too often; you want to give it basically as treats up to three to four times a week in the morning or early evening.

Giving too many sugary treats is unhealthy. It can cause an imbalance in your rabbit’s gut, slowing down digestion, which can end up being dangerous and cause health concerns such as GI stasis or even potentially tooth problems such as tooth decay or overgrown teeth.

Also remove uneaten fruit after three to four hours. Don’t give treats to baby rabbits under six weeks; they will only eat their mother’s milk.

Here are some recommended percentages of fruits based on their weight.

Weight of the rabbit	Maximum amount of treats
2 pounds	2 TSP
3 pounds	1 TBSP
4 pounds	1 TBSP + 1 TSP
5 pounds	1 TBSP + 2 TSP
6 pounds	2 TBSP
7 pounds	2 TBSP + 1 TSP
8 pounds	2 TBSP + 2 TSP
9 pounds	3 TBSP
10 pounds	3 TBSP + 2 TSP

Here are some safe fruits that you can give your rabbits:

apples (any variety without seeds)
cherries (any variety without the pits)
Pear
plum(without pits)
kiwi
berries (any type as long as they’re uncooked)
pineapple (make sure you’re removing the skin)
banana (make sure you remove the peel and try not to give too much banana as it is quite sweet)
melons (any type of melon without seeds)
apricot (without pits)
Strawberries
Papayas
Grapes or raisins

Water

You have to give fresh water to your rabbit every day. Provide it in heavy bowls to prevent them from flipping them over. You can use large ceramic dog bowls for that. I also use them for my rabbit. Also, clean the bowl every day.

What Can Rabbits Not Eat

Here are some vegetables and foods that are unsafe or harmful for rabbits to eat:

Rhubarb
Avocado
Potato (including potato leaves and stems)
Tomato leaves and stems
Onions
Chocolate
Garlic
Leeks Chives
Shallots Beet
Rhubarb
Beans
CabbageAll types of onions
scallions
corn
olives
All types of mushrooms
Cauliflower
Yogurt drops
Bread
Pasta
Cookies
Crackers
Peanut butter
Hamster food
Walnuts
Oatmeal
Meat
Cauliflower

Those are the foods your rabbit can eat.

Read this article on how to take care of your rabbit.