What Can Rabbits Eat? Safe Foods for Pet Rabbits

What Can Rabbits Eat? A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Pet Rabbit

One of the most common questions new rabbit owners ask is simple:

What can rabbits eat?

Rabbits have a unique digestive system that depends on the right balance of foods to stay healthy. Feeding the wrong foods — or even too much of the right foods — can lead to digestive problems, obesity, or serious health issues.

The good news is that feeding a rabbit well is actually quite simple once you understand the basics.

A healthy rabbit diet is built around three main foods:

• Hay
• Pellets
• Fresh greens and safe treats (for rabbits over six months)

Let's take a closer look at each part of a healthy rabbit diet.

Hay: The Most Important Food for Rabbits

Hay should make up the majority of your rabbit's diet. It keeps their digestive system moving properly and helps wear down their continuously growing teeth.

Rabbits should have unlimited access to fresh hay at all times.

The best types of hay for rabbits include:

• Timothy hay
• Orchard grass
• Meadow hay
• Botanical hay

Young rabbits under six months of age can also have alfalfa hay, which contains more protein and calcium to support growth. Once rabbits reach adulthood, they should transition to grass hays such as timothy or orchard.

If you remember nothing else about rabbit nutrition, remember this:

Hay is life for rabbits. 90-95% of a rabbit's diet should be hay.

Pellets: A Helpful Supplement

Pellets are designed to provide concentrated nutrition and help fill in any gaps in the diet.

However, pellets should be fed in moderation, not as the main food source.

For most rabbits, a small measured portion each day is enough. Roughly 1/8-1/4 cup per five pounds of body weight is recommended.

Choose plain, high-quality pellets without colorful bits, seeds, or dried fruit. Many commercial rabbit foods include ingredients that are unnecessary or unhealthy.

A simple pellet made primarily from timothy hay is usually the best choice.

Fresh Greens and Herbs

Once rabbits reach about six months of age, you can begin introducing small amounts of fresh greens.

Greens should be introduced slowly and one at a time, so you can observe how your rabbit's digestive system responds.

Safe greens for rabbits include:

• parsley
• cilantro
• basil
• romaine lettuce
• carrot tops
• dill
• bok choy

Fresh herbs are often a rabbit favorite and can be offered regularly in small portions.

If you notice soft stool or digestive upset after introducing a new green, remove that food and return to hay and pellets until your rabbit's digestion returns to normal.

Fruits and Sweet Treats

Fruits should be considered an occasional treat, not a daily food.

Most fruits are high in natural sugar, which rabbits do not need in large amounts.

Tiny pieces of fruit that rabbits may enjoy include:

• apple (without seeds)
• banana
• strawberry
• blueberry
• raspberry
• watermelon

Treats should be very small portions and offered only occasionally.

At Hot Cross Buns, we recommend waiting until rabbits are at least six months old before introducing fruits or vegetables. Young rabbits have delicate digestive systems that are still developing healthy gut bacteria.

Foods Rabbits Should Never Eat

Some foods are unsafe or difficult for rabbits to digest.

Foods to avoid include:

• chocolate
• candy or sweets
• bread or crackers
• dairy products
• meat
• onions and garlic
• nuts and seeds
• avocado

These foods can upset a rabbit’s digestive system and may cause serious health problems.

Fresh Water

Rabbits should always have access to clean, fresh water.

Many rabbits drink more comfortably from a heavy bowl rather than a hanging bottle, though either option can work if cleaned and refilled regularly.

Water intake is essential for proper digestion and helps keep the gut moving normally.

The Simple Rule of Rabbit Nutrition

If you want to keep rabbit feeding simple, remember this guideline:

Most of a rabbit's diet should be hay.

Pellets provide supplemental nutrition, while fresh greens and occasional treats add variety once the rabbit is old enough to handle them.

By focusing on hay and introducing new foods carefully, you can help your rabbit maintain a healthy digestive system and a long, happy life.

If you'd like to learn more about introducing fruits, vegetables, and other treats safely, be sure to read our companion guide: Rabbit Treat Guidelines, where we explain which treats are safe and why we recommend waiting until rabbits are at least six months old before offering them.