Getting the daily diet right is crucial for your rabbit’s health. This practical guide shows you exactly what to feed your bunny each day. For a deeper dive into the science and theory behind these recommendations, check out our Complete Guide to Rabbit Nutrition.
🥗 Your Rabbit’s Perfect Daily Diet
80-85% HAY
UNLIMITED – Size of rabbit’s body
Timothy, orchard grass, or meadow hay
10-15% VEGETABLES
1-2 cups per 5 lbs body weight
Leafy greens + variety of veggies
5% PELLETS
1/4 cup per 5 lbs
Timothy-based, plain pellets
<5% TREATS
1-2 tablespoons max
Occasional fruits only
📅 Sample Daily Meal Plans
For a 5 lb (2.3 kg) Medium Rabbit
🌅 Morning (7-8 AM)
- 🌾 Fresh hay: Pile size of rabbit (refill all day as needed)
- 🥬 Vegetables (1 cup):
- 1/2 cup romaine lettuce
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 2-3 baby carrots (or carrot tops)
- 1/4 cup bell pepper strips
- 🥘 Pellets: 1/4 cup timothy-based pellets
- 💧 Water: Fresh, clean water (check/refill)
🌆 Evening (6-7 PM)
- 🌾 Hay check: Top off hay supply
- 🥬 Vegetables (1 cup):
- 1/2 cup green leaf lettuce
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 1/4 cup cucumber slices
- Small piece of zucchini
- 🍓 Treat (optional, not daily): 1 small strawberry OR 1 blueberry
- 💧 Water: Change water completely
🌙 Before Bed (Optional)
- 🌾 Final hay check – ensure plenty for night
- 💧 Quick water check
🥬 Daily Vegetable Shopping List
Weekly Rotation (Mix & Match Daily)
🟢 Leafy Greens (Choose 2-3 daily)
- Romaine lettuce ⭐
- Green leaf lettuce ⭐
- Red leaf lettuce ⭐
- Butter lettuce
- Arugula
- Bok choy
- Cilantro ⭐
- Basil ⭐
- Mint
- Watercress
- Parsley (moderate amounts)
⭐ = Rabbit favorites!
🟡 Other Vegetables (Choose 1-2 daily)
- Bell peppers (any color) ⭐
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Celery (cut into small pieces)
- Carrot tops (better than carrots!)
- Broccoli (small amounts, stem preferred)
- Brussels sprouts (small amounts)
🔴 Limited/Occasional (Once or twice a week)
- Carrots (high sugar!) 🥕
- Kale (high calcium)
- Spinach (high oxalates)
- Cabbage (can cause gas)
🛒 Weekly Shopping List Example:
- ✓ 2 heads romaine lettuce
- ✓ 1 bunch green leaf lettuce
- ✓ 1 bunch cilantro
- ✓ 1 bunch parsley
- ✓ 2-3 bell peppers (mix colors)
- ✓ 1 cucumber
- ✓ 1 zucchini
- ✓ 1 bunch carrots (use tops mainly)
- ✓ Fresh basil or mint (optional)
Estimated cost: $15-25/week for one rabbit
⚖️ Portion Sizes by Weight
| Rabbit Weight | Daily Veggies | Daily Pellets | Daily Hay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-3 lbs (small) | 3/4 – 1 cup | 1/8 cup | Unlimited |
| 4-6 lbs (medium) | 1.5 – 2 cups | 1/4 cup | Unlimited |
| 7-10 lbs (large) | 2 – 3 cups | 1/2 cup | Unlimited |
| 11+ lbs (giant) | 3 – 4 cups | 3/4 cup | Unlimited |
🍼 Special Considerations
Baby Rabbits (Under 6 months)
- 🌾 Unlimited alfalfa hay + some timothy
- 🥘 Unlimited alfalfa-based pellets
- 🥬 Introduce vegetables slowly starting at 12 weeks
- 🍓 NO treats until 6 months
- 💧 Unlimited water
Senior Rabbits (6+ years)
- 🌾 Unlimited timothy hay (easier to digest)
- 🥘 May need slightly more pellets if losing weight
- 🥬 Same vegetables, ensure eating enough
- 💧 Monitor water intake closely
- Note: Adjust based on activity level and weight
Overweight Rabbits
- 🌾 Unlimited hay (essential!)
- 🥘 Reduce or eliminate pellets
- 🥬 Full vegetables (they’re low calorie)
- 🍓 NO treats
- 🏃 Increase exercise time
⏰ Feeding Schedule Tips
Best Practices:
- ⏰ Feed at consistent times daily
- 🌅 Best times: Early morning and evening (crepuscular schedule)
- 🥬 Divide vegetables into 2 meals for better digestion
- 🌾 Keep hay available 24/7 – never let it run out!
- 💧 Fresh water twice daily minimum
- 🗑️ Remove uneaten vegetables after 4-6 hours
- 🧼 Wash food bowls daily
- 🔄 Rotate vegetable types for variety
🚫 Never Feed These Foods
Toxic & Dangerous Foods:
- ❌ Avocado (toxic)
- ❌ Chocolate (toxic)
- ❌ Rhubarb (toxic)
- ❌ Iceberg lettuce (causes diarrhea)
- ❌ Onions, garlic, leeks (toxic)
- ❌ Potatoes, potato leaves (toxic)
- ❌ Tomato leaves (fruit okay in small amounts)
- ❌ Raw beans (toxic)
- ❌ Bread, crackers, cereal
- ❌ Candy, cookies, processed foods
- ❌ Dairy products
- ❌ Meat of any kind
- ❌ Seeds, nuts, grains
- ❌ Yogurt drops (marketed for rabbits but unhealthy!)
💡 Quick Answers to Common Questions
Q: Can I give my rabbit only pellets?
A: NO! Pellets alone cause serious health problems. Hay must be the foundation of the diet.
Q: My rabbit won’t eat hay. What do I do?
A: Try different types/brands, reduce pellets (they’ll eat hay when hungry), make hay more appealing (put in toys, different locations). Consult vet if continues.
Q: How do I know if I’m feeding enough?
A: Monitor weight weekly, check body condition (should feel ribs but not see them), observe poop output (lots of poops = good!), ensure active and healthy. Changes in eating habits or poop consistency can indicate health issues – don’t ignore these signs!
Q: Can rabbits eat fruit every day?
A: No. Fruit is high in sugar. Limit to 1-2 times per week maximum, 1-2 tablespoons.
Q: What if my rabbit stops eating?
A: EMERGENCY! Go to vet immediately. Not eating for 12 hours is life-threatening.
Q: Do rabbits need salt licks or vitamin supplements?
A: No. A proper diet provides everything they need. Supplements can cause imbalances.
📝 Daily Feeding Checklist
Morning Routine:
- □ Check hay supply – refill if needed
- □ Provide 1 cup mixed vegetables per 5 lbs
- □ Give measured pellets (1/4 cup per 5 lbs)
- □ Fresh water – check level and cleanliness
- □ Remove any old vegetables from yesterday
Evening Routine:
- □ Top off hay – ensure plenty for night
- □ Provide second serving of vegetables
- □ Optional small treat (not daily!)
- □ Change water completely
- □ Remove uneaten fresh food
Weekly Tasks:
- □ Weigh rabbit
- □ Deep clean food/water bowls
- □ Stock up on hay and fresh vegetables
- □ Rotate vegetable varieties
🎯 The Golden Rules of Rabbit Feeding:
- 🌾 HAY is #1 – Always unlimited, always fresh
- 🥬 Variety matters – Rotate vegetables for balanced nutrition
- 🥘 Pellets are a supplement – Not the main diet
- 🍓 Treats are treats – Occasional only
- 💧 Water is life – Fresh daily, always available
- ⏰ Consistency wins – Feed at same times daily
- ⚖️ Monitor weight – Adjust portions as needed
- 🩺 Eating = Healthy – If they stop eating, see vet NOW
🧮 Need Help Planning Portions?
Use our Rabbit Food Calculator to get personalized daily feeding recommendations based on your rabbit’s weight and age!
📚 Want to Learn More?
- Read our Complete Nutrition Guide for in-depth information
- Understand how diet affects common health issues
- Explore our “Can Rabbits Eat…” series for specific food safety information
Remember: Every rabbit is different! Use these guidelines as a starting point, then adjust based on your bunny’s age, activity level, and individual needs. When in doubt, consult your rabbit-savvy veterinarian. Happy feeding! 🐰🥕
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