What do rabbits eat? Rabbits thrive on a high-fiber diet that keeps their unique digestive system working properly. While hay should make up most of their daily food, rabbits also benefit from carefully selected pellets, leafy greens, herbs, and occasional fruits and vegetables. Knowing which foods are safe—and which should be avoided—can help prevent digestive problems and keep your rabbits healthy for years to come.

Key Takeaways

• Hay should make up the majority of a rabbit’s daily diet.
• Rabbits need plenty of fiber to support their unique digestive system.
• High-quality rabbit pellets provide important vitamins and minerals.
• Leafy greens and fresh herbs are excellent daily additions.
• Fruits should be offered only as occasional treats because of their sugar content.
• Avoid toxic foods such as avocados, onion-family plants, tomato vines, and iceberg lettuce.

Why a Rabbit’s Digestive System Matters

Before learning all about what do rabbits eat, it is helpful to gain some basic knowledge of their digestive tract. The digestive tract is a critical part of a rabbit, and without a properly working one, rabbits can die within a short period of time.

Rabbits are herbivores (meaning they eat only plants) and require a fiber-rich diet. These fibers can be hard to digest, so rabbits go through a process called double digestion. Like humans, rabbits have an esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, but the most interesting part of the digestive tract lies in the big organ near the end of the digestive tract called the cecum.

The cecum is where the rabbit’s body digests most of the fibers. However, it does not digest the amino acids and vitamins the rabbit needs to survive. Once the food passes through the cecum, it exits the body through soft feces called cecotrophs. The rabbit then eats the cecotrophs, so the stomach and small intestine can absorb the vitamins and amino acids.

Should I Feed My Rabbit Pellets?

One of the most common questions when discussing what do rabbits eat is, “Should I feed my rabbits pellets?” While this answer varies by source, the general rule of thumb is that rabbits should be fed a few pellets twice daily (once in the morning and then again in the evening) when rabbits are most active.

Rabbits need pellets to provide them with the necessary vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in their hay. Feeding a high-quality, species-specific feed from a trusted brand is the best way to ensure your herd is receiving the right amount of nutrients. Avoid using feed that has whole ingredients mixed in with the pellets.

Do Rabbits Need Hay?

If you have done your own research on what do rabbits eat, you have probably noticed a lot of feedback on rabbits requiring hay. This is because rabbits need a lot of fiber to keep their digestive systems working correctly.

While they do need to eat a lot of hay, there are a few kinds that are exceptionally good for rabbits, including timothy hay, orchard grass, and meadow hay. In general, this hay is cheaper and has better quality when purchased by the bale from a local farmer versus pre-packaged from a pet food supplier.

Avoid feeding rabbits alfalfa, as this calcium-rich legume is not a good choice for most rabbits.

Which Garden Greens Can Rabbits Eat?

What do rabbits eat? Rabbits eat an array of foods, but they are especially fond of leafy garden greens. Rabbits enjoy the taste of arugula, dandelion greens, carrot, radish and turnip tops, endive, leaf lettuce, and kale.

Garden greens provide rabbits with a way to wear down their ever-growing teeth, provide extra hydration, and are filled with many essential vitamins and minerals rabbits need to help boost health and strengthen the immune system.

Another plus to leafy greens is that they contain large amounts of phytonutrients. These nutrients work to reduce stress and help to ease some common health issues in older rabbits, including skin and coat health and joint pain.

Feeding rabbits homegrown garden greens is much easier on your pocketbook than purchasing some from your local farmer’s market or grocery store and will be significantly healthier for your rabbits too.

Which Fruits and Vegetables Can Rabbits Eat?

Can rabbits eat fruits and vegetables? Yes, rabbits eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. From berries and apples (not including apple seeds) to cucumbers and green peppers, rabbits love fresh vegetables and fruit.

Due to the high levels of carbohydrates and sugar found in fruits and vegetables, they should only be fed in moderation and should not exceed more than ten percent of a rabbit’s diet.

While there are many rabbit-safe fruits and vegetables, there are a few varieties rabbits should stay clear of. For a complete list of rabbit-safe fruits, plants, and vegetables, contact your county extension office.

• Avocados
• Grapes and raisins
• Iceberg lettuce
• Stone fruits
• Tomato leaves and vines

Can Rabbits Eat Herbs?

Yes, rabbits can eat most culinary herbs. Rabbits enjoy the taste of fresh parsley, dill, oregano, basil, marjoram, and peppermint and will eat fresh herbs alongside a handful of garden greens. Herbs offer many health benefits, including additional vitamins and minerals and immune-boosting properties, and also help to lower stress levels.

Avoid feeding chives, garlic, nutmeg, pennyroyal, and bulb herbs (onions, shallots, etc.) to your herd, as these herbs can cause health problems and possible death in the herd.

FAQs

What is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet?

Hay. Timothy hay and orchard grass are the two most recommended hays for adult rabbits.

Can I feed my rabbits pellets?

Yes, rabbits can and should have pellets as a part of their daily diet. As a general guideline, feed one-quarter to one-half cup of pellets daily for four- to five-pound rabbits.

What vegetables can rabbits eat?

Rabbits enjoy many vegetables, including leafy greens, carrot tops, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, and radish tops. Introduce new vegetables gradually to avoid digestive upset.

Are fruits safe for rabbits?

Yes, there are many safe fruits for rabbits to enjoy. Apples (minus the seeds), bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are all safe fruit for your rabbit to enjoy.

What foods are toxic or dangerous to rabbits?

Avoid feeding rabbits human junk foods, cereals, or foods high in carbohydrates. Other foods to avoid include avocados, bulb plants, chocolate, iceberg lettuce, potato and tomato leaves, and members of the onion family.

Can rabbits eat grass?

Yes. Fresh, untreated grass is a natural food for rabbits and provides valuable fiber. Make sure the grass has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers before allowing rabbits to graze.

What Do Rabbits Eat? Conclusion

Feeding rabbits the right diet is one of the most important parts of keeping them healthy. Unlimited grass hay should form the foundation of every rabbit’s diet, while quality pellets, fresh greens, herbs, and occasional fruits and vegetables provide additional nutrients and enrichment. By understanding what rabbits eat and avoiding foods that can upset their digestive system, you’ll help your rabbits maintain healthy teeth, proper digestion, and a long, active life.

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