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College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Hospital

Rabbit Nutrition

Do's & Don'ts

Nutrition For Juveniles

What to do:

Young rabbits should have unlimited amounts of calcium and protein-rich alfalfa hay and pellets
Feed separately from mother rabbit, as adults should not be fed alfalfa

Between 7-12 weeks old, rabbits should NOT be offered fruits or vegetables due to the possibility of life threatening gastrointestinal problems

Gradually reduce the quantity of pellets offered and transition to grass hay-based pellets (i.e. Timothy Hay) as the rabbit matures

Use a gram scale to weigh the rabbit daily in the first few weeks of life

Juvenile Feeding (4 months to 1 year)

  • Hay – gradually introduce grass hay (i.e. Timothy Hay), start to reduce alfalfa
  • Pellets – gradually decrease amount fed to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs of body weight/day
  • Vegetables – gradually increase vegetables daily
  • Fruit – as a treat, no more than 1-2oz per 6lbs, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, apples (no seeds)

Nutrition For Adults

adult rabbit food pyramid

What to do:

Pellets: 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup per 6 lbs/day

2-4 cups of leafy greens per day

Unlimited fresh hay (timothy, orchard grass, oat; NO alfalfa)

Alfalfa predisposes adults to urinary stones due to high calcium

Fresh water available at all times

Give the option of both a water bowl and a sipper bottle

Limit treats to 1-2 tbsp per day

Fresh vegetables such as carrot tops, celery, cucumber, fruit and lettuce (NOT iceberg)

Foods To Avoid

  1. Avocado → difficulty breathing, congestive heart failure
  2. Chocolate → diarrhea, restlessness, elevated heart rate, elevated body temperature, trembling, panting, can be fatal
  3. Fruit seeds/pits from apples, pears, apricots → cyanide toxicity
  4. Raw onions, leaks, garlic → can lead to fatal hemolytic anemia
  5. Meats, eggs, dairy → rabbits are herbivores and unable to properly digest these foods; can cause gastrointestinal upset, obesity, & disruption of microbiome
  6. Raw potatoes → decreased appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy
  7. Iceberg lettuce → high water content can lead to diarrhea; contains lactucarium (a GI toxin that has a sedative effect on rabbits)

Helpful Tips for Caring for your Rabbit

  1. Rabbits engage in coprophagy, which means they eat their own feces. They are usually smaller, softer/pasty, darker in color, and have a strong fermented/sweet smell compared to normal feces. These pellets are a rich source of nutrients for the rabbit, specifically protein and vitamins B and K. This behavior usually occurs at night or in the early hours of the morning so you may not ever see this. If you do, remember that it is normal and necessary for the health of your rabbit!
  2. Rabbits have continuously growing teeth, therefore need to chew frequently. Chew toys should always be available. Hard wooden chew toys (blocks and sticks), huts or balls made of timothy hay, and cardboard are best. An annual oral exam by your veterinarian is recommended.
  3. Rabbits need to eat consistently, or they are at risk of arresting/slowing their gastrointestinal tract. If your rabbit does not eat/poop for over 24 hours, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  4. Rabbits are very social. Feed them outside of their cage for time to bond with you.

Additional Resources

For advice and resources on raising rabbits contact your local animal shelter or veterinarian.

Please visit the following websites for more information:
House Rabbit Society: https://houserabbit.org
Bunny World Foundation: http://www.bunnyworldfoundation.org