Table of Contents
What to Look for in Rabbit Foods
Hays
About 80 to 90 percent of a rabbit’s diet should be hay—just like their wild ancestors. Agricultural science shines when you discuss hay for rabbits. You can go down the figurative rabbit hole researching the many common types—timothy, alfalfa, oat, meadow, and orchard hays—which can be derived from grass or legumes (beanstalks). Each differs nutritionally, and that balance also changes depending on whether it’s the first, second, or third cutting.
Rabbits have very sensitive digestive tracts, so the transition to hay or pellets, or the introduction of new vegetables and fruits, should be done gradually to allow their system to adjust.
Pellet Ingredients & Nutrition
Look for a food that has the optimal nutritional balance for your rabbits based on age and life stage. “Just like the variety of dog and cat foods available, each brand of rabbit pellet has different ingredients and nutritional analysis but should be based on known minimum requirements for feeding,” explains Dr. Anthony Pilny, DVM, DABVP, the Assistant Medical Director/Education Program Manager of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital.
“High fiber content from 18 to 20 percent minimum with 12.5 percent as indigestible fiber is ideal for most adult pet rabbits. Protein levels range from 12-14 percent, with fat content from 2 to 5 percent. Calcium generally ranges from 0.5 to 1 percent. Keep in mind that young, growing rabbits, geriatric bunnies, or lactating females have different nutritional requirements.”
“It is recommended to buy a pelleted diet that contains only plain green pellets, no seeds or puffs,” explains Dr. Sari Kanfer of Exotic Animal Veterinary Center in Pasadena, California.
“Avoid any of the mixes (often called muesli) that contain seeds, corn, or dried fruits,” adds Dr. Pilny.
“The basis of most commercial pellet brands will be either timothy, alfalfa, or both depending on the company and their nutritional beliefs about rabbit nutrition,” says Dr. Pilny. “Alfalfa has more calories and less fiber than timothy hay in general and is fine to feed in moderation.”
“Alfalfa is used for baby bunnies, geriatric rabbits, and rabbits that need to gain weight or be tempted to eat,” adds Dr. Kanfer. “There are many different brands, some of which are higher quality and more reputable than others. But pellets should only be a small portion of a rabbit’s diet. We recommend choosing a pellet with high fiber content.”
“Choosing a premium quality brand that is only pellets may cost a little more, but typically means better quality ingredients and fewer fillers,” says Dr. Pilny.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
The Spruce Pets exhaustively researches and recommends a broad range of products. We also tap a network of experts and testers to help you make smarter purchases.
This piece was researched and written by Lorraine Wilde, who has been a dedicated pet lover and parent for the past 35 years. When researching each product and brand, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of each product, customer reviews, the company’s research and development, and business ethics. Lorraine also holds a master’s degree in environmental science. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets and our planet.
Dr. Sari Kanfer, originally from New York City, was able to escape the big city and attend veterinary school at Colorado State University. Shortly before vet school, she became hooked on rabbits and later followed her addiction to the West Coast. After 10 years of building a great clientele in the small mammal community, she opened the Exotic Animal Veterinary Center as a full-service hospital dedicated to high-quality, compassionate veterinary care for avian and exotic pets. In addition to overseeing a team of five veterinarians, Dr. Kanfer sees primarily rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. Her special interests are dental disease in rabbits and rodents and geriatric rabbit care. She is recommended by the Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation.
Dr. Anthony Pilny is a native New Yorker but joined Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital by way of Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Pilny completed internal medicine and surgery internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa, Florida, and a residency in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. He is also an advisor for the House Rabbit Society.
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