Ideal diet for rabbits

Natural diet of wild rabbits

The ideal diet for domestic rabbits is based on the diet of wild rabbits. Wild rabbits predominantly consume forage, which mainly consists of grasses and a small proportion of legumes, along with sprouts, twigs, and bark depending on grass availability. High-calorie foods like fruits are consumed in minimal amounts. Rabbits are classified as “fibrevores” or “graminivores,” meaning they depend on ingesting plants high in fiber and low in energy (grasses). 

Forage and hay

Similarly, a domestic rabbit’s diet should consist of various forages, primarily grasses. Since wild rabbits spend about 70% of their active time eating forage, domestic rabbits should ideally have access to pasture areas with a variety of grasses and different plant species. Fresh grass is often unavailable and impractical for most owners, so offering dried grass or hay is necessary. Grass hay, such as timothy and orchard, is high in fiber, very palatable, and contains silica, which is important for maintaining dental health. Good quality hay should have a sweet, pleasant aroma, a greenish color, be free of mold, and be cut into pieces longer than 10 cm, as longer pieces are more attractive to rabbits. Shorter pieces do not stimulate the variety of grazing behaviors rabbits exhibit.

Balanced diet composition

An appropriate rabbit diet should consist of 85% hay, 10% leafy greens, 5% pellets, and unlimited water. An unbalanced diet can lead to gastrointestinal, dental, and urinary issues, obesity, and behavioral problems.

Environmental enrichment

Grass hay is not only essential for diet but also acts as environmental enrichment, as rabbits interact with it longer and show fewer abnormal behaviors than those housed with other enrichment objects like sticks and boxes. Depriving rabbits of their natural grazing behavior can result in increased inactivity, redirected behaviors like chewing carpets, consuming bedding, and increased boredom and frustration, leading to stereotypic behaviors. Many toys marketed for rabbit dental wear are ineffective, as they do not encourage the necessary chewing activity.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens should be offered daily in limited quantities due to their relatively low fiber content. Ideally, it is recommended to offer 5 to 7 varieties of leafy greens. New greens should be introduced gradually to allow the cecal microbiota to adapt. Suitable greens include broccoli, cabbage, chicory, chard, kale, parsley, cilantro, watercress, celery, escarole, radicchio, arugula, Chinese cabbage, basil, and dark leafy lettuce varieties (avoiding light-colored lettuces like iceberg), carrot tops, and beet greens. Wild plants like dandelion, plantain, sow thistle, red clover, white clover, yarrow, and blackberry leaves can also be offered.

Pellets

To ensure adequate micronutrient intake, the diet should be supplemented with limited amounts of pellets. There are various rabbit pellets on the market, but few are suitable. Initially, pellets were developed for rabbits intended for production, aiming for rapid weight gain. Some pellets, known as muesli, have high carbohydrate and fat content, leading to weight gain and obesity, making them unsuitable. Additionally, muesli consumption is associated with dental problems and obesity.

High-fiber pellets (over 20%) are available, along with pellets for rabbits with specific clinical conditions like obesity and gastrointestinal or urinary tract disorders. Recommended pellet intake is 15 to 25 g/kg/day, only offering the next meal once the previous one is fully consumed. It is also recommended to use pellets as treats and to encourage desired behaviors.

Fruits

Fruits like apples, bananas, melons, pears, peaches, plums, pineapples, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries can be offered occasionally as treats due to their high carbohydrate content.

Foods to avoid

Many commercial treats are high in carbohydrates and/or fat, making them inappropriate for rabbits. Human foods like bread, cakes, cookies, cereals, and dairy products should not be offered. Foods like potatoes, corn, seeds, and grains (lentils, beans) should also be avoided, along with toxic foods like onions, avocados, rhubarb, chocolate, and fruit pits.

Water

A rabbit’s daily water intake varies between 50 to 150 ml/kg, meaning a 2 kg rabbit drinks as much water as a 5 kg dog. To mimic natural behavior, providing unlimited water in ceramic bowls is recommended, as they keep water fresh and are heavy enough to prevent tipping.