Rabbits: What Do They Eat?

By Bernadette Worden

Hopefully, most of the people reading this are either well established with their rabbit, or do not yet have one. Yet I know that if all of the circumstances are right and the stars align with the fifth planet on the twelfth day of the month Moorabint (as they sometimes do), you could find yourself with a rabbit without any previous research or experience.

This is the position I found myself in about six years ago, and, believe me, it is quite scary. My natural first instinct was this: I have to feed this rabbit. We know that everything living needs energy, and that animals gain energy from food. So I wondered, “What do rabbits eat, anyway?” That was the very short version of the story that has led me to believe that this first article ought to be about rabbit food.

Because I have seen firsthand the results of minor plagiarism, let me tell you outright: the information I am about to give you comes from a booklet put out by the San Diego chapter of the House Rabbit Society called “A Rabbit in the House - Now What?” It is a wonderful little pamphlet for those people in the aforementioned situation, and, if you are interested, I would highly encourage to to contact them to see if it is still in print. You can visit the San Diego chapter here.

One of the saddest things about rabbits is that the myth of what they should be fed is one of the most prevalent, and one of the most harmful. Rabbit pellets are not rabbit food! No rabbit, house or otherwise, should be fed a diet consisting only of or relying heavily upon pellets of any kind. Pellets make rabbits fat. Instead, their diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables and an unlimited supply of hay.

Vegetables are the basis of a rabbit “meal”, and there are many choices. However, not every vegetable you will find in the produce section is acceptable for rabbits.

The following are all good in moderation:

  • Sprouts (Alfalfa, Radish, Clover)
  • Basil
  • Beet Greens
  • Bok Choy (and Baby Bok Choy)
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Carrots and Carrot Greens
  • Celery
  • Cilantro
  • Clover
  • Collard Greens
  • Dandelion Greens and Flowers (that have not been treated)
  • Endive
  • Escarole
  • Green Peppers (bell peppers, not spicy)
  • Kale
  • Mint
  • Mustard Greens
  • Parsley
  • Pea Pods (AKA snap peas)
  • Peppermint leaves
  • Raddichio
  • Radish Tops
  • Raspberry leaves
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Watercress
  • Wheat Grass

In case you were wondering, a “moderate amount” is recommended to be one cup of vegetables for every four pounds of rabbit (every day, obviously). If this seems to be too little or too much, talk to a veterinarian that specializes in rabbits (usually called “exotic animals”). Every rabbit is different, and every rabbit reacts differently, which is why you should introduce one new vegetable at a time (after the initial vegetables if you are in a situation where they have to eat). It won’t be long before you know what your rabbit doesn’t like. While some rabbits simply leave it in the dish, some choose to throw it out or hide it; some even like to mash it into the carpet. Please remember (those of you who are considering a rabbit): bunnies are not clean animals!

Fruits can be given with the vegetable meal, or just as a treat.

Acceptable fruits are:

  • Apple
  • Blueberries
  • Melon
  • Orange (including peel)
  • Papaya
  • Peach
  • Pear
  • Pineapple
  • Plum
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries

Fruits generally smell very strong, which is why my rabbit will come running if I even cut one up for myself. Rabbits love them, but remember that they are like a cookie to a little kid. The recommended amount is one tablespoon per five pounds of rabbit.

With both fruits and vegetables, remember to wash them thoroughly first with cold water. For some people this may not be anything new, but remember that a rabbit is much smaller than a person; just traces of pesticides left on the food can cause major upset.

Vegetables and fruits only make up half of the ideal rabbit diet. The other half is consumed by hay. This is not the bales of yellow straw that you see out by the horse barn, but it is the same idea. Rabbit hay is typically green hay, and while they do eat alfalfa hay, Timothy hay is highly recommended over it. While you can buy the small bags of hay you see in the pet store, chances are this will only last you a day or two. Rabbits should be allowed to eat as much hay as they want to. My current setup involves a small cage lined with hay, an entire Rubbermaid bucket filled with hay, and several litterboxes with half hay and half Carefresh. Each of these is updated daily.

The best source for hay is your local HRS. Chapters are located in California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. There are also various unofficial chapters that may be able to help you out. To see a list of specific HRS chapters, click here.

If you can’t get to a house rabbit society, small bags of hay can be found at the pet store or at any of the websites mentioning hay in this topic’s website section.

If your rabbit likes pellets, you can give them a few (as in five or fewer) as a treat every once in a while, the same way you give fruit.

About the Author:

I play the violin (hence the name), and I love every sound it makes, no matter how horrible. I am a huge John Williams fan (the composer, not the guitarist), and it is one of my biggest dreams to meet him.

I am an all around animal lover, although cats seem to like me. I have a freakish cat who thinks I'm god and she is my second in command, and a rabbit who likes to eat and sleep and grit her teeth. I don't remember the last time a room in my house hasn't been scattered with Carefresh and hay...

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.