The provision of a balanced diet for your pet rabbit is essential to not only meet its nutritional requirements but also assist in preventing many common ailments such as gut stasis, dental disease and obesity. Rabbits are strict herbivores and have continuously growing teeth, which must be sufficiently worn down by the grinding of fibrous food. Their gastrointestinal tract is adapted for hindgut fermentation. This means that a large volume of plant material is broken down in the caecum, a large blind-ended portion of the large intestine.

Commercially available diets rarely meet the nutritional requirements of adult rabbits. They often lack the high level of fibre needed to provide dental wear and stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and are often too high in fats, carbohydrates and proteins leading to obesity. In addition, rabbits fed commercial mixes may become selective eaters and avoid certain parts of the diet, thus not receiving the intended nutritional balance. The concentrated nature of commercial diets decrease the amount of time spent eating and can lead to behavioural problems, aggression and chewing of furniture, their hutch and even electrical cords.

The ideal diet for a pet rabbit is one of grass hay and fresh vegetables. If fresh grass is available this is preferable to hay. Grass contains approximately 20-25% crude fibre, 15% crude protein and 2-3% fat. Examples of appropriate hay species include timothy, ryegrass, meadow and oaten. The high calcium levels in legume hays, such as alfalfa, make them unsuitable for adult rabbits as they increase the right of bladder stones. Hay or grass is important for dental wear, stimulating gut motility, providing energy for the hindgut bacterial population and as a protein source. All rabbits should be given unlimited grass or hay in their diets.

The remainder of the diet should be composed of fresh leafy green vegetables, herbs and plants. These fresh food sources are a valuable source of water for the rabbit. Suitable vegetables and herbs include: celery, spinach leaves, bok choy, broccoli, parsley, dandelion, coriander, basil and watercress. A minimum of 250g of fresh greens should be fed per kilogram body weight per day. Make sure all fresh feed is washed thoroughly before being fed to your pet.

It is widely perceived that carrots and other root vegetables as well as fruit should be a major part of a rabbit’s diet. This is not however the case and only “treat” quantities of these should be fed to your rabbit. A maximum of 1-2 tablespoons per rabbit per day will help ensure your rabbit doesn’t become overweight. Examples of appropriate treats include: apple, pear, kiwi fruit, strawberries, carrot, sweet potato, and flowers for example roses. Rabbits adore these foods and they can be even used as training treats.

Fresh water should always be available to your rabbit. Water should be free from contamination, especially faecal material, therefore a sipper bottle is ideal. Daily water intake ranges from 50-150ml per kilogram body weight per day.
Rabbits should be given time out of their hutch to exercise daily. This allows them to graze on fresh grass, aids gastrointestinal health, strengthens muscles and controls weight. Exercise out of the hutch also gives rabbits access to unfiltered sunlight which assists in their synthesis of Vitamin D3, and important nutrient in managing bone health.

Dr Kristie Karikios

Acknowledgement to Drs David Vella, Anna Meredith, D.A.  Crossley and Brendan Carmel.