What Can Rabbits Eat and What Should They Avoid? A Complete Feeding Guide for a Healthy Rabbit

August 02 2026, by Michael van Wassem, 8 min reading time

What can rabbits eat, and what's off the menu? Discover the complete rabbit diet, including hay, vegetables and toxic plants to avoid, for a healthy, happy rabbit.

Hay forms the foundation of a healthy rabbit diet: around 80 to 90% of what your rabbit eats each day should be unlimited, freely available hay. On top of that, your rabbit needs a daily portion of fresh vegetables, a limited amount of good-quality pellets, and the occasional piece of fruit as a treat. Bread, dairy, chocolate, onion and many garden plants, on the other hand, are dangerous. Below, you'll find exactly what your rabbit can and can't eat, how much, and why.

A rabbit's basic diet: hay as the foundation

Rabbits are natural grazers: in the wild, they eat small amounts of fibre-rich grass and herbs almost continuously throughout the day. This fibre isn't just nutritious — it also keeps the gut moving and naturally wears down your rabbit's continuously growing teeth. Without enough hay, rabbits face a real risk of both dental problems (overgrown molars, spurs) and potentially fatal gut stasis.

Always provide unlimited fresh hay, topped up every day. Timothy or meadow hay is the best choice for most adult rabbits: nutritious without being too high in calcium. Alfalfa hay is richer in protein and calcium and is mainly suited to young, growing rabbits or pregnant and nursing does, rather than as a daily staple for healthy adult rabbits.

💡 Provide a clean, dry spot for hay or a hay rack, ideally close to where your rabbit toilets. Rabbits often eat and pass droppings at the same time, and this combination actually encourages higher hay consumption.

Fresh vegetables: a daily addition, in moderation

Alongside hay, a rabbit should get a generous handful of fresh vegetables and herbs every day, spread across at least two to three different types. Always introduce new vegetables gradually: start with a small amount and wait a day or two to see whether droppings stay normal before adding another new type.

Vegetables and herbs suitable for rabbits, in moderation and rotation:

• Leafy greens: endive, romaine lettuce, lamb's lettuce, kale, chard, pak choi.
• Herbs: parsley, basil, coriander, mint, dill.
• Other: (bell) pepper, cucumber, courgette, carrot (with tops), fennel, broccoli in small amounts.
• Wild plants (unsprayed, from a clean area): dandelion (leaves and flower), plantain, clover.

⚠️ Avoid iceberg lettuce and other very watery, pale varieties of lettuce: they offer little nutritional value and can cause diarrhoea in larger amounts. Always give brassicas (cabbage-family vegetables) and pulses in small amounts, as too much can cause wind and a bloated tummy.

Rabbit pellets: a supplement, not the main meal

Pellets are meant to complement hay and vegetables, not to serve as the main meal. An adult rabbit typically needs no more than a small, handful-sized amount per day; exactly how much depends on your rabbit's weight, age and activity level, so ask your vet for advice if you're unsure.

Choose a uniform, fibre-rich pellet rather than a muesli-style mix with loose grains, seeds and dried pieces. With a mix, rabbits tend to pick out the tastiest, calorie-rich bits and leave the fibre-rich part behind, leading to an unbalanced diet and dental problems.

Fruit and treats: an occasional indulgence, not everyday food

Fruit is relatively high in sugar, so it should only be given as an occasional treat, in small bites: think a slice of apple (pips removed), a piece of banana or a few blueberries, no more than a couple of times a week. Ready-made treats containing honey, yoghurt or syrup may sound healthy, but they often contain far more sugar than a rabbit's stomach can handle; check the label carefully before buying anything.

🐶 Use treats functionally where possible: hide a few pieces of vegetable or a hay-based snack inside toys to give your rabbit some mental stimulation at the same time.

Toxic plants and crops: take care indoors and in the garden

Rabbits love to nibble, and they don't naturally know what's safe to eat. If your rabbit has free run of the house or garden, it's especially important to be able to recognise toxic plants and keep them out of reach.

⚠️ This list isn't exhaustive. If you're unsure about a plant in your garden, keep your rabbit away from it and look it up or check with your vet first.

What you should never give a rabbit

• Bread, biscuits, pasta and other grain-heavy human food. Too many carbohydrates and too little fibre disrupt gut flora.
• Dairy and meat. Rabbits are strict herbivores and can't properly digest animal protein or milk sugars.
• Chocolate, coffee and alcohol. Toxic to rabbits, as they are to most pets.
• Onion, garlic, leek and chives. This onion family can cause anaemia in rabbits.
• Raw beans. Contain compounds that are harmful to digestion.
• Nuts and seeds in large amounts. Too fatty for a rabbit's digestive system.

Fresh water: just as important as food

A rabbit needs constant access to fresh, clean drinking water, especially since most of its diet (hay and pellets) is dry. Refresh the water daily and check that a water bottle hasn't become blocked. Rabbits that don't drink enough are at greater risk of bladder sludge and gut problems. In hot weather or during illness, water needs can increase significantly, so pay extra attention to whether your rabbit is drinking enough.

Feeding by life stage

The basic rule (plenty of hay, daily vegetables, limited pellets) applies to every rabbit, but the proportions shift with age and life stage:

• Young rabbits (up to around 7 months): can have alfalfa hay alongside grass hay, plus slightly more pellets, to support their growth spurt, but vegetables should only be introduced gradually, starting a few weeks after weaning.
• Adult rabbits: timothy hay as the basis, daily vegetables, and a limited amount of fibre-rich pellets.
• Pregnant and nursing does: temporarily need more energy and protein; alfalfa hay and slightly more pellets are appropriate during this time, in consultation with your vet.
• Senior rabbits: pay extra attention to weight and teeth; older rabbits often move less and are more prone to being overweight, while plenty of hay remains important for dental health.

Common mistakes when feeding rabbits

• Too little hay and too many pellets. Pellets are more calorie-dense and less fibre-rich than hay; too many pellets crowd out hay intake and increase the risk of dental and digestive problems.
• Giving a muesli mix instead of uniform pellets. Selective eating leads to an unbalanced diet, even if the bag looks complete.
• Switching food abruptly. Rabbits have a sensitive digestive system; introduce any change in diet gradually, over at least a week.
• Giving too much fruit and sugary treats "because the rabbit begs for it". Sugar disrupts gut flora and can, over time, lead to serious weight loss or, conversely, obesity.
• Assuming that all vegetables and garden plants are safe. Not every innocent-looking plant actually is.

Checklist: healthy nutrition for your rabbit

• ☐ Unlimited fresh hay, refreshed every day
• ☐ A generous daily handful of fresh vegetables, in at least two varieties
• ☐ A limited amount of fibre-rich pellets, no muesli mix
• ☐ Fruit and treats only as an occasional indulgence
• ☐ Fresh, clean drinking water always available
• ☐ New foods introduced calmly and gradually
• ☐ Toxic plants indoors and in the garden identified and kept out of reach
• ☐ Diet tailored to age and life stage

Frequently asked questions

How much hay does a rabbit need per day?

A rabbit should really have unlimited access to hay: aim for an amount at least the size of the rabbit itself, topped up again each day as it runs out.

Can a rabbit ever have a bit of bread?

No. Bread contains too many carbohydrates and too little fibre for a rabbit's sensitive digestive system, even if your rabbit eats it eagerly.

Are carrots actually healthy for rabbits?

A piece of carrot is fine, but carrots contain relatively more sugar than leafy greens. Give them in moderation, as a supplement rather than the main part of your rabbit's vegetable portion.

How can I tell if a new vegetable doesn't agree with my rabbit?

Watch for soft droppings, reduced appetite or a bloated tummy over the first few days. If you notice any of these signs, stop giving the new vegetable, and see your vet if the problems persist.

Can I just let my rabbit roam freely in the garden?

Only in a garden you've checked for toxic plants, and where your rabbit can't escape or be reached by predators. Remove toxic plants or fence them off securely before letting your rabbit roam free.

Summary

A healthy rabbit diet consists mostly of unlimited fresh hay, supplemented with daily fresh vegetables, a limited amount of fibre-rich pellets and the occasional piece of fruit as a treat. Bread, dairy, chocolate, onion and toxic garden plants such as yew should never be part of it. Always introduce new foods gradually, and tailor quantities to your rabbit's age and life stage.

If you're unsure about your rabbit's diet, or you notice changes in appetite or droppings, contact your vet. At Fidello, you'll find hay, fibre-rich pellets and healthy snacks to complete your rabbit's diet.

Tags

Gezondheid & Preventie Kennisbank Konijn Voeding

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email