Rabbit Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at what our bunnies should be eating and why it matters. This year’s theme, Feeding Bunnies Better, put the spotlight on one of the most important aspects of rabbit care: nutrition.
So, what does a great rabbit diet actually look like? We spoke to our in-house vet Dr Lucy Robson to share her top advice on rabbit nutrition.
“A rabbit’s diet should look quite ‘boring’ to us! It should consist mainly of fresh hay or grass, with the addition of some fresh produce or pellets if desired. Treats should be as natural as possible, and forage is an excellent way to provide variety that your bun will enjoy without any negative health effects. High-sugar fruits and vegetables should only be offered occasionally as a special treat, and brightly coloured shop-bought treats which contain artificial ingredients are best avoided, as they often contain artificial ingredients with no nutritional benefit at all.”
With this in mind, let’s take a deeper look at the role of hay in a rabbit’s diet and how to ensure you are feeding hay correctly…
Why is hay so important in a rabbit’s diet?
Hay is a key component of a rabbit’s diet and delivers multiple health benefits.
- Digestive health – Hay is packed with fibre which is crucial for keeping rabbit’s digestive system moving and for helping them to absorb nutrients.
- Dental health – Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing throughout their life. A hay-rich diet helps to keep them healthy and naturally worn-down.
- Mental enrichment – Feeding hay which has long stems and crunchy seed heads encourages your bunny’s natural foraging instincts keeping them mentally stimulated and preventing boredom.
Which type of hay is best for your bunny?
Since hay makes up most of a rabbit’s diet, finding one that suits their taste and nutritional needs is essential. Here’s a quick guide to the hays we offer.
- Timothy Hay – A great everyday hay. It’s the most common on the market and a go-to for rabbit owners. It’s low in protein and calcium, while being high in fibre to support gut-health. Its nutritional profile closely reflects that of the grasses rabbits naturally eat in the wild.
- Meadow Hay – A softer-textured daily alternative for rabbits that don’t enjoy coarser hay. The mix of grass varieties reflects how rabbits naturally graze in the wild.
- Rye Grass Hay – Higher in protein and fibre, and softer in texture, making it ideal for rabbits needing to gain weight or those who suffer from digestive health issues and need to recover from stasis.
- Oat Hay – Lower in calcium, making it suitable for rabbits with urinary disease. Its coarse texture and immature seed heads make it great for enrichment.
- Green Wheat Hay – A popular all-rounder and alternative to timothy or meadow hay. Its immature seed heads aid mental stimulation, while its low calcium and protein content suits rabbits with kidney or urinary tract disease.
- Alfalfa Hay – This variety is a legume rather than a grass, making it higher in protein and calcium and suitable for young rabbits under 6 months old, pregnant does or unwell and underweight rabbits. Please consult your vet before feeding your rabbit alfalfa as a sole hay type.
If you don’t know where to start, our Hay Buffet, with a sample of each of our 6 hays, is the perfect way to find out what your bunny loves.
Does the quality of the hay I feed my rabbit matter?
The quality of your rabbit’s hay matters more than you might think, as poor quality hay can lack the nutrients and fibre your bunny needs to thrive.
When choosing hay, look for these key signs of quality: a green or golden-green colour, a fresh and sweet smell, and hay that is dust-extracted and spore-free.
How much hay does a rabbit need per day?
As a general rule, aim to feed your rabbit a bundle of hay roughly their own size each day, though hay can be offered freely with unlimited access recommended. If your rabbit isn’t eating enough, they may simply need a different variety or a little encouragement. Read on for our top tips on getting your bunny munching more hay.
Practical tips for encouraging your rabbit to eat more hay
- Hay quality & variety – Always ensure the hay you are feeding your rabbit is fresh and stored correctly. If your rabbit isn’t loving the hay they are being offered, try a different type of hay to find one they prefer or create a mix of different types of hay to make it more interesting for them.
- Placement of hay – Make hay easy to access by offering it in multiple areas around their enclosure. Try a new hay feeder or rack, place hay in or next to their litter tray (rabbits often like to eat while pooping, so mixing hay with rabbit-appropriate litter works well) or scatter it around their space.
- Make feeding time fun – Encourage them to eat more hay by creating a fun foraging experience. Mix dried flowers, leaves or treats through their hay to encourage their foraging behaviours, create digging boxes filled with different hay types and scattered forage, or make DIY enrichment toys such as stuffing hay into cardboard tubes.
- Cut back on pellets – Rabbits instinctively prefer energy-dense pellets and sweet treats over hay, an evolutionary trait called “selective eating” that our pet rabbits haven’t lost. If a rabbit is filling up on pellets and skipping hay, reducing or even eliminating pellets may be the best approach.
- Rule out dental pain – If your rabbit still isn’t eating enough hay despite these changes, get them vet checked, as dental pain can cause rabbits to favour softer foods like vegetables or pellets.
Once you’ve put these tips into practice, here’s how to check they’re making a difference.
How can I tell if my rabbit’s diet is healthy?
When it comes to evaluating whether your rabbit’s diet is healthy, there are some key things to consider:
- Check the portions – Are you offering predominantly hay or grass, with pellets kept under 20g per kg of rabbit per day?
- Assess your fresh food choices – Are herbs and leafy greens the main source of fresh produce, rather than fruit or starchy vegetables?
- Look at their droppings – Healthy rabbits produce plenty of golden, well-formed poops.
- Monitor their weight and dental health – Regular vet checks can assess body condition and dental wear, both key indicators of a healthy diet.
- Consider their overall demeanour – Is your rabbit bright, alert, and well in themselves?
Hay isn’t just a filler, it’s the foundation of a good diet and a happy, healthy bunny. If you have any questions about the types of hay we have on offer, get in touch with our team, or consult your vet for tailored advice on what’s the best hay for your pet.
22 June 2026