Rabbit Diet & Feeding Calculator
Calculate the correct daily portions of hay, pellets, and fresh greens for your rabbit. Correct nutrition is the single biggest factor in rabbit health and longevity.
Rabbit Nutrition Guide
The Rabbit Diet Pyramid
Rabbits are strict herbivores with a digestive system designed for continuous fibre intake. Correct diet proportions: hay: 80-85% of diet (unlimited access at all times). Fresh greens and herbs: 10-15% (daily). Pellets: 5% maximum (small measured amount). Treats and fruit: less than 5% (occasional only). The most common rabbit health problem is dental disease — caused by insufficient hay. Rabbit teeth grow continuously and must be worn down by chewing fibrous hay. Without adequate hay: teeth ove
Hay — The Most Important Element
Hay should make up the vast majority of a rabbit's diet. Types: Timothy hay (ideal for adult rabbits — lower calcium than meadow hay). Meadow/orchard hay (good for variety). Oat hay (palatable, slightly higher carbohydrate). Alfalfa hay (high protein and calcium — only for juniors under 7 months and underweight rabbits). Daily amount: body length worth of hay per day as a minimum (approximately 1 rabbit-body-length of hay, loosely compressed). Pellets should never replace hay — they do not provi
Safe and Unsafe Vegetables
Safe greens (feed regularly): romaine lettuce, rocket, watercress, parsley (limited — high calcium), dill, basil, coriander, mint, fennel tops. Safe in small amounts: kale, spinach, chard (high oxalate — rotate rather than feed daily). Fruits (treat only — high sugar): apple (no seeds), pear, strawberry, blueberry. Introduce new foods gradually — one at a time, small amounts — to prevent digestive upset (GI stasis risk). AVOID completely: iceberg lettuce (near zero nutrition, causes diarrhoea).
GI Stasis — The Silent Killer
Gastrointestinal stasis (gut slowdown or complete stop) is the most common life-threatening emergency in pet rabbits. Causes: inadequate hay and fibre. Sudden dietary changes. Stress. Dehydration. Pain from another condition. Signs: not eating, reduced or absent droppings, hunched posture, teeth grinding. Time-critical: a rabbit not eating for 12+ hours needs veterinary attention urgently. Prevention: unlimited hay, fresh water always available (bottle or bowl), daily exercise. Bloat (gas accumu
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