Rabbits are often sold with a bowl of colourful mix and a carrot in mind, yet the UK’s main rabbit welfare organisations describe a very different diet. The RSPCA, the PDSA and the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) each publish feeding guidance, and their core message matches: a rabbit’s diet should be built mostly on hay or grass. This guide sets out what each says, where the figures differ, and how to change a diet safely. It is general information and not veterinary advice; a vet should be asked about any individual rabbit, particularly one that is not eating.
Why hay and grass come first
The RSPCA says a rabbit’s digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly and that teeth grow continuously, so the right food wears them down to the right size and shape. It warns that the wrong diet can cause serious dental disease. The PDSA says the best diet is one as close as possible to a wild rabbit’s, and lists dental disease and gut stasis among the problems the wrong food can lead to. The RWAF describes unlimited, good-quality hay as the foundation of a healthy diet, noting that it is high in fibre (at least 20 per cent) and low in fat, starch and sugar.
All three describe a rough split. The RSPCA and RWAF both give 85 per cent hay and fresh grass, 10 per cent leafy greens and herbs, and 5 per cent pellets. The PDSA also says around 85 per cent of the diet should be hay and/or grass.
How much hay
- The RSPCA advises at least one bundle of good-quality hay every day, “as big as they are”.
- The PDSA says ideally an unlimited amount, with a bundle at least as big as the rabbit per day as an absolute minimum.
- The RWAF says rabbits should have an unlimited supply and that good hay is dry, sweet-smelling and free from grit, dust and mould.
The PDSA distinguishes feeding hay from bedding hay. Both are dried grass, but feeding hay is fresher and greener with more nutrients, while bedding hay is drier and less suitable for nibbling. The RWAF adds that alfalfa is not a grass hay and is so rich it should only be a treat, and that products labelled “complete” foods are not a replacement for hay. Both the RSPCA and PDSA advise against feeding lawnmower clippings; the RSPCA says they can make rabbits ill.
Greens, herbs and vegetables
The RSPCA advises a large handful of safe, washed leafy greens, herbs and weeds each day, ideally five to six different types, with examples including spinach, celery, cabbage, kale, broccoli, rosemary, parsley, mint and dandelion leaves. The PDSA also says five to six different kinds of fresh plant, grass or vegetable a day give a good balance, and it suggests an adult-sized handful twice daily. New greens should be introduced gradually and in small amounts to avoid stomach upsets. The RSPCA warns that some plants are poisonous, naming bluebells, foxgloves, holly and tulips, and its rule is that if in doubt, leave it out. The pet-friendly gardens guide covers other garden hazards.
Pellets: where the guidance differs
All three treat pellets or nuggets as a small part of the diet, but they give different measures. The RSPCA advises a small, measured amount of good-quality pellets each day, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and says not to top up the bowl because rabbits may then eat too little hay or grass. The RWAF gives 15g per kilogram of bodyweight. The PDSA suggests one tablespoon of nuggets once daily, or twice daily for rabbits over 3.5kg. None is a rule of law, so the manufacturer’s label and a vet’s advice are the practical guide.
Treats and what to avoid
The RSPCA says fruit and root vegetables such as carrots and apples should be occasional treats in small amounts. It does not recommend muesli-style foods, which it says can lead to serious dental and digestive problems and excessive weight gain, and it describes muesli as a mix of items such as flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains and seeds. The PDSA also has a section on muesli-style mixes.
Changing a rabbit’s diet safely
Both the RSPCA and PDSA stress slow change, since a sudden switch can upset a rabbit’s digestive system. The RSPCA advises moving a rabbit off muesli gradually over several weeks by mixing pellets with the muesli, reducing the muesli and increasing the pellets until the muesli is gone. It recommends monitoring the rabbits at least twice daily during the change to check that they are eating plenty of hay and leafy greens and enough pellets, and taking them to a vet immediately if they are not eating enough. A rabbit that is reluctant to eat hay should be checked by a vet, because dental disease can make chewing uncomfortable; if the vet finds no problem, the RSPCA suggests trying a different type or supplier of hay.
Water
The RSPCA and PDSA both call for constant access to fresh, clean water. The RSPCA says rabbits tend to prefer a heavy ceramic bowl but can use drip-feed bottles, which should be checked daily for blockages. It advises cleaning water containers every day and changing the water twice a day. The rabbit housing guide explains the wider set-up, and the beginner’s guide to pet rabbits covers general care.
Frequently asked questions
Are carrots a staple food?
No. The RSPCA says root vegetables such as carrots should only be occasional treats.
The bottom line
The RSPCA, PDSA and RWAF agree on the shape of a rabbit’s diet: mostly unlimited hay or grass, a daily handful of varied leafy greens, a small measured portion of pellets, and constant clean water. Treats and muesli-style mixes sit at the edge, and any change should be gradual. Where the pellet measures differ, the label and a vet’s advice settle the question.