What Do Bunnies Eat? Lots of Grass, Not a Lot of Carrots

Bunnies live on a healthy diet of grass, hay and the occasional treat. Kaewmanee jiangsihui / Shutterstock

There's a common image of a bunny munching on a carrot, but would you be surprised to hear that carrots aren't even that good for bunnies? They have a lot of sugar!

So, what do bunnies eat? Whether the bunnies are wild animals munching on plants or pet rabbits enjoying carefully prepared meals, the right nutrition is key to keeping them healthy and happy.

Let's hop to it and get into the details of a bunny's diet.

Contents

Hay: The Foundation of a Rabbit's Diet
Leafy Greens and Fresh Vegetables
Rabbit Pellets: A Supplement, Not a Staple
A Balanced Diet to Raise a Healthy Bunny

Hay: The Foundation of a Rabbit's Diet

A rabbit's digestive system is designed to process fibrous foods, which means their diet needs to be packed with hay, leafy greens and other plant-based goodies.

Wild rabbits eat a variety of grasses and leaves and even a little bark, while domesticated rabbits typically rely on a mix of fresh hay, greens and pellets.

Fresh hay, especially Timothy hay, provides the fiber needed to keep a rabbit's digestive system running smoothly. It also keeps their teeth in check and provides other essential nutrients to keep them active and healthy.

Orchard grass can also be mixed into a rabbit's hay supply to provide dietary diversity.

Leafy Greens and Fresh Vegetables

Rabbits love their greens. Leafy green vegetables like romaine lettuce, kale and parsley provide vitamins and hydration, and they should make up the bulk of the bunnies' fresh food intake.

Fresh vegetables like bell peppers, artichoke leaves, broccoli and Brussels sprouts and peas can also can be given in moderation.

Avoid starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. Focus on fiber-rich options for the best results. Carrots are high in sugar and can be given sparingly, but carrot tops are a better option.

Rabbit Pellets: A Supplement, Not a Staple

High-quality pellets (rabbit food shaped as pellets) are good for rabbits, but they should only make up a small portion of a rabbit's diet. Wild counterparts get all their nutrients from plants, so pet rabbits should also stick to a primarily plant-based diet.

That said, a few pellets a day can help fill in any nutritional gaps. It's important to choose pellets with natural ingredients and no added fillers.

A Balanced Diet to Raise a Healthy Bunny

A bunny's diet isn't just about what they eat. It's also about how much and how often.

Hay should make up the majority of their diet, so it's fine to have it available to your bunny at all times.

Offer fresh greens once or twice daily. You can aim for 1 to 2 cups (8 to 16 ounces) per 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) of body weight.

Offer a small amount of high-quality rabbit pellets once or twice daily.

And make sure the bunnies have access to fresh water. Change the water daily, or even twice daily.

Other factors to consider when determining how much food to give a rabbit include age (younger bunnies require more pellets and hay), activity level, health and breed.

Consult a veterinarian for any specific dietary guidance.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.