What Do Rabbits Eat? Or Rather, What Should Rabbits Eat?

What do you mean, rabbits aren't supposed to eat a lot of carrots? Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond / Getty Images

After watching decades of Bugs Bunny cartoons, we have been fooled into thinking that rabbits eat carrots. Turns out, the image of a rabbit eating a carrot is the equivalent of a child eating ice cream; they do eat these sugary treats, but only in moderation, as it's not good for their health.

So, what do rabbits eat when they're not being spoiled? Whether we’re talking about wild rabbits or pet rabbits, these little herbivores need a carefully balanced diet to thrive.

Most importantly, their diet is all about fiber. That means mostly hay, especially high-quality grass hay like timothy hay. But fresh leafy greens, a few pellets and the occasional treat can also keep your rabbit healthy and happy. Let's take a closer look.

Hay: The Foundation of a Rabbit’s Diet

Rabbits require a constant supply of hay to keep their digestive systems running smoothly. Good-quality hay, like timothy hay or fresh grass, makes up the bulk of a rabbit’s daily diet.

For young rabbits, alfalfa hay provides extra calcium, but adult rabbits should be fed alfalfa pellets sparingly to prevent health problems.

Hay isn’t just important for digestion. It also helps prevent dental disease. A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously, so chewing on fibrous fresh hay naturally wears them down, keeping them at a healthy length. Without enough hay, rabbits can develop serious dental issues that affect their ability to eat.

A Variety of Leafy Green Vegetables

Fresh vegetables add essential nutrients to a rabbit’s diet, but not all greens are created equal. Good vegetables for pet rabbits include romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, beet greens and dandelion greens.

Iceberg lettuce should be avoided, as it has little nutritional value and can cause digestive upset.

Fruits and vegetables high in sugar — such as bell peppers, Brussels sprouts and carrot tops — are great in small quantities because rabbits have a sweet tooth. But they should be given sparingly, because too much sugar can make the rabbits gain weight and lead to serious health problems.

Pellets: A Little Goes a Long Way

rabbit food — While this mix looks more appealing than plain pellets, it's not as healthy for your pet. kerkla / Getty Images

Rabbit pellets can be a good supplement, but too many can cause weight gain and other issues. It’s best to feed your rabbit only a few pellets daily — especially if they’re fed alfalfa pellets, which are higher in protein and calcium.

Avoid muesli-style foods, as they encourage selective eating and lack proper balance.

Common Diet Mistakes and Other Tips

Feeding a rabbit the wrong diet can lead to digestive upset, dental disease and other health problems. When you introduce new foods, do so gradually to prevent digestive problems.

Many foods that seem healthy to humans can cause problems for rabbits. Too many pellets, sugary treats, and even the wrong leafy greens can lead to trouble. Make sure your vegetables are pesticide-free.

For feeding, a heavy ceramic bowl works best, as it prevents tipping and keeps rabbit food clean.

And of course, rabbits require fresh water at all times, so make sure they have a clean supply available.

If your rabbit shows signs of digestive problems, such as bloating or refusal to eat, contact a vet immediately.

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