Best Rabbit Food UK: What Your Rabbit Should Actually Eat

Rabbits are one of the most misunderstood pets when it comes to diet. Despite what the packaging of many pet shop products suggests, rabbits are not primarily pellet or mix eaters — and getting the diet wrong is one of the main reasons rabbits develop serious health problems. Here's what you actually need to know.

The Golden Rule: 80% Hay

A rabbit's diet should be around 80% hay or fresh grass. This isn't optional — it's essential. Hay provides the long-strand fibre that keeps the digestive system moving and, critically, wears down continuously growing teeth. Dental disease and GI stasis (gut slowdown) are the two most common serious health issues in pet rabbits, and both are largely preventable with the right diet.

The best hays for rabbits are timothy hay, meadow hay and orchard grass. Alfalfa hay is high in calcium and protein and suitable only for young rabbits under 6 months or nursing does — adults should avoid it.

Hay should always be available in unlimited quantities. A rabbit should eat a bundle of hay roughly the size of their own body every day.

Fresh Leafy Greens: The Other Essential

Around 15% of the diet should come from fresh leafy greens. Good options include:

  • Romaine lettuce, cos lettuce (not iceberg — too watery and low in nutrition)
  • Kale, spring greens, curly kale (in moderate amounts)
  • Fresh herbs: parsley, coriander, dill, basil, mint
  • Bok choy, watercress, rocket
  • Dandelion leaves (excellent — high in nutrients)

Introduce new greens gradually and feed a variety rather than large amounts of a single type. Some greens (spinach, kale, broccoli) are best fed in small amounts only due to calcium or gas-producing properties.

Pellets: A Supplement, Not a Staple

Pellets should make up only around 5% of the diet — roughly one tablespoon per kilogram of body weight per day for an adult rabbit. Choose plain pellets over muesli-style mixes. Mixes encourage selective feeding (rabbits pick out the tasty bits and leave the nutritious ones), leading to obesity and nutritional imbalances.

Look for pellets with at least 18% fibre and around 12–14% protein. Avoid anything with added sugar, dried fruit, or coloured pieces.

Treats: Use Sparingly

Fruit should be a rare treat — no more than a teaspoon per day due to high sugar content. Good options are apple (no seeds), strawberries, blueberries or a small piece of banana. Many commercial "rabbit treats" are essentially sugar bombs and should be avoided entirely.

What to Avoid

  • Iceberg lettuce — too watery, can cause diarrhoea
  • Potatoes, parsnips, onions, garlic, leeks
  • Rhubarb — toxic
  • Chocolate, sweets, biscuits
  • Bread or cereal
  • Avocado — toxic

Browse our rabbit food range at UK9 Petcare including premium hay, pellets and fresh treats — with free UK delivery on orders over £40.

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