Rabbit Food Calculator
Calculate daily hay, pellet, vegetable, and water amounts for your rabbit.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Request a ToolHow to Use the Rabbit Food Calculator
Enter your rabbit's weight and select their life stage to get a complete daily feeding guide covering all four food categories: hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and treats.
- Enter weight. Adult rabbits typically weigh 4-10 lbs depending on breed. Small breeds like Netherland Dwarfs may weigh 2-4 lbs; large breeds like Flemish Giants can reach 14+ lbs.
- Select life stage. Young rabbits under 7 months have different needs: unlimited alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay, more pellets, and no vegetables until 12 weeks old (introduced gradually).
- Read the complete feeding guide. The calculator shows daily amounts for each food type plus water recommendation.
About Rabbit Nutrition
Hay is the foundation of a rabbit's diet and should make up 70-80% of daily food intake. For adult and senior rabbits, timothy hay, orchard grass, or oat hay are recommended. Young rabbits benefit from alfalfa hay's higher calcium and protein content. Fiber from hay is essential for proper gut motility; without it, rabbits can develop life-threatening GI stasis.
Fresh leafy greens like romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, and leafy green herbs provide hydration and enrichment. Introduce new vegetables one at a time to watch for digestive upset. Avoid high-sugar fruits and starchy vegetables like corn and peas as daily staples. Treats including fruits and root vegetables should be less than 5% of the diet and fed sparingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hay should a rabbit eat per day?
Hay should be available at all times and eaten continuously throughout the day. A common guideline is to offer at least a bundle of hay roughly the same size as your rabbit's body each day. In practice, most rabbits will eat close to their body weight in hay weekly. Adult rabbits should eat timothy hay or other grass hays, not alfalfa hay, which is too high in calcium and protein for long-term adult use. A rabbit that is eating less hay than usual may be in pain, bored, or developing dental problems and should be seen by a rabbit-savvy vet.
What vegetables are safe for rabbits?
Safe leafy greens for rabbits include romaine lettuce, green leaf lettuce, cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, mint, watercress, arugula, bok choy, and leafy green herbs. Offer 2-3 different types per day for variety. Introduce each new vegetable one at a time over several days and watch for loose stools. Avoid iceberg lettuce (watery, minimal nutrition), spinach and kale (high oxalates, occasional only), and all members of the onion/garlic family (toxic). Broccoli and cauliflower can cause gas. Carrots and fruit are treats, not daily staples, due to high sugar content.
Do rabbits need pellets every day?
Adult rabbits do not strictly require pellets if they have unlimited access to high-quality hay and fresh leafy greens. However, a small daily amount of plain, high-fiber pellets (not the colorful seed mixes often sold for rabbits) helps ensure consistent nutrition. The amount should be limited: a common guideline is about 1/4 cup per 5 lbs of body weight per day for adults. Overfeeding pellets can lead to obesity and decreased hay consumption, which is the main dietary risk in pet rabbits. Young rabbits under 7 months can have unlimited pellets to support growth.
How much water should a rabbit drink per day?
Rabbits typically drink 1.5-2 oz of water per pound of body weight per day, so a 4-pound rabbit may drink 6-8 oz daily. Water intake varies significantly based on diet and ambient temperature; rabbits eating mostly hay drink more water than those eating more fresh vegetables. Fresh water should always be available. Both water bottles and heavy ceramic bowls work; many rabbits prefer bowls because they are more natural to drink from. Clean and refill water daily. A rabbit that suddenly drinks much more or much less water may need veterinary attention.